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in the county of Suffolk

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About Woodbridge

Many of the houses that surround the old Market square round which this Port has grown are exceedingly attractive and of major historical interest. These wonderful buildings date mostly from the 16th-century, and the entire group is centred on the superb Shire Hall which features work from the 16th-19th-century and picturesque Dutch-style gables.

The history of Woodbridge goes way back to the 10th-century when King Edward the Peaceable re-established a Monastery in 970. This is the earliest record of a settlement and the Charter is the first document to mention Woodbridge. The Domesday Book of 1086 describes Woodbridge as the Port of Loes Hundred.

Much of Woodbridge was granted to the powerful Bigod family, who built the famous castle at Framlingham. From here-on, and by various means the village survived the turmoil of the centuries until the period of religious peace in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It was during this time that Woodbridge industries began to prosper along with the wool trade, weaving, sail-cloth manufacture and salt manufacture. The port was enlarged, the ship building and timber trade became important, requiring a Customs House to be established in the year 1589.

The churchyard of St. Mary was another centre for business, despite official disapproval. In 1583 owing to increased trade and the close proximity of many inns, a urinal was built against the west wall of the church!

Woodbridge has several famous son's; Robert Beale was a powerful man, a puritan lawyer and a diplomat. In 1570 he became secretary to his brother-in-law, Sir Francis Walsingham and between 1580 and 1587 he was Secretary of State to the Jesuit Trials, he negotiated with Mary Queen of Scots and he carried the death warrant to Mary at Fotheringhay Castle. Following this he had the grim task of presiding at her execution.

Another famous son, was John Fox, a flamboyant Woodbridge seafarer, who in 1563 as a Master Gunner of the Three Half Moons, was captured by the Turks whilst on a voyage to Seville. He was imprisoned at Alexandria. After 14 years he planned a daring escape, and with several other prisoners killed their captors, released christian prisoners and seized weapons and a galley. Four weeks later, with the loss of eight men, the happy band landed on friendly territory and upon his return to England in 1579 John Fox was granted 1 shilling per day from Queen Elizabeth Ist for Valliant Action.

Thomas Seckford was perhaps the most famous of all Woodbridge citizens, certainly he held positions of influence and was a great benefactor to the town. His rise to power began in the reign of Mary Tudor, and his power continued until he died in 1587. He was buried in St. Mary's parish Church and even now, after more than 400 years, his charity still benefits Woodbridge.

The period of the 1700's saw a decline of ship building and in 1798 Thomas Churchyard was born. As a painter of water colours and oils he became one of the so-called 'Woodbridge Wits' he died in 1865.

Life continued bringing with it many changes, some good and some not so good and 1926 saw one of the last loads of wheat from Millwall Docks, unloaded for the Tide Mill.

Sadly, the port's status as a busy centre of ocean trade declined a long time ago, but today, Woodbridge is a busy sailing centre which offers locals and visitors alike, all that is best for relaxed sailing. The estuary of the River Deben is alive with colourful boats and beautiful yatchs, all wending their way down to the sea to enjoy a good day's sailing, followed by a glass or two in the local yatch club or one of the many inns and public houses to be found around the harbour.

As you travel around this pretty area you will perhaps spot a Windmill or two, one being a very rare example which depends on the tide can be seen in Woodbridge, there is also a museum which tells much of the industrial history of the town. The Felixstowe ferry leaves from the point where the sea enters the estuary towards Woodbridge.
The fabulous heritage coastline stretches for miles and there are spectacular views of the sea from the cliffs that line this dramatic coast.

