Ellie Adams 5/4/21 Ellie Adams 5/4/21

REFLECTING ON MY TIME AT UNIVERSITY

Who knew that three years of your life could pass by in such a flash. From the day I moved down to the Cornish Coast, life has been an absolute whirlwind and I have loved every second of it.

It was 2018 when I first made the 350 mile journey from my home in Suffolk, down to the rugged coastline of Cornwall. Having just returned from the summer of a lifetime spent travelling across Australia, the idea of starting university was the most overwhelming thought.
I remember the car journey down to Falmouth so vividly. As I sat and watched the miles on the SatNav slowly fall away, the lump in the back of my throat grew bigger and bigger. This was it, I knew I had to do this.
I had always told myself that university wasn’t for me, ‘I’ll be fine’ I used to say to Mum and Dad, you don’t HAVE to go to university, there are other options. Which of course there are, but soon enough I found myself waving goodbye to my dad in floods or tears as he left me in my new flat full of a bunch of new people, in a place I didn’t know.

Everyone always tells you that the first few days of university are the worst…and they’re really not wrong. Everything is so new, it’s like someone has picked you up and placed you in a whole new world, not one aspect of life is familiar to you and it takes a little while to get used to it all. But as the weeks slowly start to pass, you settle and start to determine your routine, as well as finding your friendship group.

Fast-forward to now and I honestly cannot believe that I am coming to the end of my time at Falmouth University. I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am to have been able to spend so much time living in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Cornwall really has stolen my heart. Its charm and character combined with its natural beauty, honestly makes it the best place to live in my opinion. Living so close to the ocean has been incredible, theres not a day go by where you don’t see the sea, and the fresh air and rolling waves have done a lot for my mental health, as well as given me a new-found appreciation for the world around me.

I had said right from the beginning that if I hadn’t have been accepted onto the Marine and Natural History Photography Course at Falmouth then I wouldn’t have gone to university at all. This was partly because I was dying for the opportunity to spend 3 years of my life out exploring and adventuring in and around the coastlines of Cornwall. But also because I was adamant that there wasn’t another course out there that I wanted to study. I have had the honour of studying THE best course there is, and 3 years worth of learning about things I love has done me the world of good.

Being able to get outside with my camera and explore Cornwall everyday of the week is literally me doing uni work! The MNHP course is incredible and I really am lucky to have found a course that suited me and my interests so well. Nothing feels like a chore when what you are learning everyday is topics you are genuinely interested in! The opportunities we have had and the people we have met through the course really cannot be topped.

I have met some of the most amazing and like-minded people down in Cornwall. Whether they have been class mates, flat mates, lecturers, or just the Cornish general public, everyone in that part of the world seems to be switched on to the things that matter the most to me. The Cornish way of life suits me down to the ground and I love that everyone seems to have the same admiration for the beauty that surrounds them down South. Being an honorary Cornish citizen has been incredible and I have loved being able to explore every avenue that Cornwall has to offer.

I have learnt an awful lot over the past 3 years, not only about photography, but myself too. Back in 2018, I was a fairly nervous and shy person, who struggled with anxiety and didn’t really know who I was and what I stood for. Now I know who I am and have a much better idea of where I want life to take me! I have become more confident and definitely know my own boundaries when it comes to pushing myself. I am so proud of myself for how far I have come. I have grown as a person and developed skills that will lead me on through life. It certainly hasn’t been easy, especially with a global pandemic thrown into the mix too, but my time spent in Falmouth I will cherish forever.

As my educational road begins to come to an end, the big wide world waits ahead. It’s daunting to have your whole life ahead of you, especially with everything changing so quickly at the moment. But looking back on my time in Cornwall, it has definitely helped me to hone in on what really matters in life. I will miss waking up to the seagull cries each morning, and being able to spend so much time by the sea.

Cornwall I will miss you dearly, but you will forever be my second home and hold a place in my heart. I know I will end up back here one day as I feel so at ease here. When that time comes, I hope I can continue to make memories as happy as those that I have made during my time at Falmouth University.

Ellie x

Ellie Adams 4/28/21 Ellie Adams 4/28/21

Creating Land & Sea

The Land & Sea Journals are publications that I have produced recently as part of my final major project at university. I have currently created two editions, which to me, have become so much more than just completing a task for uni. They have really allowed me explore a range of avenues with my photography and enabled me to develop my skills.

