about suffolk
Issue Sixteen
Late Spring 2025
Look no further than aboutsuffolk, the local magazine that packs a Suffolk punch!
Pickmeup and take me home!
welcome
late spring issue of aboutsuffolk
As May mellows into June, Suffolk is alive with fresh vibrancy. Our hedgerows hum with wildlife, meadows burst into bloom, and the longer days invite us to immerse ourselves in the rhythm of rural life. In this issue, we celebrate the craftspeople, conservationists, and innovators shaping the future of Suffolk’s countryside.
We also have a delicious recipe for you to try, dates for your diary, what’s new on the Suffolk scene and how to embrace life alfresco as we head into summer. And don’t forget to enter our new competition to win an annual family pass to Jimmy’s Farm – we hope you are as widely excited as we are.
Now it’s time to relax and enjoy the read!
Kathy & Sarah
Editorial
Kathy Churchill
Sales
Sarah Clarke
Designer Lucy Hart
Silverlace Creative
Images
aboutmedia info@aboutmedia.co.uk 01728 666352 www.aboutmedia.co.uk
lucy@silverlacecreative.co.uk www.silverlacecreative.co.uk
Big Fish Photography: www.bigfishphotography.com E: bigfishphotography@googlemail.com about design page 54
an annual family Wild Pass for two adults and two children at Jimmy’s Farm Page 7
Nicky Emmerson for the image of the polytunnel on page 66 for about food. Many thanks to all those featured for the use of their images.
If you would like to sign up to the weekly aboutfram e-newsletter, please subscribe at www.aboutmedia.co.uk/aboutfram
out & about who’s about about style about you about interiors about town about time about the land about design about gardens about food about taste round & about
7 Competition Time
Your chance to win a 12-month family pass to Jimmy’s Farm.
8 Pints and punchlines
We chat to performance poet Luke Wright about the finding gold in the grit of everyday life.
14 Out and about
A round up of local events.
18 Fashion Fix
New styles for a new season.
22 Health & beauty
A celebration of wellbeing, teenage hangouts, rebalancing your system, and nailing this spring’s new manicure treatment.
26 Conversation starter
Exploring The Chatterbox, a contemporary take on a Suffolk farmhouse, where the conversation flows as easily as its cool, clean Scandi-inspired design.
32 Get the look
Chic ideas for restyling your home.
36 about town
How it’s all coming together in Framlingham, plus two literary treats not to be missed – ‘tidy’!
38 about time alfresco
Now is the time to embrace the outdoors with relish.
48 Call of the wild
How WildEast is leading the conversation about conservation and how we can all help by giving a little back to nature.
54 Potted history
Drawing inspiration from ancient cultures, Loïs Gunn’s folk-inspired ceramics come to a new studio in Woodbridge.
60 It’s a chard life
The dazzling stems of the versatile and easy-to-grow chard bring colour and culinary usefulness to the garden.
64 Thoughtful food
How gardener Anna Greenland has transformed her plot of farm land into a stunning kitchen garden, overflowing with edible delights.
70 about taste
From field to fork, fork to mouth, savour our county-wide tasty titbits.
72 Strawberry, rhubarb and almond galette
A beautifully rustic galette with a delicious sweet and tangy filling.
74 Talking in circles
A lovely one hour circular walk from Grundisburgh with sweeping vistas and big blue skies.
79 Stockists
Where to buy all the lovely stuff!
out & about who’s about about style about you about interiors about town about time about the land about design about gardens about food about taste round & about
Competition!
Win an annual family Wild Pass for two adults and two children at Jimmy’s Farm, worth £240
Get ready to unleash your wild side with a Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park annual wild adventure! This isn’t just any membership; it’s your all-access pass to a world brimming with adventure and the wonders of nature, decked out with amazing perks like onsite discounts and up to 50% off at other top attractions. Dive into the wild like never before!
Home to over 100 species and breeds, Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park boasts a mix of Native Breed farm animals and exotic wildlife, including camels, capybaras, brown bears, meerkats, and tapirs as well as Europe’s largest polar bear reserve. Founded by TV presenter and conservationist Jimmy Doherty, the park has evolved from its humble beginnings into an award-winning destination for animal lovers and conservation enthusiasts. We are delighted to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an annual family Wild Pass for two adults and two children worth £240!
www.jimmysfarm.com
For your chance of winning this fabulous prize, please answer the following question correctly:
Q: Name one of the exotic animals at Jimmy’s Farm
Send your answer to prize@aboutfram.com quoting Jimmy’s Farm in the subject header.
The competition closes at 23.59 hours on 18th July.
who’s about
Pints and punchlines
Luke Wright is a streetwise performance poet with a gift for finding gold in the grit of everyday life. Having just finished touring with his sellout show ‘JOY’, he is now preparing to take to the stage with ‘Pub Grub’, a show that strips back the glossy coating and celebrates the ordinariness of Tuesday lunchtime banter down your local.
Luke has been performing for over twentyfive years, filling the smoky backrooms of pubs and the makeshift stages of community halls with his sardonic wit and hard hitting honesty. As a lad he enjoyed writing song lyrics for the band he was part of, but, after attending a gig by the acclaimed punk poet John Cooper-Clarke at Colchester Arts Centre, ‘everything changed’. There was a musicality to John’s poetry that instantly appealed to Luke and, having grown up to
the soundtrack of 90s sitcoms and Monty Python sketches, he liked its element of comedy and irreverence! Whilst at university at UEA in Norwich he hooked up with fellow poet Ross Sutherland and together they co-founded a performance collective called Aisle 16, whose 2005 show ‘Poetry Boyband’ earned them a Time Out Critics Choice of the Year.
In 2006, Luke made the decision to go solo who’s about
who’s about
and since then has toured with 19 sell-out solo shows, is a regular on BBC Radio 4, won a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival for writing, a Stage award for performance, curated the spoken word programme for Latitude festival, and now regularly supports John Cooper Clarke on tour. A natural performer with an easy charm, Luke is instantly likeable but behind the boyish grin and self-deprecating humour is a sharp mind and an unflinching eye. He tackles the tricky stuff - religion, politics, ageing - with wit and wisdom. One minute he’s poking fun at the middle classes with their Aga aspirations and second homes, the next, delivering a tender piece about watching your kids grow up. He can have an audience chuckling at the absurdities of bureaucracy before hitting them with a gut-punch line about inequality.
What makes Luke stand out is his uncanny ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. He writes about chips on a Friday night, waking up in bed hungover, and a run-in with a swan whilst taking a dip in the Waveney. In his latest tour JOY, he has been on a quest to see if it is still possible to find pure unbridled happiness amongst the complexities of modern life. Tackling issues such as alcohol abuse and mindless addictions to social media, he also reflects on fatherhood and family and the joy of language itself, deftly elevating them to something beautiful with a heartbreakingly honesty. He doesn’t preach, but he does provoke and is the kind of poet who makes you laugh, then makes you think, and then makes you laugh again, just when you need it.
