An Introduction by Andrew Cochrane, Noble Caledonia Founder & Director
"Have you ever visited the Suffolk Heritage Coast? If so, you will know it is a wonderfully peaceful and scenic stretch of coast and an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’. It may only be slightly less than one hundred miles from London but could be 500 hundred miles in its unhurried atmosphere and gentle pace of life. Somehow, Suffolk and in particular the 50 mile stretch of Heritage Coast has survived the onslaught of the 21st century, making its towns and villages a pleasure to visit and its unspoiled landscape a joy. Nowhere is this truer than the seaside town of Aldeburgh, known the world over for its Music Festival, a magnet for cultural tourists. We have chosen Aldeburgh as our base for five nights because there is something very special about the town. Likewise, our choice of hotel, the Wentworth, is one of those rare owner managed properties of enormous charm with the added bonus of facing the sea and the fisherman’s huts and little boats which dot the beach.
The big skies and extraordinary light of East Anglia are unique and offer the most amazing conditions in which to create stunning gardens. From our Aldeburgh base we will visit some of the finest gardens in Suffolk and North Essex. We will admire the big skies of Constable Country, spend a morning in Beth Chatto’s famous dry garden and enjoy a private visit to Hintlesham Hall where London Festival Opera will entertain us in the splendid surroundings. There will also be visits to two other great houses and gardens: Otley Hall and Helmingham Hall, and a private visit to the Grade 1 listed Guildhall in beautiful Bury St Edmunds. Finally, no trip to Aldeburgh would be complete without a visit to Benjamin Britten’s home the Red House. I have been visiting Aldeburgh for over 30 years and it is difficult to put into words why it’s so special, but it does have a unique timeless quality rarely found on our coasts. To make the most of your visit our itinerary has been planned at a leisurely pace, no early starts and some free time to enjoy the hotel, Aldeburgh and its surroundings. The hotel has an excellent location being just a few minutes’ walk from the High Street with its speciality shops and art galleries. You may care to bring your walking boots as the area has some fine coastal, heath and marshland walks offering delightful views and bird watching."
Wentworth Hotel
For the duration of our tour we have taken over all the accommodation of this fine sea facing hotel which has been run by the same family since 1920. At any time, the returning guests can number up to 75% of those staying and it is easy to see why. It is a traditionally run hotel of impeccable standards.
All of the 35 bedrooms are beautifully appointed and individually designed with inland or sea-views and some benefit from a small sitting area overlooking the sea. Each winter the hotel closes its doors for a few weeks for refurbishment, which is readily apparent in its open plan sitting areas and guest rooms.
The sea facing dining room overlooks the town’s long shingle beach and the characterful wooden fishing huts and is famous throughout the area for its fine food, in particular its fish which is supplied by the local fisherman. Outside, the hotel’s Tiffany garden is a lovely spot to read or enjoy a drink and take in the coastal views. The hotel also offers two cosy guest lounges with open fires and comfortable sofas.
Itinerary
Day 1 Aldeburgh.
A transfer to the Wentworth Hotel from Ipswich Railway Station will be provided to those arriving by train. Those driving may park at the hotel’s car park. Meet in the evening for welcome drinks and dinner in the hotel.
Day 2 Otley Hall.
Enjoy a relaxing morning in Aldeburgh. Perhaps take an after breakfast walk along the coast towards Thorpeness or enjoy exploring Aldeburgh’s picturesque High Street or the Church of Peter & Paul, the last resting place of Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. In the late morning we head for Otley Hall, a Grade 1 listed 15th and 16th century moated Tudor Hall. Set within 10 acres of delightful gardens it is as though time has stopped among the ducks, swans, geese and peacocks. It is easy to imagine how the place might have looked in late Medieval and early Tudor times and the days when the owner Bartholomew Gosnold planned two voyages that resulted in the founding of the United States. We will explore both the house and the gardens before a buffet lunch is served in Martha’s Barn, locally celebrated for its local, seasonal and artisan food.
Day 3 Beth Chatto Garden & Hintlesham Hall.
After breakfast depart for the Beth Chatto Garden, across the border in North Essex. Beth Chatto OBE took an overgrown wasteland of brambles, parched gravel and boggy ditches in 1960 and created one of the most amazing gardens in the country. Beth oversaw the development of the gardens well into her 90’s and they remain a family-run business. Wonder at the Gravel Garden which was once a car park and is never watered, as well as the Scree Garden, Water Garden and Woodland. In the early afternoon drive back into Suffolk for lunch at the 16th century Hintlesham Hall. Set in 175 acres of classic Suffolk landscape we will spend the afternoon here. After lunch London Festival Opera will perform and before leaving we will have time to stroll in the grounds. Enjoy dinner at the Wentworth this evening.
