Three days on the Suffolk coast with the Holiday Hound

Scout enjoying a swim

Generally when I think of the beach, I think of hot summer days lazing on a sun lounger and going for cooling dips in the ocean. I also think of walking along a beach on darker days, rugged up against the cold wind. Both of these scenarios are equally appealing to me for very different reasons.

I love to get away at any time of year, but particularly in the autumn before a long stint of work and the lead up to Christmas. Now that I have a dog, I like to use this break so I can take him too. I decided that the beach would be just perfect given that the crowds would be gone and he could run freely and have a swim if he fancied it. He absolutely loves the water.

The coastline of the UK has many options but I wanted something within about a 2 hour drive away from London. I chose Aldeburgh, a town which has inspired artists and writers and most notably composer Benjamin Britten. 

Virginia Woolf once dismissed it as a “miserable dull little sea village”, and that’s what locals want you to think – for they know it’s anything but.

I had been a few times before and loved it. Dogs are allowed on most beaches in Suffolk with restrictions from May through September on the most popular ones so it seemed the right fit.

Sunset - Hazlewood Marsh

I found a delightful place to rent through the Rural Retreats website. They have a lot of dog friendly self catering properties on offer and as I had used them before I knew I'd find something reliable and suitable. We were based in a one bedroom ground floor apartment overlooking the Hazlewood Marsh and only a few minutes away from Aldeburgh town and beach. It was the perfect retreat - peaceful and serenely quiet - a home from home. The sunsets over the marsh were simply beautiful.

We were extremely lucky with the weather. It could have gone either way at this time of year and I didn't particularly mind which way - it is what it is - but it was gloriously sunny and clear which made the cold temperatures that much easier to bear.

Scout loved the beach which was devoid of people until later in the day - he even went in for a swim until a wave broke over him and he body-surfed to the shore. I'm not sure he knew what hit him and although it didn't stop him, he was a bit cautious after that!

Our exploring took us north a few miles to the beautiful Suffolk town of Southwold. We walked from the pier along the beach towards the centre of town. Here there were families, children and dogs playing in the autumn sunshine. There are a number of iconic British beach huts along the sea front, all brightly painted and decorated. These are available to rent in the summer and as expected booked up well in advance. During a day at the seaside, a beach hut is the perfect place to shelter away from the midday sun or to change out of your wet bathers before enjoying a well-earned refreshment! 
 
We had lunch at the Sole Bay Inn, right next to the Southwold Lighthouse, which is open to visitors on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays between 2-4pm. I didn't think it was quite Scout's thing so we walked into town and back along the beach again.

The sun went down by 4.30pm each day so we always got back to the apartment before it got dark. We had a large garden to access which was great for Scout and he had more than his usual share of exercise. In the evenings we catered for ourselves and relaxed in front of the fire watching movies on Netflix. 

The next day we went north again and just a few minutes away to Thorpness. It was quite windy and the beach was deserted. Scout was in his element once more, in and out of the water and didn't seem to mind being wet and windblown. 

It was our last full day and we knew of dog friendly pub, the Plough and Sail, in the town of Snape Maltings and made our way there, although we didn't end up staying as the outside area was not to our liking on the day. That's not to say I wouldn't go back. Right next door was a cafe with outdoor seating in full sun so we opted to have lunch there instead. The town is located in an 'area of outstanding natural beauty' on the River Alde, and I would really like to go back there again. 

After checking out of our accommodation on Sunday morning, we went back in to Aldeburgh to give Scout his last run on the beach. I think he knew we were leaving as he didn't want to come back when called.
We also wanted to go back to our favourite find, a little cafe (sadly the name escapes me) just off the seafront down a little lane towards the High Street and opposite the Garage Gallery. They served delicious Mozzo coffee which I had never heard of before and looked forward to it everyday.

A long weekend break can be as good as a week off. It's great to get out of the city and your regular life to experience something completely different, yet still keep a little normality of that life in a home away from home. I think a few more of these may be on the cards.