A Bank Holiday in Suffolk with Trevor Pickett

Trevor has known Suffolk since from childhood, at his family home the best times were the school holidays. With time came many opportunities to explore!

This bank holiday he plans to spend his time enjoying the county, being at home and would like to share some of his favourite places with you.

The beach at Southwold
Why buy an iconic beach hut for £150K when one can hire from £300 a week?!  So much chicer than a canvas windbreak. 
 
Memories of my childhood include Chalkwell beach in Essex and sand in our sandwiches. Perhaps it is this that has made it ever more essential to have a rug to sit on by the shoreline. Or perhaps a bit of luxury in form of a lamsbwool blanket on the terrace of your beach hut to put over your knees, certainly a post covid necessity when catching up with friends outside! In addition to this a Pickett hip flask might prove useful with our inclement weather… Of course you can always wrap up in a Pickett Pashmina
Shopping
 
If you fancy some shopping and retail therapy and not face the winds of the north sea head to Collen & Clare capsule & concise, the perfect place to purchase a holiday wardrobe treat.
 
A must if you are in Aldeburgh is Aldeburgh bookshop owned by Johnny and Mary James. It is a gem and you won't be able to resist a purchase!
Be prepared with a tote or shopper big enough to house your purchases 
Food & Drink 
Adnams  A proud Suffolk brand! Their sustainable Southwold store has a cafe which is open Friday to Sunday, or shop from a selection of beers, wines and handcrafted spirits, as well as their homeware and food ranges.  
For the authentic, and some might say some of the best in Britain, the fish and chips at the end of the high street in Aldeburgh or off the market square in Southwold. Not forgetting the iconic harbour side Sole Bay Fish Company  on the River Blyth looking out to Warberswick, hard to beat – again don’t forget your tartan blanket as it makes for a hassle free picnic...
Buy our lambswool blanket - available in an array of covetable colours
The best days out 
One of my all time favourite gardens is at Helmingham Hall  a moated house with parkland full of oak trees, a wild meadow and a rose garden. Altogether a place of beauty and tranquility.
 Then there is of course the perfectly beautiful Thorpeness Meare. A picnic on one of the secluded Islands is perfect for all the family, get lost in the world of JM Barrie who was part of the magic of this never neverland. For this you will certainly require a rug or an ever stylish kilim cushion as the clinker built boats have a hard seat and sitting on the ground it can be damp – think wind in the willows and be whisked off into a make believe adventure.
Iconic for many reasons is Framlingham castle. The English Heritage site that  was once at the centre of a vast network of power and influence. Walk the spectacular wall and explore the towering walls behind which Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England. With breathtaking views of Suffolk who could ask for more!
 

Picnic Fodder

For the ultimate picnic to take, Trevor has given us a sneak peak at what is in his hamper. "A picnic can involve intensive organisation if you don’t take care so my mantra is to  choose food that requires dunking and no plates or cutlery; For utmost success with minimal effort!" TP
  • Mini Sausages with Ketchup or Mustard
  • Lightly but crispy fried (grilled  for the goodie two shoes option) fish fingers with ample tartar sauce and a few lemon wedges
  • Egg dipped chicken pieces in panko breadcrumbs with grated dry parmesan style cheese, fry (or be boring oven bake) & serve a with a mayo dip
  • Crudité and aioli
  • Cheese board
  • And French bread for those that need that little extra

Of course any day out in the UK requires you to pack for possible rain. Treat yourself to a bright Pickett brolly