Holiday cottages in Halesworth

Book a holiday cottage in Halesworth, a small market town in north east Suffolk, home to historical buildings, surrounded by picturesque landscapes.

 

Why is Halesworth a good base for a cottage holiday?

The small market town of Halesworth can be found in the north east of the stunning English county of Suffolk and is set in beautiful countryside, with a trickling tributary of the River Blyth meandering through the centre of town. Halesworth is an old Roman settlement and is steeped in history, with many Roman relics still scattered around and it is home to an incredible medieval church, St Mary’s, which is fantastic to visit. This is a very good location to choose to stay for a holiday because there is much of interest to explore locally, the Suffolk coast is an easy driving distance away with nature reserves and opportunities for fishing in both carp lakes and sea and sailing.

Rent a cottage or holiday apartment in Halesworth to enjoy the best features of this Suffolk town, its numerous eateries, coffee shops, antique shops and historical buildings. Self-catering accommodation is very convenient for a holiday exploring Suffolk because there are no ties to set mealtimes and you can come and go as you please. It is usually more convenient to stop for meals wherever you visit that day in Suffolk although it is also most useful to have your own supply of snacks, foods and drinks back at your accommodation. That way, you can have your preferred nightcap, supper or brand of tea of coffee. A large wine shop in Halesworth Market Place could be a good source of wines to enjoy on holiday.

There are some delightful cottages to admire in Halesworth and hopefully a few comfortable ones to rent for a stay in the town. Even if you book accommodation on the outskirts, do take a walk around the town to see the charming colour washed period cottages, the impressive Tudor style buildings and ancient handsome houses. Look out for a variety of cottage-style front doors, imaginative door knockers and window displays.

 

What popular tourist attractions are there in Halesworth?

Everyone likes to see the local sights on holiday. The Halesworth and District Museum is housed within Halesworth railway station and should definitely be visited if staying in the town on a cottage break. This museum features displays, artefacts, exhibitions and photographs about the history of Halesworth and its inhabitants. If you want to get a further insight into the history of this quaint town then there is a special Town Trail which goes through the settlement and is a great way to soak it all up first hand.

The sale of antiques is never very far away in Halesworth. There are several places selling antiques that include the Blackdog Aniques Centre, Corner Cottage Antiques and

Tilly's of Halesworth which is a recommended high quality tea shop combined with antique shop. This is the place to visit if you would like to hunt for vintage designer wear and ornaments. An annual antiques street market is held at the end of August as a charity fundraiser - a date to bear in mind when booking a cottage holiday in Suffolk.

There is a cider farm within a short drive where visitors can find out about its manufacture and take a few samples back to their holiday home in Halesworth.

Does Halesworth town have many shops for me to visit during my self-catering break?

Every self-caterer needs to have access to shops unless they are extremely well prepared, however , it's all part of the joy of visiting a new place on holiday to check out the local shops. If you love shopping and most people like to spend a little time becoming acquainted with the local shops on holiday, then Halesworth may be for you, as there is a great pedestrianised shopping street, the Thoroughfare, home to a mixture of individual stores and high street chains.

Halesworth town centre is decorated with real Christmas trees strung high above the shops and Christmas lights. They have a Christmas lights switch on day with Santa Claus and stalls in the Market Square. It's a jolly place to visit pre-Christmas when everywhere is dull and grey. There are inviting shops such as 'Just nice things' which stock a wide choice of desirable gifts and welcoming pubs including the 16th Century Angel, White Hart and the White Lion. A weekend in Halesworth just before Christmas could be very very nice. Perhaps arrange a trip to coincide with Bury St Edmunds big Christmas Market (about an hour's drive away) and enjoy a day out with a drive through north Suffolk.

There is a 'Pay and Display' car park near the town centre but also lots of side streets where parking can be found. People who would like to visit Halesworth for a holiday may also wish to know that there is a railway station which connects with Lowestoft and Ipswich.

What annual events happen each year in Halesworth?

Lovers of the arts should check out the New Cut Arts Centre in Halesworth which hosts a couple of festivals – the annual Halesworth Arts Festival and the HighTide Theatre Festival. This critically acclaimed festival takes place in May and features a fantastic and varied arts programme with plays, free events and other exciting performances.

The Little Gallery claims to be housed in the oldest building in Halesworth at 5 Market Place and holds regular exhibitions by local artists.

Are there any places where I can see wildlife while on my self-catering holiday in Halesworth?

Suffolk holidays lovers, keen on walking and bird watching, will adore the large expanse of land and marsh meadow Millennium Green – the largest in the UK, which is home to an abundance of wildlife, from otters to kingfishers and buzzards. Taking afternoon strolls through this green is a wonderful way to spend time in the great outdoors in Halesworth. It's also a good place to cycle.

Minsmere Nature Reserve, a paradise for bird watchers is on the Suffolk Heritage Coast. This is a low lying marshy landscape that is important for certain species.

Snape Maltings is a popular place to visit for a day out, especially by people who like to shop and have lunch somewhere new.