Attractions and Places To See around Sudbourne - Top 20

Snape Malting is a renowned arts and cultural complex set within a former maltings building by the River Alde. It offers a variety of galleries, shops, and performance spaces, including the famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall. It's definitely worth stopping here for a coffee if you have time.

It's a dead end for roadies as there's only one tarmacked road to it but it's a nice ride and there's the Tinto Café horsebox at the car park, which does hot drinks, sandwiches and toasties, cakes and snacks. Officially it closes at 4pm but it was still serving at 4.30 when I was there, thankfully.

Limited parking so try the harbour one down the road

From Wikipedia: 'The Church of St Bartholomew is the parish church of the town of Orford, England. A medieval church, dating from the fourteenth century, with reconstructions in the nineteenth and twentieth century, it is a Grade I listed building. In addition to its listing, the church is notable as the location for the first performances of four of the works of the composer Benjamin Britten: Noye's Fludde, Curlew River, The Burning Fiery Furnace and The Prodigal Son. The church comprises a ruined 12th century chancel, begun in about 1166 and abandoned in the 18th century, the Decorated nave and aisles, restored in the late 19th century, and the tower, restored in the late 20th century after the collapse of its upper storey in 1830. The chancel to the original church was built at about the same time as Orford Castle, and demonstrates a similar "grandeur". By the eighteenth century, the chancel was completely ruined and reconstruction concentrated on the nave and the tower. In the early 1880s George Edmund Street prepared a plan for a comprehensive restoration of the whole complex but this was not undertaken. Instead, rebuilding work spanned almost a hundred years, with J T Micklethwaite undertaking the reconstruction of the nave and aisles between 1894 and 1900, H M Cautley repairing the chancel in 1930, and Bruce George restoring the tower in 1971–72.

Installed in 2003, the Scallop is a beautiful piece of art that reflects the coastal light wonderfully. It was sculpted by local artist Maggi Hambling in memory of the composer Benjamin Britten. He took daily walks along the sea during the many years he lived in Aldeburgh. The Scallop has faced a fair amount of local opposition due to its prominent position on the otherwise undisturbed bay.

Installed in 2003, the Scallop is a beautiful piece of art that reflects the coastal light wonderfully. It was sculpted by local artist Maggi Hambling in memory of the composer Benjamin Britten. He took daily walks along the sea during the many years he lived in Aldeburgh. The Scallop has faced a fair amount of local opposition due to its prominent position on the otherwise undisturbed bay.

With commanding views over Orford Ness, the castle stands 27m (90ft) tall and looks remarkably similar to when it was built over 700 years ago. The materials used to build the castle were brought from far and wide with some timbers coming from Scarborough and limestone from Caen in France. Legend has it the 'Wild Man of Orford' was held in the castle in the 12th century. Described as a merman he was captured by fisherman but eventually escaped.

Due to conservation works Orford Castle is currently (August 2022) enshrouded in scaffolding. The unique polygonal tower keep of Orford Castle stands beside the pretty town and former port, developed by Henry II. The castle is remarkably intact allowing visitors to explore from the basement, through the lower and upper halls to the roof where there are magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness.