SUFFOLK
Artists abound ... shows, markets, galleries
David Byrne ... comes to Suffolk
Silo cafe ... Toby's green dream
ON THE COVER:
This striking acrylic on canvas is called Down By The River, by talented Felixstowe artist, Ruth Lyne. Her work is inspired by coastal walks on the local rivers and waterways. Ruth also runs the wonderful Woodbridge Creative Market on the first Saturday of the month at the Salvation Army Hall, New Street, Woodbridge, IP12 1DT (opposite Oak Lane car park). Her work will be available to buy there as well as online at, ruthlyne.com
GET INVOLVED:
If you’ve got a topical story, an inspiring event or talent to show off, do get in touch. Perhaps you’ve achieved something against all the odds – don’t be shy, let us know! The deadline for our Autumn issue is 30th August.
l For advertising information or if you’d like to submit any collaboration ideas, email us at, info@livinginsuffolk.com
LIVING IN
Editor: Angela Hagan
07930 184773, info@livinginsuffolk.com
Designer: Lewis Webb
Writer: Charity Crewe charity@livinginsuffolk.com
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Due East Media Ltd: Soane House, 4 Soane Street, Ipswich, IP4 2BG,. Registered in England number 10242873
Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor the editor, nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Living In … Suffolk does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, without prior permission of Due East Media Ltd.
All the latest news from around Suffolk ...
CHIN CHIN!
A new Suffolk Wine Trail has been launched this summer putting the county firmly on the connoisseur’s map. It includes vineyard tours, wine tasting, food and weekend breaks and showcases some of Suffolk’s best local vineyards.
According to industry trade body, WineGB, wine tourism is soaring as people seek out the opportunity to sample local wines. There are more than 13 vineyards in Suffolk, with many offering tastings, regular tours and fine-dining experiences - eight of the biggest are profiled on the Visit Suffolk website (see below).
PICK OF THE CROP ...
Some of the vineyards featured in the Suffolk Wine Trail include:
ARK Wines – set over 30 acres of land, this is home to eight different varieties of grape, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Visit, arkwines.co.uk
Burnt House Vineyard – this fourthgeneration family run vineyard in the heart of the county specialises in award-winning wines. Visit, burnthousevineyard.co.uk
Coopers Croft Vineyard – a small vineyard located between Newmarket and Bury st Edmunds 2012 with 1000 vines; 500 Pinot and 500 Bacchus. Visit, cooperscroftvineyard.wordpress.com
Giffords Hall Vineyard – this West Suffolk vineyard, crafting English still and sparkling wines since 2009, nestles on an ancient glacial riverbed. Visit, giffordshall.co.uk
Giffords Hall Vineyard and ARK Wines sits just outside Sudbury, with Coopers Croft Vineyard a little further west into the countryside.
Hawkswood Vineyard and Wyken Vineyards sit to the east of Bury St Edmunds, while Burnt House Vineyard is just outside of Stowmarket.
The furthest south is Shotley Vineyard, while Valley Farm is located just outside of Halesworth.
These vineyards offer wines produced by a range of grapes, including Bacchus and Pinot Noir, leading to white, rosé, red and sparkling varieties.
Nick Watson, chair of WineGB East and responsible for Coopers Croft Vineyard in the county, says, "If you like wine, then Suffolk is a region to really get excited about. We have got near perfect conditions with the quality of our soil, the changing climate and our centuries of farming knowledge. That has really ramped up over the past few years to the point we are now creating truly world class wines. The Suffolk Wine Trail is just the start of our legacy as a leading English wine region.”
The initiative has been championed by James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk, who adds, “The time has come for more people to hear what Suffolk has to offer wine lovers.”
l For more information on the campaign, including an interactive map find the Suffolk Wine Trail at, visitsuffolk.com
Hawkswood Vineyard – probably the smallest commercial winery in England, producing about 4000 bottles of red, white and rosé each year.
Visit, hawkswoodvineyards.co.uk
Shotley Vineyard – it started off as a small four-acre vineyard and grew to 16 acres of planted English vines in neighbouring vineyards. They launched their first vintage in June 2020. Visit, shotleyvineyard.co.uk
Valley Farm Vineyards - this eight-acre mature site with newly renovated vintage vines produces award-winning, single estate, still and sparkling wines. Visit, valleyfarmvineyards.co.uk
Wyken Vineyards - 12,000 vines rooted in sandy loam over chalk produces varieties like Bacchus and Pinot Noir, with a yield of 12,000 bottles annually including their renowned sparkling wine, Wyken Moonshine.
Visit, wykenvineyards.co.uk
@Akwaba_Artiste from Pixabay
Burnt House Vineyard in Little Finborough, near Stowmarket
Burnt House Vineyard offers tours and tastings
ON THE MARKET
The latest homes and property news from around Suffolk ...
ROOM WITH A (SPECTACULAR) VIEW!
Hamilton Gardens is one of the prime locations in Felixstowe, set high on the cliff and enjoying panoramic beach and coastal views. Commanding a prominent position, Rosemount sits well within its plot and is understood to date from the early 1980’s, accommodating a series of flats and apartments with the penthouse on the top floor. This top floor apartment with secure, direct lift access into the property is designed to take full advantage of the view
complimented by full height wide glazed windows which open onto three balconies. From the reception hall there is access to a spacious and light open plan living/dining room, with two sets of full height sliding doors opening onto sheltered balconies. Set off it is a fully equipped kitchen, with breath-taking views. The remainder of the accommodation offers a flexibility of usage with up to four bedrooms, which could alternatively be used as studies or a sitting
room, complete with the third balcony and kitchenette. An inner landing provides ample storage cupboards, a laundry room and there is a shower room and separate cloakroom. As well as panoramic views over the sea, to the side and rear of the property there are far reaching views across the roof scape and skyline of the town. The apartment benefits from an independent gas-fired central heating system. In addition to the direct lift access, there is also staircase access from the spacious ground floor lobby, set off which are the secure storerooms and post boxes for the apartments. To the front is a communal garden with well-kept lawns and colourful borders, whilst to the rear is a parking courtyard fronting onto the garages for each apartment – power and light are connected.
GUIDE: £850,000
l Check it out at, Jackson-stops.co.uk
MAKING HAY!
Social entrepreneur and green campaigner Toby Hammond is on a mission. Celia Lyttleton reports …
If you live on the other side of the county, you may not have heard of Toby Hammond but there’s a strong chance you know of The Silo café.
Every year Suffolk folk and visitors flock to this soaring brutalist style former grain silo on the River Waveney at Wainford, run by Toby and his brother Alex. With its on-site roastery, fairly traded coffee, local wine and pastries and hire space for private parties and photoshoots, The Silo has fast become a major Suffolk destination. Surrounded by older inland mills, staithe warehouses and dykes and once used by wherries outside Bungay, visitors now sink into crunchy leather sofas looking out through the dramatic window wall overlooking meadows as they drink an Etude coffee and tuck into the finest
frangipane tart.
Toby, who has has a degree in Environmental Biology and a Masters in Sustainable Development, says, "Our mission was to displace the use of fossil fuel powered pumps. As well as reduce the need for tiring manual irrigation and provide a sustainable solution for small-scale irrigation.”
So how did this all come about?
“Like most things that have happened to me, it was accidental,” he smiles. “The idea came after a chance discovery on YouTube. I was licking my wounds from a failed previous startup which involved wind turbines. I found an amateur video by a Dutch engineer of his solar powered water pump working in
Ethiopia. Normally with solar panels, you can’t actually see anything happening or moving. The difference with this video was you could see the water running, as if by magic. I was captivated!”
Toby soon made contact with engineer, Gert Jan Bom.
The work to convert this huge building, back in 2023, was no mean feat.
“We are extremely proud of what we developed from this building that was unloved for so long,” says Toby. “Everything with The Silo was about twice as big and as difficult to work on when compared to a 'normal' building.’”
It is well worth a trip to Wainford to take in this incredible structure.
It seems Toby is no stranger to challenges; The Silo being a small part of what keeps him busy. In his early thirties, he co-founded an incredible social enterprise called Futurepump, which supplies low-cost solar irrigation pumps for small scale farming. They have transformed the lives of Ugandans, Malawians, Zambians and Kenyans.
These ingenious pumps, which require no fuel costs, come from a bespoke manufacturing unit in India, made by an expert team and are distributed around the globe.
“I asked him what his plans were going forward and he simply attached the blueprints of his inventions, which he’d been working on over the years,” he says. “He is a humble, gentle and trusting man who is about 70 now. I took a ferry over to the Netherlands to meet him, and thought, ‘this is this the guy I want to work with.’ He is not motivated by money even though he has been fixing and designing pumps for most of his life in Africa and knows which designs are doable and durable.”
Gert is now Futurepump’s technical director - their life-changing solar pumps are supplied with a warranty, spares and a tool kit and are made of solid steel, not unreliable flimsy plastic. “There are no electronics involved,” says Toby.
Over 250,000 pumps have been sold since 2014 to customers in 30 African countries.
“I am just happy we can improve the lives of Africans and that these solar pumps work in such harsh environments. We are lucky we have all this abundant sun; solar panels are getting cheaper. Soon there will be plug-in solar panels on the market.”
Back on his home turf, Toby was elected as
Toby at work
Green party councillor for Bungay and Wainford ward in East Suffolk in 2023 and is committed to preserving Suffolk’s unspoilt countryside.
“I’ve occasionally been tempted to stand to be an MP but it would not be great for my marriage as I have young children!” he smiles. His approach is pragmatic and he practices what he preaches; campaigning for clean water in rivers and sustainable regional development, cleaning up air pollution and myriad other evils such as climate crisis, corporate control of processed food, fracking, fossil fuels and corruption. Toby once even cycled 8000 miles from Trafalgar Square to Johannesburg to attend the UN Earth Summit in 2002, passing through perilous provinces over 14 countries crossing the Sinai into Cairo onto Alexandria, through Sudan, Ethiopia, down the East coast of Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique …
“It was gruelling at times but we were lucky in most capital cities to be hosted by friendly expats so we could recharge,” he recalls. “We didn’t have blogs then, we had a website called ‘Cycle For Summit,’ and documented our journey, updating it on a little laptop with a dial-up connection!”
Back at The Silo, it’s a relaxed family affair. Toby’s wife, Anna, runs the popular woodfired sauna, The Secret Sauna, perched on the banks of the River Waveney. It’s a real escape
from the rigours of modern life. The sauna and exquisite woodland retreat (you can also swim in the river) is available for private hire for adults and over 16s.
Overlooking the cafe is a handsome holiday let in a Victorian mill house, once a favourite childhood haunt of Toby and his brother, where they used to swim in the wherry canal there. They bought Wainford Mill House, which sleeps 12+, at auction back in 2008. There is also the charming one-bed Riverside Cottage opposite The Silo, available to let.
Toby is a Benthamite; striving to augment the happiness of the community rather than diminish it. He champions local food networks and terroir, local vineyards and organic food producers, as well as the Green Party which is integral to his raison d’etre and way of life.
“All these macro-organisations are out of our control, we feel powerless,” he adds, “but we CAN do something – even on our own doorsteps.”
l For The Silo, Secret Sauna and holiday lets visit, wainford.co.uk
l Futurepump can be found at, futurepump.com
Toby cycling across the gruelling Sinai Desert
Anna runs the Secret Sauna © Simon Buck (simonbuck.com)
WHEN DID IT ALL START?
I wrote my first song aged eight using my Dad’s guitar from when he was my age. I wrote it in my pink sparkly notebook and it was about the moon and the sun! But the song I remember more was a lockdown song; I was 11, and sat in the garden with the birds in the background and my mum videoed me. The song was called 'Stuck In Here With You ... ' It was played by Leslie Dolphin on BBC Radio Suffolk.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU?
I don’t remember exactly what inspired me to start songwriting, but I do remember thinking because I could do it, everyone must be able to do it, so I tried every other hobby under the sun, from ballet to roller skating to trampolining and horse riding, before coming back to songwriting. I think I write because it is a way to be heard without speaking. I have never been good at saying what I feel but songwriting is a way to do this, bottling things up is never good.
MOVERS
&SHAKERS!
Eliza Gold is a singer songwriter from Suffolk who is clearly going places ...
WHO ARE YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCES AND WHY?
My first influence is Joni Mitchell. Her lyricism is so descriptive, when I listen to her I am in California watching the yellow taxis go by. Next is Lily Allen; the complete opposite, I love her attitude and the way she broke the singer-songwriter mold incorporating ska, reggae and pop. And Sophie Barker with Zero 7, her stunning folky sound working so well with their down tempo electronica. More recently Alanis Morissette for her raw authenticity and the ways she made it OK for girls to be angry.
WHAT DO YOU WRITE SONGS ABOUT?
What could have been, what should have been, and what I wish I had done differently. I write about my experiences and how I feel about those experiences, I use songwriting as a way to give my emotions a voice and show people that it’s ok to not be perfect.
ANY PROUD MOMENTS RECENTLY?
I am really proud of how far I have come. If I think back to performances when I started sixth form at Suffolk One compared to how I
feel on stage now; it’s huge. My ambition was to write a song where the audience sings my words back at me, and I have!
TELL US ABOUT RECORDING WITH THE CHARITY, WAR CHILD?
War Child delivers vital work in 13 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America working in communities and refugee camps creating safe spaces for children to play, learn and access psychological support. I have been working with them on a fundraising music video to raise money for their work. I feel now could not be a more poignant time to help children who, through no fault of their own, live in terrifying conditions while suffering the brutal effects of war.
ANDS NOW YOU HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP TO BERKLEE MUSIC COLLEGE IN BOSTON?
Someone approached me at a gig and suggested I apply to Berklee. On research it did look like an amazing opportunity, I worked so hard for the audition and was terrified. I am going to Double Major in Music Production and Songwriting with Minors in Performance and Film Scoring.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT SUFFOLK?
The community of music in Suffolk is incredibly supportive. I performed my first Open Mic on my 14th birthday at the Blaxhall Ship hosted by Billy Hunt, and then many more at the Tavern in Rendlesham hosted by Chris Burness; both are amazing supporters of young musicians. And my guitar teacher Josh Lock, from J.S. & The Lockerbillies (who also teaches at Rendlesham Primary) and Lois Hinsley and Mike Benyon, my music teachers at Suffolk One. Without these people’s support I would not have had the courage to apply to Berklee.
HOW CAN WE FIND YOUR MUSIC?
Please give generously to support the incredible work of War Child via my live performance fundraising page (hotvox.co.uk/event/rising-feat-eliza-goldcloses 22nd July).
And you can follow me on Instagram @elizagoldmusic
As summer unfurls its dreamy golden light across Suffolk, it offers an endless supply of inspiration to interior designer Caroline Fooks. “I love this time of year with its vivid palette of colours,” she smiles. “Just painting a room in a gorgeous new colour in your home can feel utterly transformative. Past clients contact me
SUMMER WITH CAROLINE FOOKS
to ask what paint I might recommend - I have my trusted Mary Poppins cabinet here of paint colours which I can refer to! I have an encyclopaedic memory of clients’ homes so I can offer all sorts of advice,” she says. “I’m just happy to help.”
