Suffolk is a great location for a staycation. If you’re after traditional seaside fun, head to Lowestoft.
Read our guide of where to eat, drink and stay in Lowestoft.
Written by Emmanuelle Gammage
Located along the Suffolk Coast, Lowestoft is famous for being the most easterly town in the UK, so it’s the very first spot to see the beautiful sunrise each morning.
Staycations are booking up fast and you may have overlooked this traditional seaside town, but it’s got a lot to offer; surrounded by quaint villages, marvellous sandy beaches and plenty of fun activities.
Whether you’re a family looking for an adventure or are a couple desperate for a romantic getaway by the sea, Lowestoft is the perfect holiday location.
Things to do in Lowestoft, Suffolk
Relax on a glorious sandy beach
Also known as Victoria Beach, this golden fine sand and clear water has a Blue Flag award. With miles of beach, it’s the perfect place for impressive sandcastle creations or soaking up the sunshine. If you’re an early riser, start your day right with a stroll along the beach and watch the sky turn lavish shades of red and orange. For an adventurous day, you can book a horse-riding experience with Pakefield Riding School or try your hand at a selection of water sports.
Fun Fact: The famous composer Benjamin Britten was born in Lowestoft and it’s believed that Victoria Beach was the inspiration for his first masterpiece.
Africa Alive
Only 15 minutes away from the town, you’ll find giraffes, meerkats, lions and rhinos set over 100 acres of Suffolk countryside. Your family will have the chance to learn some interesting facts about the inhabitants, take a Safari train ride and experience the animals up close. You can even book a special experience to feed the giraffes or meet the rhinos. There’s a brand new addition too; three Red River Hogs called Kinshasa, Rebecca and Rosie have arrived in a new interactive habitat called ‘Hog Snorts’. Plan your trip to Africa Alive.
East Anglia Transport Museum
Entirely run by volunteers, this is the only museum in East Anglia where you can actually take a ride on an old tramway. It’s also home to vintage cars, renovated vehicles and traditional trolly busses. You’ll have fun soaking up history in style.
Sail along the Broads
Just a couple of miles west of Lowestoft lies Oulton Broads where you can put on your captain hat and sail along the River Waveney or hop on the Waveney Princess for a relaxing boat tour. Enjoy the tranquil views and the famous floating yellow water lilies that begin blooming in May.
Lowestoft is also renowned for its beautiful wealth of wildlife. Perched along the River Waveney, you’ll find all sorts of birds like red kites and shrikes, and at Oulton Broad you’ll find rich botanical life in the marshes; marigold, ragged robin and perhaps even an otter lurking about. Managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, it’s a great opportunity to relax in nature or teach the little ones about the world around them.
Pleasurewood Hills
With over 35 rides, shows and attractions for both thrill seekers and little ones, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Try and stay dry on Timber Falls or brace yourself 60 feet high in the sky atop of the Jolly Rodger. If rides aren’t for you, you can watch a parrot show, visit the sea lions or run around the play area instead – plenty of fun for everyone! Book your tickets.
Where to stay in Lowestoft, Suffolk
Ideal for families, Broadland Sands Holiday Park is situated between two seaside towns: Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. It’s the perfect spot to explore the joys that both Suffolk and Norfolk have to offer. Even if you don’t feel like venturing far, there’s family entertainment, a restaurant and a swimming pool right on site.
Lowestoft also has an array of romantic or family friendly hotels. Directly overlooking the sea on top of Kirkley Cliff stands Hotel Victoria with 24 en-suite rooms, while The Hog Hotel is a new farmhouse turned luxury boutique hotel in the local village of Pakefield.
If you prefer to self-cater, there’s a huge choice of holiday accommodation to suit all size parties and budgets.
Where to eat in Lowestoft
The Hog Hotel has a popular restaurant with outside seating in the summer months. It has a monthly changing menu with daily specials and signature sharing dishes, so you’re bound to find something to your taste. Mark Gee also has an ever-changing menu that uses rustic and seasonal ingredients that they find on the day. With over 100 pubs in Lowestoft, you won’t have to look far for a traditional home-cooked pub meal.
Book your Lowestoft staycation now and enjoy relaxing in the sunshine or adventuring around the Suffolk Coast.
The undiscovered Suffolk Coast – plan a trip away from the crowds in Suffolk
