Our Pick of The Top 10 Commuter Towns in Suffolk
Are you dreaming of a move to the countryside, but don’t want to restrict your career? You could find the answer to this dilemma among Suffolk’s commuter towns… Here’s why so many people are embracing Suffolk countryside living.
Why Choose a Commuter Town in Suffolk?
While Suffolk doesn’t have a single business hub, there are plenty of medium-sized towns and cities that offer great career opportunities. Suffolk commuter towns have easy access to vibrant centres like Ipswich, Norwich and Cambridge, and if you need a big city fix, London’s just a couple of hours away. You can also pop on the ferry from Harwich for a trip across to Rotterdam.
The Appeal of Suffolk’s Countryside
Combining sweeping countryside with a stunning coast, Suffolk is the perfect county if you love outdoor adventures. It’s a fabulous place for dog walking and days at the beach (we especially like Aldeburgh and Dunwich), with plenty of woodlands and nature reserves to explore. It’s not surprising that so much of this county has AONB designation (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
Escaping the City Hustle: A Commuter’s Dream
Suffolk’s smaller towns give you the best of both worlds. You can work and play in Ipswich or Norwich or even Cambridge, while enjoying the more relaxed pace of Suffolk countryside living. If you put down roots in rural Suffolk, work-life balance is much easier to achieve.
Criteria for Selecting the Top Commuter Towns
You’re spoilt for choice of appealing commuter towns in Suffolk, and so we’ve made our choice based on specific criteria.
Transportation Links and Accessibility
How easy is it to get to the closest city by road and rail? We’ve looked at Suffolk commuter towns near Ipswich, Norwich and Cambridge. Suffolk isn’t blessed with lots of branch line stations, but there are local bus services.
Property Prices and Cost of Living
Currently, the rural Suffolk property market is buoyant, and there are plenty of fabulous properties and new developments coming onto the market all the time.
According to the ONS, the average property price in East Suffolk in August 2024 was £297,000 – very close to the national average of £295,000. West Suffolk is slightly more expensive at £303,000, while Mid Suffolk is the highest at £319,000. These prices formed our benchmark, and we used Zoopla for average local prices.
Local Amenities
Does the Suffolk commuter town have its own shops, schools and recreational facilities? Can you pick up most of what you need without a long drive? Importantly, does the town have its own character?
Top 10 Commuter Towns in Suffolk: A Comprehensive Review
Based on these criteria, here are some of the best commuter towns in Suffolk.
1. BURY ST EDMUNDS
Bury St Edmunds is one of Suffolk’s larger towns, and you might not even need to commute at all. This medieval market town has become known as “Suffolk’s Foodie Capital” with an excellent choice of places to eat and drink, and it also has a nice mix of high street and independent shops.
Distance from Ipswich (by road): 27 miles via the A14. Cambridge is a similar distance (29 miles, also along the A14)
Other transport options: The direct train to Ipswich takes around half an hour
Local schools: Wide choice of primary and secondary schools, plus sixth form and independent colleges and even options to study for a degree.
Average property price: £312,579
Biggest selling point: The Abbey, historic architecture and lovely green spaces make Bury St Edmunds a beautiful place to live.
Interested in Bury St Edmunds? Take a look at the new Hopkins Homes development at Abbots Vale.
2. NEWMARKET
The “Home of Horse Racing” is a lovely old town, close to Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds. If you’re moving to the Suffolk countryside for the equestrian life, there’s nowhere better (there are over fifty yards in this area alone). The horse to human ratio in Newmarket is 1:5!
Distance from Cambridge (by road): 13.5 miles via the A14
Other transport options: Train
Local schools: There are several primary schools and one secondary school
Average property price: £345,344
Biggest selling point: As well as being an equestrian centre, Newmarket is also a great place for food and drink (try the famous sausages)
3. STOWMARKET
Suffolk does market towns remarkably well, and Stowmarket is yet another example of this quintessentially British type of place. Again, expect a great choice of places to eat and drink (there’s even a food museum), and the surrounding countryside is absolutely beautiful.
Distance from Ipswich (by road): 13 miles via the A14
Other transport options: the direct train to Ipswich takes around half an hour
Local schools: There are a few primary schools in the area, plus a secondary
Average property price: £256,028
Biggest selling point: Stowmarket loves a celebration: look out for local fairs and festivals
4. SUDBURY
A pretty market town in a lovely riverside and water meadow setting, dating back to Anglo Saxon days. Sudbury could be your perfect new home if you love long walks and leisurely trips (or paddles) down the river. There are plenty of local sports clubs to join as well as the vibrant Quay Theatre and an art museum.
