Some of the best beaches in Suffolk and Essex are within easy reach of Apple Tree Lodges at Stoke by Nayland, so once you’ve explored the delights of the Dedham Vale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you might want to venture a little further afield for some vitamin sea.

Whether you’re looking for a family day out with buckets and spades, a boat ride or watersports session, or just a gentle wander around a pretty coastal town (maybe indulging in a little retail therapy, and stopping for a bite to eat or a glass of something refreshing), you’ll be spoilt for choice.

We’ve put together a round-up of the best beaches that can be found along the Essex and Suffolk coastline, all within about an hour’s drive from your Lodge:

Best beaches in Suffolk

Aldeburgh (1 hour’s drive)
Classy Aldeburgh is the location to head for if you’re looking for somewhere with boutique shopping and a refined, artsy feel. Don’t miss Maggi Hambling’s
stainless steel Scallop, on the beach as you head towards Thorpeness, and do check out what’s showing at pop-up gallery space The Courtyard, just tucked
away off the High Street by the King Street car park. Fish and chips from the legendary Aldeburgh Fish & Chip Shop, followed by a visit to Ives Ice Cream Parlour, is a simple seaside feast to savour, or try Regatta restaurant for elegant seafood with AA Rosette credentials.

Walberswick (1 hour 10 minutes’ drive)
Once a thriving port, the Georgian village of Walberswick is now a pretty seaside spot that’s ideal for a bucket and spade day out – with a long sand and
shingle beach and grassy dunes, all surrounded by marsh and meadows. It’s great for crabbing (in fact, every year the village plays host to the British open
crabbing championships), so you might want to go prepared with a bucket, line, and scraps of bacon! It’s a short hop over to Southwold on the foot ferry, if
you feel like venturing a little further afield (and the seafood places on the Black Shore, such as The Sole Bay Fish Company, make this a really worthwhile option for foodies in particular).

Southwold (1 hour 18 minutes’ drive)
Famous for its pier, lighthouse, and of course Adnams Brewery, Southwold is a quintessentially English seaside town with lots to offer and heaps of coastal
charm. There’s something for everyone, from a fascinating Brewery or Distillery tour (and tasting) to the quirky Under The Pier Show (an eccentric collection of interactive machines), from sandcastles on the beach to fine dining (check out Two-Rosette Sutherland House or The Swan), and from power boat trips out to sea on Coastal Voyager, to browsing galleries and boutiques along the main drag. Don’t miss getting coffee and cake from the fabulous Two Magpies Bakery!

Best beaches in Essex

Frinton-on-Sea (49 minutes’ drive)
Refined Frinton has some of the best sandy beaches in the area – they’re wide and soft, peppered with shells, and absolutely ideal for building sandcastles.
It’s quieter than neighbouring Clacton or Walton, and you won’t find any amusement arcades or noisy bars (in fact, it took until 2000 for Frinton to get
its first pub), so it’s a great choice for families looking for a simple and relaxing beach day. Plenty of room for picnics on the greensward, or instead wander up along Connaught Avenue and pop into one of its cafes for a bite to eat.

Brightlingsea (41 minutes’ drive)
Formerly a centre for shipbuilding and fishing, Brightlingsea is now more well-known for its sailing community. If you’d like to get out on the water, you can book a kayaking or SUP session at The Paddle Hut, take a boat trip up the Colne to Wivenhoe for a pub lunch, or pop over to East Mersea on the foot ferry. If you’d rather stay on dry land, then take a gentle stroll along the promenade, or if you’re feeling more energetic, carry on along the sea wall, next to Brightlingsea Marsh National Nature Reserve. For younger children, the shallow lagoon at the beach is ideal for paddling, while the town’s 1930s Community Lido is a must for sunbathers and bathers alike!

Mersea Island (40 minutes’ drive)
Glorious Mersea features one of Essex’s most recognisable seaside scenes – the pastel-coloured beach huts at the end of Seaview Avenue. Very Instagrammable! That’s not all it has to offer, mind you. From the famous Colchester Oysters (nip into The Company Shed for a taster) to locally
produced beer and wine (at The Mersea Island Vineyard), the island is a foodie’s paradise – also check out Mersea Barns for a light lunch, or
indulge in afternoon tea at The Gilt Rooms. Just don’t forget to check the tide times before you plan your day out, as high tides can often cover The Strood, and this causeway is the only way on or off the island unless you’re travelling by boat!

*all travel times are approximate and will depend on traffic