Nostalgic memories of Southwold's local history
Share your own memories of Southwold and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 1 - 10 of 11 in total
Spent many happy hours paddling away in the little boats during the summer months when we lived in Southwold!
I remember staying here with my parents sister and cousin must have been about 1950. I would have been about 6 or 7.
Seem to remember a sort of sunroom located at the front where us kids slept in makeshift beds made up from loungers and easy chairs pushed together.
There was a kitchen somewhere at the back and the light from the lighthouse would send it’s beams through the windows.
Also remember seeing frogmen ...see more
The building with the turret is Acton Lodge where my grandparents Drs John and Mary Leedham-Green lived from 1946 until the late 1980s. The two cottages to the right had been demolished when my mother first visited (in the 1960s - she says it was a garden) and my grandparents built an extension there that housed their GP practice and garage with bedrooms down a long corridor accessible from the main house above. ...see more
I remember the boating lake with very fond memories. We used to holiday with my great aunt and uncle who lived in Reydon every year. My parents, with my brother and I would arrive in late July and they would return home a fortnight later. I would remain for a further 4 weeks and my aunt would then take me home.This was the pattern for a number of years. My uncle (Frederick Valentine Ladd) was a former Lowestoft ...see more
This was one of my favourite places as a child. My aunty lived in Thorpeness and we used to stay with her in the summer. We would often come to the beach at Warblerswick, and then go to The Dutch Barn. My earliest memory is probably from when I was about 5 years old, and can remember looking at all the sweets, but my favourites were the Lindt White Chocolate Mice, I think there were about 6 in a box and they were ...see more
My great great grandfather was the chief coastguard here in 1881-1884, so he would have lived here. I used to visit here numerous times as a child but never knew this fact until I started researching my ancestry. It makes me very proud to see this photo :)
I remember The Grand Hotel in the mid to late 1950s. My cousins lived in Marlborough Road, the end of which ran past the rear of the 'Grand'. I can't remember whether it still had a roof, but I do remember that it was possible to get inside the place if you knew how. We did play in it, but did not get hurt or told off for being in there. I suppose it could have been dangerous, but when you are in ...see more
My great great grand father - William Parkington - was master miller at the mill on Southwold Common in 1890. Imagine my delight at being able to see the actual building he used to work in all those years ago
I thought the picture of me as a toddler in a wooden paddle boat was taken at Southwold, and now 60 years on it was Southwold. We only went there from Norwich for the odd trip but I am pleased to find this c1955 picture in the Frith pictures.
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.