Magazine 3.jpg — My main inspiration for the creation of the Land & Sea journals, came from a summer spent at home during lockdown. The global pandemic had forced us all to stay at home, with very little room for excuses when it came to leaving the house. It was during this time and as restrictions slowly started to ease and allow for local travel, that I really started to rediscover the county of Suffolk.
Having spent my whole life in the county, I thought I knew it like the back of my hand. However once I started looking, there was still so much to be discovered within the confinements of the Suffolk border.
I knew that I wanted to create something that enabled me to show off some of the very best attributes of the Suffolk county. So set to work on starting to research for inspiration regarding the style and substance of the journal.

I wanted to ensure that I could include a range or topics within the journal so began emailing and making contact with as many people as possible. I wasn’t sure what the response would be from people, so was pleasantly surprised that most were willing to be involved! As I set off here, there and everywhere across Suffolk, I began to collate a large bank of images that I could use in the journal. I then had to interview relevant people to aid me when it came to writing the articles that went alongside the images.

After refreshing my InDesign skills, I set about trying to piece everything together so that it started to vaguely resemble a book! I surprised myself at how much I enjoyed the whole design element of the project, as this was an area that I had very little experience in. Writing the articles to go alongside the images was also something that I loved doing, more than I thought I would! It seemed to come naturally to me, and I loved the task of trying to write something that aided what the images were trying to show. Both elements had to combine to tell the relevant stories.

After handing in my Suffolk journal I received top marks for my work, which I was thrilled about, as it reflected the hard work and dedication I had put into creating it. I decided to put the journals up for sale and was completely shocked to discovered just how popular they were! After selling around 150 copies I felt so humbled knowing that people were enjoying my work, as much as I had enjoyed creating it.

When second term came around, I knew I wanted to create a second edition. My initial plan was to create volume 2 on Cornwall, as my plan was to return to Falmouth after Christmas. However, with the pandemic looming, we soon found ourselves in another lockdown, and I was unable to return to the south coast. It took me a while to work out what I wanted to focus on for the second edition, as much of Suffolk had been included in the first. I also had to bear in mind that I was restricted in terms of travel too, so had to think outside the box when it came to collating articles.

I decided that my best option was to expand my area to East Anglia. This includes the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, and by doing this it opened up my options for stories that I could involve in this edition. This time round, lockdown restrictions were intense at the start of the project meaning I couldn’t travel very far. I therefore had to do things in reverse order and plan all of my articles first and collate the photos once we ha da bit more freedom!

For this edition, I was really pleased with the articles that I managed to include. A lot more well-known business’ and people agreed to help me with my project and it really helped to have my first edition to show them what sort of thing I was working towards too. The likes of Fen Farm, The Southwold Flower Company and The Female Fisherman, all wanted to be included, which had great potential for beautiful images as well as an interesting write up too!

I am yet to put the East Anglia Edition up for sale yet, but I hope people are as interested in the second edition as they were the first! I have really loved creating these journals and hope to continue the idea of them on when my time at Falmouth University finishes. They are a great way of showing what I am capable of producing, and I hope that I can go into something along the magazine/journal line of work after I have graduated.

Ellie x

Ellie Adams 4/15/21 Ellie Adams 4/15/21

Winston - OUr Land Rover Defender

Ever since I was young I have been totally obsessed with the Land Rover Defender. A national treasure, and loved by so many I talk about my own experience with the humble Land Rover.

For as long as I can remember, I have been totally infatuated with Land Rover Defenders. There is just something about them which makes them so loveable. They hold so much character and each vehicle is so different that you can always tell one from another. Their unmissable iconic shape makes them instantly recognisable from nearly every corner of the planet. With so many purposes and their ability to conquer any terrain, they have earned themselves the rightful title (in my eyes) as the world’s best car.

When I met my boyfriend Harvey, one of the many things that we had in common included an obsession with the humble Land Rover. Nearly 5 years later, who would have thought that we would be picking up our very own! After discussing for years how we would have one between us, in the summer of 2020 we went to view one. Instantly we fell in love with our beloved, now-known ‘Winston’ and we have been besotted ever since!

Since having Winston, Harv and I have definitely embraced the opportunities that he allows us to take! Most weekend’s now will go out for a drive and discover new little villages and natural beauty spots! One of our favourite things to do is pack up the car with a picnic, a flask of tea and just head off. We never know where we will end up, but I can guarantee you we always have a good day! There’s not a feeling that comes close to that of jumping in your defender, with the window down and enjoying every bump along the way.

The Land Rover transcends the rapidly changing world in which we live. As cars have become curvier, flashier and glossier, the design of the Land Rover Defender is almost exactly as it was all those years ago when it was first invented! Climbing back into the front seat of a Land Rover, is like taking a step back in time, back into a simpler and classier way of life.

