about suffolk
Summer 2026
Issue Sixteen
Look no further than aboutsuffolk, the local magazine that packs a Suffolk punch!
Pickmeup and take me home!
our summer issue of aboutsuffolk
Welcome to our summer issue of aboutsuffolk which brings with it stories from the shores of the Suffolk coastline to the outer reaches of the globe. We hope you enjoy our seasonal bumper feature which celebrates the numerous ways in which you might while away the hours, whether as a family, with friends or going solo. We learn about how Liddy Pleasants’ trip to India as a child inspired her love of travel, reap the harvest at White House Farm, home to a dynamic, forward-thinking farming family, and are wowed by boldly marbled furniture and sculptural homeware inspired by the Suffolk landscape.
We head to the seaside to learn how our favourite seasoning is made using only harvested seawater and the power of the sun to form the most tasty salt crystals, and even get time to enjoy two nights at a wonderful lakeside lodge just outside Laxfield. And then, there’s good news on the food scene, a recipe for Half Sours – a tasty cucumber pickle, and timely titbits in about town. Not forgetting our fabulous competition to win one of two Home Fragrance Collections from Kinfolk Studio.
Enjoy the read!
Kathy & Sarah
Editorial
Kathy Churchill Sales
Sarah Clarke
Designer Lucy Hart
Silverlace Creative
aboutmedia info@aboutmedia.co.uk 01728 666352 www.aboutmedia.co.uk
lucy@silverlacecreative.co.uk www.silverlacecreative.co.uk
Photography credits: Thank you to all of our interviewees for allowing us to use their photos.
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 the land about design about gardens about food about taste round & about
6 Family time
We talk to family-travel expert Liddy Pleasants of Stubborn Mule about the far-flung places that have created the most cherished memories.
10 Competition Time
Your chance to win one of two Kinfolk Studio home fragrance collections.
14 Out and about
A round up of local events and a bumper edit of places to go and things to do across Suffolk this summer.
24 Fashion Fix
New styles for a new season.
28 Health & beauty
Whether you are looking for a relaxing spa or a game of padel, we have you well and truly covered.
32 Reconnecting
We enjoy switching off at Blyth Rise Stays and taking the time to reconnect with the important things in life.
38 Get the look Chic ideas for restyling your home.
42 about town
Get lost in a maze, take in a psychological thriller, tune in to ABC Radio and enjoy all the fun of the fair at a new shop in Bungay.
46 Branching out
We enjoy ripe pickings at the Youngman’s fruit farm in Grundisburgh.
52 Breaking the mould
How Selfish Customs are creating beautifully designed objects from eco-resin and materials such as straw and wool in a bold response to the Suffolk landscape.
58 Sun worshippers
Some sun-loving perennials to keep borders looking fresh.
64 Crystal clear
We pack our bucket and spade and go harvesting seawater with Suffolk Sea Salt.
70 about taste
From ‘Greek taverna’ to seafront dining and exciting new openings, discover the latest food and drink news from Suffolk’s thriving food scene.
72 Half sours
How to pickle this summer’s glut of cucumbers.
74 Hall’s well that ends well
A circular walk around Debenham that takes in three historic halls that ends with a roaring success.
79 Stockists
Where to buy all the lovely stuff!
out & about who’s about about style about you about interiors about town about the land about design about gardens about food about taste round & about
Smart Moves
What’s your motivation for buying or selling your home? Moving for work, escaping to the country, downsizing an empty nest, the list goes on. If you’re thinking of moving but don’t know where to start here are some top tips from seasoned advisors.
Stand out from the crowd
Oliver Johnson of Clarke & Simpson estate agents says that in a competitive market, buyers can afford to be picky, so you want to make a great first impression. “We use social mediatoshowcaseourbestproperties. The betterthephotosthemoreviewsyou’llget.”
Also, be realistic about the price. According to Rightmove, correctly priced properties are twice as likely to sell.
Keep
an eye on the time
Buying a new build home from a developer is a great way to speed up the process. With no chain or surveys it reduces the stress of trying to co-ordinate multiple parties and there are no unwelcome surprises.
Chris Hoxley, Residential Development Partner at Birketts LLP explains: “New build sellersprovidedocumentationwithindaysof reservation,whereasexistingpropertywork concentratesonhistorictitleissues,which cancauseadelay. Adeveloperwillgenerally
imposeatimelimitbetweenreservationand exchange,whichspeedstheprocess,butyou needtobepreparedtoactfast.”
Choose for now AND the future
Whilst you buy with your heart, use your head to calculate hidden costs. A beautiful period property may be heaven in the summer but draughty and cold in the winter. Do you have a budget for wooden window replacement, boiler upgrade or redecoration?
George Wells of housebuilder Hartog Hutton comments: “Ourbuyerslovethatevery elementoftheirhomeisbrandnew,with guaranteesonfixturesanda10year structuralwarrantyonthebuilding.Theyalso knowtheirenergybillswillbelow,thanksto airsourceheatingandsolarpower generation.”
Coupled with being able to choose your own tiles, paint colours and floor finishes, when buying off plan, it means your home can be exactly as you want it from day one.
Blythe Meadow in Charsfield is the latest development from Hartog Hutton to hit the market.
For more information visit www.hartoghutton.co.uk
Contributed article by Hartog Hutton
who’s about
Family time
Travelling with small children can seem daunting, but for Liddy Pleasants,
the founder
of Stubborn Mule Travel , it has always been an opportunity to explore the world and embrace the wonder of experiencing places and people through the eyes of her children.
For Liddy, her life-long love of travel began with a single glance. As a teenager on a school trip to India, she found herself gazing out of a bus window as it slowly passed a vibrant, bustling market. Amid the colours and chaos, she locked eyes with a young girl wearing a bright yellow dress. “It was only for a few seconds but in that moment all I wanted was to get off the bus and make a real connection.” That desire is a feeling that has never left her. After graduating from university, Liddy joined adventure travel company Imaginative Traveller as a tour leader. For the next three years she led groups through Egypt, Israel and Jordan, bringing ancient
history to life while introducing travellers to the remarkable people and cultures of the Middle East. It was the perfect apprenticeship for someone with an insatiable curiosity about the world, and she went on to become regional manager, leading trips along the ancient Silk Road through Pakistan, China and Mongolia. A promotion to Operations Manager finally brought her to Suffolk, where Imaginative Traveller’s office was based, and she settled into family life for the next ten years.
However in 2010, the company was taken over, and Liddy decided to take redundancy. In her who’s about
who’s about
inimitable way, rather than seeing this as a setback, she recognised it as an opportunity, persuading her husband Mike to take a sabbatical and together they set off on a sixmonth adventure around South East Asia with their two small children, then aged just five and two. Travelling mainly by bicycle and armed with little more than a map, a sense of adventure and plenty of smiles, they discovered that travelling with young children was not only possible but incredibly rewarding. “Our kids just loved interacting with everyone. They were not fazed by anything and we witnessed first-hand how kindness and curiosity could open doors to authentic cultural experiences. Of course there were moments of chaos, but as long as we kept a sense of humour, these just became part of the adventure – and often made the best travel stories!”
As part of the trip, the family spent a month exploring Burma, which had only recently reopened to travellers. This proved to be particularly significant as on their return, Liddy realised she possessed rare, in-depth knowledge of a fascinating destination that friends and former colleagues were eager to discover. This sparked the idea for Stubborn Mule Travel, which she founded in 2011. Starting around her kitchen table, Liddy set out to create something different: a travel company dedicated exclusively to tailor-made family adventure holidays. It quickly outgrew the family home, moving firstly to offices in Wickham Market before establishing its headquarters at Clopton Park and today, it employs 26 people, all of whom share her passion for adventure. Every trip is individually designed around each family’s interests, the ages of their children and their own wish list. Liddy has spent years building trusted relationships with local guides and suppliers across the globe, ensuring
every journey combines authentic experiences with seamless organisation. “A successful family holiday is all about balance. Longer travel days are carefully broken up with extended stays, allowing families time to relax, explore and genuinely connect with their surroundings.”
Rather than ticking off famous landmarks, Stubborn Mule helps families experience the world in meaningful ways, whether that’s watching elephants gather at a watering hole on the African savannah, sleeping in hammocks deep within the Amazon rainforest, or snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters off Costa Rica. Current favourites among clients include Thailand, Norway, Canada and Sri Lanka, where Liddy herself is returning this year. Her own children have grown up with backpacks on their shoulders and frequently accompany her on research trips, and we both agree that travelling with your children is a real privilege. I have just
returned from a trip to Borneo to meet my daughter and these shared experiences – scuba diving off tiny white-sand atolls, exploring food markets, and jungle trekking at night in search of pygmy elephants – are memories that will last a lifetime.
