A Love Letter to Suffolk: Who needs Paris anyway?
(Image Source: Netflix)
There’s no better reset than moving into the English countryside, fact. After over 30 years in the orange-tinged haze of Essex, the Suffolk lifestyle feels like a true breath of fresh air (with the occasional whiff of manure, of course).
When I first binged the Netflix phenomenon Emily in Paris, I caught myself feeling that same wide-eyed excitement Lily Collins’ Emily felt moving from the US to Paris. Only, instead of croissants and couture, I was falling for farmyard animals around every corner and an endless supply of cosy pubs (special mention: the bone marrow carrots at The Bull Freehouse in Troston, they’ll live in my head rent-free forever).
If you haven’t seen Emily in Paris, first of all, where have you been? But let me set the scene. Emily lands in Paris, dazzled by the charm of it all. One of the first things she does is photograph a pain au chocolat and caption it “bread + butter = 💓.” I get it. Because when I arrived in Suffolk, those carrots nearly blew my mind. Instagram post? I was too busy eating. And maybe that’s the difference: for Suffolk, it isn’t about the flashy things, it’s soulful.
(Image Source: Netflix)
Now, this might be a bold claim, but I’ll stand by it: France has Paris, and Suffolk has Bury St Edmunds. Parisians may strut around in Chanel, but Suffolkians favour Barbour, and the Bury crowd are some of the naturally stylish I’ve ever met. Case in point: when Folk hosted a “yard sale” I bagged a linen dress, a cord jumpsuit and a tiered skirt, all designer and worth nearly £600, for just £40. Suffolk thrift is every bit as chic as a Parisian flea market if you ask me.
But here’s the thing: Suffolk has outgrown the comparison for me. The stars are brighter. The mornings slower. The people kinder. Life here isn’t about rushing or reshaping yourself to fit an Instagram filter. It’s about how you feel. That’s why yoga classes and retreats thrive here because people genuinely care about wellbeing, and, more importantly, about each other.
(Image Source: Netflix)
And if you’re planning a visit, here are a few of the places that made me fall in love:
Folk Café, Bury St Edmunds: Tucked inside the Folk shop, this little café has some of the best coffee in town and that kind of stripped-back, Scandi-cool vibe that makes you want to linger with a book.
The Bull Freehouse, Troston: Already mentioned, but totally worth repeating. Their seasonal menu is inventive, cosy and properly indulgent. Order the roast special on a Sunday and thank me later.
Knettishall Heath Nature Reserve: A true hidden gem. Wild swimming spots, wild horses roaming free and miles of heathland that make you forget about your phone signal. It’s Suffolk’s answer to soul food.
Southwold Beach: Colourful beach huts, fish and chips on the pier and one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline you’ll ever walk. Perfect for blowing the cobwebs away (and probably your hair too).
Jimmy’s Farm, Ipswich: More than just a farm, it’s a whole experience. You’ll find rare breeds, nature trails and some of the best breakfasts around. Sitting outside with a coffee and a hearty plate of eggs while the farm wakes up around you? Pure Suffolk magic.
The magic of Suffolk isn’t just in one spot, it’s the collection of all these little moments. It’s the long walks, the pint by a roaring pub fire, the yoga class in a village church. It’s not Paris, but honestly? That’s exactly the point.