Distance from Ipswich (by road): 21 miles via the A1071
Other transport options: Although there is a branch line connecting to London, there’s no direct train to Ipswich, but the drive takes just 30 minutes
Local schools: Sudbury has a few primary schools and one secondary, plus a sixth form in an adjacent village
Average property price: £288,434
Biggest selling point: The town has quite the artistic pedigree: Gainsborough was born in Sudbury, and Constable painted here
5. FELIXSTOWE
Dreaming of coastal living? The traditional seaside resort is a lively place to live. Its sandy beaches, prom and splendid pier make Felixstowe a joyful spot for a family home.
Distance from Ipswich (by road): 16.5 miles via the A14
Other transport options: The direct train takes less than half an hour
Local schools: Primary schools, a secondary school and an international college
Average property price: £306,739
Biggest selling point: Fish and chips on the pier, followed by an ice cream. We love the seaside!
6. HADLEIGH
Hadleigh is an old market town close to Ipswich, which dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It has some beautiful historic architecture (there are almost 250 listed buildings in this small town). The surrounding area is good for walking, and the town’s clubs, societies and classes make it a sociable place.
Distance from Ipswich (by road): 10 miles via the A1071
Other transport options: there’s a regular 30-minute bus journey from Hadleigh to Ipswich
Local schools: there are a couple of primary schools and a secondary school
Average property price: £320,302
Biggest selling point: the High Street has a lovely mix of shops, restaurants and pubs
7. MILDENHALL
Although best-known for its Air Force connections (both RAF and US), there’s been a settlement at Mildenhall since the Bronze Age. Come here for traditional market town architecture, beautiful countryside and easy access to The Fens.
Distance from Cambridge (by road): 24 miles via the A14
Other transport options: The bus journey takes 40 minutes
Local schools: Two primary schools and one secondary school, including a sixth form
Average property price: £254,109
Biggest selling point: It’s an area rich in archaeology, most famously the Mildenhall Treasure. Find out more in the town’s fascinating museum
8. BECCLES
Between the coast and the Norfolk Broads, lovely Beccles is in a wonderful location. It makes the perfect base to explore the glorious East Anglian landscape, and the riverside market town itself is incredibly pretty. Expect narrow old streets, little squares and plenty of green spaces.
Distance from Norwich (by road): 18 miles via the A146
Other transport options: Luckily, the drive is quite short…
Local schools: There are three primaries and two secondaries
Average property price: £279,418
Biggest selling point: Beccles Lido is a must for families, with two smaller pools for younger swimmers
Discover our homes in Barsham Vale, Beccles.
9. HAVERHILL
Haverhill is set in the beautiful countryside near Cambridge, surrounded by pretty little villages. Property prices tend to be a bit lower in this historic market town, partly due to the lack of rail connection and busy road commute, making it a good option for buyers on a budget.
Distance from Cambridge (by road): 18 miles via the A1307
Other transport options: There’s a bus service to Cambridge, which takes about 45 minutes
Local schools: There’s a choice of schools in the area as well as a sixth form college
Average property price: £263,392
Biggest selling point: There may not be a railway, but you’re just 21 miles from Stansted
10. NEEDHAM MARKET
Needham Market is a great choice if you want to combine countryside living with an easy rail commute into Ipswich and onto London, and property prices are also lower than some other Suffolk commuter towns. The market town has a great rural location, and Needham Lake and nature reserve is especially lovely.
Distance from Ipswich (by road): 9.2 miles via the A14
Other transport options: 12 minutes, direct to Ipswich
Local schools: Primary schools plus Debenham High School
Average property price: £259,936
Biggest selling point: It’s a lovely little town: quiet, but with everything you need
St George’s Park is our award-winning development on the edge of Needham Market.
Living in Suffolk’s Commuter Towns: Pros and Cons
Start by making a Pros & Cons list and ask yourself the tricky questions. Will your relaxing rural weekends make up for spending an extra hour in the car each day? While a smaller town is perfect for younger kids, what will it be like when they’re teenagers? What do you really want from your potential home town: new roots, better surroundings, more house for your money?
Community Spirit and Local Amenities
Many of us move to a commuter town rather than into the suburbs because a town will have its own facilities and social life. Clubs, pubs, schools and markets form social hubs, and there’s always a community project to get involved with.
Most of these Suffolk commuter towns have their own medical centre, primary school (and possibly a secondary school and college) and essential shops. What amenities are essential for you and your family? Work out what facilities you want to have at hand, and which ones you’re happy to drive to.
Balancing Rural Life with Urban Career Opportunities
Will moving to a smaller town in Suffolk affect your career opportunities? If your job involves regular work in London, Suffolk could be a bit too far for daily, commutable comfort. However, if you work in Ipswich, Norwich or Cambridge, or have a remote/hybrid job, Suffolk could easily give you the work-life balance you’re looking for.
Suffolk Countryside Living with Hopkins Homes
Thinking of moving to a town in Suffolk? Come and talk to us at Hopkins Homes.