East of England Visitor Guide 2018

View of the cottage within the walls of Framlingham Castle | www.visitsuffolk.com
FRAMLINGHAM
HADLEIGH
Framlingham, known locally as ‘Fram’, sits
in the unspoilt countryside of East Suffolk’s
coastal district. The pretty market town
has a conservation area and many of the
town’s buildings date from the 17th, 18th
and 19th centuries. Framlingham’s trail is a
good way to explore the town’s history
and interesting buildings.
The 12th-century Framlingham Castle,
owned by the English Heritage, was the
seat of the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk.
Mary Tudor lived in the castle in 1553
and it was here that she heard she had
become Queen of England. Open daily
for much of the year (March - November,
weekends only) visitors can walk around
the battlements and along the wall to take
in good views of the countryside and the
Mere. Concerts and re-enactments take
place in the grounds between March and
September.
The Suffolk Wildlife Trust manages the
Mere, which runs alongside Framlingham
Castle. Framlingham town centre is best
known for its antique shops, and is a great
place to search for a special find. A twiceweekly
market takes place on Market Hill
every Tuesday and Saturday.
Hadleigh, in the south of Suffolk close to
the border of Essex, offers a wonderful
mix of the old and new, and is known as
much for its collection of interesting shops,
pubs and restaurants as it is for its fine
architecture.
Hadleigh is one of Britain’s finest ancient
market towns, with a rich architectural
history that has its origins in Saxon times.
Hadleigh’s High Street is almost a mile
long and runs parallel with the river, and
of the 137 properties that line the street 90
percent are listed buildings.
HALESWORTH
Halesworth is a small market town
primarily centred around a pedestrianised
shopping street known as The
Thoroughfare. The Cut, a centre for arts
in the community, offers a whole range
of arts and entertainment and is host to
the Halesworth Arts Festival from 13-28
October. The Town Park hosts Gig in the
Park every August; a showcase of local,
national, and international musical talent.
Market day is every Wednesday.
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