The Francis Frith Collection.
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Southwold, Suffolk

Southwold photos

Displaying 3 of 108 old photos of Southwold.   View all Southwold photos

Southwold, from the Pier 1919 photo

Southwold, from the Pier 1919

Southwold, the Lighthouse 1891 photo

Southwold, the Lighthouse 1891

Southwold, High Street c1955 photo

Southwold, High Street c1955

Southwold photos
View all 108 Southwold photos

Southwold maps

Historic maps of Southwold and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis.   View all Southwold maps

Southwold map

Historic map of Southwold

Suffolk map

Illustrated Victorian map of Suffolk

Southwold map

Historic Map of any Southwold postcode

Southwold maps
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Southwold books

Displaying 2 of 6 books about Southwold and the local area.   View all Southwold books

On Sale! 70 off

Newmarket Town and City Memories
Paperback
rrp £11.99  £3.60

On Sale! 70 off

Suffolk Coast Photographic Memories
Hardback
rrp £14.99  £4.50

On Sale! 70 off

Ipswich Photographic Memories
Paperback
rrp £12  £3.60

Southwold books
View all 6 Southwold and Suffolk books

Memories of Southwold

Southwold memories
Read and share Southwold memories

Displaying a selection of personal memories of Southwold .
Add your memory of Southwold or of a photo of Southwold.

Southwold Pier

This shows the original, full length pier in all it's glory before gradual destruction. Now recently restored it is nevertheless much shorter. The photo must have been taken from the old Grand Hotel.

Shared on 23 August 2007 by Ivan Bartlett.

The Grand Hotel

I was born in Southwold but left there many years ago. This view shows the Grand Hotel which was demolished in the late 1950's. It was derelict for many years, this being the only way I remember it. As a child it was very daring to venture into it - undoubtedly potentially dangerous in view of the state of it and something which could never happen today. I particularly remember the peonies which grew in the abandoned grounds, which seemed to me at the time very exotic.

Shared on 23 August 2007 by Ivan Bartlett.

Suffolk memories

Walking with Bob

Walking with Bob my border collie through the salt marshes and dunes. Listening to the birds in the marshes and trying not to get lost! Keeping Bob away from people as he's a very cautious rescued border collie. The sense of peace whenever I have returned here. Now sadly without my dearest brave Bob but always remembered.

Shared on 19 August 2007 by Yvonne Sunderland.

Wilfred Albert Parsk

I think my Grandfather was born on this street! He was called Wilfred Albert Parsk and fought in the Somme at about 16 years of age He never spoke much about the war but I know he lost a lot of his friends. He died in the 1980s but his memory is still cherished!

Shared on 19 April 2008 by Roy Parsk.

Extracts From Southwold & Suffolk books

Displaying a selection of extracts from Frith books about Southwold, inspired by Frith photos.

Suffolk - A Second Selection Photographic Memories

The lighthouse, seen here from St James’s Green, was built in 1890: ‘the light is of 800 candle power and occulates twice every 20 seconds’. On the left are Adelaide Cottage and Caithness House. Several of the terraced houses have had bay windows added to the first floor rooms. The Sole Bay Inn was run by Mrs Maria Powditch. Beyond is the parish church, rebuilt 1430-60.

Suffolk Photographic Memories

Broad pavements and a dirt road characterise this turn-of-the-century view. These days, the renowned Crown Hotel presents less of a stark exterior, with a lighter colour scheme, and potted plants and shrubs.

This is an extract from Suffolk Photographic Memories.
Read more and see photos from this book.

Suffolk Photographic Memories

Close to the point where the cliffs begin to rise from the beach at Southwold is the Sailor’s Reading Room. It was founded in 1864 by a naval widow, whose intentions were ‘to wean the fishermen from their alleged failings - going to sea on the Sabbath, and getting drunk on any day of the week’. The beach itself is dotted with numerous fishing boats.

This is an extract from Suffolk Photographic Memories.
Read more and see photos from this book.