One Suffolk client said of Caroline’s work, “She has impeccable taste and I quickly learned to trust her judgement ... she made the project feel like a collaboration and I was extremely impressed by her responsiveness, professionalism and reliability.”
Now that summer is truly underway, Caroline says she loves using the season’s natural vibrancy to enhance her clients’ homes.
Whether refreshing a family home in Framlingham or transforming a seaside cottage near Aldeburgh, she thoughtfully selects bold shades that echo summertime’s warmth – albeit sun-washed yellows, soft corals and energising teal greens.
Her projects often begin outdoors, with Caroline walking through the client’s gardens allowing those landscapes to shape the interior aesthetic.
“I like to transform spaces into elegant,
comfortable and timeless interiors, tailored to my client’s tastes,” she says. “I like to combine the traditional with the contemporary and practicality with beauty. I use a team of trusted suppliers and local craftsmen who I have built up over the years.”
“Life is always so busy and I never really stop working,” adds Caroline, “but I’m doing what I love – I feel very lucky indeed.”
l Caroline Fooks Design Ltd The Barn, Dock Lane, Melton Road, Melton, Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 1PE
l By appointment. Call, 07710 037591 or 01394 303826
GEORGINA STRUTT PICTURE HANGING SPECIALIST
It takes a steady hand combined with precision tools and an expert eye in both fine and modern art to create the bespoke arrangements Georgina Strutt is best known for.
From hanging artists’ work for exhibitions, to working in client’s homes alongside top designers such as lighting supremo, Zara Vaux, nothing seems to phase her. Georgina, who lives near Lavenham, is just as comfortable working in a small London flat as she is working in the hall of an East Anglian stately home. No one job is quite the same but her passion remains unwavered. “I’ve literally just come back from doing an enormous hang at Chelsea Old Town Hall,” she smiles. “It was the 77th annual summer exhibition of the Chelsea Art Society, and we put up 500 pictures, it was crazy but very rewarding!”
reveal her VIP clients). “It was really niche,” she recalls. “These glass walking sticks were all very, very delicate with twisted and blown glass – there were at least 20 of them and the client wanted them creatively hanging onto her dining room wall using see-through wire and fixings. It was incredibly nerve wracking, but it looked stunning especially when the candlelight shone through it!”
Georgina says this part of the world can be hugely challenging, “compared to a penthouse in London. You’ve got all the timber-framed homes here, old Suffolk walls can often be made of wattle and daub, so you end up using a lot of chains but I find it really exciting. Your toolkit has to be quite wide ranging for every scenario.”
She started her career in Christies and Sothebys working in Fine Art – it was here she gained her passion for both Old Masters and British art. Later, she studied Millinery at the London College of Fashion before working for haute couture milliner, Philip Treacy, where client’s included the Queen and Queen Mother. Georgina developed an even greater understanding of sculptural design, colour and texture, all contributing to the curation of her installations today.
Georgina is – until now – one of Suffolk’s best kept secrets in the world of picture hanging.
She says one of the most memorable jobs she’s ever had was hanging a very delicate collection of Victorian glass walking sticks (she is very discreet and mindful never to
Raised in Norfolk in a creative household – her sister is acclaimed wildlife and travel artist, Annabel Pope, and their mother a painter – she seemed destined to work in the art world.
l Message her on Instagram or email at, georgina@ georginastruttpicturehanging.co.uk www.georginastruttpicturehanging.co.uk
EAST INDIES!
A celebration of all our fabulous independent shops and businesses –here’s a roundup of their latest news ...
THE SUFFOLK BRANCHES OUT ...
Restaurateur George Pell and the team behind The Suffolk in Aldeburgh have opened their second project, The White Horse in Easton. They have breathed new life into the Grade II-listed pub in the heart of the Deben Valley which overlooks this quintessential village green. The free house is steeped in Tudor character, with origins tracing back to the 1600s. The recent opening follows the success of The Suffolk, which has received critical acclaim since launching in 2022 - Jay Rayner once described his experience there as, “a sweet celebration, perfectly executed.” George tell us the White Horse in Easton is, “a building with extraordinary history and real presence, and we’ve tried to tread lightly, keeping all of that character intact while bringing the same approach to food and hospitality that people know from The Suffolk."
The White Horse welcomes both bookings and walk-in guests. l Visit, eastonwhitehorse.co.uk or find them on social media, @the_easton_white_horse
SPOTLIGHT ON THE MERCHANT’S TABLE
Congratulations to Susanna Cook of The Merchant’s Table in Woodbridge which curates contemporary furniture, lighting, textiles, ceramics and handmade homewares by British makers and artists. Recently Susanna was featured in the Financial Times luxury lifestyle magazine, HTSI, focusing on how she commissioned the magnificent Suffolk Trestle Table, designed by local furniture maker, Jim Parsons, and now made by the Woodbridge Boatyard. Susanna draws on an extensive design background, having worked for brands such as Pump Street Chocolate and La Fromagerie UK. The Merchant’s Table, voted as a House & Garden
magazine Top 50 Independent Shop, brings a touch of elegance to Church Street in the town. “We were absolutely thrilled,” she tells us. l Visit, the merchantstable.co.uk
HARRY CJ WIX: A CONTEMPORARY DESIGN DESTINATION
Woodbridge is celebrated for its independent shops, galleries and cultural attractions and Harry CJ Wix is delighted to add a contemporary design perspective to this thriving creative community.
Located at the Thoroughfare, Harry CJ Wix is a curated destination for contemporary furniture, ceramics, textiles, lighting, books, gifts and locally made pieces.
The store is the vision of design advocate Carolyn Larkin. When purchasing the handsome Grade II-listed red-brick building, Carolyn discovered that in the 1930s it had housed a tailor’s shop run by Harry CJ Wix. Inspired, she preserved Harry’s legacy in a new form.
Drawing on three decades of championing creativity, Carolyn has assembled a collection celebrating design, with a particular appreciation for mid-century design. The collection features work by renowned designers including, Robin & Lucienne Day, Terence Woodgate and Matthew Hilton, alongside pieces from Isokon. These sit comfortably alongside objects, artefacts and gifts, reflecting a commitment to both design heritage and contemporary talent.
More than a retail space, Harry CJ Wix is also a venue for book launches, talks, exhibitions, pop-up events and community gatherings. At its heart is a commitment to championing creativity and quality, bringing together internationally recognised design with the rich talent found across Suffolk.
This summer they are delighted to announce the launch of their new website alongside the arrival of acclaimed Copenhagen design brand HAY which joins their collection.
Carolyn says, “To celebrate both launches, we are hosting a special event and warmly invite customers, friends and the wider community to join us at Harry CJ Wix for an evening celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and great design. Come and explore the collection and enjoy stories celebrating Suffolk’s rich design heritage through the new website.”
l To receive your VIP invitation to the upcoming launch party, and to receive news on events, talks and new collections, sign up to their newsletter at harrycjwix.com
The HAY Outdoor Market by Jasper Morrison
© Jeremy Young
By Angela Hagan
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
There’s an unexpected treat at The Apex this summer, when Alistair McGowan brings an evening of comedy, poetry and beautiful piano music.
With his Sony album reaching No.1 in the classical music charts and two books of poetry under his belt, Alistair combines his renowned comedy and impersonations with his new-found talents as a classical pianist and poet on 17th July.
