Milsoms Kesgrave Hall

Local restaurants

There are a few dining options in nearby Ipswich. The Eaterie (01473 226789), in the Salthouse Harbour Hotel, is situated right on the harbour and is a good spot for alfresco dining on a sunny day. The Meditteranean-influenced menu makes good use of ingredients sourced from local markets. They also have 30 wines by the glass. Just a few doors down is The Bushel Box (01473 287600), the perfect stop for a post-lunch or dinner ice-cream to enjoy on a stroll along the waterfront. Church’s (01473 219138) is a cute little wine bar and bistro that overlooks a leafy churchyard just off Ipswich’s pedestrianised shopping strip. It’s ideal for a light lunch or casual dinner. Mariners (01473 289748) offers award-winning French cuisine on a boat permanently moored at Ipswich harbour. Alfresco dining is available on deck in summer. Samford Restaurant and Cafe (01473 786 616) in Ipswich’s Suffolk Food Hall is a lovely place for either a coffee on the outdoor deck or fine dining overlooking the River Orwell. The adjacent food emporium showcases locally produced food and drink. If you head out to historic Dunwich, where half of the town has disappeared into the sea, be sure to stop for lunch at The Ship Inn (01728 648219) for a home-made pie or battered Lowestoft plaice and chips. It was recently voted one of the best coastal pubs in UK by Food and Travel magazine.

For a full list of eating and drinking recommendations in Suffolk, check out our Suffolk eating & drinking guide

Worth getting out of bed for

Nearby Woodbridge is a pretty, historic market town. For good coffee, as well as locally produced apple cider, cakes and delicious sandwiches, head to Wild Strawberry Cafe (01394 388881), which overlooks the town square. Fanny and Frank (01394 384723) is a boutique that sells men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, as well as must-have homeware.

In Aldeburgh, where the pretty high street is lined with cafes, galleries and boutiques, you’re spoilt for choice for things to do. The Aldeburgh Market (01728 452 520) is a deli with a fish counter and a few tables where they serve light lunches and early dinners in the summer. Pick up picnic supplies from Lawson’s Delicatessen (01728 454052) and next-door Slaughden Wines (01728 454455), and take your haul down to the beach.

In chi-chi Southwold, pop in to the Southwold Gallery (01502 723888) to see works by local artists, and the Amber Museum (01502 723394), which is the only exhibition space in the UK to be solely dedicated to the orangey resin – there’s also a jewellery- and ornament-packed shop. If you fancy a picnic, head to the Black Olive Delicatessen (01502 722312) on the High Street, which has an excellent seafood counter and a mouthwatering selection of home-made pies.

For a full list of recommended activities in Suffolk, check out our Suffolk destination guide