Where is this magical place? It must be far away you're saying. But all this is really closer than you think and the destination is the much under-appreciated Suffolk coast, an area of acknowledged outstanding natural beauty.

Amongst the miles and miles of unspoilt coastline lies the charming town of Aldeburgh and its unique neighbour Thorpeness. Both have a wonderful timeless quality and are almost completely untouched by the commercial bug that invades our towns and cities.

The first, most striking feature of Aldeburgh has to be its amazing location. A shingle beach overlooking the awesome North Sea and so much space to breath ? absorb the sea air and instantly feel the worries and stress slip away.

Small wooden huts are dotted along the seafront where local fishermen sell the day's catch straight from the choppy seas ? surely the essence of local produce. A local theme continues as you stroll along the high street. Galleries filled with beautiful work produced by local artists and a range of exclusive boutiques just waiting to be browsed.

Next door to idyllic Aldeburgh lies Thorpeness ? a place that is not all that it first may seem. As you approach, after passing a rather special sculpture on the beach ?The Scallop? another unusual feature rises into the skies. Look up to see the ?House in the Clouds? - just the start of an unravelling story.

The quirky village of Thorpeness was the dream and creation of Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie, an architect, barrister and playwright. He wanted to create a safe holiday environment, where children and adults could enjoy the magic and innocence of a traditional seaside holiday and as such Thorpeness was created with its mock-Tudor buildings and ?Swallows and Amazons? Meare.

Suffolk certainly has much to offer whether visiting for a weekend or longer break. Leisurely walks and cycle rides through the rolling countryside, a round of golf at the challenging and beautiful Thorpeness Golf course or birdwatching at one of the reserves such as RSPB Minsmere.

After all that activity, a body is sure to need a place to rest and definitely a comfortable bed with all the other creature comforts. The choice of accommodation in this part of Suffolk will certainly not disappoint.

In Aldeburgh, the cosy and traditional White Lion Hotel sits directly on the seafront and attracts guests looking for uncomplicated accommodation. Oak beams and roaring log fires create a truly welcoming ambience.

For a fresh, modern venue look to the Brudenell Hotel, situated at one end of the town. The calming colours coupled with the Terrace Restaurant oozes sophistication while the staff will make you feel relaxed and comfortable.

A truly peaceful location and ideal weekend hideaway has to be Thorpeness Hotel. Individual and with excellent facilities including the stunning heathland golf course this is a great choice.

Certainly each of the hotels has its own appeal, yet all share a common theme ? great food. Each prides itself on using local produce wherever possible to create mouth-watering dishes that will feed the eyes and appetite.

And for those visitors who feel that a hotel is too formal, there is the option of self catering at one of the apartments at the Thorpeness Country Club. Perfect for families and couples who want that bit more freedom plus the chance to get active with tennis courts and bike hire available. For a breakaway Suffolk is definitely worth a visit ? all you need to do is to decide where to stay!