All this passion and expertise has earned widespread recognition as this year, Stubborn Mule Travel has been named Top Travel Specialist by Condé Nast Traveller and awarded Gold by Junior Travel Awards for Best Bespoke Family Travel Company. For Liddy, however, the greatest reward is not the accolades, it’s knowing that every trip they create gives families the opportunity to experience the magic she first felt as a teenager in India - to connect with people, embrace different cultures and discover just how extraordinary our world can be.
www.stubbornmuletravel.com
Competition! Win one of two Kinfolk Studio Home Fragrance Collections
Tucked away in the heart of Framlingham, Folk. has quietly become a destination for those who appreciate thoughtful design, beautifully crafted homewares and the simple pleasure of slowing down. Created by the team behind Kinfolk Studio, the shop brings together their own collection of handcrafted home fragrances alongside a carefully curated selection from independent makers across Suffolk and beyond.
Every product begins with the same idea: that the spaces we spend time in should feel calm, welcoming and lived in. Whether it's lighting a candle after a long day, refreshing a room before guests arrive or filling your home with a familiar scent, these small rituals have a remarkable way of changing how a place feels, which is why we are delighted to offer you the chance to win one of their Home Fragrance Collections which includes:
- A handcrafted glass candle
- A 150ml room & linen spray
- A 100ml reed diffuser
Together, they create a simple way to enjoy your favourite fragrance throughout your home, whether you're setting the mood for a quiet evening, welcoming friends and family or simply enjoying a slower moment for yourself.
Your prize can be enjoyed however you choose. Redeem it online through Kinfolk Studio or visit us at Folk. in Framlingham, where you can explore the full collection, discover independent makers and choose the fragrance that feels most at home with you. kinfolk-studio.co.uk /folk-framlingham.co.uk
For your chance of winning one of two Kinfolk Collections worth £60, please answer the following question correctly:
Q: What is the name of Kinfolk Studio’s shop in Framlingham?
Send your answer to prize@aboutfram.com quoting Kinfolk in the subject header.
The competition closes at 23.59 hours on 11th October 2026.
THE CAT’S WHISKERS
A new gallery in the heart of Framlingham. Original works, beautiful things, thoughtfully curated.
The Gallery
Browse original artworks from artists and creators near and far - paintings, prints, and crafted pieces. A fluid showcase of exhibitions. Come and discover something unique you’ll love forever.
Gallery Hire
Take the space as your own, or share, for five days a week including the weekend. A proper light-flooded gallery with unbeatable footfall, use of all facilities right on the Suffolk tourist trail.
Book the Studio
Sitting within a working gallery, a calm, considered setting for all ideas to flourish. A place to have an intimate group, a far cry from a village hall. Up to 8 guests are comfortably seated with a table to work on. All groups considered, from drawing, photography, literary salons, & language classes, to mindfulness & therapy sessions... Please share your ideas. Available for whole or half days and evenings.
All Enquiries
Hannah Garland, The Cat’s Whiskers Gallery, No. 4 Market Hill, Framlingham, Suffolk, IP13 9BA thecatswhiskersgallery@gmail.com 01728 666 146 / 07557 133 688
out & about
July:
25th-30th Aug:
Summer Contemporary Britten Pears Arts’ most ambitious summer exhibition of work by contemporary artists.
27th-8th Aug: Summer Theatre
Agatha Christie’s Love from a Stranger comes to Aldeburgh. Jubilee Hall
30th-1st Aug:
Midsummer Night’s Dream
A new community theatrical production in aid of Fram Arts. The Old Theatre, Framlingham
31st-2nd Aug: Black Shuck Festival
A unique festival that celebrates folklore, imagination, and storytelling in its many forms. Bungay
24th-2nd Aug: Field Works
Handmade furniture and objects from contemporary designers Selfish Customs. Maple Farm, Thurs-Sun
Aug:
2nd: Family Show
A brand new family show with CBeebies’ Nick Cop. Suitable for those aged 3+. Snape Maltings
4th: Romeo and Juliet
This powerful story of forbidden love and bitter rivalry is brought to life under the stars at Thorington Theatre.
7th: Friday Night Market
Containers come alive with artisan traders, street food, gifts and local produce. Beach Street, Felixstowe
13th-19th Sept: The Go-Between
A haunting showcase of the beautiful landscape of Norfolk and the thrilling power of live theatre. Touring East Anglia. Eastern Angles
19th: Show and Tell
Dark-comedy gold by ‘National Treasure’ Alan Ayckbourn. Southwold Arts Centre
19th: Seed Talks
How the mind heals the body. Discover the connection between mind + body and the ways to bring change to your life through meditation. St Peter’s, Ipswich Waterfront
20th-23rd: Sunrise Film Festival
A sun-soaked open-air cinema experience for film lovers of all ages. Kids go free. Marina Theatre, Lowestoft.
21st: Nik Kershaw
Singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist, Nik Kershaw takes us back to the 80s. Snape Maltings
22nd-23rd: Framlingham Country Show
Enjoy thrilling displays, family entertainment, food, shopping, live music, and countryside fun. Framlingham College
22nd-24th: FolkEast Festival
An immersive folk music and arts festival featuring top artists and traditions. Sotterley Estate
25th: Jungle Book
Immersion Theatre bring their trademark energy to a wild musical adaptation of the Rudyard Kipling family favourite. Thorington Theatre
27th: How to Enjoy Architecture
Harry C J Wix x New Street Market presents: How to Enjoy Architecture with Charles Holland. New Street Market
31st: Flea Market
Expect antiques, vintage finds, gardenalia, country wares, decorative pieces and all sorts of interesting bits and bobs. Earsham Hall Antiques
Sept:
5th: Yoxfayre
25th: Music by Moonlight
4th: Saxons 5-mile Race
Flower festival, dog show, stalls, face-painting, games, bric-a-brac, BBQ and a circus-themed fancy dress competition. Yoxford Village Hall
12th: Apiary Sessions
Honey & The Bear are delighted to welcome The Maes, on tour from Australia, to Benhall Church.
13th: Autumn Plant Fair
A fabulous day out for gardeners and plant lovers. 10am-4pm at Helmingham Hall.
15th: Sister Act Jr
After only 5 days of intensive rehearsals the incredible youth cast & creative team members of Limelight Performers hit the stage. Seckford Theatre
18th: Visits from the Darkness
An evening of two chilling tales of the supernatural. The Fisher Theatre, Bungay
18th: Washed up in Walberswick
Another wickedly filthy comedy by Robin Brooks. Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall
19th: Leiston Book Festival
Enjoy a day of author talks and conversations about our evolving landscape. Leiston
An intimate concert of baroque music set beneath the glow of a giant moon in the magnificent Great Hall. Helmingham Hall
25th-27th: Ambient Music Festival
A chilled out three days celebrating a genre of music that has its roots in the beautiful town of Woodbridge.
26th: Wot Italian?
An unforgettable evening of music, comedy, and charm with Boothby Graffoe and Antonio Forcione. The Cut, Halesworth
26th: Custodians of the land & sea
Mike Warner and Richard Negus discuss the realities, challenges and successes of working the land and sea. Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall
26th-27th: Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival
A celebration of Suffolk’s finest food and drink. Snape Maltings
Oct:
1st-1st Nov:
The Phantom of Friar Street Scares, shocks, and a spine-chilling twist from the new show by Common Ground Theatre. Various theatres locally.
Open to runners aged 15+. Chip timed, multi-terrain run on sports field, footpaths and off-road. Enter www.thesaxons.org.uk
10th: WCB Comedy Stand-up
Another huge night of stand-up comedy with headliner Rory Bremner comes to Woodbridge! Seckford Theatre
10th: Piatti String Quartet
A sublime programme of works by Mendelssohn, Purcell, Dvořák and British composer Edmund Finnis. Fressingfield Sounds
16th: Impromptu Shakespeare
Hold onto your doublets, ruffs and trunk hose. The Bard is back! New Street Market
16th: The Real People
A rare chance to hear the wonderful songwriting skills of Chris and Tony Griffiths. The John Peel Centre
23rd: Dracula.
The last voyage of the Dementer
The Demeter leaves Romania on its final voyage loaded with cargo and passengers looking to start a new life. Southwold Arts Centre
out & about
Out & About the bumper edition!