Luke is now preparing for the new tour, ‘Pub Grub’, which he admits is slightly more philosophical, ditching the political for the personal and exploring human frailty whilst ordering ham, egg and chips on a Tuesday lunchtime. But don’t be fooled, his new collection of poems may reveal a slightly gentler side that perhaps comes with the wisdom of ageing, but they are still performed with the same charismatic energy and conviction that he is renowned for. And for us, the audience, there’s something rather magical about hearing your own life reflected at you in poetic form. Luke is the master of delivery. For him the performance is just as important as the words themselves, and he loves the artistic challenges that a new tour demands. With his twenty five years’ experience he has fine tuned the skill of
keeping an audience captivated, working the crowd like a seasoned comic but with the soul of a wordsmith.
With ‘Pub Grub’, Luke reminds us that poetry doesn’t have to be precious to be powerful. Sometimes, all it takes is a cheeky chap with a curiosity for life and a sense of humour to turn everyday chaos into something worth listening to. His poems aren’t just read; they’re performed, lived, and shouted from the rooftops - or in this case, from the sticky floor of your local boozer.
Luke will be performing at First Light Festival on 21st June and Thorington Theatre 18th July.
www.lukewright.co.uk
May:
28th-29th: Suffolk Show
A two day event celebrating everything that is great about Suffolk. Trinity Park
29th-3rd June:
Spring Art Exhibition
A showcase of artwork hosted by Suffolk Open Studios. The Old Theatre, Framlingham
June:
13th: Sonic Wave
Zambian-Scottish singer-songwriter Namvula followed by Norwich duo Sunda Arc. The Cut
13th-14th:
Brighten the Corners Festival
A multi-venue music festival of live music across 5 stages in Ipswich.
13th-29th: Aldeburgh Festival
An unforgettable celebration of music and the arts. Snape Maltings and other venues
13th-29th: Champagne Maradona
Sarah Lucas’s new exhibit is a joyous object of majestic proportion. Snape Maltings
14th: Anna Pancaldi
London-based singer-songwriter influenced by the likes of Joni Mitchell and Carole King. Wingfield Barns
14th-6th July:
Summer Exhibition
Showcasing well known contemporary and Modern British artists. Thompson’s Gallery, Aldeburgh
20th: An evening with Larry Lamb
As part of his UK tour, from Billericay to Barry, Larry will be at Woodbridge Library.
21st: Antiques Fair
Antiques, collectables and vintage. 9am-3pm Community Rooms, Framlingham
21st-22nd: First Light Festival
A free, beachfront festival in Lowestoft to celebrate the summer solstice with music, art and entertainment.
21st-28th: Southwold Arts Festival
A diverse mix of music, talks, theatre, poetry and visual arts.
26th: Midsummer Nights
Special evenings openings throughout the summer. Helmingham Hall
25th-29th: Felixstowe Book Festival
An amazing literary line-up incl. Esther Freud and Tracey Chevalier. Tkts Felixstowe library
28th June: Be Well Fest
Summer sounds. Wellness Vibes. Feel good family fun! Book via www.bewellbarn.co.uk
28th-29th: Heveningham Country Fair
Adventure-packed weekend for all the family. Heveningham Hall
29th: Woodbridge Regatta
Boat rides, stalls, food & drinks, live music. Free event on the river wall from noon
July:
2nd-5th: Rent - School Edition
A story of resilience and hope that taught us all to measure our life in love. Co-op Juniors. Wolsey Theatre
3rd-6th:
21st-30th Aug:
Festival of Beer and Brewing
Enjoy a range of delicious real ales, craft beers and ciders. The Food Museum, Stowmarket
4th-6th: Maverick Festival
Americana music festival celebrating roots music from both sides of the Atlantic. Easton Farm Park
11th: Summer Soul Vibes
Suffolk’s biggest Soul Festival at Venue 16, Ipswich.
12th: Romeo and Juliet
RoughCast presents the ‘star-crossed lovers’ for their summer production. Wingfield Barns
12th: Words & Music
Songs and readings from Suffolk’s finest musicians to raise money for Walpole Chapel. The Cut
18th: Luke Wright: Pub Grub Fun + filthy poems from someone who knows what they’re doing. Thorington Theatre
Summer Theatre by the Sea
Four fabulous plays to celebrate the summer. Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall and Southwold Arts Centre
23rd-23rd Aug:
Theatre in the Forest
The Red Rose Chain brings you an imaginative take on Hamlet. Sutton Hoo
24th-26th: Alice in Wonderland
Tumble down the rabbit hole and experience the whimsical Wonderland. The Studio @ Eastern Angles
26th: Work it
An electrifying evening of dance from the Ipswich Dance Company. Seckford Theatre
Aug:
1st: SALT
Sea shanties, dances, hymns and folk songs - a visceral tale of faith, jealousy and demonic passion. Thorington Theatre
1st-3rd: Suffolk Sketchfest
Three days of art workshops, demos and sketching at this outdoor festival. www.artsafari.com
1st-3rd: Black Shuck Festival
A unique festival that celebrates folklore, imagination and storytelling. Bungay
3rd: Festival of Classic and Sports Cars
A weekend for car enthusiasts. Helmingham Hall
9th: The Mushroom Show
The brilliance of fungi: their scientific superpowers and amazing abilities. Family fun at Thorington Theatre
12th-19th: Arts Club Exhibition
A fabulous show of local artists at iconic Aldeburgh Beach Lookout.
15th-17th: FolkEast
The UK’s favourite folk festival moves to a new home at Sotterley Estate with a foot-stomping line-up.
21st-26th: A Sense of Place
Solo show by David Riches, painted with passion in response to the devastation looming over the Suffolk coast. Ballroom Arts, Aldeburgh
Fashion fix
4. Balloon sleeved dress
Indi & Cold @ Fleur
5. Lulu geometric jacket
Lolly’s Laundry @ Mea £160
6. Frilled Viti blouse
M.A.B.E @ Collen & Clare £125
1. Spring wellies
Le Chameau @ Ernest Doe From £176
2. Pink Estelle gilet
Bonte & Co @ Snape
Maltings
£145
3. Gold & taupe wedges
Gabor @ Ives Footwear
Kit
£125
£185
7. Quilted jacket
Ruby Tyger £49
8. Spring styling Moose
9. Sunnies! Powder @ Pug & Pussycat
10. Marina knot T-bar necklace
Heath @ Riley & Riley
11. Beautiful summer dress
Rixo @ Anna
12. Handmade silver rings Spiral Gallery £166
13. Pretty kimono
One Hundred Stars @ Boho & Blyth £49.95
Go with your gut
Louise Goulding is a registered nutritionist with a passion for glowing skin, a happy gut and balanced hormones. Through Nutritional Therapy she looks at the underlying imbalances in the body that might be causing problems such as: Eczema, psoriasis, acne or rosacea * Bloating * Difficulty shifting weight * Digestive issues * Exhaustion * Irregular periods * Feelings of anxiety
She then works with you to produce a simple 3-step programme to uncover and address these imbalances, with a particular focus on eating real yet delicious foods, as well as prioritising time for you.
Visit her website for more information and to book an appointment. www.louisegouldingnutrition.co.uk
Festival of wellbeing
Be Well Barn is hosting a one-day fundraiser in aid of MNDA Suffolk, a charity supporting those with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), after learning about the devastating impact on a Suffolk family. Adam Reason, who runs a local Porsche service centre in Crowfield, was diagnosed in 2024 and he paid tribute to MNDA Suffolk, saying the charity has been an amazing help to him and his family.