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 Woodbridge

Sutton Hoo	(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)	Pictures
Easton Farm Park Country Park	(5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction N)	Pictures
Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich	(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Helmingham Hall Gardens	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Glemham Hall	(7.7 miles, 12.3 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Bawdsey Manor	(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Orford Castle	(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction E)	Pictures
Snape Maltings	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Framlingham Castle	(9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Manning's Amusement Park, Felixstowe	(9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction S)	Pictures
Orford Ness Nature Reserve	(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction E)	Pictures
Jimmy's Farm	(9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Landguard Fort, Felixstowe	(10.7 miles, 17.3 km, direction S)	Pictures
Orfordness Lighthouse	(11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction E)	Pictures
The Red House	(12.6 miles, 20.2 km, direction NE)	Pictures

All attractions in Woodbridge
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Recommended towns near Woodbridge

Sutton, in the county of Suffolk (2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction SE)
Sutton is an old village overlooking the waters of the River Debden as it makes its way towards the sea.
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Wickham Market, a Historic Market Town in the county of Suffolk (4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction NE)
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Ipswich, in the county of Suffolk (7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction SW)
This is a town that can trace its history back to the Stone-Age, it has been a successive settlement throughout the ages and has...
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Snape, in the county of Suffolk (9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction NE)
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.
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Harwich, in the county of Essex (11.3 miles, 18.1 km, direction S)
The great seafarers of centuries have left the shores of England, these include Raleigh, Drake, Frobisher and Admiral Lord Nelson, all of whom brought glory for England.
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Dovercourt, in the county of Essex (11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction S)
These days Dovercourt is part of Harwich, it operates as a coastal resort town with a pleasant sandy beach backed by a sea wall. The beach has been awarded the E.U. Blue Flag indicating its cleanliness and safety for families with children.
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Aldeburgh, in the county of Suffolk (12.8 miles, 20.7 km, direction E)
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.
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Thorpeness, in the county of Suffolk (14.2 miles, 22.8 km, direction NE)
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.
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Mistley, in the county of Essex (14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction SW)
Mistley lies on the south bank of the River Stour not far from Manningtree, to which it is joined via a tree-lined walk along the river which is oddly called The Walls.
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Yoxford, in the county of Suffolk (14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction NE)
Delightfully situated close to the meandering River Yox, this lovely village was once an important stagepost on the road between London and Yarnmouth.
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Manningtree, a Historic Market Town in the county of Essex (15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction SW)
The town shows fine examples of weavers cottages and walks through the town reveal fine Georgian facades behind which are Tudor and Elizabethan houses.
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East Bergholt, in the county of Suffolk (15.0 miles, 24.2 km, direction SW)
This enchanting village gained lasting fame as Constable's birth place. It also has a very unusual medieval bell cage.
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Sizewell, in the county of Suffolk (15.2 miles, 24.4 km, direction NE)
In latter day history Sizewell is perhaps best known for the huge nuclear power stations built here in the 1960's.
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Flatford, in the county of Suffolk (16.0 miles, 25.8 km, direction SW)
On arrival in Flatford there is little to prepare you for its overwhelming beauty, but you should not be surprised, for this after all is Constable Country, an area made famous by the great landscape painter and which features in so many of his pictures.
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Dedham, in the county of Essex (16.7 miles, 26.8 km, direction SW)
There are two things that immediately strike you about this enchanting village, the first is the opulence of the beautiful 15th-century church, and the second is the fascinating view of the River Stour, which, like the church, has featured in Constable paintings.
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Nearby travel help

Woodbridge Station	(0.5 miles, 0.8 km)
Melton Station	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction NE)
Norwich Airport	(40.0 miles, 64.3 km, direction N)
London Stansted Airport	(48.0 miles, 77.3 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 9	(48.2 miles, 77.6 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 10	(49.9 miles, 80.3 km, direction W)
Woodbridge to London	(73.8 miles, 118.8 km, direction SW)

Hotels & Accommodation in Woodbridge

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Woodbridge center
The Bull Hotel & Restaurant	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Best Western Ufford Park Hotel	(2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction NE)
Holiday Inn Ipswich Orwell	(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction SW)
Salthouse Harbour Hotel	(7.1 miles, 11.5 km, direction SW)
Golden Lion Hotel	(7.3 miles, 11.7 km, direction SW)
The Carlton Hotel	(7.3 miles, 11.8 km, direction W)
Novotel Ipswich Centre	(7.5 miles, 12.0 km, direction SW)
Best Western Claydon Country House Hotel	(8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction W)
The Crown Hotel	(8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction N)
The Hotel Elizabeth Orwell	(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction S)
All hotels in Woodbridge