Bury St. Edmunds as a home base - and suggestions for lodging

We were in Suffolk last summer. We did not get to Bury St. Edmunds, so I can't really help you on lodging. (We stayed in a tudor-era farmhouse, which was delightful, but we had to drive to town for dinner.) We loved Sutton Hoo and spent much of the day there. We will have to go back because we missed many things! Have a great trip!

I lived in Suffolk for five years and you are right that Bury St. Edmunds is a lovely town, full of history and character and would be a good base. I never needed to stay in a b&b or hotel in town but I am sure you can find one to your liking. The other town that might make a possible base is Ipswich. It is closer to the sea and to some of your other destinations but I think that Bury St. Edmunds is more colorful (flowers everywhere) and less city-ish and would be my choice. Now in spring the flowers will be in bloom throughout the town. My recommendation for a Suffolk Heritage coast beach town is Southwold. I know you already have a busy schedule but not far from Bury (about 12 miles) is the very picturesque small town of Lavenham with its twisted half- timbered medieval cottages. We always took visitors there and it became a favorite of ours.

Thank you - Lavenham was on our list, so we'll try to add it to our itinerary!

I'm still hoping someone has a suggestion on lodgings, good or bad. Am I the only one who doesn't enjoy the booking.com or trip advisor experience? "#3 of 1072 hotels!" "43 people are looking at this B&B now!" "Five people booked this hotel in the past hour!"

It makes me yearn for the days when you took your chances by driving to a town and asking the nice lady at the gift shop ... :-)

Gayle,

If you want to see Flatford Mill, Dedham Vale and East Bergholt, I also would suggest Lavenham. Its a beautiful village with many unique store for antiques and gifts and would be a good base for the villages. Bury St. Edmunds is further out and more of a modern market town. The gardens and old abbey are nice but only worth a few hours. The Angel hotel in Bury sits on the square and right across from the Abbey gardens. I am sure its a little expensive, but its a good location. I would prefer the Swan in Lavenham for four days which too is likely to be a little pricey but it is a good hotel with good food and more central for what you want to see. Another small local village to visit would be Kersey, just outside Lavenham, its just very quaint. I am very familiar with the area, having grown up in neighboring Essex. I took three teachers from Missouri for a visit last July and we visited most of the places you have on your list.

Margaret

Thank you for the suggestions - they are much appreciated! We are booked for two nights at Mollet's Farm (between Framlingham and Aldeburgh) and one in the Dog and Partridge (Bury St Edmunds). It's a little further north than we had planned, but given my late booking and the fact that we were looking for beds for three adults, I had to expand my search.

BTW, I am flying WOW airline ($354 round trip!) and cannot take more than 11# in my carry on. THAT may be the biggest challenge of my trip, but I plan to make Rick Steves proud!

Happy trails!
Gayle

We stayed on a farm east of Framlingham as well. It was a lovely area! Hope you have a wonderful time.