Absolutely Aldeburgh
Retailers as well as their stores appear to come and go, and Aldeburgh restaurants seem to rise and fall from grace, although the backbone of this glorious Suffolk High Street remains firm. And I love Aldeburgh for its familiarity as much as its charm. This is the East Coast at its best – it’s where the East winds and the British seaside wrap around you like a cosy yet stylish blanket. This is a place of dreams – a steaming cuppa and a toasted teacake by day and a pint of locally brewed beer from Adnams with local fish and chips by night. Well, at least that’s how I remember it.
This weekend’s visit was less indulgent yet just as enjoyable. I selected delicious fish and local seafood delicacies to satisfy my food curiosity. But that didn’t mean bland or boring. It’s all about eating less and eating well. Yet somehow the green of the vegetables shined even brighter against the gleaming white halibut, pearl oyster shells and contrasting citrus. I remained resolute in my quest to avoid unnecessary feasting, although that’s so much easier to say now I’m back home with my greens.
Aldeburgh continues to deliver on its promises and this weekend was no exception. Windswept dog walkers marched along in the rain, heads down, small children in tow in gloriously inappropriate clothing and wellies! Ravenous (and seemingly endless) queues outside both fish and chip shops were undeterred by the showers. Individuals clutching pints of Adnams and savoring every drop eagerly rehearsed their orders and tried anxiously to gain confirmation that it was six large cod and four portions of chips … or was it six portions of chips and four large cod? It couldn’t be anywhere else.
My first visit to Suffolk was in the late 70s without premise of luxury or entertainment. We stayed at a B&B on the seafront and instantly fell under the spell of the single fish and chip shop at the other end of the High Street. Two elderly sisters ran a sparsely furnished tearoom named Cragg Sisters. This was the gift that kept on giving. A place where local shoppers, elderly residents and day trippers all experienced the same warm welcome. And who could resist the huge fresh cream meringues which lured passers-by from the modest window? Yes, Cragg Sisters is woven into Aldeburgh history along with the Wentworth Hotel.
This is a hotel with a charm as unique as its customer base. It’s a tiny bit quirky thanks to the ladies who meet there for lunch and the wonderful conversations, which are a tiny bit over-emphasised. Hardly surprising given their advancing years! Have you visited yet? Here’s what I wrote a couple of years ago.
“It’s not my intention to write a Trip Advisor review although if you haven’t stayed at the Wentworth, then it’s time to put it on your list. It’s a cosy, happy place which delivers on its seaside promises of great customer service and locally sourced produce expertly prepared by Head Chef, Tim Keeble.
The Wentworth is a delightful family-owned and privately run hotel which has been cherished by the same family for 100+ years. This is where a wise hotelier engages his team and rewards them with care, so that they create a great hospitality experience for guests. With an enviable reputation for looking after his colleagues and investing in the fabric of the hotel, Michael Pritt has created a strong business”.
I was thrilled that one of my favorite nurseries Woottens Plants (just a short drive from Aldeburgh) switched to its seasonal opening times earlier this month and enabled me to pick up some delicious Irises for my Sussex collection. The Iris fields at Woottens are a thing of beauty, and almost addictive, even for the uninitiated. There’s a colour scheme for almost everyone’s taste. Even the young children from the fish and chip queues in their colourful wellies and fairy skirts!
So much of what’s important to me at home or in the garden is about how it looks, and you’ll know already that colour is high on my list of priorities. Maybe that’s why I love Irises and Hellebores so much? The subtleties of the colours are beyond gorgeous. I launched my website four years ago with stories like, Confident, capable and colourful … that’s me and more recently last Summer, Colourful never beige. How food looks on the plate and how appealing its colours are often as important as its taste and texture. Similarly, how we choose to dress or style our surroundings.
Many people are happy without colour in their lives, while others are busy with more important aspects of their existence. If you don’t recognise yourself or you haven’t really thought about it before, I’m encouraging you to consider a place for colour in your life. Think about what could be improved by some flowers, in your favourite colour, or perhaps there’s a role for a different coloured outfit? Now I’m not suggesting that you step out in head-to-toe Edina, but a little pop of colour works wonders for your smile! Happy Springtime. Let’s talk about your plans for a short trip away … where are you thinking?