Rock fans will be spoilt for choice this September, with one of the world’s most creative fingerstyle guitarists, Mike Dawes, on the 10th; three-time winner of Young Blues Artist of the Year, Toby Lee (23rd September); prog rockers, Big Big Train (28th September) and Danny McNamara from Embrace, who tells backstage tales and answers questions (12th).
John Barrowman brings a glittering celebration of the greatest West End and Broadway musicals (19th September) and there’s original music from singer/songwriter/piano player, Elio Pace (25th).
There’s also comedy from Rich Hall (22nd September) and Andy Hamilton (29th). And there’s Jon Ronson, the author of The Men Who Stare at Goats and The Psychopath Test, reports on more strange human behaviour (30th September).
l For more details or tickets visit, theapex.co.uk or call, 01284 758000
A LIVING LANDSCAPE: FROM CONSTABLE TO CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
The Suffolk landscape has long been a source of inspiration for artists, not as a distant subject but as something lived in, returned to and understood over time. At Gainsborough’s House this season, that conversation continues. Alongside historic works by Thomas Gainsborough, John Constable and JMW Turner, two contemporary artists, David Dawson and Kate Giles, present new work shaped by a similarly close relationship with the land. Dawson’s paintings are created through direct experience, working outdoors across the seasons before returning to the studio and then back again to the landscape. Giles, who has spent many years working in East Anglia, builds her work through familiarity and repetition, returning to the same places until they are “known by heart”. Her paintings respond directly to Constable’s legacy, exploring light, weather and the physical experience of being in the landscape.
Together, these exhibitions reveal landscape not as something fixed in the past, but as a living, evolving subject.
l Gainsborough’s House, 46 Gainsborough Street, Sudbury, CO10 2EU. Call, 01787 372 958 or visit, gainsborough.org
LEISTON BOOK FESTIVAL
When in 2023 non-fiction author Robert Ashton moved back to Leiston, the Suffolk town where he grew up, he saw an opportunity to create a book festival with a focus on our landscape and environment. The first one took place in the town’s Edwardian film theatre, seating 240, in September 2024. The second festival last year sold out, with people travelling from as far away as California and London to attend. It is not a firm fixture in the cultural calendar. This year’s event takes place on Saturday 19th Septemberthe line-up of authors features Louis de Bernières who wrote Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. His latest book, released in September, is called Smelling Of Roses, and it’s a candid, comic and irresistibly companionable portrait of a writer’s life in rural Norfolk.
l For the full festival line-up visit, leistonbookfestival.co.uk
THE LIGHTNESS OF BEING
Gallery East has a summer of new exhibitions with outstanding contemporary paintings and sculpture from leading East Anglian and UK artists. The Lightness of Being - An Abstract Quartet is an immersion into abstraction with four artists; Alex Ayliffe PS (Suffolk), Neil Canning (Cornwall), Miles Cole (London), Jean Noble SWA (London) running until the middle of August. If you love abstract art then this is the abstract show of 2026 to see. Sculptors include Annie Turner (Suffolk), Roger Hardy (Suffolk), Tove Bowyer (London, originally from Denmark) and Stuart Anderson (Suffolk). This fine gallery is based in Woodbridge’s Church Street - opening hours Wednesday to Saturday 11-4pm.
l For more information visit, galleryeast.co.uk or call Susie on, 07836 325497. The Gallery operates the interest free Own Art loan scheme. Visit, ownart.org.uk
Kate Giles in her studio
© Doug Atfield
Novelist Louis de Bernières
DREAMERS
A major solo exhibition of new paintings by celebrated Scottish artist, Stephanie Rew, is coming to Thompson’s art gallery in Aldeburgh. Renowned for her exquisitely detailed figurative works, Rew has established an international reputation for paintings that combine the technical mastery of historical painting with a distinctly contemporary atmosphere. Alongside a devoted collector base, she has amassed a substantial global social media following, with audiences drawn to the extraordinary craftsmanship, symbolism, and quiet emotional intensity of her work. Dreamers captures moments of introspection and emotional stillness, figures drifting inward, stepping away from the familiar to dream of other worlds and other times. Rew says: “This exhibition of recent work explores the state of mind when we surrender to our imagination. Capturing those moments of drifting inward, stepping away from the familiar to dream of other worlds and other times.”
The exhibition presents a remarkable new body of work in which Rew continues to refine and expand both her painting and gilding techniques. By incorporating egg tempera, oil paint, watercolour, pastel, gold leaf and glass gilding, she combines centuries-old craftsmanship with contemporary approaches, creating surfaces of extraordinary luminosity and intricacy.
Megan Thompson of Thompson’s Gallery, says,
IPSWICH BOOK FESTIVAL IS BACK!
The theme for 2026 is More Than Words - a celebration of books that move us, connect us and transform us. The festival explore how stories, information and ideas reach far beyond the page, acting as catalysts for change, connection and challenging the status quo. The organisers say, “This is not just a festival about reading, but about action, experience and emotion, the things words alone can’t fully capture.”
Last year saw 46 events including guest star Larry Lamb (pictured), in over 14 venues including a vintage Routemaster bus, with just under 1300 tickets sold and 37 local people working as volunteers. This year will have the same mix of paid and free events with creative writing, illustrations and crafts as well as school visits and some surprises.
l Ipswich Book Festival, 2nd- 4thOctober. Visit, ipswichbookfestival.co.uk
“Stephanie’s work has an extraordinary ability to captivate audiences. The technical brilliance of the paintings, combined with their emotional stillness and timeless beauty, creates an immediate connection with viewers. “
Dreamers will feature both large-scale gilded panels and more intimate works on paper, showcasing Rew's continuing exploration of texture, light, ornamentation, and storytelling.
l Dreamers runs from 1st – 16th August at Thompson’s Gallery 175 High Street, Aldeburgh, IP15 5AN.
For enquiries and preview information email, enquiries@thompsonsgallery.co.uk
INTO THE FRAY
This August Butley Mills Studios Gallery will host Into The Fray, a solo exhibition by studio artist, Lorna Pridmore. The exhibition marks her debut at Butley Mills and brings together recent work alongside selected earlier pieces, inviting us to reconsider the objects that quietly populate our everyday lives.
While many artists seek to blend or hybridise media, Lorna tells us her practice is defined by a deep respect for the individual merits of her materials. Whether it is the warp and weft of natural or synthetic fabrics, the transparency of cling film, a feather from a bed pillow, the structural tension of hacksaw blades, or the familiar form of a hair grip - each material is explored on its own terms.
“I want the materials to speak for themselves,” she says. By stripping away distractions, her work highlights the raw, often surprising beauty of the overlooked. Set in the rugged, atmospheric setting of Butley Mills Studios in the village’s Mill Lane, these singular explorations take on added resonance, transforming the mundane into something unfamiliar and extraordinary. l The exhibition runs at Butley Mills Studios Gallery, IP12 3PZ from 21st - 31st August, Friday-Monday 11am-4pm (Tuesday-Thursday by appointment via website enquiry or Insta DM). Opening Event on Friday 21st August, 5pm-7pm. Visit, lornapridmore.com Or Instagram, @lornapridmore
Artist Lorna Pridmore Into The Fray
Stephanie Rew at her gilding table
ONCE IN A LIFETIME: DAVID BYRNE IN SUFFOLK
The incomparable David Byrne performs in Henham Park this month as a landmark headliner for the 20th Latitude Festival.
The former Talking Heads frontman remains one of the most creatively versatile figures in music, and his upcoming performance promises to be an unmissable highlight of the summer.