Be Well Fest will take place on the 28th June from noon to 10pm, and you can enjoy live music from talented local musicians, family fun with free activities including yoga, kung fu, Pilates, ballet, face painting, spin, kettlebells, penalty shoot outs, bootcamp, sauna, ice baths and massage, and there will also be a fabulous display of Porsches to admire. There will also be food including gourmet burgers, pizzas, Thai cuisine and ice creams.
Tickets are available from www. bewellbarn.co.uk or call 01379 831565.
Teenager hangout
Teenage yoga is an excellent way to help deal with the overwhelming emotional and physical changes that happen during adolescence. Teenagers who practise yoga are generally less stressed and find it easier to tap into their potential, as well as have the skills to cope with the pressure of exams and social anxiety.
MATSPACE Yoga Studio offers two teen classes that are suitable for all levels: Move to Glow - the perfect balance of fun, movement and relaxation, combining exciting poses, flowing sequences, and calming techniques to help build strength, flexibility and confidence.
Aerial Yoga Flow - calming stretchy strengthening and fun! Experience the support and freedom of aerial skills. Book via www.matspace.co.uk
Nailed it!
There’s a new type of nail varnish that’s got the internet buzzing and Bellissima Beauty in Wickham Market is delighted to be offering this salon-only product to clients. Called BIAB – which stands for Builder in a Bottle – it’s a new nail strengthening manicure using a gel-like polish to create a tough, durable overlay on natural nails whilst still encouraging growth and strength underneath. Gentler than acrylic, but thicker than regular nail polish and gel polish, it is snap resistant and can be used for infills. It is also durable and long-lasting with a tough, chip-resistant finish and can be enhanced with nail art or to sculpt extensions on the tips of nails. Treatments from £30. Book via www.bellissima-beauty.co.uk
Conversation starter about interiors
Tucked away on the outskirts of Halesworth you find The Chatterbox, an innovative and eco-friendly property that offers a modern twist on the traditional. Surrounded by breathtaking views of the Suffolk countryside, it welcomes you in with its Scandi-inspired designs and cool clean lines.
Before its transformation, Waterloo Farm, as it was then known, had been abandoned for forty years; the farm buildings slowly disappearing behind a tangle of brambles and the land surrendering to its wilder side and embracing nature. But Andy, the owner, who had been looking for a self-build project, instantly fell under the spell of its magical setting and bought it at auction in 2015. “The first couple of years were all about discovery - taming hedges, clearing brambles, and peeling back the layers of time left by past farmers. It was like unravelling the history of the land, layer by layer. I felt an incredible
privilege to own this place and to hear the stories of those who had lived here before me.” There was outlined planning permission for a house on the site, but Andy had other ideas, and with the help of a designer and local project management company, he mapped out a home where tradition meets innovation and cutting-edge eco-design.
On first sight, The Chatterbox still gives the impression of being a farmhouse and cluster of outbuildings. There is a Dutch Barn to one side, and a brick barn that has retained the same footprint of the original and which links
about interiors
to a larch-clad contemporary barn with huge floor to ceiling windows, seductive curves and clean lines. It has been architecturally designed to fit seamlessly into the landscape, and inside there are wonderful open plan spaces that flow effortlessly from room to room. “These open-plan spaces are all about bringing people together, allowing time for conversation and connections. I named the house Babbelkous, which is Flemish for ‘chatterbox’, and this was part of the vision; to create a beautiful home that makes us look outward and promotes discussion and friendship.”
The kitchen, arguably the heart of any home, is light and airy, with a huge, vaulted ceiling and large sliding glass doors that allow you to take in the spectacular views throughout the day, whether perched at the island with
coffee and the papers, cooking supper for friends, or sat at the table over a long Sunday roast. There is also a door to the walled courtyard where you can fire up the pizza oven and wood-fired hot tub and take the party outside. Above the kitchen is a mezzanine, where the sofas and bean bags are perfect for film nights or for the kids to escape and bundle together for games on a rainy afternoon. Moving through to the other end of the house, a curved wall clad with Siberian Douglas Fir acts as a beautifully tactile partition, cocooning a sitting room that spills through to a smaller snug, both enjoying the warmth of the double-sided woodburner in the cooler months.
On the ground floor you also find the master bedroom and in here, a touch of luxury has been added as the ensuite bathroom is also a
Hamman steam room where you can ease away the tensions of modern life. In total there are five luxurious bedrooms, all offering picture-perfect slices of the Suffolk countryside, either out across the sunken garden to the front or towards the orchards to the rear. “The house is built on a curve that follows the arc of the sun, meaning you can watch the sunrise from the kitchen and then, at the end of the day, hunker down in the snug and watch it slowly set to the west. It is a home built for the future using smart modern technology such as a ground source heat pump to harness the earth’s energy, solar panels, Senso underfloor heating made from sustainable plant-derived resins, and an advanced air-filtration system to ensure fresh clean air without sacrificing warmth.
The 22-acre plot has now been tamed, but still retains sense of wildness as you can explore a wonderful mix of orchards, wild meadows and woodlands. Three large ponds have been dug to capture rainwater and provide important habitats for wildlife, and a hexagon of raised garden beds, built using the Hügelkultur system, foster biodiversity and are hopefully to be used to grow natural medicines in the future. To the back, there is also a sunken garden, a secluded spot to escape with a book and watch as dragonflies dart across the pond, or a place to light the lanterns and gather for a drink and as the sun slips away at the end of the day.
The Chatterbox can be rented through Curious Retreats. www.curiousretreats.co.uk
1. 1970s Hammer chairs No 1 East Lane
2. Beautiful stationery Aspen Press @ Converge
bowl
Valencia basket
Ibiza scented candles
7. Antique treasures Martin & Howe
8. Curated ceramics Vanil
9. Garden statue Narwhal Interiors
10. Groovy textiles Yonder @ New Street Market
11. It’s a wrap! Ottie and the Bea
12. Spring styling Home and Garden Snape Maltings
13. Repurposed copper lights
The Vintage Way
about town
All coming together in Fram
Also brightening up the Market Hill and just in time for summer, is fashion boutique, Boho & Blyth. Owned by Steph, this is the second store for this fun, independent business – the other is in Halesworth – where you can expect to find gorgeous relaxed pieces from brands such as NKN Nekane, Numph, Luella, Chic Soleil and One Hundred Stars.
If easy glamour, romantic boho and effortless style is your thing, make sure you pop in for some inspiration amongst the rails of beautiful linens, kimonos, palazzo pants, dresses and blouses.
Newly opened in Framlingham, Converge is a beautifully curated shop, showcasing artists, designers and makers from East Anglia. Originally run as a ‘pop-up’ in the Ex Con-Club, Sally Seeley (aka Baggage) and her husband, Jem, a linoprinter and illustrator, founded Converge as a means to show and sell their work. Four years later, they have been joined by ceramicist, Ruth van Loen from Old Jet art studios and together have moved into a permanent space in the former 17th century, Crown and Anchor pub at 4 Church Street. The shop brings an eclectic mix of prints depicting Suffolk scenes, nostalgic illustrations featuring everyday objects, freehand machine-sewn brooches and lampshades, scented candles, ceramics, wooden serving boards, wicker basketry, beautiful stationery, amusing robots made using everyday objects, and so much more. Open every day!