Calling all Book Lovers
Now in its third year, Leiston Book Festival brings together inspiring authors and readers for a day of talks, discussions and discoveries, with a focus on stories connected to the changing landscape and environment. Don’t miss Louis de Bernières, author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, talking about his latest book, Smelling of Rooks: reflections on rural life, writing and the landscape around his Norfolk home.
Saturday 19 September
Leiston Cinema www.leistonbookfestival.co.uk
Travels in Time and Space is the theme for Flipside this year. At no point in history have more people been on the move than they are now. For all the reasons we know - welcome or appalling, chosen or coerced, trivial or profound, brief or lifelong –humans have made journeys. And every passage is not only a movement in place, but also and always in time: the hours, days, weeks of the journey itself, and the years,
Summer in Suffolk is made for getting out and exploring. Whether you’re looking for family adventures, unforgettable festivals, inspiring exhibitions or hidden gems you haven’t discovered yet, there’s no shortage of reasons to make the most of the season. From coast to countryside, we’ve rounded up some of the very best events and experiences to help you enjoy every moment - perhaps even uncover a few new favourites along the way.
decades and even centuries we discover along the way. Join perhaps the most fitting line-up yet assembled: Colin Grant, Samantha Harvey, Blake Morrison, Ian Patterson, Laura Spinney, Colin Thubron and Sara Wheeler, as they explore where we’ve got to, and what we have found.
Saturday 3 October
Old Theatre, Framlingham www.flipside.org
Returning for the second year, Ipswich Book Festival will present more than 50 events across ten venues in the town centre, bringing together bestselling authors, broadcasters, historians, illustrators, poets and performers for a weekend celebrating the power of stories.
This year’s theme, More Than Words, celebrates the power of books to move us, challenge us and connect us. Among this year’s headline guests are broadcaster Stewart White, actress and author Caroline Quentin, journalist and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter, musician Rusty Egan and comedian, broadcaster and author Robin Ince. They are joined by Ipswich Book Festival patrons alongside acclaimed children’s author Brogen Murphy and a diverse line-up of writers, historians, artists, campaigners and performers.
2–4 October
Multiple Venues across Ipswich www.ipswichbookfestival.co.uk
Fabulous Festivals
263 films across 4 days, spanning 34 countries – that’s what you can expect from the Sunrise Film Festival. It is unashamedly a celebration of independent cinema, bringing filmmakers and audiences together to celebrate creativity, storytelling and the power of film. From short films to feature films, documentaries to animations and VR experiences, workshops to special screenings, this festival has become the largest film festival in Suffolk and is not to be missed.
20-23 August
Marina Theatre, Lowestoft www.sunrisefilmfestival.co.uk
The Suffolk Villages Festival is a celebrated music festival bringing Renaissance, Baroque and Classical music to some of the region’s most beautiful historic churches. The festival features outstanding performances from professional singers and period instrument ensembles, creating a unique atmosphere that combines world-class music with Suffolk’s stunning village settings.
28–31 August
Hadleigh, Stoke by Nayland and Polstead www.suffolkvillagesfestival.com
The One Big Multicultural Festival in Ipswich is a FREE, family-friendly celebration held at Alexandra Park, in Ipswich. The festival features live music and dance, international food, cultural performances, children’s activities, sports, workshops, stalls and entertainment for all ages. Organised by BSC Multicultural Services in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council, it brings thousands of people together each year to celebrate diversity, inclusion and community spirit. Care to join them?
Sunday 30 August: 12 noon to 6pm Alexandra Park, Ipswich www.bscmulticulturalservices.org.uk
FOMO Fest is back for the second year! Held at the Food Museum in Stowmarket, it features two live music stages, nationally recognised artists, a funfair, children’s entertainment and activities, street food vendors, licensed bars and festival traders. It promises to be one of Suffolk’s standout summer events.
Saturday 5 September
The Food Museum, Stowmarket www.fomofest.co.uk
Not to miss!
FolkEast, Sotterley Estate, Beccles
Feel-good folk gathering with headline acts, sessions, crafts and real ale in parkland, with camping.
21–23 August
Sotterley Estate, Beccles www.folkeast.co.uk
Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival, Snape Maltings Award-winning celebration of Suffolk producers with 130+ stalls, chef demos, family activities and riverside atmosphere at Snape Maltings.
26–27 September Snape Maltings www.aldeburghfoodanddrink.co.uk
Talk to the Animals!
A great family day out and totally unique in the UK, Oasis Camel Park is home to Bactrian and Dromedary camels, as well as many other animals. There are play areas - both indoor and outdoor – a jumping pillow, mini golf and land train ride, and the opportunity to ‘hop’ on a camel!
www.oasiscamelpark.co.uk
For something completely different, how about a Bat Walk! August and September are among the best months for stepping out at dusk because young bats are flying and activity remains high after sunset. Organised evening walks are run by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and are held at a number of their sites across Suffolk. www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
For a magical wildlife experience loved by both adults and children alike, Seal Watching in Harwich is well worth popping over the border for. With seal sightings guaranteed, most likely as they bask and lollop on the shore, what a wonderful way to while away a few hours. Trips depart from Harwich, sailing through the historic harbour with lovely views of the estuaries, before venturing up the mystical creeks of Hamford Water Nature Reserve to see the seals. Book online for a 10% discount using code: suffolk2026 www.sealwatching.co.uk
Suffolk Dog Day is a popular annual event which celebrates man’s best friend. There will be a range of fun dog classes, dog agility and scurry activities, as well as over 50 stalls full of doggy goodies, Crufts’ style competitions, children’s entertainment and plenty of food and drink stalls as well.
All ticket proceeds and donations go to St Elizabeth Hospice. Sunday 13 September Trinity Park
To buy tickets visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk
Art for Arts Sake
out & about
Internationally acclaimed artist Stephanie Rew returns to Thompson’s Gallery in Aldeburgh this August with a captivating new exhibition: Dreamers. Renowned for her exquisitely detailed figurative works, Rew combines centuries-old techniques, including egg tempera, oil, gold leaf and glass gilding, with a contemporary sensibility. Dreamers explores imagination, introspection and quiet reverie through luminous portraits and richly decorative compositions inspired by Renaissance craftsmanship and the Old Masters. Featuring both large-scale gilded panels and intimate works on paper, this highly anticipated exhibition showcases one of Britain’s most distinctive contemporary painters at the height of her powers.
1-16 August
Thompsons Gallery, Aldeburgh www.thompsonsgallery.co.uk
Summer Contemporary is an ambitious five-week exhibition bringing together more than 180 artists. Set against the unrivalled natural landscape of Snape Maltings, the show spans sculpture, photography, painting and sculpture, with work by degree students from across the UK alongside established artists.
25 July-30 August
Snape Maltings www.snapemaltings.co.uk
The work is diverse in its focus, scale, appearance, approach, materials, and the techniques used. What connects the work? It’s inspired by, and emanates from, the local or rural or everyday and yet becomes universal in its presence, connections and meanings.
Until 22 August
Art Station, Saxmundham www.theartstation.uk
The second Summer Exhibition of Suffolk Open Studios members comes to the Old Theatre in Framlingham in August. Enjoy browsing a truly diverse collection of original artwork by local artists: paintings, prints, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, photography, jewellery, and much more, all available to purchase.
If you’re in town on the 21st August you can meet the exhibitors, hear the stories behind their work, and celebrate the opening of this exciting exhibition at a special launch evening, between 4pm to 7pm.
21–31 August
The Old Theatre, Framlingham www.suffolkopenstudios.org
The celebrations for Constables 250th year since his birth continue at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich with The Hay Wain: Walking Constable’s Landscape. This long-awaited exhibition brings unprecedented key loans from the National Gallery, Tate, V&A, Royal Academy and National Galleries of Scotland to Suffolk for the very first time to explore themes of landscape, place and walking.
Local Yokel presents a highquality exhibition of thoughtprovoking contemporary art, bringing together artists who have a strong connection to Suffolk; who live and work and/ or grew up locally and those who also now work internationally. Some of the artists are very established and some have never shown their work before.
Historic loans including Dedham Vale (National Galleries of Scotland) will be seen alongside Colchester + Ipswich Museum’s own Constable collection, including the two most personal paintings from his childhood home, Golding Constable’s Flower Garden and Golding Constable’s Kitchen Garden. A highlight will be Constable’s iconic masterpiece, The Hay Wain (The National Gallery) making its first ever visit to the county it depicts.