Festivalgoers can look forward to a vibrant mix of the old and the new. His set list showcases a first solo album in seven years, Who Is The Sky?, an optimistic and deeply reflective affair, alongside timeless Talking Heads classics. Now aged 74, Byrne is fully immersed in a massive 2026 world tour spanning North America, Europe, Asia and Mexico. Far from slowing down, he’s still mesmerising audiences with dazzling choreography; a mariachi affair with visual storytelling alongside his flamboyant troupe of 13 musicians, singers and dancers.
Born in Dumbarton, West Scotland, his family moved first to Canada then to the USA by the age of eight, where he
experienced life as “an immigrant.”
A creative child, he was 12 when he first heard rock and roll on his transistor radio, “that opened up a new world and I thought 'I want to be part of this,’ “ says Byrne, who attended the Rhode Island School of Design where he met fellow students Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth. In 1975, the trio moved to New York City and co-founded Talking Heads (named after a B-movie) alongside Jerry Harrison. And the rest is history. Despite dissolving in 1991, Talking Heads’ music remains as popular today as it was then.
Rather than slinking into oblivion, Byrne, who has a grown up daughter with first wife costume designer Adelle Lutz, has always enjoyed his collaborations. He'd already struck gold with Suffolk’s very own Brian Eno - the two produced landmark records, such as My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (1981). In 2006, he teamed up with Fatboy Slim and created disco hit musical, Here Lies Love, based on the life of Imelda Marcos. His score for the 1987 film, The Last Emperor, earned him an Academy Award. He has since
published several books, including Bicycle Diaries (2009) reflecting his famous dedication to cycling in urban environments. It seems there is no end to his talent, but Byrne humbly insists that everyone is creative, “they just have to find the thing they’re passionate about.”
l David Byrne will perform at the Obelisk Arena at Latitude on Friday 24th July. Tickets, latitudefestival.com
© Shervin
Lainez
RELISH!
The Suffolk foodies’ page ...
THE PEACOCK INN – REVIEW BY CHARITY CREWE
The Peacock Inn is found in the ravishingly pretty village of Chelsworth, which lies between Hadleigh and Lavenham.
Untouched by time, Chelsworth is filled with colourful timber framed houses – most of which are listed. Even the telephone box is listed! A village of such beauty needs a pub that lives up to its standards, and The Peacock is the perfect fit.
The 14th century inn looks out onto the River Brett and a charming pair of humpback bridges that cross over it. It is thought to be one of the oldest buildings in the village and takes its name from Mary Peacock, who married the man who turned it in to a public house in the mid-18th century. More recently, in 2021, it was bought by Olly and Vicky Sloboda – who live locally and always loved the pub. They did a full refurbishment and brought in Jack Butler as general manager and Sam Clover as head chef. They are clearly a dream team - as well as clocking up two AA Rosettes, they’ve recently won a Michelin Bib Gourmand - awarded to restaurants offering high-quality food at great value.
We came in though the flower-filled pub garden on a balmy June evening. Inside, the decoration is in keeping with the ancient interiors - simple wall sconces, pale tartan blinds and generous wooden tables that fit well with the exposed beams throughout. We were shown to a window table with good views of the hump backed bridge and got down to the important business of what to eat.
While studying the menu – which is full of interesting combinations – we wolfed down a hearty snack of stout and caraway rye bread, pork fat and pickles. For starters, I went for the cured sea trout which came with white asparagus, ratte potatoes, a lemon emulsion and a delicate homemade linseed cracker (£10). It was wonderfully light and the flavours complimented each other beautifully. My companion chose the Norfolk black chicken boudin blanc - which means white sausage - pickled morels, broad beans and chervil (£11). It was fabulously creamy and offset beautifully by the mushrooms. There were equally exquisite taste combinations in our mains. My sirloin steak and peppercorn sauce, which came with grilled maitake mushrooms, roast onion and cep and madeira puree, was fabulously tender (£40), while my friend’s shoulder, breast and leg of Suffolk lamb with lamb fat dumplings, asparagus and wild garlic and onion (£36) was beautifully presented and tasted like summer on a plate.
Jack, the manager, explains that they source their food as locally as possible – the meat comes from Dingley Dell Pork in Campsea Ashe and the Rare Breed Meat Company in Coggeshall. All the beer on tap – aside from the Guinness - is from local brewers, such as the Suffolk Blonde, an excellent beer from the Chevallier Brewing Co. The wine list includes wines from Suffolk’s Burnt House Vineyard and Sussex’s Rathfinny Wine Estate. Jack is passionate about wine and is earning his sommelier accreditations. This interest is evident in the inspired and extensive wine list. The Peacock hosts wine evenings with producers, and the pub has its own wine club with 300 members. I tried an excellent Georgian red – the rich and fruity
Bedoba Saperavi.
The desserts were fabulous. We enjoyed the Pump Street chocolate mousse with roasted koji ice cream and macadamia nut praline (£11) and lemon tart with whipped crème fraiche (£10), which was light and delicate and a perfect end to an exceptional dinner.
I am keen to come back and explore more of Chelsworth. I could make a day of it and try out The Peacock’s set lunch menu, which costs just £26.50 for two courses. The pub has seven pretty rooms to choose from, so I might even stay overnight!
l The Peacock Inn, 37 The Street, Chelsworth. Visit, thepeacockchelsworth.com
The pub is open Wednesday to Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday 12pm-7pm
Food is served: Wednesday to Friday, lunch: 12pm–2.30pm, dinner: 6pm-9pm Saturday, all day dining: 12pm-9pm; Sunday lunch & dinner: 12pm-5pm.
THE
REGENERATION GAME
The Art Station has become the beating heart of Saxmundham, Celia Lyttleton finds out more ...
The Art Station is a thriving arts hub in Saxmundham located in a 1950s telephone exchange in the town’s High Street. Once an Anglo-Saxon settlement, ‘Sax’ is now the town to seek out expertly curated exhibitions. When the recent Sax Arts Fest opened, people flocked to see the ‘Local Yokels’ exhibition held in the ground floor of the former bank branch, now a thriving gallery space (even the old safes are used) showing local artists both known and unknown. The show, which runs until August, includes Laurence Edwards, sculptor of The Yoxman and Suffolk’s very own ‘Angel of the East’ and Sarah Lucas, an art star of global repute, a former member of the Young British Artists movement of the 1990’s, and the patron of The Art Station.
The arts festival in the town featured myriad happenings with stalls showcasing textile designers, leather workers, ceramicists, archaeologists and their local digs, pulsating with singers and bands; the atmosphere was electric - all masterminded by The Art Station’s director, Clare Palmier. She is a force majeure of the Suffolk art scene and attaches great importance to making community connections such as getting local primary schools involved, giving teachers tool kits to teach art (so woefully lacking in the curriculum), offering paid artists (under 30) annual residencies, recruiting volunteers from
“We are doing something positive and cultural, punching above our weight,” director Clare Palmier
prisons and the Youth Justice scheme for young offenders to garden and hosting ‘Forest Families’ for pre-school children in the garden which bursts with towering hollyhocks and foxgloves.
“The Art Station is about creating opportunities through creativity and culture,” says Clare. “In 2018 a bored young person burnt the old disused Victorian railway station down to the ground, hence its name, where we started. I am all for regeneration, bringing about change and ways for people to connect, whether it’s building a new housing estate or regenerating Sax High Street. We were already thinking about moving into the telephone exchange; dealing with Greater Anglia and rail network was onerous. It took two years to do the conversion, but then we went straight into Covid ...
