6 Reasons You Should Visit Walberswick

The beautiful seaside village of Walberswick sits just south of Southwold. With its sweeping sand dunes, understated beach huts and tearoom-bordered village green, this idyllic little settlement on the North Sea is the perfect base for holidaymakers headed to the Suffolk Coast.

Here’s our input on why you should consider Walberswick for your next visit…

1. Position

Southwold’s lesser known neighbour benefits from the same beachside location, but retains the quaint village atmosphere.

Staying in Walberswick, you are still within easy walking distance of its ever popular big sister thanks to the narrow bridge that crosses the watery inlet between them. A foot ferry operates during the high season, taking passengers and bicycles across to Southwold harbour. Enjoy all the delights the busier town boasts – the iconic pier and lighthouse, colourful beach huts, and extensive selection of pubs, cafes, and delis – before heading back to your quiet retreat in pretty Walberswick.

There’s equally plenty to see southwards – perhaps a cycle ride to Dunwich? The National Trust Heath and Beach are beautiful, and home to a variety of interesting species.

Plus, Walberswick is within driving distance of several other coastal delights, such as RSPB Minsmereand the seaside town of Aldeburgh, with its popular summer festival and great restaurants. You are also close to the market towns of Beccles and Bungay and the Norfolk Broads.

2. Crabbing

Walberswick is the unofficial home of this popular “sea sport”.

From 1981 to 2010, it hosted the British Open Crabbing Championship, which saw a peak in attendance in 2009 of 1252 entrants! It’s the perfect activity for the family, simply set yourself up on a jetty or footbridge and see what you can catch!

Local shops sell buckets, baits and lines, so if you haven’t brought your own supplies they’re easy enough to get on the day.

3. Food

Sample the local cuisine at the Michelin recommended Anchor, with seaward views and a wood-fired oven in the garden. They use produce from the village allotments and market gardens, so everything is fresh and truly locally sourced! There’s also the Bell Inn (pictured above), run by Adnams, whose brewery is up the coast in Southwold.

There’s also the mobile Fish Hut, colourfully styled as a beach hut with wooden seagulls and bunting, serving award-winning fish and chips around the area. Heroes in the world of British street food!

Take a trip across the Blyth to the harbour and pick up some delicious fresh fish from the fish huts there for your own seafood concoctions

And at The Black Dog Deli, Walberswick’s local delicatessen, you can pop in for a delicious bacon sandwich and freshly brewed coffee, or pick up some local cheese, bread, cakes and pastries.

4. The Beach

Walberswick’s beach is less manicured than the pier beach at Southwold. Closer to the town it is backed by sandy dunes, and the sea is nice and shallow, perfect for young families. Further southwards, low crumbling cliffs appear and the beach is at its most rugged.

Unlike Southwold, the coast from here is completely dog friendly all year round.

Read about the changing coastline at Walberswick here. And see our guide to beaches in the area here.

5. Walks and Wildlife

Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Walberswick is of course a delight for ramblers and walkers. Explore the coastal paths or head to Walberswick Common to see a variety of flora and fauna, including oystercatchers and the iconic avocet.

6. Inspiration

Walberswick has drawn artists and writers for many years; several of Phillip Wilson Steer’s Walberswick landscapes are displayed in the Tate in London. And Esther Freud, whose parents and brother-in-law Richard Curtis have homes in the village, used Walberswick as the setting for The Sea House, thinly disguising it as ‘Steerborough’.

Head to the seaside village to gain some creative inspiration of your own!

Book your summer holiday today – take the whole family to Seaview, sleeping 8. Seconds from the beach, with a stunning, south facing balcony. Relax and soak up the sea views!