Until 4 October
Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich www.ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk
Family Fun
Touch a real moon rock, marvel at a giant inflatable solar system, enjoy an immersive trip through the cosmos with the pop-up Wonder Dome Planetarium and explore Suffolk’s space stories at Suffolk Archives’ free, family friendly exhibition, The Moon: Meet Our Nearest Neighbour. Along with discovering the science and mythology of the moon, you can re-live historic moments in lunar discovery and learn about Stowmarket’s pioneering female astronomer Alice Grace Cook and the mystery of the Rendlesham UFO! Until 19 September The Hold, Ipswich www.suffolkarchives.co.uk
out & about
Three fun ways to keep your kids occupied!
Foot Golf: A fun hybrid of football and golf where players kick a football into oversized holes. Great for energetic kids and family competitions – you get to join in with the fun!
Stonham Golf Park www.stonhambarnsgolf.co.uk
Puppet Workshop: Step into a world of Viking myths, magical creatures, fearless heroes, and legendary adventures in this beginnerfriendly, two-day sock puppet-making workshop. Guided by Forge Master and puppet maker expert Freya Oakes, each child will shape their own mythical creation and take part in building a shared saga of adventure and creativity. 24-25 Aug: 10am-3pm Wingfield Barns www.wingfieldbarns.com
Splash Pool: One of the highlights of Easton Farm Park’s Summer of Fun. Designed for younger children, it’s a great way for them to cool off between the farm activities, playgrounds and animal encounters! The Splash Pool is included in admission during the Summer of Fun event, alongside the popular Foam Parties. What a great day out! Just don’t forget to pack swimwear, towels, and a change of clothes…. Easton Farm Park www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk
Workshops to show
Join seafood expert Mike Warner of A Passion for Seafood on Aldeburgh beach for a masterclass on dressing a fresh cooked lobster, landed by a local boat. You’ll learn about lobster ecology, how they’re caught, their sustainability and seasonality and then how to prepare one for the table, which you can either take home or enjoy afterwards on the beach, with a glass of wine.
Saturday 8 August
Aldeburgh Beach
To book visit www.apassionforseafood.com
The Pin Mill Studio is nestled on the banks of the river Orwell in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and is home to award-winning photographer Anthony Cullen’s gallery, shop and cafe. Throughout the year, Anthony runs a series of full and half day group courses including digital photography, for beginner through to intermediate level, as well as 1-2-1 sessions.
Selected dates
Suffolk Food Hall www.suffolkfoodhall.co.uk out & about
Pin Mill www.thepinmillstudio.com
Spend a day with Contemporary Hempery, immersed in the ancient craft of hemp textiles, exploring the journey from living plant to usable fibre and yarn.
The morning begins with coffee and a gentle wander through the magical hemp ‘jungle’, connecting with the roots of cloth and gathering fresh hemp leaves to use later in the afternoon’s natural dyeing session. Then follows a visit to the retting pits, before being introduced to the key stages of transforming hemp straw into fibre: breaking, scutching, heckling and bunching, the traditional process of turning ‘straw into gold’. Finally, you’ll learn how to create your own yarn and dye something special to take home.
Saturday 8 August
Wakelyns, nr Fressingfield www.wakelyns.co.uk /www.contemporaryhempery.com
Discover the traditional craft of willow weaving at Suffolk Food Hall, where expert tutor Liz from Lark Valley Willow leads seasonally inspired hands-on workshops in the Food Hall’s Workshop Barn. Next up – making a bug hotel! 15-16 September
Fashion fix
4. Kid’s T-shirt Pocket £18
5. Beaded sandals Laid Back London @ Darcy B £75
6. Lucia shorts Nona @ The Studio Woodbridge £145
1. Berlín Ciclist trainers Victoria @ Fleur
£84
2. Floaty summer dress One Hundred Stars @ Iris and Bo £95
3. Jonie blouse DÔEN @ Anna
£299
7.
One
£160
8.
Collen and Clare
£69
£119
10.
£34
11.
£45-£250
£29
£27
Block print dress
Season @ Moose
Beautiful beaded earrings
9. Leona shirt Scancia @ O&C Butcher
Sea charm necklace Lisa Angel
Tangle of bangles Alba Jewellery
12. Cotton T Vilagallo @ Darcy B
13. Stripy jumpsuit Ruby Tyger
Bursting onto the spa scene
Keep padeling
Padel has taken the fitness world by storm in recent years and you can now join in the fun at Pigs Padel, Suffolk’s newest Padel Club, which opened at the start of the year. Based at the Pigs in Blankets campsite, just outside Southwold, it sports a fabulous pink court and you can either book to play with friends or sign up for a coaching or social session.
• High-quality indoor court
The Salthouse Harbour Hotel in Ipswich has just opened a brand new spa which offers a boutique wellness experience designed around movement, contrast and sensory experiences. At the heart of the new spa is their signature Wellness Bursts - immersive 90-minute thermal journeys through heat, steam, hydrotherapy and contrast experiences, all within a waterfront hideaway overlooking the harbour. Follow the circuit around the Himalayan salt sauna, aromatherapy steam room, ice fountain, experience shower, foot spa and bespoke ‘wallow pool’. Designed around movement rather than lounging, it offers a modern approach to wellbeing that energises the body and resets the mind. The Wellness Bursts and other treatments such as Ishga, LED Light Therapy and restorative relaxation are available to both guests and visitors, and for something special, you could also treat yourself to a package with breakfast, afternoon tea or even a champagne dinner. www.salthouseharbour.co.uk
• Rackets and balls available to hire
• Showers and changing facilities
• Bar (subject to opening times)
• 24hr coffee machine
To book, just head to the website and reserve a time slot on Matchi. This Padel Club is guaranteed to leave you tickled pink!
www.pigsinblanketssouthwold.co.uk
Shield and protect
If you love a beauty product that works on more than one level, read on. UV Plus Anti-Pollutant Translucent Sunscreen SPF50+ from Clarins is a multi-protection and anti-pollution sunscreen that protects the skin against six visible signs of premature ageing. This new-generation hydrating sunscreen combines UV filters and powerful active ingredients to respond to urban demands. With SPF50 to protect your skin against ageing UV rays, it also has a special UV Skin Barrier which combats the harmful effects of the major pollutants: UVA, UVB, light pollution, blue light and pollen. A selection of active ingredients at the heart of the formula has been chosen to help strengthen the skin, including ginger lily extract, which helps to support the skin’s self-repair mechanism, and mango leaf extract to protect against pollution. Available from Woodbridge Pharmacy.
Marketed well
A brand-new Wellness Market is coming to Framlingham this autumn, bringing together local therapists, makers and wellbeing businesses for a morning of relaxation, discovery and wellbeing. Organised by local reflexologist Becki from Rebecca’s Reflexology, the event will showcase a curated mix of holistic therapies, natural products and parent & baby wellbeing services alongside independent local makers. “It’s a chance for local wellness businesses to come together and for visitors to discover therapies and products they might not otherwise come across.”
The first market will take place on Tuesday 1st September followed by another on Tuesday 3rd November 2026, both running from 9:30am to 12:30pm. It is being held at Hour Place, Fairfield Road - the home of Hour Community - and, with a café onsite, it promises to be a relaxed space for people to explore, connect, and unwind. Free entry.
Reconnecting about interiors
Hidden within ten acres of regenerated farmland, where nature has been gently encouraged to reclaim the landscape, Blyth Rise Stays offers an escape that feels both beautifully secluded and effortlessly luxurious. With just twelve lodges and unique huts tucked into tranquil corners, it is the sort of place where guests are encouraged to embrace the joy of doing very little at all.
And, this June, Sarah and I had the opportunity to do just that as we spent two nights in one of the lakeside lodges, courtesy of Katie Rixon and her family who created this little oasis of calm, located on the outskirts of Laxfield. From the moment the iron gates quietly close behind us we have a feeling of leaving the world behind and entering a secret undiscovered land that is in perfect harmony with nature and its surroundings. Swathes of golden grasses dotted with oxeye daisies sway in the afternoon breeze and, in amongst
the silver birch and willows, we catch glimpses of the unique handcrafted Igluhuts. Further on, clustered discreetly around the lake are six thoughtfully designed wooden chalets including Russet, our home for the next couple of days.
