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Major city · United Kingdom

Southwold

Give Southwold 2 nights: one full day for the pier, lighthouse and beach, one for Walberswick or Dunwich. A day trip only works if you drive.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Southwold is a small Suffolk seaside town of about 950 people, built around a working harbour, a brewery and a shingle beach. It is compact enough to walk end to end in 20 minutes, so the trip is about pacing: a slow day on the pier and greens, a second day along the coast. Public transport reaches it, but slowly, and most visitors arrive by car.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Jan–Feb (cold, many places shut midweek)
Airports
STN · NWI · LHR
Nights
2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Southwold111 ▾
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Southwold, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
  • BeerPint of Adnams£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–20 (≈ US$11–30)
  • Museum or sight ticketLighthouse entryAdult £4 (≈ US$6), child £3 (≈ US$4), family £12 (≈ US$16) (check)
  • Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
  • Mid-range bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£150 (≈ US$200)
  • High-end bedPub or B&B double room, a night, per room£260 (≈ US$350)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £60 (≈ US$80) · Mid £110 (≈ US$150) · High £200 (≈ US$300)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Southwold PierAdnams BrewerySouthwold lighthouseShingle beach and beach hutsSt Edmund's Church
Airports
STN London Stansted (About 2 h by road; train via Ipswich and Halesworth or Darsham, then taxi or bus.) · NWI Norwich (About 1 h 15 min by road; Border Bus 146 links Norwich and Southwold.) · LHR London Heathrow (About 3 h by road; rail via London Liverpool Street and Ipswich.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  5. May

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    7°C (45°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest May (8). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Southwold: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

7°C (45°F)

2°C (36°F)

11 rd

Feb

7°C (45°F)

2°C (36°F)

9 rd

Mar

10°C (50°F)

3°C (37°F)

10 rd

Apr

13°C (55°F)

5°C (41°F)

9 rd

May

16°C (61°F)

8°C (46°F)

8 rd

Jun

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

8 rd

Jul

22°C (72°F)

13°C (55°F)

8 rd

Aug

22°C (72°F)

13°C (55°F)

8 rd

Sep

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

8 rd

Oct

15°C (59°F)

8°C (46°F)

10 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

5°C (41°F)

11 rd

Dec

7°C (45°F)

3°C (37°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Walk: the town is small and flat, and everything in the centre is within 15 minutes on foot. Bicycle: Regional Cycle Route 31 runs north to Beccles and links to National Cycle Route 1. Bus: First 99 from Lowestoft and 99a from Halesworth and Bungay, Border Bus 146 from Norwich and 524 from Halesworth, all serving Beccles. Train: nearest stations are Darsham (9 miles), Halesworth and Beccles, each needing a bus or taxi for the last leg. Car: 6 miles east of the A12, about 35 miles from both Ipswich and Norwich.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Walberswick

go

Door to door: About 30 min on foot with the ferry

Foot ferry from the harbour, or 8 miles by road

Ferry is seasonal and weather-dependent; two pubs and a beach on the far side.

Dunwich Heath and Beach

go

Door to door: About 25 min by car

Drive 10 miles south, or bus and a long walk

National Trust heath, tea rooms and a shingle beach; parking charged per car.

Reydon Wood

go

Door to door: About 10 min by car

Drive 3 miles north-west off the B1126

Small woodland reserve, best April–July for birds; dogs on leads.

Lowestoft

caution

Door to door: About 45 min by bus

First bus 99, or drive 14 miles north

Fine for a half day; the bus is hourly at best.

Beccles and Bungay

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Border Bus 146 or 524 via Beccles

Market towns on the River Waveney; check the last bus back.

Aldeburgh

caution

Door to door: About 45 min by car

Drive south along the coast

No direct bus; a car or a long taxi ride.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre (Market Place and High Street)

Walk to the pier, beach, pubs and shops; the practical base for 2 nights.

North Parade and the seafront

Beach huts and sea views; a few minutes further from the pubs.

Harbour and Blackshore

Quieter, near the Harbour Inn and the foot ferry to Walberswick; 15–20 min walk from the centre.

Walberswick

Across the river, 2 miles on foot via the ferry; cheaper rooms, two pubs, no shops.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£60–90 (≈ US$80–120) excl. bed
Mid
£90–150 (≈ US$120–200) excl. bed
High
£150 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Pub or B&B double room1 × 2 nights × £150£300
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £110£440
Brewery or distillery tour2 × £25 · check£50
Lighthouse entry2 × £4 · check£8
Dunwich Heath car park1 × £5 · check£5
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£82
Trip total≈ £226 per person per day, bed included£905≈ US$1,300

2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Southwold excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Fish and chips£10–16 (≈ US$14–25)
Pub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
Pint of Adnams£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
Brewery or distillery tour£25 (≈ US$35) (check)
Lighthouse entryAdult £4 (≈ US$6), child £3 (≈ US$4), family £12 (≈ US$16) (check)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–20 (≈ US$11–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe for a seaside town; the real risks are the sea and the weather. Swim only between the flags, watch for the shingle shelf, and take a windproof layer even in July.
  • Darsham station has no bus link to Southwold: pre-book a taxi or use Halesworth or Beccles instead.
  • The Walberswick foot ferry is seasonal and weather-dependent; the road route is 8 miles.
  • Lighthouse visitors must be at least 1.1 m tall, and the tower has no lift.
  • Mobile signal is patchy: 4G from EE and O2, limited Vodafone, no Three, and no 5G.
  • Summer weekends and the Latitude Festival in mid-July fill every room: book weeks ahead.

Emergency numbers

NHS non-urgent
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

SouthwoldSouthwold

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No embassies in Southwold; the US embassy is in London, and most countries' consulates are in London or Edinburgh.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Taxi Darsham station → Southwold: about £20–25 (≈ US$30–35), 15 min (check)
  • Bus Lowestoft → Southwold (First 99): about £5–7 (≈ US$7–10) single (check)
  • Walberswick foot ferry: about £2 (≈ US$3) each way, seasonal (check)

Say or show

  • Two pints of Adnams, please — Two pints of Adnams, please
  • Is the ferry running today? — Is the ferry running today?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
  • A table for two, please — A table for two, please
  • What time is the last bus? — What time is the last bus?

Southwold is small: the Co-op on Market Place has ATMs and is open daily 6AM–10PM.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Southwold. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, many places shut midweek) · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contracts for STN, NWI and LHR: last train and bus times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Market Place, the pier and North Parade, the harbour and Blackshore, Walberswick.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (pier, lighthouse, St Edmund's Church, Southwold Museum, Alfred Corry Lifeboat Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Ferry and festival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources