Welcome to Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh is situated by lthe River Alde, on the east coast of the county of Suffolk, approximately 85 miles northeast of London and 24 miles south of Lowestoft.

The town has a population of around 2,800 according to the 2001 census. Administratively it is a civil parish within the local government district of Suffolk Coastal which covers an area of approximately 891 sq kms.

Only yards from the ever approaching sea, Aldeburgh is notable for its fishermens huts and shingle beach and is a popular short-break destination. It is probably best known for the annual Aldeburgh Festival of music and arts which was inaugurated in 1948 by the composer Benjamin Brittain and which takes place at various venues around Aldeburgh in June. Other attractions include the ancient Moot Hall and a Martello tower built during the period of the Napoleonic wars.

The town's modern history dates from the middle ages and during the 16th century it was a thriving port with a busy ship-building industry. Indeed some notable vessels were built in Adeburgh including Sir Francis Drake's ships Greyhound and Pelican (which later became the Golden Hind). Much of this Tudor settlement has now been swallowed up the sea. The town's maritme industry then went into decline as the River Alde silted up and, until the 19th century, Aldeburgh was primarily just a small fishing village until its transformation into a popular seaside resort in the Victorian period.

Historically, the town's early economy was based on shipbuilding and later fishing. From the 19th century it has developed as a seaside resort and today this continues with the emphasis very much on tourism and service industries.

The name Aldeburgh means 'old or disused stronghold' from the Old English (e)ald + burh. It was recorded as Aldeburc in the Domesday Book of 1086. (Oxford Dictionary of English Place Names: A.D.Mills)