Memory

I could be considered a newcomer to Suffolk only having moved here in 2004, but now I’m here I can’t imagine living anywhere else! When I think back to when I first arrived in the county it makes me smile. It was a real culture shock – I have never seen so many animals running across the roads on my way to the local supermarket, from squirrels, pheasants and mice to rabbits and deer. Tractors always used to make me jump as I came face to face with them when turning corners on country lanes. And people gave me directions using descriptions of trees, triangles of grass and crops in fields, all because there were no road names. It’s incredible to think that I found my way around the county at all.

Landmark

It was a long time before I discovered Ipswich Waterfront but it is a real hidden gem. I love visiting whenever I have any free time, especially on a sunny day. The views of the boats across the glistening water and the tables of the cafes and restaurants along the waterfront with people enjoying the atmosphere can really make you feel like you are on the Mediterranean. I spent a number of years studying tourism and event management at the University of Suffolk as a very mature student which is when I really got to know the waterfront. I’m surprised that I managed to get any studying done as I used to spend a lot of time looking at the view.

Beach

We have so many wonderful beaches to choose from, and I can usually be found at most of them throughout the year. I love how different they all are so you can plan which one to visit depending on what sort of mood you are in. I absolutely love Felixstowe. It is my happy place and always at the top of my list if I am looking for a day out. I love exploring the beach starting at Landguard Point where I usually have a coffee at Viewpoint Café, admiring the container ships being unloaded in the docks. I then walk along the beach at Landguard Nature Reserve, down towards the pier (get some fish and chips if its lunchtime) and appreciate the lovely beach huts next to the sea. But my favourite thing to do is to sit in the wonderful Felixstowe Seafront Gardens overlooking the sea surrounded by all the beautiful flowers and just watch the world go by. It truly is a great place to visit with something to suit everyone.

Town/Village

Bury St Edmunds has a special place in my heart. I visit often and there is so much to love about the town from its great shopping centre and market days to a stroll down to Abbey Gardens. A walk along the path through the trees into the gardens is so peaceful and there is always a spectacular display when you reach the main flower beds. There is so much to see, from small hidden gardens, to amazing views of the cathedral and of course the ruins of the abbey.

Place to Eat

You can tell a good place to eat when start planning your next trip back just as you leave. The Greenhouse Café in Felixstowe is one of those places. It has a wonderful cosy atmosphere, friendly staff and we always enjoy our visits. It’s a vegan café and its always great to see the seasonal menus they create. The hot chocolate (with all the trimmings) is amazing as too is the ‘no nonsense nossage’ (vegan sausage roll).

Pub

I always love my visits to the Dennington Queen. It’s often difficult to choose from their menu as they have so many delicious options. It’s a great place to relax, enjoy lovely food and catch up with friends and family.

Attraction/ Day Out

With a keen interest in tourism, I have spent the last five years actively travelling around Suffolk visiting hundreds of attractions and places for days out whilst writing my travel blog postcardfromsuffolk.com, hopefully encouraging others to do the same. There are so many places/ attractions I could choose that spring to mind but one of my favourites is Sutton Hoo. The landscape has a real magical feel, and I adore how it changes with the seasons, from colourful trees in autumn to a sea of bluebells in the spring - and that’s before you get into the story of the amazing treasure that was discovered there. Following the film release of ‘The Dig’ it has been great to see this place being enjoyed by new visitors and on a recent return visit after exploring the site, I joined a tour of the mounds with a guide who did an excellent job of pulling all the story together.

Event

Over the years I have enjoyed watching boxing day charity swims on Suffolk beaches in freezing weather, attended and loved my first ever festival at Latitude, seen a knitted Ed Sheeran sitting on a knitted shed at FolkEast Festival, been shut in the back of a police van at the Suffolk Show (all above board of course, I asked what it would be like and the policeman let me sit in there). I’ve sat in a combine harvester at the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, and most recently we went to National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket on Heritage Open Days where I galloped on a race horse simulator. It’s so lovely to see events coming back to the county – I’m sure they will be really popular in 2022 as I think we have all really missed them!

Shop

I love visiting the Suffolk Food Hall in Wherstead. It really is a shopping experience in itself, and a definite place to visit if you love cooking, or just eating local produce. The displays are always eye-catching, and inspire me to try new products/ create new recipes. After a visit to the shop, I also really enjoy spending time just looking across the Wherstead AONB and the spectacular view of the Orwell Bridge.

Export

So many wonderful exports but for me it has to be my favourite Suffolk drink, Aspalls Cyder. On a recent trip to Bristol I walked past a pub beer garden and the umbrellas were branded with ‘Aspalls Suffolk’ – It made me smile and feel right at home.

Tell us all the reasons why you love Suffolk - if you'd like to see yourself on this page email charlotte.smith-jarvis@archant.co.uk