Sax, as locals know it, is a pleasant and quiet market town that enjoyed its glory days as one of the stopping points for the coach run between Ipswich and Great Yarmouth. The Bell Inn in Saxmundham even saw a royal passenger in King George II in 1737. Further along the road is the Westleton Crown, another coaching inn, although with claims to greater antiquity, possibly as far back as the 12th century. Nestling in the little valley of the Fromus, a tributary of the Alde, Saxmundham certainly merits a detour from the nearby A12, and is also a good base for touring the area. Within a few miles are Aldeborough of festival fame; Minsmere nature reserve on the coast with its otters, deer, nightingales and bitterns, and in the colder seasons migrant wildfowl; and historic Framlingham castle. Saxmundham is thought to mean “the farmstead of Saxmund,” or possibly of Seismund, but little is known of its Saxon origins. A market charter was granted in 1272, and there are markets to this day. Monks Cottages are of Tudor origin, and have fine pargeting, and typical Suffolk colour-washing, but most of the interesting buildings are of later date, largely Victorian: the Market Hall was once a Corn Exchange, built in1846; Hurts Hall is a pseudo-Elizabethan pile constructed in 1893. Even the church of St John the Baptist was largely restored in the 19th century, although older elements remain, including three of its six bells which were cast between 1480 and 1510, a 14th century tower, and a font believed to date from 1400. For lovers of the quirky there is a fascinating tombstone in the churchyard, incorporating a sundial of cunning design, and a large Victorian post-box of an unusual type built into the railway station.
Attraction
Dunwich Heath Coastal Centre and Beach
Dunwich Museum
Laurel Farm Herbs
RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve
RSPB North Warren Reserve
Walled Garden
Camping
Carlton Park Caravan Park
Marsh Farm Caravan Site
Whitearch Touring Caravan Park
Care Home
Cottage
Dentist
Doctor
Drs Havard, Murphy, Evans & Dunn
Estate Agent
Holiday Park
Inn
Sibton White Horse Inn
Westleton Crown Inn
Market
Friday Street Car Boot
Savvy Community Group Car Boot
Pub and Bar
Coopers Dip
Old Chequers
Queens Head
Railway Inn
Restaurant
Harrisons Restaurant
Satis House
The Bistro at the Deli
Solicitor
Taxi
Hart Cars
J O & S Miller Taxis
Squirrels Taxis
Swift Cars
Theatre
Vet
Sports Clubs
Saxmundham CC (Cricket)
Shops
Friday Street Fam Shop
Bridge Nurseries
Askers Hill Garden Centre
Paws
The Pet Shop
Snape Maltings Gallery
Maple Farm
Swallow Organics
Laurel Farm Herbs
Veldts Boot and Shoe Makers
Antiques
Places to Stay near Saxmundham
The Bell Hotel (0.16 miles)
Satis House (3.55 miles)
"Satis House" said Pip, "that's a curious name".
"It's Greek, Latin or Hebrew, maybe all three, for enough", she replied. "It means that whoever lives in the house could wish for nothing more."
That is the explanation ... More | visit website
Home From Home Guesthouse (3.57 miles)
A warm and friendly atmosphere. Home from Home is a newly opened refurbished guest-house, in a large Edwardian house, located in the popular town of Leiston, giving comfortable friendly accommodation. ... More
White Horse Hotel (3.70 miles)
This small, friendly hotel is in rural Leiston, close to the coast at Aldburgh and Sizewell. The rooms are en suite and main bar shows Sky Sports and Setanta channels. Every room ... More
The Lion Inn (3.73 miles)
The Lion Inn offers its customers a friendly service featuring great real ales, a variety of popular draught beers, inexpensive wines and spirits and of course home cooked food. We ... More
The Ship Inn (4.06 miles)
We offer a ... More | visit website
Darsham Old Hall (4.28 miles)
Swiss Cottage (4.31 miles)
Eels Foot Inn (4.61 miles)
A traditional, family run, country pub selling Adnams ales and great food.Our accommodation is separate from the Inn and is located in a barn style building only built in October ... More
Sibton White Horse Inn (4.63 miles)
You couldn't find a more quintessential English country Inn if you tried, grade II listed, many fascinating features and its timber frame dating back to 1580. The inn is ideally ... More
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