Within easy reach of London, the South-East and the Midlands, Aldeburgh is a quiet but popular seaside resort. It has managed to escape brash commercialism in favour of retaining the charm and genteel atmosphere of a bygone age. With its relaxed pace and calming atmosphere you’ll soon forget all about life in the city.

A flourishing town, which developed after the prosperous medieval fishing and ship-building centre of Slaughden was destroyed by the sea, it is today best known for the brightly coloured fishing boats which line the shingle beach and the world-renowned Aldeburgh Festival, based at nearby Snape Maltings.

Situated in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Aldeburgh makes an ideal location from which to explore the area. There are many walks, both coast and country, and a number of nature reserves, including Havergate Island and RSPB Minsmere. There is also excellent sailing on the River Alde and golfers are spoilt for choice with some excellent Suffolk golf courses at Thorpeness and Aldeburgh.

The White Lion Hotel is a traditional, privately owned hotel offering high standards of hospitality, service and value for money. It is the perfect base for exploring the beauty of this part of the Suffolk coast.

Walking in Suffolk:

All the special qualities of the countryside of coastal Suffolk can be experienced by walking between the town of Aldeburgh and the neighbouring village of Thorpeness, although the Heritage Coast extends from Kessingland to Felixstowe.

The largely man-made landscape is protected from the sea by the natural embankment of shingle, which in the course of a year can alter dramatically through the influence of high tides and winter storms. Despite this natural cycle of change the countryside has retained much of its wealth of flora and fauna. This is due mainly to the continuation or recent re-introduction of livestock grazing and reed cutting.

There are numerous walks in the area which will enable you to explore woodland, heathland, marsh, fen and seashore. Each of these areas supports different plants and animals and each season brings a change in the variety of animals seen, providing an incentive to visit the area throughout the year.

Suffolk Bird-watching and wildlife:

North Warren Reserve in Thorpeness, the RSPB flagship reserve Minsmere and the river banks at nearby Orford and Snape are home to some of the rarest and most unusual birds in the UK – the Avocet, Nightjar, March Harrier and Bittern. These reserves offer the perfect opportunity to watch the birds in their natural habitat and the shingle beaches of the Suffolk coast whilst the ancient heathlands surrounding Aldeburgh and Thorpeness are home to a wide variety of other flora and fauna.

So if you need to escape from the hectic pace of everyday life then the White Lion Hotel in Aldeburgh, Suffolk is the perfect retreat for a relaxing break.