Instagram @ConvergeFramlingham
www.bohoandblyth.com Instagram @bohoandblyth
What’s occurin’?
Gavin and Stacey fans will be delighted to know that Larry Lamb, who plays Michael “Mick” Shipman in the hit comedy series, will be visiting Suffolk as part of his UK book tour, which takes him from Billericay to Barry Island. He’ll be talking about his debut novel, “All Wrapped Up”, which tells the story of a filmmakers struggle to get a project finished under incredibly difficult circumstances on a Caribbean Island, and will also be recounting stories from his longstanding career in TV, theatre and film.
Friday 20th June: Woodbridge Library
Saturday 21st June: Dial Lane Books, Ipswich
Sunday 10th August: Foreword Festival, Stowmarket Tickets from Eventbrite.
Literally!
The biennial Low House Litfest returns this June. Held in a marquee in the garden of the King’s Head (The Low House) in Laxfield, the festival is organised by local literary agent Emma Shercliff of Laxfield Literary Associates and Abbie Clements of the Halesworth Bookshop. Emma said “We invite authors who live locally, or those with a Suffolk connection. It’s free to the public, and we organise it in a voluntary capacity to support the pub (a CIC) and to encourage people who might never have been to a book event before to attend. Our guests this year include Henry Blofeld, Esther Freud, Patrick Galbraith, Emma Healey, Wendy Holden, Lesley Kara, Blake Morrison, Paddy O’Connell, Kate Sawyer, Tom Shakespeare, Tim Sullivan and Gaby Wood, so it’s shaping up to be a lovely programme, with something for everyone to enjoy!”
The festival takes place over the weekend of Sat 28th & Sun 29th June, 11am - 6pm. Each day starts with an open session for aspiring writers to ask questions about the publishing industry and practise pitching to an agent. www.lowhouselaxfield.com
about time
About Time
Alfresco
As we look to the start of summer, our thoughts naturally turn to savouring the season’s delights en plein air. Whether you’re seeking food with entertainment, a casual bite to eat with friends and family, a BBQ at home or a good old-fashioned picnic, now’s the time to embrace the outdoors with relish!
time for the pub!
The coast is, of course, a prime location for alfresco dining. Aldeburgh and Southwold are both popular choices, with numerous pubs offering outdoor seating but it doesn’t get much better than at The Sail Loft on Harbour Rd in Southwold, with views from the terrace reaching across the estuary to Walberswick. For a completely different river perspective, pull up a chair on the expansive patio at The Shipwreck, situated at the mouth of the Orwell Estuary, and watch as the containers dock at Felixstowe Port, or head down the lanes to The Ramsholt Arms where there’s a sense of stepping back in time; its uninterrupted views of the Deben arguably best enjoyed at sunset. The Anchor in Walberswick and The Maybush, Waldringfield are also great spots for taking in a waterscape, or you may prefer to gently unwind to the scents and sounds of nature in the glorious gardens at the The Randolph in Reydon, The Easton White Horse or The Chequers in Kettleburgh, where you can walk down to the river.
time for a picnic!
Sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the best. Gather supplies from one of Suffolk’s fantastic delis or farm shops, pack the hamper, and find a scenic spot for a picnic. Here are some recommendations:
Lawson’s Deli, Aldeburgh – freshly made salads and pastries make for a delicious, hassle-free picnic. Leo’s Deli, Framlingham – check out the freshly made frittata on the countertop, delicious shop made houmous and savoury tarts.
Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead – whatever sort of picnic you’re after, this fabulous foodie heaven is sure to have it!
Grange Farm Shop, Hasketon – perfect for an impromptu picnic, its new salad box range includes chicken Caesar, roast broccoli with chermoula, and peanut noodle salad. You get a fork too!
Black Dog Deli Bread from Essen Deli in Woodbridge. Grab a loaf, add in some cheese from the chiller and you have possibly the finest alfresco treat in a matter of seconds!
Our favourite picnic spots:
Rendlesham Forest: known for its diverse habitats, it has plenty of picnic spots amongst the tall pines.
Nacton picnic site: sit and watch ships navigating the narrow channel upriver to Ipswich.
Dunwich Beach: enjoy your picnic up on the dunes, then strike out through the woods to Walberswick for an early pint at The Bell before heading back along the beach in time for fish and chips at The Ship!
time for tea & cake
Many cafes have great outdoor spaces and some in unusual or tucked away locations. Here are a few that we enjoy:
At the Ox Café at Yoxford Antiques Centre, take a seat at one of the many tables dotted about the range of outdoor furniture and garden paraphenalia.
Take the short walk along the riverbank from either Melton or Woodbridge before alighting HMS Deben, a former warship, where you can enjoy fabulous river views whilst tucking into a toastie or a teacake!
Southwold Boating Lake is one of Southwold’s best kept secrets, serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon teas. Polish off a slice of scrumptious home-baked cake before burning off the calories on a paddle boat!
Orford is one of the most charming places to unwind, and there’s no better spot to do so than on the deck of the Riverside Café on Orford Quay, where you can soak up the lovely river views. about time
about time
time to fire up!
Gone are the days where a BBQ consisted of a few sausages and burgers lumped on a plate with a pot of shop-bought coleslaw and an underripe tomato! BBQ cooking, along with all the sides, is now ‘a thing’, and thanks to a plethora of fabulous butchers, great supply of freshly caught fish and a good number of local growers, the hardest part of the prep is knowing where to start! Here are some recommendations:
Five Rod Farm – order a veg box and take inspiration from what turns up.
Revett’s Butchers sausages – not just any sausage and considered by many to be the best in the county!
Freshly caught fish off Samantha K’s boat, down at the harbour in Southwold.
Pinneys Oysters treated to a brief blast of heat with a dot of butter infused with garlic, chill and parsley. If you’d really like to ‘up the steaks’, consider taking a BBQ course at The Food Hub in Kenton or visit the all-new BBQ area at Tastes of East Anglia Food Festival at Kentwell Hall on 14th June, where BBQ king Jack Rowbottom will show you how to get the best from your grill.
When it comes to dining out as a family, wood fired pizzas can be a good option if you are counting the pennies. As with any popular takeaway though, it’s probably best to preorder.
