Aldeburgh
Drake Benjamin Britten and Fishing
It is hard to believe that the small Suffolk village of Aldeburgh was once a thriving port and indeed one of the leading ports on the east coast of England.
Aldeburgh also had a flourishing shipbuilding industry, men of the town served with Drake on both of his ships the greyhound and the Pelican, which were also built here. The same shipyard also supplied men and four ships to fight the Spanish Armada. The Golden Hind was also built here, historians will know in 1570 Drake set off to sail around the world on his epic two-year ten-month and 18 day voyage.
This was back in the 16th century over time the River has silted up and part of the town was engulfed by the sea.
Aldeburgh still survive today as a fishing village and the Fishermen still pull their boats up onto the shingle beach at the end of the day.
These days Aldeburgh as well as having a marina is also known as a seaside resort and for its world-renowned music festival. The festival the brainchild of Benjamin Britten and his partner Peter Pears is held at the Malting’s in Snape, which is just outside the town.
As well as its musical connections Aldeburgh has been the setting for literary works by such authors as Wilkie Collins, PD James, JM Barrie, but it is to the poet and local lad George Crabbe that the town can give its thanks. Benjamin Britten turned Crabbe’s tale of the misfit murderer and fishermen, Peter Grimes, into an opera.
As well as its musical connections, Aldeburgh is also one of the region’s most beautiful and best-loved villages. With its handsome pastel colored houses many independent shops and art galleries all nestling on the coast. A beautiful shingle beach that stretches for miles offering amazing views typical of this area, wide-open skies and sea.
As you walk along the lovely shingle beach be sure to take in Maggie Hamblings controversial sculpture the scallop. On your way back don’t forget to buy some fish at the local fishing huts.
Activities in Aldeburgh
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