Day 4 Fullers Mill & Bury St Edmunds.
This morning we drive to West Suffolk and the enchanting and tranquil seven acre Fullers Mill Garden on the banks of the River Lark. Created by the late Bernard Tickner it is a marvellous and thought provoking garden located on both sides of the river. It combines a beautiful site of light dappled woodland with a plantsman’s collection of unusual shrubs, perennials, lilies and marginal plants. Transfer to Bury St Edmunds for lunch at the Angel Hotel before arriving at the town’s celebrated Grade 1 listed Guildhall. Dating back to the thirteenth century the building has a fascinating history, and we will visit its World War II operational rooms to learn about the role they played in the Battle of Britain. Following lunch the Guildhall’s Banqueting Hall will provide a stunning backdrop for a performance by London Festival Opera. Return to the Wentworth for dinner. Beth Chatto Woodland Garden The Guildhall, Bury St Edmunds The Red House
Day 5 The Red House & Helmingham Hall.
Just outside Aldeburgh is the home of composer Benjamin Britten and tenor Peter Pears. They shared the Red House for almost twenty years and today you will find it just as they left it, a charmingly informal snapshot as though Britten and Pears had just stepped out for a moment. Following a light lunch back at the Wentworth continue on to Helmingham Hall, the home of the Tollemache family since 1510. The Hall appears to float on the surface of its broad surrounding moat. The Head Gardener will join us for a wander around the extensive and beautiful gardens. Drive back along Suffolk’s lanes to Aldeburgh for our farewell dinner at the Wentworth and the music of Nick Raison.
Day 6 Aldeburgh.
After breakfast a transfer will be provided to Ipswich Railway Station for those returning home by train.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy| 18 to 23 May 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Price | |
| Standard Double Room | £2595 | |
| Standard King Size/Twin Room | £2595 | |
| Darfield House King Size/Twin Room | £2695 | |
| Standard Double Room - sea facing | £2895 | |
| Standard King Size/Twin Room – sea facing | £2895 | |
| Large King Size/Twin Room – sea facing | £3095 | |
| Superior King Size/Twin Room – sea facing | £3295 | |
| Standard Double Room for Sole Use | £3495 | |
| Standard King Size/Twin room for sole use | £3495 | |
| Darfield House Double for Sole Use | £3595 | |
| Standard Double Room for Sole Use – sea facing | £3695 | |
Tour Reference Code: LASUFFOLK
PRICE INCLUDES: Five nights hotel accommodation at the Wentworth Hotel on a breakfast and dinner basis • Lunch on days 2, 3, 4 & 5 • Drinks with included lunches and dinners • Excursions as described • Two London Festival Opera Performances • Tour Leader • Guest Speaker • Group transfers.
Not Included: Travel insurance, lunch on day 1.
Please note: The hotel does not have a lift and the majority of the rooms are located on the first and second floor of the hotel therefore only accessible by climbing a number of steps. We therefore do not recommend this holiday for those with walking difficulties.
Wentworth Hotel
For the duration of our tour we have taken over all the accommodation of this fine sea facing hotel which has been run by the same family since 1920. At any time, the returning guests can number up to 75% of those staying and it is easy to see why. It is a traditionally run hotel of impeccable standards.
All of the 35 bedrooms are beautifully appointed and individually designed with inland or sea-views and some benefit from a small sitting area overlooking the sea. Each winter the hotel closes its doors for a few weeks for refurbishment, which is readily apparent in its open plan sitting areas and guest rooms.
The sea facing dining room overlooks the town’s long shingle beach and the characterful wooden fishing huts and is famous throughout the area for its fine food, in particular its fish which is supplied by the local fisherman. Outside, the hotel’s Tiffany garden is a lovely spot to read or enjoy a drink and take in the coastal views. The hotel also offers two cosy guest lounges with open fires and comfortable sofas.
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Hotel Directory
Hotel Directory
The Wentworth is a traditionally run hotel of impeccable standards having been run by the same family since 1920. For the duration of our tour we have taken over all the 35 guests rooms of this fine sea-facing hotel.
The overall feel of the hotel is relaxed and personal and you will find a first class and friendly service that only a small hotel can provide. The dining room is famous throughout the area for its fine food and in particular its fish, some of which is supplied by the local fisherman.