“We have nine workspaces, studios for creatives and in 2021 we went full tilt with the public program. Three years ago we got the licence to the ground floor of the old bank and access to the garden behind. The gardener is
Jevan Watkins Jones, who leads the volunteers and all the local primary schools. Creativity is a means to bring people together. The arts fest was upbeat and had a wide demographic because of the different art forms, it was inclusive and free. We are a small team of five all part-time except for me. We deliver a helluva lot; the Arts Council can’t quite believe how much we do. The aim is to become permanent with long-term core funding and make our buildings fit for purpose with sustainable energy and wheelchair access. We will have a campaign in the autumn to buy the ground floor of the bank. At a time when there are mad infrastructure problems with all the traffic jams and construction sites where there used to be trees, we are doing something positive and cultural, punching above our weight.
“East Suffolk is an amazing place, there are so many art spaces like The Art Station and 303 projects in Lowestoft run by Alexander Costello. The young went to train in London and yet they are returning to live here, because half their income is spent on rent in the city,” Clare adds. "Creativity is connecting audience, community and creatives here in Suffolk and culture is such a positive asset for us all."
l The Art Station’s summer show, Local Yokel, runs until August 22nd, Wednesday – Saturdays, 12-4pm and by appointment. The Art Station, 48 High Street, Saxmundham, IP17 1AB. Visit, theartstation.uk
@ Alex Ward
@ Doug Atfield
@ Alex Ward
@ Alex Ward
@
GALLERY
What’s on in Suffolk’s thriving arts scene this summer …
UNFOLDING
Harry CJ Wix in Woodbridge plays host this summer to this ingenious exhibition of prints by painter and printmaker, Sam Hodge.
Based in East London, Sam has combined unfolded packaging - taken from her own recycling bin - with ink made with earths gathered on her walks around the British coast. She crushes, grinds and sieves the earth pigments and mixes them with linseed oil to make an ink, then rolls this onto the unfolded boxes and transfers their impression onto damp paper. This process is repeated several times to build up complex, layered images which are open to interpretation.
Earths for these artworks have been gathered from far and wide including Bawdsey in Suffolk, Hunstanton and West Runton in Norfolk and the Thames in London, to name but a few. l ‘Unfolding’ runs from 7th August to 7th September at Harry CJ Wix, 69 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge, IP12 1AH. Find Sam’s work at, samhodge.co.uk
ABSTRACT LANGUAGE
For those drawn to quiet places where land meets water under wide Suffolk skies, read on! Artist Ruth Lyne moved to the coast six years ago and is often found creating abstract paintings from her studio in Felixstowe – it is her eyecatching acrylic painting titled, ‘Down By The River’, which graces our front cover of this issue.
“I love the flat landscape and muted colour palette found in East Anglia,” explains Ruth, who says she creates an abstract language that expresses the beauty and calm she finds along the coast.
“I don’t want to recreate what I see, instead I try to paint how I feel under that big, wide sky,” she says. “I don’t use brushes as I don’t like the marks they leave on the surface. Instead, I work with a range of spreaders, scrapers and palette knives to apply the paint in layers to create a feel of the landscape rather than a view of a particular place.”
This year Ruth set up the Woodbridge Creative Market opposite the town’s Oak Lane car park in the Salvation Army Hall. This monthly market, featuring a curated selection of artists and makers, was originally intended to run once or twice, “but I realised a regular event would be even better,” she says. “We now have nine or ten stallholders each month and the market will be running through to December.”
l Check out Ruth’s work and the Woodbridge Creative Market held at The Salvation Army Hall, New Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1DT at, ruthlyne.com
Distraction
By Carl Stickley
SUMMER LOVIN’
So the World Cup is in full flow. Engerlund etc! Apparently, some people aren’t that enthused. Well, it’s summertime so there’s lots else to do in the Shire, such as Latitude where David Byrne will be burning down the house. FolkEast hosts legendary singer songwriter, Richard Thompson (pictured above with guitar), he's the co-founder of Fairport Convention. And Framlingham College plays host to The Summer Festival with more pop than you can shake a stick at.
The John Peel Centre just had a great Punk Week. There’s always something going on at this rockin' venue; music quizzes, record fairs, Indie nights and big names. Coming soon are New Model Army (not surprisingly, sold out) and countrified Southern rockin’ blooze n boogie from Parker Barrow and Steve Ray Ladson. Mercy!
CRUMBS…
Suffolk has a healthy pulsating live circuit and many local bands. One of the best is The Biscuit Brothers who have been playing all over the county for 11 years now. Their first gig was an open mic at the Anchor pub, Woodbridge. They didn’t have a name but, when asked on the night, they thought, ‘we’re older and only drink tea and biscuits’ – 'The Biscuit Brothers!’
Band member, Steve Andrews (pictured below on harmonica), says; “We are predominantly a pub band playing mostly the Blues but at any gig you’ll hear us play Johnny Cash, The Stones, Elvis and other covers. We love seeing teenagers dancing and drinking with 60- and 70-year-olds at our gigs so that’s really our greatest achievementwitnessing all types of people just loving our music and performances. Alongside that, we love getting the chance to play for family and
friends, including playing at Henry’s daughter, Sophie’s wedding and my wedding to my wife Alex in 2024!”
The band play a lot of charity gigs, giving back to people that need help and support. They are playing the Hush House at Bentwaters Park on 15th August. Steve adds; “when organiser Neil Gilbert of the NGX band asked us to headline for them we jumped at the chance. There are three great charities involved so what better way to help than through a music event! An incredible venue, delicious food from Reuben's (butcher and deli) and Vernon (Blakemore) and a full bar."
Other upcoming gigs include the Martlesham Black Tiles on 17th July, Hasketon Turks Head on 22nd August and Kettleburgh Chequers in September. Kevin, Steve, Bill, Henry and Dave – The Biscuit Brothers! Get yer boppin’ shoes on. Or visit, thebiscuitbrothers.co.uk.
ALBUM REVIEW: BIG STAR
Big Star's #1 Record, 1981. Creation Records owner Alan McGee made all his signings listen to this band. Alex Chilton had been a teenage star in The Boxtops but quickly got fed up with the Music Bizz. Returning to his hometown, Memphis, he formed Big Star with Chris Bell. Basically, this is the biggest band that never was, adored by critics, even called ‘the American Beatles’. For various reasons it just didn’t happen for them. Two albums and then they split. A third was released well after their demise. Honestly, it’s a crime this band never made it back in the day. Power Pop Gods. It took decades for their stock to rise.
And it’s gorgeous stuff. Pretty, soft, acoustic, melancholy, woozy tunes; ‘Ballad of El Goodo’, ‘Give Me Another Chance’, ‘Thirteen’, ‘The India Song’, ‘Watch The Sunrise’ with harmonies, a flute, piano, strumming and glistening clean picked strings. ‘Feel’, ‘Don’t Lie To Me’, ‘When My Baby’s Beside Me, ‘In The Street’, full of power chords, hooks, riffs, licks, blue-eyed soul vocals, solid power drums. Honestly, you’re in for a treat if you’ve never come across these guys. These songs worm their way in and stay with you.
Big Star's debut album
AND BREATHE ...
All your health, wellbeing and beauty news from around Suffolk …
LUXURY HAIR AND SCALP CARE WITH A REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE
Celebrating more than a decade of success, Heavenly Hair continues to set the benchmark for luxury hair and scalp care across Suffolk. With award-winning salons in Saxmundham and Wickham Market, the business has earned a reputation for combining advanced technical expertise with exceptional client care, creating bespoke experiences that deliver beautiful, confidence-boosting results. Every salon visit has been carefully designed to provide comfort and luxury, balanced with the use of sustainable products. Our clients remain at the centre of our business by being welcomed into a professional environment where experienced stylists take the time to listen, understand individual needs and provide honest, personalised advice tailored to each client.
