Saxmundham is in East Anglia. It's a charming working market town catering more for local residents than the tourism industry, but is a good base for exploring the Suffolk coast and inland rural towns and villages.
Understand
[edit]
It dates back to the Doomsday Book (by which time it already had 3 churches). The town gained its market charter in 1272; the market still operates today.
The nearby RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve was the base for the TV SpringWatch nature series for several years.
Get in
[edit]By road
[edit]Saxmundham is just off the A12 (which has bypassed the town) and is a 2-hour drive from London.
By train
[edit]
- 1 Saxmundham Train Station, Station Approach, Saxmundham IP17 1BW. On the East Suffolk Line (Ipswich to Lowestoft). Station managed by and services operated by Greater Anglia. Hourly services to Lowestoft and Ipswich (every two hours on a Sunday).
By bus
[edit]First Buses[dead link] in Norfolk and Suffolk also operate a bus to Ipswich and surrounding towns such as Aldeburgh.
By bicycle
[edit]- National Cycle Route 1 (Shetland Islands to Dover) passes 4½ miles NW of the town.
- Regional Cycle Route 41 passes 3 miles W of the town.
- Regional Cycle Route 42 passes 3 miles E of the town.
Get around
[edit]
Saxmundham is a small town and most places are within walking distance of each other. If you need to there is a bus service that runs around the town and then onto Ipswich.
- J Gull Taxis, Saxmundham, ☏ +44 1728 602344.
See
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- 1 Saxmundham Museum, 49 High St, Saxmundham IP17 1AJ, ☏ +44 1728 663583, [email protected]. Apr-Sep: M-Sa 10AM-1PM. Well worth a visit, as it is very informative and enjoyable for all the family
Do
[edit]- 1 RSPB Minsmere (Nature Reserve), IP17 3BY (OS grid ref: TM473672. 8 miles E of the town), ☏ +44 1728 648281, [email protected]. Daily dawn-dusk. Cafe.
Buy
[edit]The town has a variety of independent and chain stores on the High Street and around the central part of the town.
- 1 Weekly Market, Market Place, Saxmundham, ☏ +44 1728 604595, [email protected]. early morning-mid afternoon.
- 2 Waitrose (Supermarket), Church St, Saxmundham IP17 1EP, ☏ +44 1728 603004. M-F 8AM-9PM, Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 10AM-4PM.
- 3 Tesco Supermarket, 1 Church St, Saxmundham IP17 1EP, ☏ +44 345 671 9532. M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 11AM-5PM. ATMs
Eat
[edit]- 1 Cinnamon (Indian Restaurant), 104 High St, Leiston IP16 4BZ, ☏ +44 1728 831962. Daily 5-11PM.
Drink
[edit]- 1 The Golden Key, Priory Lane, Snape, ☏ +44 1728 688510. This is a pub with a landlord willing to go the extra mile. Local beer, and evenings to meet your winemaker.
- 2 The Old Chequers (Pub & Food), Aldeburgh Rd, Friston IP17 1NP (3 miles SE of Saxmundham), ☏ +44 1728 688039.
- 3 The White Horse (Pub & Food), Bruisyard Rd, Saxmundham IP17 2AF (3 miles W of town), ☏ +44 1728 663497, [email protected].
Sleep
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- 1 The Bell At Sax' (Hotel & Restaurant), 31 High St, Saxmundham IP17 1AF, ☏ +44 1728 602331, [email protected].
- 2 The Westleton Crown, The Street, Westleton, Saxmundham IP17 3AD, ☏ +44 1728 648777. Friendly hotel in a 12th-century coaching inn, great dining, dog-friendly. B&B double £130.
Connect
[edit]Saxmundham and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Sep 2022, 5G has not reached this area.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Saxmundham |
| Ipswich ← Woodbridge ← | SW  NE
|
→ Southwold → Lowestoft |