Designed to immerse guests in the surrounding landscape without compromising on comfort, every lodge and Igluhut has been finished to an exceptional standard. Inside, calming interiors blend natural textures with
about interiors
understated comfort. Crisp white linens promise deeply restful nights, while soft furnishings, warm timber finishes and deep, inviting sofas create spaces made for slowing down. In Russet there is a fully equipped kitchen, allowing guests to prepare leisurely breakfasts or long lunches, and the onsite honesty shop offers everything needed for an easy stay - homemade meals prepared by Black Dog Deli, pizzas for sharing, bags of charcoal for those wanting to fire up the BBQ and logs so you can gather around the firepit for some stargazing. Tucked quietly amongst the silver birches are two bespoke sauna huts where you can feel your stresses melt away before recharging with a cold water outdoor shower, and Katie, who is also a professional yoga teacher, runs regular sessions for guests looking to reset through natured-inspired flow.
After we have settled in, Katie pops over to tell us more about how this all came about. It’s a story spanning three generations, as the land was originally purchased by her parents over 25 years ago with the vision of allowing it to rewild and regenerate after years of intensive farming. “They encouraged the land to breathe again and over the last quarter of a century, as a family we have planted over 2000 trees – a mix of alder, ash, willow, apple, hornbeam and hazel – and in 2008 we dug out the lake, using the earth to create banks that have since been planted with wildflowers and are now a haven for bees, butterflies and insects.” In 2018 the family was inspired to create a beautiful retreat for people to come and experience the beauty of this magical place and over the next three years they worked tirelessly, overseeing the building of the six architecturally designed two-bedroom lodges and installing the quirky
woodland Igluhuts, which were handmade in Estonia. “The whole project has been carefully designed with a focus on sustainability. This ethos stretches across everything we do, from the local craftsmen who built the lodges to the produce stocked in the shop.”
Now, as we sit on the deck overlooking the lake, this dream has well and truly become a reality. Life moves at a different pace here. There is no Wi-Fi, there are no screens and no distractions. Wander along winding paths that weave through the landscape and you’ll discover peaceful corners where the only soundtrack is the gentle chorus of nature. Otters have been spotted gliding silently through the water, kingfishers flash electric blue as they dart across the surface in search of fish, and every so often the stillness is broken by the satisfying plop of a fish rising
above the reflections. Whether you’re seeking a romantic retreat, a peaceful solo escape or a memorable getaway with family and friends, Blyth Rise Stays is a place that has been designed for reconnecting - with nature, with loved ones and with yourself.
As for Sarah and I, well after a bottle of wine and a very competitive game of scrabble, we both curled up on the sofa with a good book and reflected on how important it is to sometimes take a pause and how grateful we are for our 14 years in business together and, more importantly, our longstanding friendship. We would encourage everyone to book some time off here; to breathe a little deeper, linger a little longer and leave feeling completely restored.
www.blythrisestays.co.uk
1. Orange and lemon tea towels Converge
2. Sardinia porcelain floor tiles Clay Interiors
3. Folk cushion FuzzypegFolk £45 4. Summer living Green Door Antiques
5. Kantha bedspread Snape Maltings £135
Rustic treasures No 10 Harleston
7. Owlet side table
Selfish Customs
£645
8. Portofino picnic rug
Woodbridge/Aldeburgh Kitchen Shop
£39.99
9. Quilted bags Huus
£24.50
10. C19 walnut wardrobe Tales from the Rookery £2850
11. Fabulous print
Suffolk Prints Studio £15.99 (unframed)
12. Striped cushions
World of Craft @ Vanil
£50
13. Garden paraphernalia Yoxford Antiques
Clay Interiors is one of Suffolk’s finest tile and specialist natural & faux stone suppliers. Our family run business has customer service at its core and is warm and welcoming, with a passion for bringing exquisite Italian and Spanish products into your home.
Visit our showroom in a beautifully converted barn just outside Beccles and close to Southwold where you will find our carefully curated selection of tiles, natural stone, engineered wood and luxury laminate, ready to inspire your next project.
Clay Interiors Ltd, The Gallery, Hall Farm, London Road, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 8TT
Ca’ Pietra retailer for Norfolk & Suffolk. 01502 470157
Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 9.30 - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Closed Sunday & Monday
Don’t forget!
Award-winning psychological thriller DISREMEMBER returns to filmmaker Matthew Simpson’s hometown of Lowestoft this August for a special one-off screening at the Sunrise Film Festival. Created entirely by Simpson, with no crew, no cast and no budget, the film has gone on to win multiple Best Feature awards before making its US premiere at the renowned Cinequest Film Festival in California. The film follows an ex-military alcoholic who begins experiencing unexplained blackouts. The more he tries to stop them the worse they become, until he realises they are being triggered by a trauma his mind is fighting to forget. The screening and a live audience Q&A takes place on 20th August at The Marina Theatre. Visit www.sunrisefilmfestival.co.uk for the full programme and tickets.
Prepare to be amazed!
Now in its 21st year, the brilliant 2026 design of Southwold’s Maize Maze explores the exciting ways modern farming is changing to adapt to new technology and protect the planet. Turning the countryside into a handson adventure, this year’s maze demonstrates how innovation, sustainability and clever new ideas are helping farmers grow food in smarter and greener ways, and as you explore you will discover interactive boards on soil health, pollinators and water conservation.
Will Hall, who joined the family business this year, commented, “It’s particularly relevant that we’re spotlighting the role of technology in modern farming as the maize maze itself was planted using precision technology back in May, using satellite technology to map out the design and the walkways.” Watch out Jeremy Clarkson!
Open until 6th September. www.southwoldmaizemaze.co.uk
Fairground of folk
If you are visiting Bungay, make sure you pop along to FuzzypegFolk, a magical emporium of folk-inspired gifts and childhood wonder that was opened last year by owner Katharine Ricks. Inspired by circus and fairground memories and festooned with colourful garlands, the shop sells a rich selection of vintage and new decorative handmade crafts and folk-art collectibles, mostly from Eastern Europe, as well as a range of unique homeware, toys, gifts, cards and beautiful stationery. The shop was inspired by Katharine’s late mother who used to run the children’s clothes shop Fuzzypeg in Woodbridge in the 1970s and the name is taken from the hedgehog character found in the “Little Grey Rabbit” series of books by Alison Uttley. The original illustrator of the books, Margaret Tempest, created the original shop sign, and today it proudly hangs above the door of Katharine’s Bungay store. She also hosts regular workshops, book launches and storytelling afternoons – the next Folktales is August 14th with illustrator and author James Mayhew. www.fuzzypegfolk.co.uk
As easy as ABC
Since it launched in 2021, Alde and Blyth Community Radio (ABC Radio) has become the voice of our coastal communities. On air from 5pm on Tuesday to midnight on Sunday, the station offers listeners a wide programme from light entertainment to news, interviews, politics, sports and a host of specialist music genre programmes. ABC Radio has been made possible thanks to the belief and generous support of individuals, businesses and local authorities, who all share in its passion to deliver a unique service that is entertaining, informative and most of all, provides good old fashioned companionship along the coastal corridor that many of us are fortunate enough to call home. Run entirely by volunteers, if you are interested getting involved, either as a potential presenter, co-presenter, contributor or with studio support, please complete the contact form online. Whether you are looking for rock ‘n’ roll with Howlin’ Howie, classic 80s hits with Wayne Burns, Soul Sessions with Graham Clark, a jam-packed Jukebox to take you through the night, or to be part of this friendly team, make sure you dial in to ABC Radio. www.abc.co.uk
Branching out
about the land
The Youngman family have worked the land at White House Farm in Grundisburgh for over a century, but in recent years it has blossomed into something rather special. What was once a traditional mixed arable farm has now diversified into a thriving fruit-growing enterprise, where rows of apple, plum and cherry trees are ripe for the picking.
Alison and Richard Youngman moved into White House Farm in the mid-seventies, and as well as managing 90-acres of arable they also tended to several large orchards. There is another family fruit farm in Charsfield, where they grow apples and pears for pressing, and in the early days most of their fruit was used to make the Red House Farm juices. The couple then ran Grange Farm Shop in Hasketon for nearly 24 years, which allowed them to expand and experiment with different varieties as they had the perfect outlet for all their fruit. “When we left Grange Farm we still had regular customers asking
about our fruit so in 2019 we set up the roadside Fruit and Vegetable Stall. It has been incredibly popular as people love that the fruit is freshly picked, usually that morning, and we also stock local vegetables, fresh flowers, eggs and seasonal soft fruit.”