Supporting the salon’s continued growth, Heavenly Hair has welcomed two talented professionals to its Saxmundham team. Creative director Jamie brings over 18 years of experience, specialising in precision cutting, bespoke colour and textured hair, while stylist Millie is quickly building a loyal following for her creative colour work, curly hair expertise, scalp health knowledge and weft extension services. Director, Janene says: “I am incredibly proud to lead and support such a talented team of hair and scalp specialists. Their passion, expertise and commitment to exceptional client care ensure every guest enjoys an outstanding salon experience, expert advice and visible results from root to tip.”
l For more information visit, heavenlyhair.co.uk Or call 01728 602941 (Saxmundham) or 01728 746616 (Wickham Market).
SUFFOLK OXYGEN THERAPY CENTRE PERKS UP!
The fabulous Suffolk Oxygen Therapy Centre in Great Blakenham has a new coffee machine available for members before or after their sessions. Centre manager, Mark Suddes (pictured in striped shirt), says, “A big thank you to the East of England Co-op for supporting this purchase.”
The centre, which provides subsidised oxygen therapy to help those with sports injuries and conditions such as multiple sclerosis, long covid and cancer, across East Anglia, is funded entirely from donations, grants and a programme of year-round fund-raising activities.
l To find out more about the numerous benefits of oxygen therapy visit, suffolkoxygentherapy.co.uk
DESIGN YOUR DESTINY
“The people who benefit most from coaching aren’t necessarily those in crisis - they’re often individuals who want more from their lives,” so says Natasha Knight.
A registered nurse based in Woodbridge, Natasha offers qualified life and health coaching using evidence-based guidance.
“Whether it’s improving health, building confidence, managing stress, navigating a career change, or creating healthier habits, coaching provides a supportive space to gain clarity, set meaningful goals and take consistent action,” she says. “Ultimately, anyone committed to personal growth and positive change can benefit from working with a life and health coach.”
Natasha, a nurse for over a decade with experience in both the NHS and private healthcare sectors, says she has studied counselling, mental health, nutrition and fitness which is, “driven by a passion for supporting both mental and physical wellbeing.”
“One of my current roles involves working closely with teenagers,” she says, “supporting, educating, and guiding them in all of these areas. This experience has reinforced my belief that lasting change comes from empowering individuals with the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to make positive decisions for themselves.”
She says her journey into coaching was inspired by years of working in healthcare and seeing that many people didn’t lack ability; they lacked confidence, direction, or support. “Coaching allows me to combine my healthcare background with my passion for empowering others. What I love most about coaching is that it helps people discover their own strengths and solutions. My role is to provide guidance and accountability while helping clients build the confidence, resilience, and skills to create lasting positive change and take ownership of their wellbeing.”
l Email Natasha on natashaknight00@gmail.com or call, 07767 231206
A DROP OF GOLDEN SUN!
A city break to Salzburg is just the ticket according to Angela Hagan ...
Austria is a unique country.
Landlocked in central Europe, with a population of just 9.2 million, its spectacular Alpine mountains have played a leading role in turning skiing into the beloved winter sport of today. Rising temperatures have also seen the country’s tourism sector successfully transition into a year-round powerhouse, with summer visitors in some regions now outpacing the popular winter ski season.
Salzburg is nestled at the edge of the Alps and is famously known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and also the setting for the 1965 musical, The Sound of Music. With a population of approximately 158,000 people, it is the fourth largest city in Austria, behind Vienna, Graz and Linz. It may
be small, but it packs a mighty cultural punch.
Steeped in history, this beautiful Baroque city, with its UNESCO-listed Old Town, is bursting with gloriously colourful gardens, museums, shopping lanes, pavement cafes and one of Europe’s largest intact medieval castles, the Hohensalzburg Fortress.
It is a mecca for music-lovers but more of that later.
Salzburg translates directly to ‘Salt Fortress,’ as the city’s immense medieval wealth came from the lucrative trade of salt, often referred to as “white gold,” which was sourced from nearby mines. This wealth remains in the bones of this place – the architecture is exquisite and everywhere is preserved and maintained to the very highest of standards. Not only is this one of the cleanest cities you might visit, but it is often ranked at the top of the list of safest places in Europe.
Back in early June, as the war with Iran raged and uncertainty prevailed over air travel, we decided to head to Salzburg, somewhere we knew we could quickly get back from should tensions escalate. It's less than two hours' flight away from Stansted Airport which is a huge bonus.
On arrival, an easy 15-minute Uber journey from the airport took us to the opulent comfort of the Sheraton Grand Salzburg. This five-star hotel in a central, yet quiet, leafy location, is ideal for couples, families, Sound of Music enthusiasts and classical music lovers. It is an excellent base for the annual Salzburg Festival showcasing opera, music and drama and running from 17th July to 30th August. The Sheraton is just walking distance to the Old Town and the many festival venues and offers 168 rooms including 27 suites –
many with park or fortress views. We loved the cool, welcoming lounge and the staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful – nothing seemed too much trouble. It offers Austrian cuisine at the Restaurant Mirabell, Italian cuisine at its lunch restaurant, Taste.it, as well as a Piano Bar with live music and late-night dining. Guests can also enjoy 24-hour reception and concierge, a fitness area, a spa and underground parking.
Our large bed in our spacious Club Room was one of the most comfortable we’d ever slept on, and staff told us that guests regularly commented on the excellent night's sleep they'd had! The Sheraton packages are well worth checking out. We enjoyed the ‘Salzburg City Break’ which includes an epic breakfast every morning and parking (honestly, you really don’t need a car there – the public transport is highly efficient!) This package also includes the Salzburg Card, which gives you free admission to tourist attractions and museums, free use of public transportation and many additional discounts.
One of the best things about the Sheraton (even the real-life actors who played the Von Trapp children in the Sound of Music film stayed here during filming) is where it is located in the city. It commands a fabulous
©tsg_patrick-langwallner
The famous Mirabell Palace and Garden
position next to the Mirabell Palace and Garden. You will know this garden as several key scenes in The Sound of Music were filmed there - remember Julie Andrews and the seven Von Trapp children dancing around the beautiful Pegasus Fountain while singing Do Re Mi?
The Sheraton kindly arranged for us to go on the Original Sound of Music coach tour one day – my husband feared it might be a bit cheesy which made it all the funnier when he heartily joined in singing along to all those childhood hits as the bus took us high into the hills to see many of the film’s famous locations. Our charming tour guide moved deftly between local anecdote and film lore, as we toured past Leopoldskron and Hellbrunn (the Von Trapp family home and lake) to name but a few. I highly recommend it if you are looking for stunning scenery and fancy a good sing-along with 50+ Sound of
preserved castle featuring 360-degree panoramic views of the city and Alps. For art and architecture lovers, the breath-taking DomQuartier Salzburg allows you to walk through the lavish State Rooms of the princearchbishops, the Cathedral and an incredible art gallery. And the Museum der Moderne sits in two locations - the Monchberg is perched on a cliff offering panoramic views alongside contemporary exhibits, while the Rupertinum is located in an early Baroque building in the centre of the historic district, showcases 20th-century art.