The hotel also offers two cosy guest lounges with open fires and comfortable sofas. Outside, the hotel’s Tiffany garden is a lovely spot to read or enjoy a drink and take in the coastal views.ADDRESS
The Wentworth Hotel Wentworth Road, Aldeburgh
Suffolk, IP15 5BD
CAR PARK
The hotel has a car park which can accommodate 30 cars free of charge.
CHECK IN/CHECK OUT
Check in time is from 3.00 pm and check out is by 11.00 am.
COMMUNICATIONS
To contact the hotel please call 01728 452312. There is a phone in your hotel room which has access to an outside line. Outgoing call costs can be found on the information next to your phone. You can obtain an outside line by dialling ‘9’ or contact reception by dialling ‘0’. The hotel can be contacted by email at stay@wentworth-aldeburgh.com.DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
If you have any dietary requirements such as vegetarian and gluten free, please notify the Noble Caledonia Reservations Department. We will endeavour to accommodate your needs but regret that not all dietary requests can be guaranteed. Once checked in, please speak to the Maitre‘D at dinner on your first night to reconfirm your needs.DINING & DRINKING
Breakfast is served in the restaurant from 7.30 am to 10.00 am daily.
Lunch is served in the restaurant from 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm or in the bar from 12.00 noon to 2.15 pm daily.
Dinner is served in the restaurant from 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm daily.
The resident’s bar is open daily from 11.45 am to 11.00 pm.DRESS CODE
You may dress however you feel comfortable during the day. Evening attire is smart casual.EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
We request that as soon as you enter your room, you carefully read the safety instructions in the guest directory. In an emergency please contact Reception between 7.30 am and 11.00 pm or dial ‘0’ out of hours. Please be aware of the fire exits and in the event of an emergency close all doors and leave by the nearest fire exit. Guests staying in the Main Building should assemble on the terrace in front of the hotel. Guests staying in Darfield House should assemble in the top car park. If the alarm sounds, please vacate the hotel. Fire Alarms are tested every Monday between 11.00 am and 12.00 noon. The alarm will sound at this time but please do not follow the fire assembly drill during this test.END OF STAY QUESTIONNAIRE
We are always looking for ways to improve our holidays and the services provided and in order to do this we welcome feedback from our guests. Your comments are important to us therefore we request that you complete the questionnaire that will be provided to you by your Tour Leader.IRONING FACILITIES
Should you require an iron and ironing board, please contact Reception who will bring one to your room.LAUNDRY
A laundry service is available and laundry bags can be obtained from Reception.HOTEL INFORMATION
The Wentworth is a traditionally run hotel of impeccable standards having been run by the same family since 1920. For the duration of our tour we have taken over all the 35 guests rooms of this fine sea-facing hotel.
The overall feel of the hotel is relaxed and personal and you will find a first class and friendly service that only a small hotel can provide. The dining room is famous throughout the area for its fine food and in particular its fish, some of which is supplied by the local fisherman.
The hotel also offers two cosy guest lounges with open fires and comfortable sofas. Outside, the hotel’s Tiffany garden is a lovely spot to read or enjoy a drink and take in the coastal views.
Items are usually returned the next day, but this may not always be possible. If laundry is required the following day please hand it to Reception as early as possible.LIFT
There are no lifts in the hotel.LOST PROPERTY
Before you check out, please check your hotel room to ensure you do not leave anything behind. If you discover you have left any items behind, please contact Noble Caledonia directly. If we are able to recover your item(s) we will contact you to arrange delivery or collection and to advise of any associated costs.MAIL
Letters or postcards can be left at Reception and the team will be happy to assist with postage. Postage can be bought and charged to your room account.PUBLIC AREAS
One of just a few Aldeburgh restaurants with sea views, the hotel’s restaurant serves fresh, local produce with imaginative menus. Overlooking the characterful wooden fishing huts, the sea-facing restaurant offers a warm welcome and attentive service in a wonderful setting. The hotel also features a bar and two cosy guest lounges with open fires and comfortable sofas. In addition, there are also two sea-facing gardens, offering views of the beach.ROOM ACCOUNT
All guests will have their own “room account”. This allows you to charge any expenses to your room and then settle your bill at the Reception Desk at the end of your stay. Prices are shown and charged in Pounds. Your room account can be paid by credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or cash (Pounds).ROOMS
The Wentworth has 28 rooms in the main hotel and 7 rooms in Darfield House located opposite. The hotel bedrooms in the main hotel are beautifully appointed, individually designed, and many have unrivalled views of the Suffolk coast, overlooking Aldeburgh beach. Darfield House offers large contemporary rooms with luxury bathrooms which have access to a pretty sheltered garden but have no sea views. All of the rooms throughout the hotel have en-suite bathrooms, TV, radio, direct dial telephones, hairdryers and tea and coffee making facilities.Please refer to the chart below for room specification.