You can pick up a pizza on Fridays and Saturdays at the Dennington Queen, 12-2pm and 5.30-8.30pm, or enjoy them in the wonderful kitchen garden overlooking the village church and the duck pond. Hidden away on the Henham Estate is Phoenix Pizzas, open 4-8pm every Wednesday during the season, where you can either take away or tuck in on site in the lovely grounds. Takeaway only, the Two Magpies fires up the pizza oven at their Darsham café on Fridays and Southwold on Saturdays, but if you prefer to sit in with an aperitif whilst you order, pop along to the Nelson in Southwold, where you can order a delicious Black Dog Deli pizza, straight to your table in their enclosed rear terrace. Best get in early though, they’re extremely popular! With wonderful views out over the river Deben and the Tide Mill, The Woodyard’s Neapolitan style, award-winning pizzas are a huge hit and with over 15 varieties to choose from, there’s something for everyone!
about time
Felixstowe Food Festival: 6th & 7th June
A flavour-packed weekend at Beach St with street food done right, live music and a friendly vibe. www.beachstreetfelixstowe.co.uk
Sibton White Horse BBQ nights
Starting Friday 25th July for six weeks, rain or shine! Choose from homemade steak burgers, fish of the day, hot dogs American style, served with salads from the garden. www.sibtonwhitehorse.co.uk
Briarbank Brewery, Ipswich
Enjoy free live jazz whilst tucking into Sunday roast or steak and chips and a pint of Briarbank’s finest ale. Sunday 22nd June & 20th July, 1.30pm onwards. www.briarbank.org
Events at Camphill, Flint Vineyard
Take your pick from an upbeat Friday night vibe or chilled-out Sunday with acoustic sets. Delicious food, Flint wine and Ampersand beer guaranteed at both! www.flintvineyard.com
Open Air Theatre at the Ship in Dunwich & Westleton Crown
The Pantaloons bring their own brand of theatrical chaos this summer, performing Sense and Sensibility at The Ship on 16th June, followed by Hamlet at both venues. Reserve a table to enjoy dinner before or after the play, or head to the outdoor bars for drinks and snacks during the performance. www.shipatdunwich.co.uk www.westletoncrown.co.uk
Dining under the stars at Fire and Feast
Enjoy seasonal, homegrown, and locally sourced dishes in the tipi, with a menu that changes weekly, then relax around the fire pit after dinner with a glass of locally sourced wine. Open on Saturday evenings and for Sunday brunch now until to midSeptember. www.fireandfeastsuffolk.co.uk
7. Japanese steel knives Kin Knives From £90
8. Swedish outdoor rug Pappelina @ Vanil £157
9. Picnic hamper Woodbridge Kitchen Company £94.95
10. Marlesford bench Snape Maltings
£155
11. Citrus bug repellent Thermacell Halo Mini @ Ernest Doe £34.99
12. Vintage kantha seat pads Constance and Denny £180 for 6
Call of the wild about the land
Five years ago, three prominent East Anglian landowners, Hugh Crossley, Argus Hardy and Olly Birbeck, joined forces to pledge not only their time, passion and believe, but also a percentage of their extensive acreage, to a common cause – a rewilding project called WildEast which aims to create a network of wildlife corridors across the region.
We chat to Hugh, also known as Lord Somerleyton, about the initiative, what they have achieved so far, and the hope he now has for a greener future. “We initially set up WildEast as a democratic platform that allows hundreds of smaller, private and publicly owned land parcels to come together to create contiguous wild corridors. There has often been a disconnect between farmers and the general public so it was important to make this project societal.” The idea is a simple one – they are asking all of us, whether we be landowners, schools, churches, housing estates, or just individuals
with a tiny garden to set aside 20% of whatever we have ‘to give back to nature’. The goal? That they will ultimately cover 250,000 hectares of East Anglia - an area three times the size of New York City - by 2070.
It is a wonderfully inclusive project and to join the cause all you have to do is pin your name to the WildEast virtual ‘Map of Dreams’ and add your pledge. Some of the statements already pinned offer real hope and show clearly how everyone can play a big role in shaping a climate-resilient future. Here are
about the land
just three that stood out: “We have a 2-acre plot with a moat, pond and woods. We are actively creating and expanding wildlife habitat on the property and would love to link it up to others in the area and the surrounding farms.” (Leonard & Elree Seelig). “Turning our patch of grass into a wildlife friendly veg and flower garden!” (Robin & Elise Keith). “Running my allotment as no dig/rewilding. Have seen lots of interesting plants and fungi this last year. Still able to grow veg too!” (Edie J).
Hugh agrees that these pin pricks on the map are what really matters and are what give WildEast its sense of identity and purpose. He explains that they decided on 20% as the figure to pledge as this has been identified by scientists as the ‘nature need’ if the region’s biodiversity is to stage a comeback. Other successful projects such as the much
publicised rewilding experiment on the 1,400-hectare Knepp Estate in southern England have helped raise awareness of the pressing concerns about our planet’s health and there does now seem at last to be a feeling of urgency about the crises unfolding in nature. WildEast wants to lead the charge for East Anglia. “Our aim is to create a powerful community-based movement for change. We believe that 100,000 individuals coming together is louder than 100,000 acres from just a privileged few, and we want to be the voice that tells their story and inspires more to follow.”
The team at WildEast are already working alongside organisations such as the Suffolk and Norfolk Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB, The National Trust and Natural England, and are in talks with Sizewell C and the National Grid, whose contentious plans are currently
threatening huge change and disruption to the region. “I do believe that ultimately we need to decarbonise, and green, clean energy is part of the future and the solution, but I can also see that things are happening quickly and people are angry. WildEast is prepared to hold them to account, hold their feet to the fire and use our collective voice to make sure decisions are being made that offer the least disruption.” It will be interesting to see how this conversation unfolds but in the meantime, Hugh agrees that the future of WildEast needs to be about nurturing the stories behind the people who have pledged their 20% to nature and shining a light on the progress that is already being made. They plan to go out into the field to talk to these farmers, schools and individuals and to showcase how they are helping to protect the environment and promote biodiversity, be it letting a corner of their garden to go wild,
creating a wildflower meadow, or simply planting a window box with bee-friendly plants.
WildEast is a catalyst for the widespread change that is needed and there is hope that these stories will have the power to inspire and generate a positive ripple effect. Every single pin prick on the ‘Map of Dreams’ is a reminder that positive change is happening, and that you too can play a role in shaping the climate-resilient future for our county. “We must slow, stop and reverse the alarming ecological declines that are happening on our watch. This is a mission statement that urgently needs your support - and that bit at the end of your garden!”
Add your pledge by visiting www.wildeast.co.uk
about design
Potted History
The 2023 winner of Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throw Down, Loïs Gunn captivated audiences with her distinctive, folk-inspired ceramics and intricate decorations. Two years on, she is now a leading figure in contemporary ceramics, and we are delighted to catch up with her at her newly opened studio in Woodbridge.
Originally from Margate, Loïs’s journey into ceramics initially began as a hobby. She enrolled at an evening class to give herself time-out from her busy job as a primary school SEN teacher, and started making jewellery from hand sculpted porcelain pieces embedded with the blue glass of recycled Bombay Sapphire bottles. “I have always had a creative streak. I loved Art A-level and did a silversmithing course after university, but never really thought I could make a career out of it. When the jewellery started to sell online, it gave me the
confidence to believe I could try, so in 2021 I gave up teaching and decided to give it a go!”
Loïs also started helping out at Margate’s Clayspace Studios, where she soon discovered a passion for clay that complemented her jewellery design and led her to apply for the Pottery Throw Down. “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call as I really didn’t have that much experience as a potter - I spent weeks and weeks just practising my throwing skills! It was a
about design
challenge, but also an amazing opportunity, and I learnt so many new techniques and met some really great people.” This twomonth intensive experience was instrumental in the development of Loïs’s unique style, allowing her to explore the expressive possibilities of the clay and to see how far she could push herself. “I think for me, the most important thing was that it gave me the validation I needed to try new things, to go with my bold designs and have the conviction that they would work.”