As a family of foodies, we dined at the sophisticated Sky Bar and Restaurant Imlauer (imlauer.com), perched high above the city and just foosteps from the
Music fans - I still have The Lonely Goatherd going round and round in my head!
Part of the charm of Salzburg is that it is compact enough to explore on foot. In the Old Town, narrow lanes open unexpectedly into handsome squares; church bells mark the hours; cool pavement cafes serve apple strudel and chocolate sachertorte with mountains of whipped cream; horse carriages rumble past giving the place the most theatrical elegance. It’s most famous son, Mozart, is inevitably, everywhere. The ever-giving Salzburg Card meant we could visit Mozart’s Birthplace for free. Located at Getreidegasse 9, where he was born in 1756, it features original instruments, fascinating family letters and memoribilia.
Other highlights include the Hohensalzburg Fortress - an 11th century fully
combines a traditional brewery atmosphere and offers an array of Austrian classics - from hearty meats to delicate pastries - alongside quaffable local brews.
The highlight of our food adventure had to be the Mozart Dinner Concert (mozartdinner-concert-salzburg.com) by candlelight at the spectacular St. Peter Stiftkulinarikum. This unique venue, nestled in Europe’s oldest monastery, melds culture and cuisine. We enjoyed a gourmet meal, inspired by real recipes taken from 1790, whilst being serenaded by musicians and opera singers performing Mozart masterpieces, such as Figaro, Don Giovanni and A Little Night Music.
The three-course meal was said to be one of Mozart’s favourites and we could see why – we enjoyed the delicate lemon chicken soup, supreme of roasted capon on a bed of polenta mash and of course, another Salzburger Nockerl for dessert. It was spectacularly delicious and so romantic – if you do one thing, please book this.
We carried a few extra pounds back with us when we left Salzburg as well as slightly heavy hearts but safe in the knowledge that we will be returning to Austria for sure.
l To book the Sheraton Grand Salzburg visit, marriott.com
Sheraton. We feasted on fresh, local ingredients blended with contemporary culinary artistry. The panoramic vista added a magical backdrop as we tried out Austrian favourites, such as Gekochter Tafelspitz, which is a boiled (melt-in-the-mouth) beef stew with pan fried potatoes, apple horseradish, cream spinach and chive sauce. And for puddings, we enjoyed our first ever Salzburger Nockerl, which is famous around the city and a must if you visit. Made primarily from whipped eggs and sugar, it’s a sweet soufflé baked over a layer of lingoberry or raspberry jam into three distinct, golden peaks that are meant to represent the snow-capped Alps which frame the city. Naughty, but nice!
Another evening, we dined at Sternbräu (sternbrau.at), situated in Salzburg’s swanky Old Town. This historic establishment
l For details about the Salzburg Card and other information about the city visit, salzburg.info
l We flew from Stansted on Ryanair –return flights to Salzburg start at £46
Mozart's birthplace
© SalzburgerLand Tourismus RS2805_herbstmus
The Sheraton Grand Salzburg
The mouth-watering Salzburger Nockerl emulates the nearby Alps
AND ABOUT! OUT
Top things to do around Suffolk by Charity
Crewe
Theatre in the Forest, Sutton Hoo, nr Woodbridge
Wednesday 22nd July - Saturday 22nd August
Red Rose Chain, the award-winning theatre company, returns to the magical setting of Sutton Hoo for its Theatre in the Forest season. This summer they are staging Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s most merry of romps, which abounds with mistaken identity, yearning hearts, pleasing silliness and Malvolio’s yellow stockings! Co-directed by David Newborn and Katy Latham, this production will be in memory of Jo Carrick, the founder of Red Rose Chain who died earlier this year, using her adaptation of the Twelfth Night from 2011.
l Full price tickets: £33, over 65s: £28, under 16s: £13.12, concessions: £15, Family ticket offer: (2 full price, 2 under 16s) £76.12
l For details and to book go to, redrosechain.com or call, 01473 603388
l For a chance to win two family tickets, visit LivinginSuffolk at: livinginsuffolk.co.uk
l Accompanying Study Morning on Twelfth Night in New Street Market, Woodbridge, Friday 31st and Friday 14th August. For details and to book go to newstreetmarket.com
GUILDENACRE AT HELMINGHAM HALL
Saturday & Sundays, until 31st October
SUMMER CONTEMPORARY AT SNAPE MALTINGS
Saturday 25th July - Sunday 30th August, Snape Maltings, Snape
Britten Pears Arts is holding its third Summer Contemporary exhibition, which features works by more than 180 artists from across the UK, many with a strong Suffolk connection, such as Ian Sedge. Curated by Devi Singh, there is a mix of sculpture, photography and painting installed across the Snape Maltings site. The exhibition features established and emerging artists and art students, who apply through open application and all works are for sale. This year’s show has special guests, including Maggi Hambling, Conrad Shawcross, Abe Odedina, Maureen Lipman and Harry Hill.
l Free entry
For further details go to, brittenpearsarts.org/exhibitions/ summer-contemporary-2026
SUMMER EXHIBITION
Saturday 18th July - Saturday 29th August (closed Wednesdays)
Middlemarch Fine Art at The Courtyard Gallery, 152A Aldeburgh High St, Aldeburgh Belinda Allen Agar took over The Courtyard Gallery in March this year to expand her growing art business, Middlemarch Fine Art. She focuses on Modern British and contemporary painting and prints - and has already had several successful shows since opening. Belinda’s next show, Summer Exhibition, will have a “distinct Kettle’s Yard feel”, she explains, focusing on mid-century pieces by artists including Barbara Hepworth, John Piper and Elisabeth Frink (who was from Suffolk). These will be hung alongside “a few hand-picked contemporary artists whose work compliments our collection, for example Ian Sedge, Roger Hardy and Ruth Stage.” The show will “celebrate the optimism, vitality and warmth of the season, bringing together works that explore landscape and light.”
l For further details go to, middlemarchart.co.uk
HARRY C J
WIX X NEW STREET MARKET PRESENTS, HOW TO ENJOY ARCHITECTURE: A TALK BY CHARLES HOLLAND
6pm-7.30pm, Thursday 27th August, New St Market, Woodbridge
Charles Holland, the architect behind A House for EssexGrayson Perry’s deliriously madcap Hansel and Gretel house near Wrabness - is coming to New Street Market to talk about his new book, How to Enjoy Architecture. Holland, a teacher and writer as well as an architect, believes that learning to read buildings can provide immeasurable joy. His talk will cover everything from materials to structure to use of space. He will also reminisce about collaborating with Grayson on A House for Essex, the design process and the symbolism embedded in every detail. The house rewards the kind of curious looking Holland’s book champions.
l Charles Holland’s talk: £11; Twelfth Night study morning: £12
l For details and to book go to newstreetmarket.com
Every day during the summer holidays from Monday 20 th July - Friday 28th August
A brand-new adventure playground, set within a four-acre wood in the grounds of Helmingham Hall, has opened in time for the summer holidays. Designed by top-notch playground creators CAP.CO, it features four animal themed areas built for serious adventure. There are tunnels and lookout points, twisting slides, walkways, climbing walls and a high adrenaline zip wire. Edward Tollemache, owner of Helmingham, explains that the playground is for, “both young and the young at heart. It is inspired by the estate’s beautiful surroundings and the animals you would expect to find here.” There is a café run by the Black Dog Deli in the onsite barn if you need to refuel for more adventuring. There is also a designated picnic area for those bringing their own food.
l Adult: £8; Child aged 5+: £11.50, child aged 3 & 4: £6, those aged 2 and under are free Tickets must be booked in advance at, guildenacre.co.uk
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