I’ll never forget the drive down to Aldeburgh last autumn – leaves turning that gorgeous coppery gold all along the A12, crisp air sneaking through the car vents, making me fancy a proper roast dinner already. But typical me, I took a wrong turn near Woodbridge, ending up on some narrow lane with tractors blocking the way. Twenty minutes of faffing about, a quick U-turn in a farm gateway, and we were back on track, laughing about how I always manage to add a bit of unplanned adventure to a holiday.

Pulling up to the place as the sun dipped low, painting everything in that soft October glow, I felt this buzz of anticipation – you know, that proper excitement of stepping into somewhere new, bags in hand, ready for a cosy getaway. First impressions? Spot on. You’re welcomed into this light and airy communal hall with stairs sweeping up to the second floor, then a private porch into the penthouse hallway. It’s perfect for a group like ours, all mates from uni days. The open-plan living space is an absolute dream – state-of-the-art kitchen gleaming under those big windows, supremely comfy sofas begging you to sink in, a stylish dining spot, and that south-facing balcony catching every last ray. There’s even a snug for when you need a breather from the chatter. Bedrooms are beautifully done too: two on the entry level (one with its own en-suite), a smart modern bathroom in between, and the third up top with its own en-suite and a panoramic window peering down through the living room. Autumn light flooded it all, making it feel even more inviting.

That time of year shaped everything, really. Mornings started with frosty walks along Aldeburgh’s pebbly beach, scarves wrapped tight against the bracing wind, toes crunching over shells while gulls wheeled overhead. The sea was that moody grey-green, waves crashing with a proper East Coast rumble – nothing like summer’s crowds, just us and a few dog-walkers. We’d grab fish and chips from the hut by the lifeboat station, eaten straight from the paper on the beach, steam rising in the chill air. Pure bliss, even if the seagulls were eyeing us up like we were their next meal.

Afternoons were for pottering about the town. Thorpeness, just down the road, felt magical in the mist – that whimsical House in the Clouds peeking through the trees, all wrapped in autumn fog. We hired bikes one day, cycling the Scallop Trail, leaves swirling under our tyres, stopping for tea in a café where the scones came with proper clotted cream. Evenings back at the penthouse were the highlight: firing up the oven for a massive shepherd’s pie, wine flowing, balcony doors cracked for the salty breeze while we played board games in the snug. One night, stars popped out crisp and clear – no light pollution here – and I found myself reflecting on how these simple trips remind you what matters: good mates, good food, and not taking life too seriously. I’d been knackered from work, but Suffolk’s autumn hush sorted me out.

A few days of that, and we didn’t want to leave. If you’re after a seasonal escape where the colours, the chill, and the quiet make it unforgettable, this corner of Suffolk in autumn is hard to beat.