Pictures of Sizewell
in the county of Suffolk
About Sizewell
In latter day history Sizewell is perhaps best known for the huge nuclear power stations built here in the 1960's. These dominate the shore for miles, but centuries ago when it was naught but a sleepy village it was renowned for the smuggling activities of the notorious Hadleigh Gang of the 17th century. Their exploits are still talked of to this day, and often they are mentioned in the history books covering the region. Boats crammed with illicit cargo would anchor off-shore awaiting the dead of night when goods would be off-loaded and taken to "safe" houses or buried beneath the sandy soil of the common until it was safe to move the contraband on. Legend tells us that a record 8,000 gallons of gin was landed in just one night, and there are tales of bloody battles between the smugglers and the Dragoons, which often resulted in death. But Sizewell was not just a den of villains' it had many decent residents, some left behind them tales of seeing up to one hundred carts gathered on the beach and up to three hundred horses - for those involved in smuggling there were rich pickings to be had.
The Vulcan Arms is an atmospheric pub believed to date from the 17th century, but this is uncertain as present pub records only go back to 1844 when it was owned by a Mr. Joseph Baxter. However, it is probable that an inn may have stood on this spot since medieval times, certainly there is talk of an inn there during the heady days of smuggling, when it would have been an important meeting place for the smugglers, who would have doubtless plotted their adventures over a jug of ale!
Today the village acts purely as a destination for tourists and holidaymakers. It has a wealth of wealth of wildlife, Minsmere Wildlife Sanctuary lies a few miles up the coast and Sizewell is often visited by birdwatchers. It is also an excellent yachting centre, and is particularly good for angling off-shore. One of the delightful sights of the area, although marred by unsightly shadow of Sizewell's nuclear power station, is of the colourful up-turned small fishing craft beached-up on the shingle and sand beach.
Pleasant hotels can be discovered and next to the Vulcan Arms there is a caravan site. Holiday cottages are also available. There are scattered cottages and a few shops, but for larger stores try nearby Aldeburgh.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Sizewell
| Leiston Abbey | (2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Minsmere Nature Reserve | (2.5 miles, 4.0 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| The Moot Hall Museum | (3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| The Red House | (3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Westleton Heath Nature Reserve | (4.1 miles, 6.5 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Dunwich Museum | (5.9 miles, 9.6 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Snape Maltings | (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Glemham Hall | (8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Orfordness Lighthouse | (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Orford Ness Nature Reserve | (8.7 miles, 14.1 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Orford Castle | (8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Heveningham Hall | (10.1 miles, 16.2 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Framlingham Castle | (11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction W) | Pictures |
| Covehithe Church | (12.2 miles, 19.6 km, direction N) | Pictures |
| Easton Farm Park Country Park | (12.5 miles, 20.1 km, direction W) | Pictures |
All attractions in SizewellAll attractions in SuffolkComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Sizewell
Thorpeness, in the county of Suffolk (1.7 miles, 2.8 km, direction S)
Thorpeness's quaint village sign gives the visitor some hint of the surprises to come, it depicts the House in the Clouds and Windmill, for which the village is most noted.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Aldeburgh, in the county of Suffolk (3.8 miles, 6.0 km, direction S)
Aldeburgh is a seaside retreat with boundless charm. The history of the resort quite possibly reaches back to Saxon times, certainly during the Middle Ages it was a prosperous port and later it became known as a fishing centre.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Snape, in the county of Suffolk (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction SW)
Snape is not simply unique for its beautiful location at the head of the River Alde, it is also unique as a village with an international reputation for music.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Yoxford, in the county of Suffolk (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction NW)
Delightfully situated close to the meandering River Yox, this lovely village was once an important stagepost on the road between London and Yarnmouth.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Walberswick, in the county of Suffolk (7.6 miles, 12.3 km, direction N)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Southwold, in the county of Suffolk (8.4 miles, 13.6 km, direction N)
The beach here is of sand and shingle, it is safe for swimming except around the harbour entrance. The restored pier is a great attraction with an amusement arcade at the shore end.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Wickham Market, a Historic Market Town in the county of Suffolk (11.5 miles, 18.6 km, direction W)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Sutton, in the county of Suffolk (14.7 miles, 23.6 km, direction SW)
Sutton is an old village overlooking the waters of the River Debden as it makes its way towards the sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Woodbridge, in the county of Suffolk (15.2 miles, 24.4 km, direction SW)
Many of the houses that surround the old Market square round which this Port has grown are exceedingly attractive and of major historical interest.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
St Peter South Elmham, in the county of Suffolk (16.0 miles, 25.7 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Barsham, a Picturesque Village in the county of Suffolk (17.5 miles, 28.2 km, direction N)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Beccles, a Historic Market Town in the county of Suffolk (17.5 miles, 28.2 km, direction N)
A town of picturesque buildings, with many relaxing places in which to quietly roam.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Homersfield, a Picturesque Village in the county of Suffolk (18.3 miles, 29.5 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Bungay, a Historic Market Town in the county of Suffolk (18.6 miles, 30.0 km, direction NW)
Bungay is an attractive historic market town in Suffolk and is situated on the river Waveney in the Norfolk Broads National Park....
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Lowestoft, in the county of Suffolk (19.7 miles, 31.8 km, direction N)
This is now a sunny holiday resort but for many years fishing played an important part in the history of the development of Lowestoft.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in SuffolkComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Saxmundham Station | (5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction W) |
| Darsham Station | (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction NW) |
| Norwich Airport | (35.1 miles, 56.5 km, direction NW) |
| Cambridge Airport | (61.4 miles, 98.7 km, direction W) |
| M11 Junction 9 | (62.0 miles, 99.7 km, direction W) |
| M11 Junction 10 | (63.3 miles, 101.9 km, direction W) |
| Sizewell to London | (89.0 miles, 143.2 km, direction SW) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Sizewell
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Sizewell center |
| The Thorpeness Hotel | (1.9 miles, 3.1 km, direction S) |
| The White Lion Hotel | (3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction S) |
| The Brudenell | (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction S) |
| The Westleton Crown | (4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction NW) |
| The Swan Hotel | (8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction N) |
| The Crown Hotel | (11.7 miles, 18.9 km, direction W) |
| Best Western Ufford Park Hotel | (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction SW) |
| The Bull Hotel & Restaurant | (15.2 miles, 24.4 km, direction SW) |
| The Carlton Manor Hotel | (17.1 miles, 27.6 km, direction N) |
| Kings Head Hotel | (17.4 miles, 28.0 km, direction N) |
| All hotels in Sizewell |