To me, the Land Rover Defender epitomises the idea of adventure, and we’ve certainly had plenty of those since owning Winston! He has already trundled his way down to Cornwall, Bristol and Dorset as well as around much of the Suffolk and Norfolk countryside! Already at the ripe old age of 23, the paths that Winston has already taken are unknown, but he will continue to chug along for a fair few more miles and we can’t wait to enjoy the journey with him.

One of my favourite things about owning a Defender, is the community you feel like you have joined. Every time you pass one on the road, the owners will give each other a little wave, a beep, flash of the lights or thumbs up! It never fails to put a smile on my face!

“The doors don’t seal properly, and freezing cold rainwater, overflowing from the car’s gutter (they really do have a gutter) cascades down your neck as the flimsy aluminium door invariably closes on the seat belt that dangles out of the door. Without heated seats, climate control options are freeze or fry. The windows ALWAYS mist, even if you hold your breath. If I crank her up to her limit of 60mph, the noise from the engine, gearbox, transfer box, differentials, tyres and the wind is deafening, and too loud to have a conversation let alone listen to anything from the speakers. ”

— Ben Fogle

Ellie Adams 4/5/21 Ellie Adams 4/5/21

Small business spotlight: Settle, Norfolk

Hidden in the depths of the Norfolk countryside, Settle offers luxury accommodation in their rustic repurposed railway carriages.

Tucked away in 30 acres of beautiful parkland, Settle sits nestled in the Norfolk countryside. Offering high-end accommodation, Settle is home to a select collection of repurposed railway carriages, a boutique cabin and a canvas camp of safari tents. Having first opened their doors in March 2019, they are now regarded as some of the best log cabins in the UK, with the combination of idyllic scenery and rustic interiors, making it such a unique place to stay.

Settle was born from a wish to create a camp stay experience which reflects the calm, stillness of the beautiful private park of which its sits in. The parkland once formed part of the neighbouring Shropham Hall’s estate, with the largest lake dating back to the 17th Century. The two smaller lakes were dug out in the 1970’s by owner John and his father, who bought the land from Shropham Hall all those years ago. John as a young boy, helped his father plant nearly 50 types of native trees, which today alongside the lake views and the panoramas of wildlife, creates the most picturesque stay.

Owners John and Jo have poured their heart and souls into the creation of such a beautiful part of the country. “We want people to come here and fully immerse themselves in the whole experience, from cooking under the stars to a slow morning coffee. To fully appreciate the use of heritage resources and considered interiors. Every detail has been carefully selected to create a stay thats a little unlike any other”. John has a background in project development and has been the owner of a large reclamation yard in Norfolk for 20 years. This therefore means he has been able to build up a large stock of salvaged original resources, materials and fittings of which have all been used to create Settle’s unique accommodation. Whilst he makes most of the building decisions, his wife Jo takes over with the interior design. Jo’s main professional is floral design, of which she is highly regarded in her field, however when it comes to Settle, she is in charge of filling the rustic cabins with curated interiors. Together, they make the perfect team especially when it came to creating Settle.

When I asked John and Jo what the main ethos, aims and values of Settle is as a business they replied “repurposing old materials is the driving force behind every project. Owning the reclamation yard means we have endless resources and choices to create really special spaces, combining heritage materials and considered interiors. Our stays include premium artisan goods and produce, many made locally or from around the UK. We also sell many products in our little shop and online, and by shopping with us, you will be supporting small businesses with strong aesthetics and sound environmental and ethical integrity.”

Settle has a totally different feel about it to any other accommodation I have ever visited. Guests are invited to rest, unwind and enjoy the surroundings. Settle offers an opportunity to switch off from digital life and to connect with a slower pace of living. Each stay has been carefully designed to give ultimate comfort with a tranquil, pastoral setting. Its a space in which to pause and be still.

To find out more about what Settle has to offer, and to book your very own stay in one of their beautiful accommodations, click the link below.

Settle Website

Ellie Adams 3/21/21 Ellie Adams 3/21/21

GEEWIZZ CHarity collaboration…

I recently collaborated with GeeWizz Charity and had the opportunity to photograph some beautiful pieces of jewellery for them.

I recently collaborated with the GeeWizz Charity to help take some images that they needed for their website regarding a charity auction. They had kindly been donated huge amounts of handmade jewellery made by Imogen Sheeran (Yes, that’s Ed Sheeran’s Mum!) with the idea in mind that they would be auctioned off and the money raised would go to charity! The rest of the pieces were being put on Etsy to sell, again raising money for the chosen charities.

