Southwold is a small seaside town that is considered to be the quintessential English holiday destination. There is a sandy and rocky beach with beach huts, a historic pier, a lighthouse, and in the vicinity you can walk on cliffs and coastal areas.
The village has existed since the Normandy invasion and is mentioned as a fishing port. It received city rights in the 13th century. Throughout its history, it was associated with the sea, although the natural stone causeway at the entrance to the port meant that it never became the leading center of this part of the coast. In the 17th century, ships departed from Southwold to America, on which mainly representatives of the Puritan community emigrated.
The oldest monument in the city is the stone Gothic church of St. Edmund the King and Martyr. It was built in the 14th century on the site of the previous temple. Another interesting monument is the six seventeenth century cannons standing on the cliff above the beach. They commemorate the Battle of Sole Bay in 1672.
In the 19th century, the port city of Southwold began to develop as a holiday resort. At the beginning of the 20th century, the nearly 300-meter-long Southwold pier was built, and it is still the main place for walks by residents and tourists to this day. Near the coast, at the port, there is a historic, but still working lighthouse.
Southwold's main attraction is the local rock and sand beaches, with Walberswick Beach in the forefront. They are well developed, with colorful beach huts and recreational equipment rentals. In their vicinity, there are green areas with playing fields and walking paths. You can also go on excursions to the surrounding cliffs.