SAFE
If you have any valuables, please deposit them in the safe at Reception.SMOKING POLICY
Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere inside the hotel or in the hotel grounds.TOILETRIES
All hotel rooms are supplied with Gilchrist & Soames soap, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion.WAKE UP CALL
Wake up calls can be requested through the Reception Desk.WATER
Bottled water is provided in your room.WI-FI
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and the reception staff can show you how to connect if you require assistance.Please note: These details should be used as a guideline only. Information is subject to change.
Travelling with You
London Festival Opera
We are delighted that London Festival Opera will be joining us for our stay and presenting two concerts in superb settings – performing a selection of celebrated arias and ensembles from the operas of Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Bizet and Puccini as well as some lighter pieces from the world of operetta and musicals. We have long been associated with London Festival Opera and each year our music themed tours grow in popularity. London Festival Opera has achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera in the UK and overseas and has performed for Presidents, Prime Ministers and senior members of the British and European Royal Families. The company has performed at 10 Downing Street, the British Embassy in Paris, the President’s Palace in Malta and as a guest company in one of Italy’s greatest opera houses, La Fenice in Venice. Bringing together artists from the major British opera companies including the Royal Opera, English National Opera and Glyndebourne the programmes presented include a wide and varied range of repertoire, performed in formal evening dress and authentic period costume for an added visual impact.
Chantal Cookson
Chantal was born in Suffolk very near the sea and now lives in Northumberland where her husband farms and when possible, they go to their cottage in Suffolk. Chantal has been associated with Noble Caledonia since the company was founded in 1991 and was part of the Expedition Team for many years on the MS Caledonian Star and has led tours, be it cruising or land, all over the world, including the Antarctic in 1999, aboard the Caledonian Star on her first voyage there and in 2017 was aboard the MS Island Sky on her first voyage to the Antarctic. Chantal’s initial experience of cruising was in British waters in 1991 when Noble Caledonia did the first cruise around the British Isles, which was a ground breaking voyage and led to a very successful and popular concept. Though her main job for over 25 years was working for Sotheby’s, she is now a Travel and Fine Art Consultant intertwining in her busy life still working periodically as part of the Noble Caledonia Expedition Team and also as a Tour Leader on Land Tours. From the Arctic to the Antarctica, South America to Australia, Africa, India, The Seychelles, Indonesian Islands and many other destinations including many times the West Coast of Scotland, she has been able to pursue her love of the oceans, zodiacing and photography. Chantal is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Alan Mason
Alan Mason NDT. F.Inst.G. Dip.Hort. M.CI. Hort. is one of Europe’s most experienced and best qualified garden designers and consultants. Having achieved the distinction of being the UK’s youngest head gardener at Bramham Park when still in his 20’s, and then Gardens Manager to the Queen's cousin Lord Harewood at Harewood House in Yorkshire - where he and his team elevated the gardens into the top ten most visited gardens in the country - he set up his garden design consultancy in 1987. He has since designed and created gardens for royalty and other leading public figures in the UK and France. Creating the gardens at Le Manoir du Hilguy for Holiday Property Bond, and at his own home, Le Manoir, Port de Roche in Brittany, brought Alan Mason Garden Design International success.
During the 80s and 90s Alan also presented the long running ‘Gardens without Borders television programme, which featured gardens in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Holland. His French links continue, particularly in Brittany and Normandy, which have a similar climate and challenges to the UK. Alan is currently developing a beautiful riverside garden near Nantes, selected by the Ecole National Superiore d'Architecture de Versailles as representing the best of quintessential English garden design in the 21st century.
Alan Mason is a founder member of The Professional Gardener's Guild and the founder of the Senior Garden Advisors consultancy group which brings the services of top former Head Gardeners' from Stately Homes such as Chatsworth, Castle Howard and Harewood House to a wider public. Alan is also a judge of the show gardens at the prestigious Sandringham Flower Show and a garden design lecturer for The Royal Horticultural Society.
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Opera at La Scala
An escorted four night visit to Milan staying at the Rosa Grand Milano Hotel including a performance at La Scala
Rosa Grand Milano Hotel
Itinerary at a glance
- Milan / La Scala/ Cremona / Castello Sforzesco / Brera
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Middlethorpe Hall
Itinerary at a glance
- York / Harewood House / Beningbrough Hall / Castle Howard / Ripon / Richmond / Scampston Hall / York
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000