The images were nothing like anything I have ever done before and they needed a lot of trial and error to try and get the setup right. But I knew how much of a difference it would make to the selling of the pieces, if they had been photographed well. They needed to show off every aspect of the jewellery and ultimately make people want to buy them!

There was loads of pieces to get through ranging from necklaces, to bracelets, earrings and more! It took me a fair while to get through them all, but once I have the correct set up, it was then a fairly straightforward process just swapping in and out the different items. The main thing was making sure that I had captured all of the relevant areas of detail on each item.

It was something very new for me to photograph but I am glad that I agreed to help as I learnt a lot from the process about using natural light to its full potential. My clients were really pleased with the outcome too which is always great, and I am glad I could help out such a good cause.

To find out more about the work that the GeeWizz Charity do, head over to their website which is linked below…

Learn More

Ellie Adams 3/12/21 Ellie Adams 3/12/21

My Best Friends Wardrobe Collaboration…

An insight into the work I did alongside individual clothing company My Best Friends Wardrobe in preparation for their Spring/Summer new website launch!

Early this year, I was put in touch with founders of My Best Friends Wardrobe - Francesca Beaumont and Sian Haley. They were after a young photographer to take a range of shots that they needed for the re-launch of their website for their Spring/Summer range. I was delighted to be asked to help and couldn’t wait to work with both of the girls.

After our initial meet up, our first photoshoot was to capture some more outside, lifestyle based shots. Working with the beautiful environment we had on hand and battling with the Great British weather proved difficult when trying to give off warm, summery vibes! But we did it and created some really lovely imagery that showcases their carefully selected lines of clothing.

The girls, as the name suggests, are best friends who both have a strong love for fashion and founded their business in 2019. They now run successful stores in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, Cranleigh in Surrey and have recently got plans to open up a third store in Cobham too. After their whole business being moved online due to the pandemic, the girls were in need of a bank of photos to update their website with.

They had also asked me for more studio shots of each product that would be used directly on their new website to show off each product to clients. This was an area that I had very little experience in, but after setting up with a back drop and making the most of natural light, the images below are what we managed to achieve!

I loved working with two people who were so down to earth and passionate about what they do! The clothing that they hand-pick is beautiful and really good quality! I was so pleased to have been able to help the girls out and gain lots of experience from it all too.

To find out more about the girls and the clothes that they sell, head over to their website linked below.

My Best Friends Wardrobe Wesbite

Ellie Adams 3/3/21 Ellie Adams 3/3/21

Offline Escapes: Appreciating The Weekend…

In a new age of digitalised living, many have forgotten what its like to slow down and enjoy the little things in life. In this article we look into the idea of appreciating the weekends and embracing a slower pace of life.

In a new age of digitalised living, many have forgotten what its like to slow down and enjoy the little things in life. I look into the idea of appreciating the weekends and embracing a slower pace of life.

In this new generation of digitalised living it is very easy to be swept up in hectic day-to-day lives. The fast paced lifestyles of people around the world seem to have slowly encroached on our downtime, seemingly without knowing. How many of us have still been replying to work emails long after finishing hours, trying to get ahead of ourselves ready for the week ahead? Yes? Well give us a good reason why that can’t wait until Monday!

The weekends provide us with a much-needed break from the monotony of our weekly routines. As people grow older, they realise that time is more valuable than money, and finding more time to do absolutely nothing, is exactly what we all need. We learn a lot from doing nothing, and the art of doing so really seems to be dying out in the world we live in today. Far different from laziness, we must allow ourselves proper idleness to allow our brains to function. We are more technologically dependant than any previous generation and have slowly let it take control of our lives! What we must remember is that before we learn, we watch, before we do, we dream and before we play, we imagine. The weekends should be our time to recover and recuperate from long hours of work, and to really make the most of living.

How do you spend your weekends? As much as this isn’t an article stating to just ‘live for the weekends’, we should value time away from work as much as possible, re-learn the art of doing nothing and live more adventurously. Once you have learnt how to do this on the weekends, you can begin to pull elements of this into your working week to lift your mood and increase your productivity! We should be trying to strike the perfect balance between working and our well-earnt days off. Those days should be spent enjoying the simple pleasures of life, unplug the phones and computers and discover a slower pace of life.

Appreciating the weekends has perhaps never been more important. Throughout the last year of lockdowns, many have rediscovered their love for the outside, or have gained new hobbies during the time they have spent being stuck at home. If there’s one thing that we should take from this global pandemic, it is the fact it has taught many of us what it is like to find pleasure in the much simpler joys of life. Whether you have picked up a camera for the first time, developed a love for baking, perfected your coffee art skills or rediscovered the delight of picking up a book, these are all things that the modern generation had started to disregard from our hectic lives. As life slowly begins to resemble some normality, it is so important that we don’t forget what we have learnt this year, take things slowly and remember to enjoy the little things too.

