Fettercairn – oak-smoked Scottish smoothie
22 January 2026
Driving: reimagined classic; DB Speedback GT
26 January 2026Coastal chic
Away from urban centres, on the Suffolk seafront lies a haven of urbanity
T he great British seaside can conjure up images of traditional UK coastal places with sweeping beaches, kiosks selling rock, the clang and clatter of amusement arcades and the giggling merriment of children on funfair rides. Located on the Suffolk coast lies the town of Aldeburgh.
I must confess, I absolutely adore Aldeburgh for several reasons. Firstly, it is as far removed from the old-fashioned perception of the great British seaside as it is possible to be. Despite my first paragraph, in Aldeburgh there aren’t any fast-food outlets or places selling rock and the notable lack of fruit machines and funfair rides is thoroughly welcome. Although not everyone will agree, in the UK I prefer a pebble beach; here at Aldeburgh the beach is a huge stretch of pebbles of all shapes and sizes.
Coming inland the high street at Aldeburgh is peppered with independent shops and selected chain stores. There are bakeries and coffee shops all selling local produce as well as small boutiques dotted around to delight in, while selected well-known brands also have outposts in this genteel town.
Painted blue and white and situated directly on the seafront is the Brudenell Hotel. This pet-friendly hotel has perfectly encapsulated coastal chic. There are 44 bedrooms, many with sea views, which makes this hotel the perfect place to stay to explore the glorious Suffolk coast. Several of the rooms have been newly renovated and are decorated in a contemporary style that tastefully references its location. Varying shades of blues and greys feature prominently and there are pops of colour throughout.
The rooms themselves are well-appointed and spacious, but the bathroom in my room was on the smallish side; the Temple Spa bath products are a nice touch however. The décor throughout creates a sense of place. The communal areas have a wallpaper that depicts the blueprints of boats and yachts, which creates a sense of place without being gimmicky.
In Aldeburgh ...the notable lack of fruit machines and funfair rides is thoroughly welcome
This is not a cookie-cutter hotel. Thought and care have gone into the overall design and furnishings and this is evident from the quality of the bed linen, pillows, and fluffy towels to the décor itself. Although covid protocols are no longer required, The Brudenell Hotel is scrupulously clean and hand sanitiser is available throughout.
The main restaurant has panoramic sea views and watching the waves crash against the shores of the pebble beach is mesmerising. The menu, as might be expected, references the sea and various fish courses feature prominently.
The hospitality industry has suffered severely over the past two years and the lack of staff retention and rising food prices haven’t helped. Our waiter Martin though was the epitome of what the hospitality industry needs right now. Every establishment needs a Martin! He had just the right balance of knowledge, understanding, flexibility and patience allied to a smile for every moment.
He was super attentive, so friendly, and just so utterly superb in every sense; he knew the menu and could recommend dishes based on our palettes or our whims. However while service was truly memorable, alas, I found the meal itself overall to be distinctively average.
There were too many flavours combined – the main dish of local asparagus, with pan-fried halibut fillet and wild garlic pesto, would have been delicious had it ended there but there was an addition of Cromer crab that was frankly unnecessary. I understand food prices have risen which has influenced menu prices, but at £30 this dish was not judiciously priced.
The main restaurant has panoramic sea views and watching the waves crash against the shores of the pebble beach is mesmerising
Breakfast the following morning, however, made up for the previous night’s disappointment. There was an excellent selection of options ranging from fresh fruit to cereals and granola to oh-so-tempting pastries and a superb, cooked breakfast authentically populated with produce from the county of Suffolk itself. Plump sausages, thick-cut bacon, and a huge flat and chunky field mushrooms with poached eggs that were cooked to perfection was the most sublime, if calorie-laden, way to start the day.
The Brudenell Hotel is authentic. It is unpretentious, comfortable, stylish, and contemporary. The staff are friendly, helpful, and of course, their greatest member of staff is the marvellous Martin, who is a true asset to the hotel. Pet-friendly, your four-legged friends are welcomed and appreciated.
The ability to explore the Suffolk coast by foot or by car from The Brudenell Hotel allows for guests to discover the nearby places of Thorpeness and Southwold. For those seeking a chic, coastal getaway, The Brudenell Hotel offers a beautiful, ozone-laden hideaway in the heart of Aldeburgh.
Words: Li Boatwright
- The Brudenell Hotel
- Prices start from £150 B&B for two sharing in an Aldeburgh-facing room. Sea-view rooms are extra
- To make a reservation call +44 (0)1728 452 071 or go to the website