However, the biggest change to the farm came about due to Covid. In 2020, their son Antony, who had been managing a ski resort in Val D’Isere for the previous four years, was forced to leave the slopes and return home to Suffolk. Bringing fresh ideas, entrepreneurial energy and a passion for creating memorable
Over the past six years, the family have planted another 1000 fruit trees and today, the orchards are home to 11 different varieties of apple, offering a wonderful mix of heritage favourites and exciting modern cultivars. Traditional varieties such as Egremont Russet, Cox and Bramley sit alongside newer varieties including Tickled Pink, which, as the name suggests, is deep pink in colour, both on the outside and the inside, and Suprize, which is more orange in colour but with a distinctive taste of cider. Some are perfect for baking, others such as Paradise Gold and Core Blimey are crisp and refreshing straight from the branch, whilst Discovery is prized for its sweet, aromatic juice. Mixed in amongst the apples there are boughs bent low with plums, including favourites such as Victoria and Warwickshire Droopers, which will be ready to pick at the end of August. Cherries are the current crop, and beneath the protective about the land
visitor experiences, he has helped the business flourish while respecting the traditions that have shaped the farm for generations. “It was quite an adjustment but after that first summer I realised what huge potential there was to diversify.” With everyone in lockdown, the stall became increasingly popular, the family keeping it fully stocked and open 24 hours a day. Antony also realised how many dog walkers used the footpaths that led through the farm so he decided to create a Dog Orchard. “We fenced off part of the top orchard, allowing people to walk their dogs safely in an enclosed space. It is booked by the hour and is great for training or for people with nervous or reactive dogs.” Due to its success, in 2023 he opened a second area, The Cove - this one uniquely designed to include a pond with a shingle beach and pontoon where ‘hot dogs’ have fun leaping into the water.
netting we discover clusters of glossy, deep crimson fruit warmed by the sun.
Another ingenious idea has been the family’s innovative Rent-a-Tree scheme, which gives people the opportunity to sponsor their very own fruit tree for the year. It’s a chance to become part of the orchard’s story and experience the changing seasons first-hand. Members are invited to a spectacular Blossom Day in spring, when the orchards are transformed into a sea of delicate pink and white flowers. As the trees hum with bees and the air is filled with the scent of blossom, visitors can wander through the rows, picnic beneath the branches and enjoy one of nature’s most beautiful displays. “There’s something deeply satisfying about filling baskets with apples or plums you’ve watched grow through the seasons, and it’s an experience that families return for, year after year.”
Most recently, the family has planted a vineyard that promises to add another chapter to their story. Although the vines are still young, in just two or three years’ time they hope to welcome visitors for guided vineyard tours and tasting experiences, showcasing wines produced entirely from their own grapes. It marks another bold step in the farm’s evolution - one rooted in tradition, inspired by innovation, and driven by a family determined to make the very most of the land they love. As I leave, Alison kindly hands me a punnet of perfectly ripe cherries, which, being my favourite, shamelessly do not even make it back to the office. Well, with fruit this good who can blame me!
www.whitehousefarmgrundisburgh.co.uk www.thedogorchard.co.uk
about design
Breaking the mould
From their Suffolk workshop, Jess Walters and Joe Kirton of Selfish Customs create bold, beautifully designed furniture and objects for the home made from moulded eco-resin that is marbled through with layers of colour and textured with naturally sourced materials. I pull up a pink, hand-formed chair to find out more.
Colour, texture and curiosity sit at the heart of everything Joe and Jess create. From boldly marbled furniture to sculptural homeware inspired by the Suffolk landscape, this is a business that clearly refuses to follow convention. “Every piece we make is unique, handcrafted and designed to bring a little joy into everyday life.” And, looking around the workshop at the bright green benches and the fabulously funky side tables, it is hard not to smile! Their journey into furniture and object design began in London. Jess studied Fine Art at the
University of Exeter before honing her skills at a bronze foundry in Hackney and then setting up her own successful company, London Mould Makers, producing work for artists, designers and major corporate commissions. Joe studied Graphic Design at Camberwell College of Art before embarking on a career in television animation and set building, where he developed a keen eye for storytelling, colour and construction.
Jess and Joe both had art studios at the old biscuit factory in Bermondsey and
about design
developed a friendship over cups of strong coffee as they worked the late shift on their respective projects. By the time they were forced to leave this space, Joe was working with Jess and together they moved the company to a larger premises in Epping Forest. “This allowed us to work on bigger, more ambitious projects, one of which was a huge white horse for the Argentinian pavilion at the 2015 Art Exposition in Venice. We had a team of fourteen people working on it for eight months. It was enormous and had to be taken apart, flown over and then put back together for the event.” Other commissions included the new four and half metre tall golden cockerel that is proudly perched on the roof of the South Stand at the Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium, and an extraordinary four-metre-high gold-leaf Buddha created for the London
Buddhist Centre at their new Vajrasana Retreat in Walsham-le-Willows.
It was whilst Jess and Joe were working on this commission in Suffolk that their romance blossomed, and in 2018 they made the decision to up sticks and move here permanently. “Initially, Jess still commuted to London three days a week, but with Covid and the arrival of our daughter, Sylvia, the time felt right to head in a new direction and so we set up Selfish Customs.” They started slowly, creating smaller pieces for local markets, forming connections with fellow artists, designers and craftspeople and quickly became part of this county’s vibrant creative community. “We loved the idea of using local materials in our designs and created a table that reflected Suffolk’s heritage. We impregnated the cut ends of
bundles of thatching straw with pigment and then set them in eco-resin to create the table top.” The finished design is fascinating, the tiny ends of the stalks give the discs an amoeboid appearance and the result is both sculptural and practical. Wool from local farmers has been incorporated into a collection of tactile vases, and they have developed hand-cast plinths using Portland stone micro-cement reinforced with Suffolk barley straw - robust enough to live outdoors yet refined enough for interior spaces, these versatile forms blur the line between sculpture and furniture.
Eco-resin remains one of their signature materials, allowing Jess and Joe to explore extraordinary combinations of colour and pattern. Richly marbled side tables, benches and chairs appear almost painterly, while
smaller pieces including shelves, bookends and decorative objects showcase the same bold design language on a more intimate scale. Every item is unique, as each pour, pigment and material behaves differently, meaning every finished piece has its own distinct personality. At the end of July, they are hosting their first solo exhibition. Titled Fieldworks, the show celebrates both their distinctive approach to design and their deep connection with the Suffolk landscape and promises to be a celebration of local materials viewed through an entirely new lens.
Fieldworks: 24th July – 2nd August at Maple Farm, Kelsale. www.selfishcustoms.co.uk / @selfish_customs
about gardens
Sun worshippers
As we look ahead to next year, it's worth taking a moment to think about how our gardens can better cope with the changing climate. Longer, hotter summers and extended dry spells are becoming increasingly common, making drought-tolerant planting one of the smartest and most sustainable choices for the future. Many sun-loving perennials thrive in challenging conditions while providing months of beautiful colour and attracting a wealth of pollinators, so here are a few you might want to consider for your planting scheme next year.
Verbena is one of the best plants for weaving through borders. Its tall, airy stems topped with clusters of vibrant flowers provide long-lasting colour from summer well into autumn. The delicate blooms seem to float above neighbouring plants, adding height, movement and a wonderfully natural feel.
Salvias are another indispensable choice. Available in an array of pinks, purples and blues, from the palest to the punchiest shades, their elegant flower spikes bloom tirelessly throughout the summer and often until the first frosts - loved by bees and bring both colour and structure to sunny borders.
For something a little more delicate, Scabiosa offers charming pincushion flowers in shades of blue, pink and white. Flowering from July through to the end of September, they are irresistible to bees and butterflies, filling the garden with life and movement.
If you are looking for bold architectural interest, Echinops is hard to beat. These statuesque perennials produce striking steel-blue globe flowers and thrive in poor, well-drained soil where many other plants struggle. Their
sculptural form adds elegance and contrast among softer planting.
Gaura (officially reclassified as Oenothera lindheimeri), and also known as whirling butterflies, brings an altogether lighter touch. Its dainty white or pale pink flowers flutter on slender stems, dancing gracefully in the slightest breeze. It performs beautifully in borders or containers and flowers for months with very little attention.
No cottage-style planting scheme would be complete without Nepeta. With well over 250 varieties, this reliable perennial produces fragrant lavender-blue flowers from late spring until late summer, creating soft mounds that bees simply adore.
If space allows, set these drought-loving perennials against a backdrop of golden grasses. Stipa gigantea is a particular favourite; its tall, shimmering flower stems catching the sunlight and adding movement, texture and a warm golden glow. Together, these resilient plants will create a garden that is not only beautiful but also well prepared for the summers of the future.
