Looking to enjoy the last of the summer with some fish and chips on the beach? This East Anglian location was named one of the UK’s best harbour towns, and you can pick up the catch of the day right on its shores
A list of the UK’s best harbour towns has seen a surprising winner for East Anglia, and it has even beat destinations such as Cromer and Wells-next-the-Sea for its freshly caught seafood.
The top ten harbour towns were named by the Telegraph, and coming in at number three is a Suffolk location that historically had a harbour, although it doesn’t anymore. However, it’s still considered a harbour town thanks to the fishermen who sell their catch of the day right on the shingle beach.
Aldeburgh has a long maritime history, two of Sir Francis Drake’s most-famous ships were thought to have been built here, and along the Crag Path you’ll find wooden shacks with signs advertising fresh fish and shellfish. You can pick up some seafood to take home, or enjoy pots of smoked, ready to eat fish for your beach picnic.
And when you’re spending the day on the coast, fish and chips are the best way to round off the day, and the nearly 50-year old Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop is just steps from the beach so you can get a takeaway to eat by the sea. The iconic chippy has been reviewed across many media outlets and is often named one of the best in the area.
Walk along the shingle beach along the rows of colourful beach huts that give the town a traditional seaside vibe. At one end, you’ll find the sculpture of a giant scallop, a tribute to composer Benjamin Britten who once enjoyed daily strolls along this stretch of beach.
You can learn more about this charming small town at Moot Hall, a centuries old building now turned into a local museum, and there are exhibits from Anglo-Saxon burial rites to traditional fishing methods.
The hall also served as a jail for women undergoing witch trials in the 17th-century before they were hanged.
Inland, you can explore The Red House, the former home of Benjamin Britten, which is open seasonally for tours. This farmhouse dates back centuries, and is full of objects from the composer’s life, showing where he was inspired to create many of his works.
Aldeburgh also has a charming high street, full of independent shops, art galleries, cafés, and ice cream parlours, adding to the traditional vibe of the town.
Another East Anglian destination also made the top ten. Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk came in at number eight on the Telegraph’s list and was named best for crabbing. It said: “The maritime history of Wells-next-the-Sea dates back to the ninth century, and much of its seafaring heritage remains – from the Old Lifeboat House to various maltings, ropewalks, jetties and slipways. Now, it’s a happy-go-lucky seaside town, appealing but not overly polished, with access to epic beaches.”
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