Often featuring sculpted porcelain pendants and pots adorned with earrings that you can wear, Loïs’s pieces are beautiful, functional and fun. Many are also characterized by vibrant patterns and whimsical forms that draw inspiration from ancient cultures, goddess folklore, and the
natural world. “I have always been fascinated by ancient civilisations and artefacts that connect us to our ancestors. Folk art from the Incas or the Egyptians has been around for centuries, but it is still very relatable. It offers us a human connection, a visceral link to the past, and I love exploring this through my work.”
The move to Suffolk earlier this year was due to her husband taking a job at Woodbridge School, and the first time Loïs visited she was instantly charmed by the town and its array of independents. “I was walking along Church Street and saw the ‘To Let’ sign in the window and arranged to have a look the same day. It was perfect, enough room in the shop for me to have a work station at the back, outbuildings for the kiln and even a gallery space upstairs
that I am now renting out to local artists.” While we chat, Loïs methodically rolls out lumps of clay, deftly hand sculpting them into a family of small moon-gazing hares, a subtle nod to her newly found Suffolk heritage, and they are soon lined up with the selection of mugs, lamp bases and vases that are ready for firing.
As well as her own ceramics and jewellery, Loïs also sells a small collection of paintings, prints, cards and crafts that are all made in the UK, including some produced locally in Suffolk. Her own work continues to evolve, and the items in the shop beautifully blend her love of ancient symbolism and tradition and with her own quirky, personal expression. “It’s been great to be able to chat to people when they visit the shop. They love to see what I am
working on, and these interactions are brilliant for new ideas and for keeping my imagination fresh. It’s lovely to think that my work might be handed down through the generations and have a longevity that out lasts us all.”
Loïs brings a unique artistic voice to the world of ceramics, and her work, whilst contemporary, has such a strong resonance with the tribal art of our ancestors that I am in no doubt that in years to come, it too will have a place in history, speaking across time with the same quiet power and enduring beauty as those pieces that inspire her today.
The studio is open Thurs-Sat and by appointment. www.loisgunn.com
Chard life
Chard is a leafy green vegetable that is easy to grow and very versatile. The tender baby leaves can be used to brighten up a salad, while the larger leaves can be cooked like spinach and used to stir through pasta. Depending on the variety, it has brilliantly bright yellow, orange or red stems, making it a colourful addition to the vegetable patch, or you can even sow directly through your flower beds for dramatic, edible foliage.
Rainbow chard: A popular mix of different coloured chard varieties (red, yellow, pink, orange, white stems) that look fabulous, and the stems are particularly pretty used in stirfries.
Ruby chard: Deep red stems and veins with dark green, crinkled leaves that have a slightly earthy, sweet flavour.
Fordhook Giant chard: A large robust variety with distinctive white stems and large, broad, crinkled green leaves – best picked as tender leaves.
Golden chard: Bright yellow or golden orange stems whose leaves have a milder, sweeter flavour than the other red-stemmed varieties.
Perpetual spinach (leaf beet): A great spinach substitute that has a long growing season that you can keep harvesting right through to October.
Sow outdoors in spring or early summer for repeated harvests through summer into autumn. Choose a sunny spot, and for best results space the seeds 2-3cm apart at a depth of 1-2cm. Water well and, if needs be, thin the seedlings so the plants are 5-8cm apart to allow room for growth. After 8-10 weeks they should be ready to pick. Harvest from the outside in, leaving the chard heart in the middle intact. The new leaves will grow again and again, providing you with a cut-and-come again crop that has a wealth of nutritious uses, such as in sautés, soups, stews, omelettes and savoury pies.
Tapestry of colour
June is one of the most wondrous months of the gardening year and after such a warm dry spring, much has arrived early. Lupins, aquilegia, roses and salvia are already bringing their beauty to the borders, and to help prolong flowering and to keep them robust and healthy, pop on the sprinkler in the early evening to offer a much-needed drink. If you haven’t already done so, directly sow your tender herbs and salad crops, cover your strawberries to protect them from hungry visitors, and enjoy filling your trolley at the local garden centre with a riot of colourful bedding plants such as pelargoniums, lobelia, petunia, French marigolds, dahlias and verbena.
Summer has arrived and the garden will be a tapestry of colour. Keep borders looking fresh by taking time to deadhead roses, sweet peas and bedding plants, keep on top of the weeds, and regularly loosen the soil to
from the potting shed
June
Top up bird baths
Lift and store tulip bulbs
Summer prune wisteria
improve water penetration. If it has been hot and dry, mow the grass less frequently and raise the height so the grass doesn’t get stressed. Keep watering and remember to pick a bunch of flowers to brighten the kitchen table, bringing the outside in, even after the sun has set.
The lazy days of August bring the late bloomers to the party: dazzling dahlias, the ever-cheerful sunflowers, the hot pinks of the zinnia, gladioli and their spires of trumpetshaped brightly coloured flowers, and pops of vibrancy from the asters. The vegetable patch will be in full flow, keeping you busy harvesting your beans, peas, lettuce, tomatoes and late potatoes – perfect for rustling up a delicious summer salad for you to deservedly enjoy with friends – as always, take a moment to savour your garden before autumn arrives and the colours start to fade.
July
Get deadheading
Pinch out tomatoes
Cut back hardy geraniums
August
Prune summer
flowering shrubs
Lift and dry onions
Divide spring-flowering perennials
about food
Thoughtful food
Back in 2021 we chatted to gardener Anna Greenland about her renovation plans for a derelict threshing barn and plot of former arable land. Now, four years on, we catch up with her in her beautiful, light filled-kitchen which commands enviable views out across a garden that is now overflowing with edible delights.
Perched on a rolling ridge in the Deben valley, the barn, once a dusty skeleton of time-aged timber, cobwebs and crumbling plaster, is now a magnificent home to Anna, Hugo and their two girls. The main living area is enormous; oversized basketweave pendants hang from the huge, vaulted ceiling, dried flower garlands are strung between the lime-washed beams, and a much-loved corner sofa wraps around the woodburner, whilst to the other end, a large island offers ample space for cooking on a grand scale. The stunning picture window enjoys a panoramic vista of the gardens and
vegetable plot, and the whole room is lit by the golden glow of the afternoon sunlight.
Not only have Anna and Hugo breathed life back into this beautiful old barn, they have also spent the last four years gently bringing the land back into production.
“Being Suffolk clay, the soil was quite compacted, especially after centuries of agricultural use, so we initially planted green manure crops to improve soil health by adding nutrients and organic matter. We also planted hundreds of metres of native hedging which are now interwoven with wild roses and are a real haven for
bees, birds and butterflies,” explains Anna. Layers of green waste compost were added to the soil and they then designed a no-dig market garden with woodchip pathways and arches to give form and structure, but with a wild feel to the planting that makes it feel like it has evolved organically. “I love mixing everything up, so cut flowers are interspersed with the vegetable crops and the herbs are allowed to rampage through the beds. The diversity is so important for the wildlife and is also beautiful to look at – it has such a wonderfully chaotic and colourful aesthetic.”
Anna, who was previously head vegetable gardener at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and responsible for creating the incredible fruit, herb and vegetable garden at Soho Farmhouse, knew there would be challenges to
transforming this Suffolk plot, but as we take a stroll around the garden I am amazed at how verdant it feels after such a short time. There are heaving asparagus beds, a robust rhubarb patch, beds of strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants, colossal cardoon, whose silvery-grey spiny leaves add an architectural elegance, and scattered throughout, patches of perennial kale, spinach, Korean celery, and Egyptian walking onions – a variety that comically spreads as the tops bend over and plant themselves, slowly forming little groups that move about your patch.
