All of Suffolk’s coastal settlements have an end-of-the-road feel, none more so than Walberswick, which sits at the end of a turning off the A12. Once here, there is literally nowhere else to go, apart from climbing aboard the foot ferry across the river Blyth to Southwold. As such it’s not the sort of place you come across by accident, and (outside of summer high season at least) it can be very peaceful as a result, with a village green, a handful of shops, a stretch of beach and a couple of pubs. It used to host a well-known crabbing festival but that got too popular for its own good so they called it off – Walberswick residents prefer to remain just that little bit off the beaten track, and who can blame them?
For a pint
Walberswick is lucky enough to have two excellent pubs: The Bell Inn, closest to the river, a cosy warren of rooms serving good food and drink, and the slightly more feted Anchor, on the road as you come into the village, which has a reputation for high-quality food as well as an excellent wine list and a vast selection of craft beers.
Stay here
Both pubs have rooms – The Bell is the more basic of the two, The Anchor the slightly fancier option – and Walberswick is a delightful place for an overnight stay.
Did you know?
Walberswick is a place for celebrity spotting. Various media and creative folk, most famously Richard Curtis and Emma Freud, have made their homes here, and there are regular rumours (usually unfounded) about who might be next.