Halesworth to Southwold via Holton
The start of a short cycling break in Suffolk
(Photos/words © urban75, May 2007)
We decided to escape the madness of Brixton for a few days and enjoy a short holiday break in the coastal town of Southwold. Here's some photos from our trip.
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-01.jpg) After the demise of the charming narrow gauge Southwold Railway in 1929, Southwold is now nine miles from the nearest train station, Halesworth.
After an uneventful (and, annoyingly, buffet-free) two and a quarter hour train journey from London Liverpool Street, we arrived at Halesworth station.
You can see our natty Dahon folding wheels o'steel outside the station building, which now serves as a local museum.
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-02.jpg) We took a quick look inside the Halesworth & District Museum (admission free).
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-03.jpg)
It's only a small museum, but well worth a visit. Be sure to check out the demonstration of the station's old swivelling platforms! (see the restored platforms here).
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![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-04.jpg) On our way to Southwold, we took a small diversion into the pretty village of Holton.
The name is Anglo-Saxon meaning, 'village in a hollow' and there's evidence of human habitation in the area since neolithic times.
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-05.jpg) In the background you can see the fully restored Post Mill, which saw its sails working again in 1996.
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-06.jpg) There's just two shops and a pub in the village (to the right in the photo). The biggest employer in the area is the awful Bernard Matthews turkey factory farming complex.
![East Anglian Game and Country Fair, Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-07.jpg) Billboards for the East Anglian Game and Country Fair, where you can see such compelling attractions as The Quack Pack (Meirion Owen's Sheep Dog & Duck Display), Dancing Dogs With Willow Kelly (As Seen At Crufts), Ye Old Redtail Falconry Display With Ray & Wendy Aliker and a Long Netting Display With Brian Brinded.
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-08.jpg) We took a little diversion down a country track by the junction of the B1123 and A145 and came across the impressive gate house.
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-09.jpg) As far as we could see, the impressive arch just led to an empty field, with the expected grand house nowhere in sight.
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-10.jpg) Building detail.
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-11.jpg) Heading back to the main road.
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-12.jpg) On the way to Southwold.
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-13.jpg) Beware of Rumble Strips!
![Photos of Halesworth to Southwold via Holton, Suffolk, England UK](images/halesworth-southwold-14.jpg) Coming closer to Southwold we could see the iconic beach huts in the distance.
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