The greenhouse is overflowing with trays of French beans, sweetcorn and squashes, all poised to be planted out at the end of May, and the air is fragranced by a bed of mixed herbs that include lemon verbena and rose geranium. “I love growing leaves that can be added to summer salads
– Korean mint, calendula, rocket, dill and Buckler sorrel are firm favourites.” In the polytunnel, we are delighted to discover that the bed of gariguette strawberries is concealing a few ripened treasures; plump, sweet and warmed by the sun. “In here I will grow crops of cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and Cape gooseberry, which will keep going all summer. I’ll also grow carrots, late summer herbs such as coriander and chervil, and winter salads.”
Being a no-dig garden, there are less weeds to contend with but it is still an on-going battle and Anna uses her expertise to know what telltale signs to look out for and has already netted her fruiting crops and summer cabbage to protect them from pests. At the moment, Anna only grows for herself and the family, plus a few lucky neighbours who benefit from the over exuberance of her green
fingers, but in July she is planning a garden to plate lunch and garden tour with local renowned chef, Maria Elia, and in August will be running a teaching course with Sarah Raven at her gorgeous gardens down in Sussex. As we wander back to the house, Anna picks a few lemon balm leaves for a nighttime brew, and I leave full of admiration and inspiration for what they have achieved and how, with love and determination, they have created an oasis that not only offers a habitat for wildlife but also a source of year-round nourishment.
www.annagreenland.co.uk and Instagram @annagreenland
Anna is also a guest gardener on Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club – aired on Monday nights – where she offers tips and insights for aspiring gardeners.
Sip, Snack, and Socialise
Social Bar is the new hotspot on the High St in Saxmundham and it has everyone buzzing with excitement! Husband and wife team, Steve Peck & Sarah Park, opened the doors earlier this month and their team hasn’t stopped welcoming customers since. During the day, enjoy delicious Etude coffee supplied by The Silo in Bungay, speciality teas, and fresh pastries from Harvey & Co. Tuck into delicious sandwiches such as pastrami, mozzarella, pesto and salad, whilst you reply to emails in their great co-working space, or wind down in the evening over a microbrewery beer or glass of natural wine, produced using low intervention methods, and a charcuterie or cheese plate.
Open Mon – Wed: 9am-2pm Fri & Sat: 9am-2pm then 5 -10pm Follow on Instagram @ _socialbar_
Cheers to East Anglia
If you fancy being surrounded by delicious food and drink all day long, head over to Kentwell Hall on Saturday 14th June to the Taste of East Anglia Festival. With over 80 local food & drink artisan stalls, a brilliant range of street food including Delhi inspired snacks, duck rotisserie and paella, there’ll also be a wonderful selection of bars with local craft ales, cocktails & wines, plus a fantastic kitchen theatre with eight top chefs demonstrating their favourite dishes.
New for 2025, the festival is delighted to welcome a number of award-winning vineyards - all from East Anglia - including Shotley Vineyard, Ark Wines and Lavenham Brook, to showcase and sell their range in a dedicated wine tent, and what’s not to love about that! There’ll also be several tastings and talks, including one by expert wine producer, Henry Sugden of Defined Wine, who will be speaking on the rise and quality of wine in East Anglia.
High Five!
Set up by Cameron Wheeler after the pandemic, Five Rod Farm is a no dig market garden on the Kenton Hall estate, just outside Debenham, growing seasonal vegetables, salad leaves, herbs, edible and cut flowers – cultivated organically – and connecting people to their food, the land and each other. He has been supplying seasonal veg boxes since 2024 to local customers, and this month he also opened a new outdoor kitchen, crafted entirely from locally sourced, reclaimed timber. Sitting alongside the newly built undercover dining area, complete with oak feasting table, Cam and his team are now ready to host their long-awaited Veggies With Attitude supper clubs. For more information visit www.fiverodfarm.co.uk
Going for Silva
Well-known local baker, Lindsay Wright , and acclaimed chef, Nicola Hordern worked together, back in the day, at the wonderful Darsham Nurseries and have, since then, independently made their mark on several food ventures in Suffolk. Now they’re rejoining forces to open Silva Kitchen and Bakery at Wakelyns, bringing together their skills of baking, cooking, cheesemaking, milling, and teaching. The Bakery will be open to the public every Saturday morning and you’re invited to stay for a delicious breakfast and hot drinks. It will focus on organic stoneground flours, and Wakelyns YQ population wheat in particular, initially turning out a hearth baked sourdough and a very special rye loaf, along with YQ wholegrain viennoiserie. Nicola & Lindsay will also be rolling out their own strudel pastry, ready to make the most of the delicious cherries, plums, and apples growing at the farm, which will also find their way into the jams and preserves stocked in the Wakelyns farm shop, where you’ll soon be able to buy Silva’s frozen ‘ready meals’. Yum, yum! Grand opening on 21st June. Follow their progress and news on supper club dates on Instagram @silva.wakelyns
Strawberry, rhubarb and almond galette
A beautifully rustic, super delicious, and totally forgiving flaky galette with the perfect pairing of strawberry and rhubarb.
Ingredients
225g strawberries, hulled and halved
170g rhubarb, cut into 1-inch slices
50g caster sugar, plus some for sprinkling
1 tbsp cornflour
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
25g ground almonds
1 large egg, lightly beaten
320g ready-rolled short crust pastry
Method
This recipe makes one 7-inch galette.
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Toss the strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, cornflour and vanilla seeds together in a large bowl. Remove the pastry from the fridge just before rolling - it should be as cold as possible. Lightly flour a large sheet of baking paper and roll the pastry out to approximately a 1/8 inch thickness and 11-inches in diameter. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Transfer to a lined baking tray.
Sprinkle the ground almonds in the centre of the pastry and then pile the fruit mixture on top, leaving a 2-inch border all the way round. Now fold the pastry over the filling,
overlapping slightly to create a rustic ‘wall.’ Press the folds together gently, don’t worry if it cracks a little.
Brush the pastry lightly with the beaten egg and sprinkle the top with caster sugar. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 40-minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
Let cool for 30 minutes before cutting and serving with a dollop of double cream, crème fraiche or Greek yoghurt. Equally delicious cold so make sure you save a slice for the next day.
(Recipe adapted from Aran Goyoaga’s book, Cannelle et Vanille Bakes Simple)
Talking in circles
Late spring is one of my favourite times of the year; just a glimpse of billowing cow parsley and I’m ready to throw on a linen dress and a straw hat and flop down with a battered copy of Pride and Prejudice. But today there is a walk to be done and so instead, I grab my friend Helen and we head to Grundisburgh to enjoy a leisurely 3 ½ mile circular walk that starts at the village green.
Grundisburgh is the perfect start/end point for a walk as it gives you the option of a coffee and cake from Frankies Studio before the walk, a sausage roll and cold drink at The Suffolk Deli after the walk, or a cheeky pint at The Dog before and after! Today we settle for
just a coffee and feeling refreshed, leave the village green and head up the street, past the deli and turn right onto Malting Road, a gravel track that leads to the start of the footpath. This takes us into a small wood where, I am pleased to say, the cow parsley does not disappoint. Lining the track on both sides, its frothy white flowers are illuminated by the dappled sunlight and guide us through and out the other side.