Time to settle
After a glorious, albeit dry, few months in the garden, August is all about prolonging the flowering season by constantly deadheading. This is especially important for repeat flowering roses – snip off the dead heads and once all the flowers on a stem have faded, cut back to the first stem with five leaves as this is where the strong new growth will develop. Cut back your lavender and also give any herbs such as parsley, mint and chives a good chop as this will allow you to snip more stems later in the season. Stake top-heavy hollyhocks and dahlias and harvest your cucumbers, courgettes and tomatoes – swapping with friends if you have a glut or pickling for summer BBQs.
With its mellow afternoons and misty mornings, September heralds the first signs of autumn, making it an ideal time to tidy borders and prepare for cooler weather. Remove spent crops, dig out any ground elder that may be hiding
Tales from the potting shed
August Trim lavender
Keep deadheading Prune rambling roses
under the summer foliage and divide overcrowded perennials to keep them healthy. If it is not too dry, plant spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and crocuses, collect seeds from your favourite flowers and take cuttings from your pelargoniums and salvias to propagate and overwinter indoors. Fix patchy lawns by raking, scarifying and re-seeding whilst the soil is still warm.
October is a busy month in the garden as autumn settles in and preparations for winter begin. Plant tulip bulbs and continue planting spring-flowering bulbs while the soil remains workable. Rake fallen leaves, empty leggy hanging baskets, clear away faded annuals and spent vegetable crops. Protect tender plants from colder nights and lift cannas and return tubers to a cool, dark corner of the shed. Make sure you leave some seed heads and berries to provide food and shelter for garden wildlife and pot up some winter pansies so you can enjoy a splash of colour with your morning coffee on the patio.
September
Sow hardy annuals
Plant spring bulbs
Lift and divide perennials
October
Store cannas
Clear veg plot
Clean tools
Crystal clear
There can be few products that capture the essence of the Suffolk coast quite like a jar of hand-harvested Suffolk Sea Salt . Produced by Ned Biggs, as the first jars of this artisan salt find their way onto the shelves of local delicatessens, they’re already sprinkling a little magic across the dining tables of Suffolk.
I meet Ned at the production hub of the business, a polytunnel in Bucklesham, just on the outskirts of Ipswich, and, having never really thought about it, am truly fascinated by how sea salt is made. Ned first starting toying with the idea a few years ago after watching a documentary about salt-making. With an inquisitive mind – he is a freelance editor and copywriter by day – he starting looking into the process to see if he could make small batches from home. “I fell down a rabbit hole, looking at endless videos on YouTube. I ended up buying a couple of poultry heat lamps from
a local farmer and setting up the apparatus in the garden shed. It was successful, but using heat to accelerate the evaporation process meant the costs were very high, plus I really wanted to produce a truly organic Suffolk sea salt with minimal intervention. Solar evaporation seemed the way forward so I invested in a polytunnel and started looking for some land to rent.”
As luck would have it, Liz and Lee of Poppies Farm in Bucklesham were able to offer Ned a large polytunnel that had previously been used to grow vegetables
for their care farm, which, having just closed, now stood empty. It was the perfect size for the two shallow pools he needed to build to hold the salt water. The main issue was levelling the site so that the water would spread evenly, and, as we peer into the tunnel, I can tell by Ned’s raised eyebrows that this is an ongoing battle. He collects the seawater down by Felixstowe Ferry and instead of a bucket and spade, arrives equipped with a pump and a 1000-litre container. I am curious as to whether there any regulations about harvesting this free commodity. He laughs, “I always get asked that! You can take up to 20,000 litres a day without a licence so luckily I have a long way to go before this becomes an issue.” The water is left to settle naturally for two to three days, allowing any larger particles to sink to the bottom, before being poured into the pools
through an incredibly fine one-micron filter which removes any remaining sediment or impurities - to put that into perspective, a human hair measures around 70 microns across, making the filtration process exceptionally thorough while preserving the water’s natural mineral content.
At the height of summer, temperatures inside the tunnel can climb into the 40s, creating ideal conditions for evaporation. The pools are only filled to a depth of 2-inches, but even so the process takes two to three weeks, Ned allowing only the natural warmth of the sun and the movement of the air to slowly concentrate the seawater. “Salt crystals form on the surface of the water and when they have thickened to create a white blanket with just a few millimetres of water left underneath, I shovel them into piles so they
can drain for a few hours. The remaining liquid, known as bittern, has an oily consistency and the crystals from this have a bitter taste which is why it is discarded.”
The freshly harvested crystals are then spread onto drying racks where they air dry naturally for another two days before being transferred into airtight containers to preserve their freshness.
The salinity of the North Sea is 3.45% so every 1,000 litres of seawater yield about 25-30kg of salt. Ned carefully weighs out 140-gram portions before inspecting each one by eye. Any tiny specks that may have escaped during the earlier stages are painstakingly removed by hand to ensure every jar is as pristine as the last. The result is a beautifully vibrant, mineral-rich sea salt with delicate white flakes that deliver a satisfying crunch. Completely natural and
free from artificial processing, it offers a clean, fresh flavour that elevates everything from grilled fish and roasted vegetables to a fried egg sandwich or bowl of potato wedges. The first batches are already available at a handful of independent retailers, including the Black Olive Deli in Southwold, and online sales are due to launch later this summer.
Produced using nothing more than seawater, sunshine and time, Ned’s salt is a celebration of traditional craftsmanship and the riches of the natural world. In an age of mass production, it is a reminder that some of the finest foods cannot be rushed. Every crystal carries with it a little of the North Sea, making each jar a genuine taste of the Suffolk coastline.
Follow on Instagram @suffolkseasalt
Kalimera!
On Parade
One of Suffolk’s most loved cafes is entering a new era as acclaimed chef Maria Elia takes up residence at Martha’s Barn with her Greek taverna pop-up. With a career spanning Michelin-starred kitchens, she has a reputation for creating elegant dishes inspired by her Cypriot upbringing and celebrating seasonal Suffolk ingredients through a Greek lens. Combine her thoughtfully cooked food with carefully curated Greek wines, refreshing drinks and heartfelt hospitality and there you have it: a place where you’re welcomed like an old friend, and where every visit feels like a little escape. Whether you’re dropping in for coffee, lingering over lunch or gathering with friends for a relaxed al fresco evening, Maria Elia at Martha’s Barn is sure to be a place to slow down and enjoy the warmth, generosity and spirit of a Greek taverna without leaving the county! Don’t wait too long to visit though as the pop-up closes at the end of the summer holidays.
Lowestoft’s food scene has received a welcome boost with the opening of Jubilee Parade, a striking new seafront development that’s already attracting locals and visitors alike. Situated beside the Eastern Edge beach huts, the £6.2 million project features a new café and restaurant complex, food concession units and improved access between the Upper Esplanade and Lower Promenade. Popular local business Sunrise at Marty Boys has relocated to the site, while other independent operators are settling in ahead of what they hope will be a busy summer season. A first-floor restaurant, boasting panoramic sea views, is also set to open once a suitable tenant is confirmed. As Lowestoft continues its regeneration, Jubilee Parade is shaping up to be an exciting new destination to enjoy good food with one of the best coastal views in Suffolk.
Right on track!
Harry and Jack Wolff-Evans, co-owners of Reuben’s Butcher, Deli and Bottle Shop in Melton, are very excited to announce that they’ve taken on the former Stradbroke Arms at Darsham Train Station and will be opening their second shop some time in September!
With those hopping off the train or heading home after a day on the beach in mind, they’ll be stocking all the incredible meats and deli provisions from Melton in pre-packed form – perfect for easy grab and go shopping. As well as having shelves stacked high with goodies, the new site also has lots of space for outside eating plus tables inside for folk wanting to stop off and have a coffee or glass of wine before boarding the train. To keep up to date with their progress, follow on Instagram @ thisisreubens
15 + 5 for H + H
One of Suffolk’s favourite independent café brands has expanded again with the acquisition of what was Harvey & Co’s site in Rendlesham. Known for its expertly brewed coffee, relaxed atmosphere and delicious all-day menu, the owners consider this to be the most significant milestone in its 15-year history. News of their fifth café has already been warmly welcomed and we don’t doubt that this new addition will only increase Honey + Harvey’s reputation for serving quality food made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. There is still plenty to do to get the space ready to welcome customers, but the team behind this dynamic brand hope to open the doors before the summer is out! www.honeyandharvey.co.uk.
What a Hullabaloo
There’s more good news for food lovers this summer, as Hullabaloo Bakery settles into a new home at The Suffolk Deli in Grundisburgh. Renowned for its naturally fermented sourdough, handcrafted pastries and beautifully made bakes – all vegan, Hullabaloo has built a loyal following, thanks to its regular presence at farmers markets throughout the region. Customers visiting The Suffolk Deli can now pick up a selection of the bakery’s fresh bread and pastries which marry up splendidly with the deli’s carefully curated range of Suffolk produce, cheeses and charcuterie.
