CLUB SITES WHITE HOUSE BEACH

INFORMATION TOURISM

TIC, East Point Pavilion, Royal Plain, Lowestoft NR33 OAP. Tel 01502 533600 or see visit-sunrisecoast.co.uk TIC, 69 High Street, Southwold IP18 6EF. Tel 01502 724729 or see visit-sunrisecoast.co.uk

INFORMATION SITE

Full details of White House Beach can be& Handbook found on p192 2009/10 of the Sites Directory

that form part of the improved entrance to Farther down the coast, and famousMAIN for IMAGE: free and specified areas are set aside for the south beach. A complex system of its brightly-painted beach huts (severalSouthwold of Pier and water sports and fishing. nozzles shoots jets of water high into the air which are owned by celebrities includingNorth Beach There are occasional finds of amber, during the day, and in the evening all is Dame Judi Dench and P D James), ABOVE: a fossilised resin from Europe’s ancient magically illuminated. Southwold exudes an old world charm.Southwold’s famous forests, trapped during the Ice Age and THETHE EASTERNEASTERN The two-day Lowestoft Seafront Air The surrounding marshes have thankfullybrightly-painted then deposited in various areas including Festival in July engenders a good family saved this gracious seaside town frombeach huts the North Sea. After heavy storms there is atmosphere, as does the exciting offshore development and expansion. A 19th-BELOW: a chance of a piece being washed up, Hall Powerboat Grand Prix over the following century lighthouse (open on Sundays) usually somewhere between Southwold two days. Pleasurewood Hills theme park towers over the town as does one of the and Aldeburgh. Striking exhibits from all offers rides and shows for all ages while finest churches in , dedicated to over the world are displayed in Africa Alive wildlife park, near Kessingland, St Edmund, martyr and last King of East Southwold’s amber museum. is a firm family favourite. Anglia. Groups of distinctive buildings are From Southwold there are pleasant Scenic Oulton Broad links the North Sea interspersed with green open spaces, walks to the busy tourist village of with the river Waveney via a lock and lake, created when a 17th-century fire Walberswick on the opposite bank of the and then the rest of the Broads. A wide destroyed many of the houses. One of river Blyth, either using the Bailey bridge or range of leisure facilities and activities draws these greens is Gun Hill, dominated by the foot ferry in summer. In early August angleangle tourists, including quality powerboat racing canon from that time, sent to protect the bridges and river banks become crammed most Thursday evenings. Farther west is the town from sea privateers. with fishing lines, buckets and strong picturesque market town of Beccles, host to A major attraction on the seafront is smelling bait as the World Crabbing a popular carnival and firework display the pier, re-opened in 2001 after more Championship day takes place – a family WANT A BREAK WITH A DIFFERENT SLANT? THEN TRY SUFFOLK’S during the first week in August. than 60 years. It now houses various fun event with all funds raised going to Much of the development of Lowestoft leisure facilities, restaurants and cafés various charities. STUNNING HERITAGE COAST, SAYS MAUREEN MAKINSON was down to Sir Samuel Morton Peto, and is open every day (with free Whether you’re young or old and builder of the Houses of Parliament and admission). The sandy beach, backed by whatever type of holiday you prefer, there original owner of the nearby Anglo-Italian- rows of elevated beach huts, has a lifeguard really is something for everyone along this NCROWDED EXPANSESof or the more secluded main pitching area here, especially at RSPB Minsmere, south style Somerleyton Hall and Gardens. service in summer, certain areas are dog relatively unspoilt Heritage Coast. white sand and shingle beaches where most facilities are found. Awnings are of Dunwich, where there is also a visitor Uinterspersed with heath, marsh permitted on only about half of the 24 centre and tearoom. and reed beds make up the Suffolk coast, pitches by the beach, but even though space During the 19th century Lowestoft’s much of it designated Heritage Coast and is restricted this section is always booked up fortunes were founded on the discovery of nearly all of it lying within an Area of first. There is more room across the road Dogger Bank and the North Sea fishing ❖Outstanding Natural Beauty. Five long river where grass and hardstanding pitches are grounds. The Maritime Heritage Museum estuaries play their part in keeping the main sheltered by trees and shrubs. near the lighthouse records the town’s INFORMATION ATTRACTIONS roads inland, in turn preserving the tranquil There are plenty of places nearby at historical links with the sea. Ness Point, atmosphere of this rich and varied area. which to eat and drink, including the overlooked by the wind turbine, Gulliver, Ordnance Survey Minsmere RSPB – tel 01728 lowestoftairfestival.co.uk Lowestoft. Tel 01502 740291 Landranger Maps The Heritage Coast runs from near Sailor’s Home pub by the main site gate. is Britain’s most easterly place but it’s a 648281 or see rspb.org.uk and Honda Powerboat Grand Prix, or see africa-alive.co.uk. 134, 156 Felixstowe northwards to Kessingland Fishing and walking are favourite activities disappointment to see that little has been search Minsmere. Open all year Royal Plain, Lowestoft seafront – Open all year where the Club bought an existing small along the shingle and pebble beach, quickly done to mark that fact. Lowestoft Maritime Heritage 25-26 July 2009 or see f4sa.com Somerleyton Hall and Gardens, site by the shore over 47 years ago, reached from the main section of the site Lowestoft is not only a port but ideal for Museum, Sparrows Nest Park, Pleasurewood Hills, Leisure Lowestoft. Tel 01502 734901 or expanding it over the years with the via a small gate near the office. Turn left on a traditional seaside holiday – the sandy Whapload Road, Lowestoft NR32 Way, Corton, Lowestoft. see somerleyton.co.uk. Open acquisition of nearby land on the other side the foreshore and it’s possible to walk or north and south beaches, awarded Blue Flag 1XG. Tel 01502 561963 or see Tel 01502 586000 or see March to October but restricted of the minor road. cycle to Lowestoft; turn right and head status, are considered to be among the best maritimeheritageeast.org.uk. pleasurewoodhills.com. Open days and times White House Beach visitors can choose towards distant Southwold and the nature in Europe. Children are encouraged to Open daily May to October March to October, restricted days Amber Museum, Market Place, between the original small site by the shore, reserves – birdwatching is very popular splash through the new Royal Fountains Lowestoft Seafront Air Festival – and times outside school holidays Southwold. Tel 01502 723394 or 23 -24 July 2009 or see Africa Alive, Kessingland, see ambershop.co.uk

78 THE CARAVAN CLUB MAGAZINE JUNE 2009THE CARAVAN CLUB MAGAZINE79