Places to go from Thetford

[Sciroccology]

OK, here's the score: Ex GF ("P") used to work for a well-known brewery who also happen to own a string of olde-worldy hotels. She's working elsewhere now, but has done some ad-hoc freelance work for the aforementioned brewery. In return, they have offered her a free weekend away (food and drink included) at one of their posh hotels. A weekend for two. So, naturally, she thought of me.

She wanted a coastal location, but all of their sea-side hotels were fully booked on the weekend we've chosen. The nearest (and nicest) alternative we've found is "The Bell" in Thetford (apparently where the cast and crew of "Dad's Army" stayed whilst filming.)

Dead posh room - four poster bed, attached lavvy and everything.

To fulfill her sea-side wish, I was wondering where to take her for the day. I'm more familiar with the North Norfolk coast than Suffolk, but a quick shufty at the map shows Southwold as within spitting distance of Thetford.

Is Southwold as nice as it sounds?

[Mustang Baz]

Southwold very nice, but I tend to prefer Aldeburgh as a little quieter in my experience. Could be quite busy given it is summer. From Thetford (recommend you spend limited time actually in Thetford - not so great), you can easily make N Norfolk coastline as you say - try this recent thread for thoughts;

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Sciroccology]

Mustang Baz said:

Southwold very nice, but I tend to prefer Aldeburgh as a little quieter in my experience. Could be quite busy given it is summer. From Thetford (recommend you spend limited time actually in Thetford - not so great), you can easily make N Norfolk coastline as you say - try this recent thread for thoughts;

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks for that, but I've kind of done the North Norfolk coast to death (and been there with another ex) so was looking for suggestions further South.

[V8mate]

Mustang Baz said:

Southwold very nice, but I tend to prefer Aldeburgh as a little quieter in my experience. Could be quite busy given it is summer. From Thetford (recommend you spend limited time actually in Thetford - not so great), you can easily make N Norfolk coastline as you say - try this recent thread for thoughts;

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I agree. Both Southwold and Aldeburgh are victims of their own success and are busy beyond their ability to cope at this time of year.
North Norfolk coast, though still busy, at least has 'escape' areas and lovely villages just behind the coast too.

[V8mate]

Oops - too late

[Sciroccology]

V8mate said:

Oops - too late

No worries old bean. Southwold was the obvious choice, but we might give Aldeburgh a go.

Anywhere with a decent chippy and a sea-front walk will do fine.

[minimax]

how about east norfolk? winterton bay has miles of sand and bugger all else bar the odd languid rolling wave.. nice villages nearby such as potter, ludham etc

[eccles]

Just about the nearest beach to Thetford is Wells-next-the-sea. Its a great beach, just watch out the tide doesn't cut you off. There are also great drives up there, go up via Swaffham and come back via Dereham.
If you like forest walks or rivers pop over to Santon Downham, its beautiful there, or try Brandon Country park.
Snetterton is just up the A11 (approx 10mins), if you don't fancy the racing ,the sunday market is quite good.
A short drive will get you to Bury st Edmunds, its a beautiful market town, and the abbey gardens are worth a wander round.
Thetford town centre gets it's fair share of yobbos hanging around the pedestrianised centre (just outside the Bell), but they are mostly harmless, English is getting increasingly hard to hear around town with all the eastern europeans that are there.
Just outside the hotel are nice river walks (next to the bridge outside the hotel).

[GTIR]

What about Happisburgh, just for the fact you can go there and call it "Happisburg", instead of how it should be pronounced "Haysboro", and annoy the fek out of the locals!