Half Sours – Crunchy Cucumber Pickles
Got a glut of cucumbers? Then this recipe is for you!
A staple of New York’s famous Jewish delis, half sours are, for many, the quintessential pickle! Lightly fermented, wonderfully crisp and bursting with fresh dill and garlic flavour, the saltwater helps draw out the natural flavours from the cucumbers while encouraging fermentation, which is what gives half sours their signature tang. Follow this simple recipe and you’ll have a jar of crunchy pickles ready to grace any table, whilst at the same time dealing with an abundance of cucumbers on the veg plot.
Method
Ingredients
• 6 small cucumbers or 2-3 large cucumbers, cut into chunky 15 cm spears (c. 800gms)
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
• Small bunch of fresh dill
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed
• 4 tbs good quality sea salt
• 1 litre of water, ideally filtered or pre-boiled
• 3 bay leaves
• additional whole coriander seeds and peppercorns to add on top
1. Wash and sterilise a 1-litre Mason jar.
2. Dissolve your sea salt in the water.
3. Grind up the black peppercorns, the coriander and mustard seeds in a pestle and mortar.
4. Wash your cucumbers and pop them the jar.
5. Add the crushed garlic and ground spices to the jar and then in pour the salted water and fill to the brim, making sure the cucumbers are completely covered.
6. Pop the dill, coriander seeds, peppercorns and bay leaf on top and seal with a vinegar-proof lid.
7. Give the jar a shake to mix everything up.
8. Put in the refrigerator or a cool dark place for at least four days before popping the lid.
Half sours will keep in the fridge for up to four weeks and are the perfect accompaniment to cold meats and paté or tucked into smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches or a burger!
Hall’s well that ends well
This issue we head to Debenham for a lovely circular walk that takes us through planted woodland, open countryside and past ancient halls that have a place in the history books. Molly, my youngest daughter, is my walking partner and reluctant map holder, and as she has just returned from travelling this is a good excuse to quiz her on where she is heading next.
We park in Debenham High Street as the start of the walk is along Water Lane, which is opposite Brufords Café – a great spot to grab a coffee before you head off. Being a ford, at certain times of the year this lane can be impassable, but after our dry summer it’s more like a dust bath. At the end of the lane,
we carry on towards the allotments and come to Hoggs Kiss Wood which was planted by the residents in 1998 and is a mix of broadleaf woodland and wildflower meadows. We stick to the path to the left of the wood and pop out at the top into an open area where a small orchard is beginning to bear fruit. We turn right, and at the edge of the woodland pick up a bridleway that leads us along the edge of a meadow, the path edged by a mix of wildflowers that are alive with butterflies – peacocks, red admirals and meadow browns all taking turns to flutter ahead and show us the way.
The bridleway brings us to Kenton Road where we turn left, and just past a row of
pretty cottages we turn left again onto a footpath that leads along the edge of farmland. We can hear a combine rumbling in the distance, its dust trail blowing in the wind, and at this time of year the landscape is golden; even the grass has been bleached to a pale yellow, making the oak trees that stud the way stand out like beacons of green. Molly raises her eyebrows at my remark that Robin Hood should be perched up amongst the branches of one particularly magnificent oak, and as I witter on about the insects and the harvest, I have the distinct feeling I am being secretly filmed so the footage can be shared with big sis later that night!
The footpath leads up towards a cluster of farm buildings and the first of our halls, Blood Hall, believed to take its name from a
battle at Haegelisdun (Blood Field, Debenham) where the invading Danes defeated the Angles. We turn right along a drive lined by huge lime trees. On the left is Five Rod Farm, a no-dig market garden that grows seasonal produce and runs a veg box scheme, and on the right a row of hives are abuzz with happy bees who have been out amongst the fields of purple borage – an annual herb whose seeds are used to create an oil used in the beauty industry. At the end of the drive is our second hall, Kenton Hall, an impressive, moated hall that dates back to c.1200 and is now the home of the McVeigh family who own Kenton Hall Estate, farming 200 acres of mixed arable and livestock, including English Longhorn cattle, and also run a glamping site, wedding venue and cookery school.
round & about
We skirt around the edge of the hall to the right and after walking down the drive, arrive back on Kenton Road where we turn right again and wander down the lane. The hedgerows are alive with flocks of finches flitting from seed head to seed head and all of a sudden, a muntjac bursts out the ditch and gallops across the stubble – a moment of panic to disturb the tranquillity of a lazy summer’s afternoon. At the end of the straight, we turn left in Waddlegoose Lane –a better name could not be imagined, and as I start wittering on again about days gone by, when the geese would have been walked to market, I see the red flash of the video light! This is a wide open track as it’s also a bridleway and we spot sloes and blackberries already starting to ripen.
At a T-junction we turn right, passing a small wood and then come to a dappled track that finally comes out at the drive that leads up to our third hall, Crow’s Hall – a mid-16th century moated manor house that is now a popular wedding venue. We walk back down the drive towards Debenham, cutting down a footpath to the right that, once again, lands us back on Kenton Road. We turn right and then left over the bridge and amble back, taking in the gorgeous architecture of the houses that line the high street and admiring the hollyhocks that decorate the churchyard. It so happens that have parked right outside The Lion, so the perfect ending to our 7km circle has to be a pint of Aspall Cyder sat in the sunshine!
Building Supplies
Heating & Plumbing Services
Country Retailers and Gunsmiths
Carpets and Flooring
Gardens
Stockists about you
Pigs in Blankets
Broadside Park Farm
Lowestoft Rd
Southwold IP18 6SX www.pigsinblankets southwold.co.uk
The Salthouse Harbour Hotel
Neptune Quay
Ipswich IP4 1AX www.salthouseharbour.co.uk
Woodbridge Pharmacy 11 Thoroughfare
Woodbridge IP12 1AA www.woodbridgepharmacy.co.uk
Fashion emporium:
Alba Jewellery www.alba-jewellery.co.uk @alba_jewellery
Anna 32 Church Street
Woodbridge IP12 1DH www.shopatanna.com
Collen and Clare 25 Market Place Southwold IP18 6ED www.collenandclare.com
Darcy B 26a Market Hill
Woodbridge IP12 4LU www.darcy-b.co.uk
Fleur 166 High Street Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ www.fleuraldeburgh.co.uk
Iris & Bo 4 Earsham Street Bungay NR35 1AG @irisandboboutique
Lisa Angel 20A Thoroughfare
Woodbridge IP12 1AQ www.lisaangel.co.uk
Moose Market Hill
Woodbridge IP12 4LU @mooseonthehill
O&C Butcher 129-131 High Street Aldeburgh IP15 5AS www.ocbutcher.co.uk
Pocket 26 Church Street Woodbridge IP12 1DH www.pocketobjects.co.uk
Ruby Tyger No 1 The Mews Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN www.rubytyger.com @rubytyger.framlingham
The Studio Woodbridge 70 New Street
Woodbridge IP12 1DX www.thestudiowoodbridge.com
Stockists
Interiors Emporium:
Clay Interiors
The Gallery
Off London Rd, Beccles NR34 8TT www.clayinteriors.co.uk
Converge
4 Church Street
Framlingham IP13 9BQ @convergeframlingham
FuzzypegFolk
11a Market Place Bungay NR35 1AP www.fuzzypegfolk.co.uk
Green Door Antiques
7A Broad Street Eye IP23 7AF www.greendoorantiques.co.uk
Huus
47 Thoroughfare
Halesworth IP19 8AR Market Place Southwold IP18 6EA www.huus.co.uk
No10 Harleston
10 Market Place
Harleston IP20 9AD @10harleston
Selfish Customs
www.selfishcustoms.co.uk @selfish_customs
Snape Maltings
Snape Bridge Snape IP17 1SP www.brittenpearsarts.org
Suffolk Prints Studio www.suffolkprintsstudio.etsy.com @suffolk_prints_studio
Tales from the Rookery
36 Thoroughfare
Halesworth IP19 8LF www.talesfromtherookery.com
The Woodbridge Kitchen Company
7 Thoroughfare
Woodbridge IP12 1AA 130 High Street Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ www.woodbridgekitchencompany. co.uk
Vanil
17 Church Street
Woodbridge IP12 1DS www.vanil.co.uk @vanil_ltd
Yoxford Antiques
Askers Hill Yoxford IP17 3JW www.yoxfordantiques.com
