If this year has had you longing for a home with ample indoor and outdoor space within striking distance of a forest or the sea, then turn your attention to the county of Suffolk. For our latest Venture Out, we look at what this East Anglian region has to offer, from its charming seaside towns and medieval villages to the AONB heathland and dramatic wide skies – here’s our selection of the best places to live in Suffolk.

The easternmost point in the UK lies in Lowestoft, Suffolk. As the first place to watch the sun rise overlooking the flat expanse of the North Sea, it’s easy to see why artists, musicians and architects have been attracted to the county. The textile mills and River Stour have been depicted by landscape masters John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough and we’d be hard-pressed to highlight the merits of Suffolk without mentioning composer Benjamin Britten who founded the Aldeburgh Music Festival — a legacy that continues today.

Complementing Suffolk’s expansive skies and flat coastline are numerous modernist homes, many of which were designed by John Penn. The architect, who had previously worked for Richard Neutra, created nine single-storey ‘temple’ houses, all classical in their symmetry and harmonious in their settings. Past sales highlights have included Rendham and Shingle Street in Woodbridge, both designed by Penn.

Penn wasn’t the only modernist architect working in the area. Long Wall designed by Philip Dowson and Birkin Haward’s secluded wooded spinney home are both striking examples of simplistic structures utilising open plans and floor-to-ceiling glass. Dowson and Haward were largely inspired by the local environment in their respective designs, making use of glass to invite the landscape in. Candleriggs House is a mid-century gem in the village of Lower Ufford, with easy access to the A12 for the short drive to Ipswich or beyond.

The market town of Woodbridge is home to many independent shops including New Street Market, which stocks a mix of locally made clothing and lifestyle items alongside brands including Margaret Howell, Pascale Store for ceramics and textiles and Vanil for locally made candles. A stone’s throw from New Street is The Old Granary, a Grade-II listed cottage spanning three-storeys at the edge of the River Deben. If room to roam is top of your priority list, nearby Kettleburgh Hall is set over 26 acres with 5,000 sq ft of internal space encompassing seven bedrooms.

Close to the village of Rendlesham, this Gothic lodge with a RIBA Award-winning intervention by Hugh Pilkington offers seclusion at its grandest. Entering the home via the Gothic folly, leading through to Pilkington’s contemporary garden building where floor-to-ceiling glass allows uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside. The popular seaside towns of Aldeburgh, Southwold and Snape Maltings are within easy reach, and if access to London is still important, trains to Liverpool Street run regularly from Woodbridge taking a little over 90-minutes.  

Looking for a contemporary cottage close to nature? This certified Passivhaus in Eastbridge rests on a tranquil plot moments from the Minsmere Nature Reserve and is a 15-minute drive from the sea. If you’d rather be in a bustling town, sought-after Bury St Edmunds has a good selection of shops, restaurants and excellent schools. This centrally located Grade II-Listed Georgian townhouse recently underwent restoration with a modern extension to open up the living space to the walled garden beyond.