Here the path narrows a little as we track a fence line, but the view across the meadow and the little wooded copse behind are delightful, and we spot a cock pheasant shoulder high in the long grass, whilst a buzzard wheels overhead. There is a moment of excitement as we think we spot an
ice-cream van on the lane ahead and quicken our pace, but it soon disappears from view and we are left with just the discussion of what we would of have had if we could have had! Turning left at the lane, I have the chance to show off my new App, Seek, which helps identify any unknown plant or animal species, and we are soon invested with the knowledge that the small shrub with a creamy white flower is called Dogwood –which is quite fitting as we agreed it did indeed smell like a wet dog too!
On reaching Gull Lane we turn left and continue for about ¼ mile before spotting another footpath sign on the right, just past a cottage on the corner. This path leads us through a pretty meadow studded with buttercups and dandelions and sheltered by towering hedgerows of hawthorn in full
flower. A footbridge takes us onto another track that winds through the trees before opening out and offering wonderful views across farmland. Here the sky feels wide and blue and typically Suffolk, and the swaying fields of barley and wheat ripple in the warm breeze. Underfoot however, the deep cracks in the earth tell the true story of our dry spring and the desperate need for rain.
We come to a road, turn right and then left, picking up another footpath that leads us down to Walnuthill Plantation. We pass a pile of huge, felled timber which must be part of a woodland management scheme and wonder what this will become: a table, chairs, timber for new housing, or perhaps it has a more exciting destiny and will travel the world as the hull of a racing yacht – let’s hope it’s the latter. Across the open fields
round & about
Helen spots the BT Tower at Martlesham, and we are amazed at how close it seems considering we are surrounded by countryside with not a house in sight. At a gateway, we bear right and notice a small wood where copper beech and unusual fir trees jostle with the oaks, ash and alder, and looking at the map deduce that these might have once been part of the Grundisburgh Hall estate which lies just to the left of us.
On reaching a single track lane we head left and follow this for the last mile back into the village. There is a short discussion as to whether we cut across on a footpath to the left, but the sign ‘Bull in Field’ seems as good a reason as any to stay on the lane. One more click of the App and we identify a few more
verge-loving species: the pretty pink flower with the clover leaf is pink sorrel and the leggy, forget-me-not like flower is green alkanet. Wandering back into Grundisburgh, we spot a poster for the upcoming Open Gardens on the 7th & 8th June and delight at what a field day we could have with our newly acquired knowledge of every plant species known to gardeners! Nearly back at the car, we stop and take in the idyllic view across the village green towards St Mary’s church. With its trickling stream, weeping willow and village sign, Grundisburgh could not be more English if it tried, and I suddenly wonder if not wearing the linen dress was now a mistake – oh well, there’s always next time.
Farm Shop
Gardening
Lifestyle
Stockists
about you
Bellissima Beauty
46 High St
Wickham Market
Woodbridge IP13 0QS T: 01728 746981
Be Well Barn
Church Road
Redlingfield
Eye IP23 7QP
T: 01379 831565 www.bewellbarn.co.uk
Louise Goulding Nutrition
New Street
Stradbroke IP21 5JG T: 07978 232344 www.louisegouldingnutrition.co.uk
MatSpace
4A Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9BA
T: 01728 564203 www.matspace.co.uk
Fashion emporium
Anna 32 Church Street
Woodbridge IP12 1DH www.shopatanna.com
Boho & Blyth
7a Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN 58 Thoroughfare
Halesworth IP19 8AR www.bohoandblyth.com
Collen & Clare
25 Market Place
Southwold IP18 6ED www.collenandclare.com
Ernest Doe
Broadwater Road
Framlingham IP13 9LL T: 01728 723963 www.ernestdoe.com
Fleur
166 High Street
Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ www.fleuraldeburgh.co.uk
Ives Footwear
29 Thoroughfare
Woodbridge IP12 1AA www.ivesfootwear.co.uk
Mea Boutique
80 High St
Southwold IP18 6DP @measouthwold
Moose Market Hill
Woodbridge IP12 4LU @mooseonthehill
Riley & Riley
122-124 High St
Aldeburgh IP15 5AB www.rileyandriley.co.uk
Ruby Tyger
No 1 The Mews Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN www.rubytyger.com @rubytyger.framlingham
Snape Maltings
Snape Bridge
Snape IP17 1SP www.brittenpearsarts.org
Spiral Gallery
46 High St
Debenham IP14 6QW www.spiralgallery.co.uk @spiralgallerydebenham
The Pug and the Pussycat
179 High St
Aldeburgh IP15 5AN @pugandthecatshop
Stockists
Interiors emporium
Converge
4 Church Street
Framlingham IP13 9BQ @ConvergeFramlingham
Loïs Gunn Studio & Shop 14 Church St
Woodbridge IP12 1DH www.loisgunn.com @lois.gunn
Martin & Howe
Peacock House The Street Peasenhall IP17 2HJ www.martinandhowe.co.uk @martinandhowe
Matisa Market
Unit 3, Brightwell Barns Ipswich Rd IP10 0BJ www.matisamarket.com
Narwhal Interiors
23 Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN @narwhal_interiors
New Street Market
70 New Street Woodbridge IP12 1DX www.newstreetmarket.com @newstreetmarketwoodbridge
no1EastLane @no1eastlane www.no1eastlane.co.uk
Ottie & the Bea 10A Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN www.ottieandthebea.com @ottieandthebea
Snape Maltings
Snape Bridge Snape IP17 1SP www.brittenpearsarts.org
The Suffolk Nest www.thesuffolknest.com @the_suffolk_nest
The Vintage Way @ Marlesford Mill and Thorpeness Emporium @thevintageway_
Thrive
Helmingham Hall
Helmingham Stowmarket IP14 6EF www.thrivelifestylestore.co.uk @thrivelifestylestore
Vanil 17 Church Street Woodbridge IP12 1DS www.vanil.co.uk @vanil_ltd
Alfresco emporium
Constance & Denny www.constanceanddenny.com @constanceanddenny
Ernest Doe Broadwater Road Framlingham IP13 9LL T: 01728 723963 www.ernestdoe.com
Fram Home & Gifts
30 Bridge St Framlingham IP13 9AH www.traditionalpottery.co.uk @fram_home_and_gifts
Goldfinch 17A Thoroughfare Woodbridge IP12 1AA www.goldfinchwoodbridge.co.uk
Grange Farm Shop Grundisburgh Road Hasketon Nr Woodbridge IP13 6HN www.grangefarmshop.co.uk @grangefarmshop
Kin Knives www.kinknives.com T: 01394 461075
Notcutts Garden Centre
Ipswich Rd Woodbridge IP12 4AF www.notcutts.co.uk
Ruby Tyger
No 1 The Mews Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN www.rubytyger.com @rubytyger.framlingham
Snape Maltings
Snape Bridge Snape IP17 1SP www.brittenpearsarts.org
The Woodbridge Kitchen Company
7 Thoroughfare
Woodbridge IP12 1AA www.woodbridgekitchencompany. co.uk
Vanil 17 Church Street
Woodbridge IP12 1DS www.vanil.co.uk @vanil_ltd
