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Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh
Moot Hall, Aldeburgh.jpg
The Moot Hall
Aldeburgh is located in Suffolk
Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh shown within Suffolk
Population 2,466 (2011 Census)
OS grid reference TM463566
Civil parish
  • Aldeburgh
District
Shire county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town ALDEBURGH
Postcode district IP15
Dialling code 01728
Police Suffolk
Fire Suffolk
Ambulance East of England
EU Parliament East of England
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
SuffolkCoordinates: 52°09′N 1°36′E / 52.15°N 1.6°E / 52.15; 1.6

Aldeburgh /ˈɔːlbrə/ is a coastal town in the English county of Suffolk. Located on the North Sea coast to the north of the River Alde, the town is notable for having been the home of composer Benjamin Britten and as the centre of the international Aldeburgh Festival of arts at nearby Snape Maltings founded by him in 1948. It remains an artistic and literary centre with an annual Poetry Festival and several food festivals as well as other cultural events. It is a former Tudor port and was granted Borough status in 1529 by Henry VIII. Its historic buildings include a 16th-century moot hall and a Napoleonic-era Martello Tower.

Second homes make up roughly a third of the town's residential property. The town is a tourist destination with visitors attracted by its Blue Flag shingle beach and fisherman huts, where fresh fish are sold daily, and Aldeburgh Yacht Club as well as cultural attractions. Two family-run fish and chip shops are cited as among the best in the UK.

Alde Burgh means "old fort" although this structure, along with much of the Tudor town, has now been lost to the sea. In the 16th century, Aldeburgh was a leading port, and had a flourishing ship-building industry. Sir Francis Drake's Greyhound and Pelican (later renamed the Golden Hind) were both built in Aldeburgh. The flagship of the Virginia Company, the Sea Venture is believed to have been built here in 1608. Aldeburgh's importance as a port declined as the River Alde silted up and larger ships could no longer berth. It survived mainly as a fishing village until the 19th century, when it also became a seaside resort. Much of its distinctive and whimsical architecture derives from that period. The river is now home to a yacht club and a sailing club.


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