A Village Full of Activity - A Spotlight on Snape

If you are heading to Windmill Lodges for your weekend breaks in Suffolk, and enjoy shopping and culture, the village of Snape has a fabulous retail complex that is open all year round. Full of history, Snape Maltings is a great destination for those who are looking for the best the county has to offer – and you can combine your visit with a night at the Concert Hall, established by two of Suffolk’s most famous former residents.

Windmill Lodges is a perfect destination for those who want to combine a country break with luxurious self-catering accommodation. All of our lodges are rated four or five stars by the English Tourism Council, and all have high spec facilities, including your own private hot tub –  while one of our lodges even has an infra-red sauna! 

If you love browsing independent shops and discovering hidden gems, Snape Maltings is just a thirty-minute drive from Windmill Lodges and offers a great day out, whatever the weather. If you are visiting over the Christmas period, one top tip is to pop into the Food Hall, where you can stock up on some fabulous festive treats.

Why Visit Snape?

Snape has a fascinating history, which dates right back to Roman times when it was an important site for salt production. In the Anglo-Saxon period, it was a burial site, and a number of artefacts discovered here can be viewed at the Aldeburgh Moot Hall Museum. And, in the 18th and 19th centuries it became a prime tourist destination, where an annual race meeting was held at the Snape Race Course on the banks of the River Alde.

Today, its most popular tourist draw is the Maltings, and the concert hall here is the venue for the annual Aldeburgh Festival. It serves as a permanent reminder of Snape’s most famous former resident, Benjamin Britten, who established Snape Maltings’ Concert Hall with his partner, tenor Peter Pears, in 1967.

Fascinating Independent Shops

If you love retail therapy, Snape Maltings is a shoppers’ paradise. The stunning collection of shops include a house and garden shop, clothing boutiques, bookshop, toy store, craft shop, antique shop, art galleries and a food hall. You can easily set aside a whole afternoon for to browse and buy, and, if you are Christmas shopping, this is the ideal destination to find interesting decorations and gifts for friends and family.

Delicious Local Food

When you are all shopped out, Snape Maltings has some fabulous eateries where you can relax and unwind. For tea and snacks, head for the tea room, or if you want something more substantial, Cafe 1885 serves delicious lunches. For a more relaxed atmosphere, the Plough and Sail pub is a popular venue and serves traditional pub lunches and local ales.

For those of you who want to buy local fare and cook up a treat at Windmill Lodges, the food hall is a fantastic place to head for, and you can find some amazing festive buys from cakes to chocolates, chutneys, pates, sauces, spices and local wines. There’s also a monthly Farmers’ Market on the first Saturday of the month, where you can buy direct from local producers. You will be spoiled for choice here as you will find an array of tempting locally grown and home made products such as cheese, honey, chocolate, herbs, spices, pâté, fudge and wild meat.

Excellent Scenery

If the weather isn’t too nippy, and you want to burn off those calories, you can enjoy a picturesque stroll along the Alde Estuary. Short and long walking routes, varying from 2-12 miles, can be downloaded from the Snape Maltings website. These walks are suitable all year round and, if the weather is cold and fresh, you can warm up with tea and cake afterwards.

Stunning Boat Trips

Boat trips run during the summer season, from late spring to early autumn, giving you the chance to explore the beauty of Suffolk from the water. Each trip takes 45 minutes and heads in the direction of the village of Iken and back. Sailing times do vary, so it’s important to check ahead so you can be certain of when to board.

A Year Round Music Programme

The Snape Malting Concert Hall has a full programme of events throughout the year. From family concerts to classical music, singing, poetry and theatre, you will always find something of interest. Shows and events are extremely varied, so it is best to visit their website to see what is on during your stay at Windmill Lodges.

Windmill Lodges – click here to view our luxurious log cabins with hot tubs in Suffolk

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