So what might the perfect weekend look like you ask? Well it can take on a million different shapes depending on what interests you. You might head to your local farmers market and amble through the stalls of fresh, local and organic produce, or head to the beach for a brisk stroll by the sea. Whether it be packing up the car for a picnic or spending time out in the sunshine gardening, make sure that you switch off your distractions and live for the moment!

I am utterly convinced that we are more productive without the distractions of technology. Now you can relate this to when you are trying to get work done and constantly keep stopping every five minutes to check your phone for message and emails, or you can relate it to your everyday life as a whole. Instead of waking up and going straight on your phone, pick up a book and let your mind wander for half an hour. Use those weekend mornings well. The rest of your week may be filled with early alarms, rushing for the tube and grabbing quick coffees. Well Saturday’s and Sunday’s are for catching the sunrise, putting on your favourite music and dancing around the kitchen whilst making pancakes for breakfast.

Time spent idle makes for a much healthier state of mind, we want less and appreciate more. So when Saturday next comes around, fill your vases with fresh flowers, light candles, leave notes for loved ones and stop to smell freshly ground coffee. Observe your daily surroundings and learn that the simpler things bring us the most joy.

Ellie x

Ellie Adams 2/28/21 Ellie Adams 2/28/21

Lockdown Adventures…

This blog looks into the mini adventures that I took myself on throughout lockdown to keep myself sane and feed my love for adventure!

Throughout the various COVID-19 lockdowns over the past year, creating my own adventures has been the only thing that has been keeping me going from week to week! Here’s a little insight into what I’ve been up to…

Throughout the various lockdowns over the last year, we have all been forced to limit our travel and stay within the local area. For someone like me who loves to be out exploring new places I knew that this was going to be something extremely hard to do. Having lived in Suffolk my whole life, I viewed my home county as a place that I had already explored and seen everything that it had to offer. I think this is partly why when moving down to Cornwall for university 3 years ago the opportunity came as such a breath of fresh air. I loved being able to explore somewhere completely new and get excited about taking my camera out and capturing the adventures I was having in all of these new locations.

As soon as COVID came about, I had to relocate back to my home in the Suffolk countryside. Now initially this was something I wasn’t too please about, until I started to discovered just what Suffolk has to offer. I began to appreciate the small joys in life, which really were the only things keeping me going from day to day. When everywhere is closed and you are not allowed to travel far, the only thing to look forward too would be finding a new spot to grab a coffee or discovering the best bakery in town! Companies and businesses seemed to slowly adapt to their new ways of working throughout the pandemic, and things became slightly more accessible to do. Me and my boyfriend Harvey, took it upon ourselves to explore as many local places as we could. Every Sunday was our day that we would spend together, and each week we would try our best to give ourselves something to look forward too.

Most weeks we would get up before sunrise and drive to Aldeburgh or Southwold. We would change into our wetsuit and head for a cold water swim as the sun came up! At the point that we started to lose feeling in our fingers and toes, we would head back to the beach and warm up with a cup of tea and breakfast on the sand. Mornings like these were what kept me going from week to week, I appreciated the fact that we lived fairly close to the beach more than ever and was so grateful to be able to switch off from our day to day lives for those few hours every Sunday morning and just enjoy watching the sunrise over the ocean.

It started to become a regular thing, we would take picnics on walks with us and just wander until we found a place to stop. Walks like these, with unknown destinations soon rewarded us with sunflower fields or walled gardens to stop and marvel at! Many of these places I would never have known existed if it wasn’t for stepping foot somewhere that little bit closer to home.

I guess what I am trying to say is that before you pack up the car and head somewhere hours away, somewhere you think holds much more scope for adventure, just stop and think about how well you know the place you call home. Head out in the local area and explore whats on offer, I guarantee you it’ll be more rewarding knowing that your local adventures can be just as fulfilling as those that lay miles away!

Go on, go and have some fun!

Ellie x

Ellie Adams 2/17/21 Ellie Adams 2/17/21

Small business spotlight: FOlk cafe

A jewel in the crown of Suffolk and an advocate for local produce. FOLK are serving up top quality food and fresh coffee in the cosiest location!

FOLK Cafe is perhaps one of the newest editions to the food and drink scene in Suffolk. Located in Fornham St Martin, just outside the town centre of Bury St Edmunds, the cafe opened in November 2018. What was originally an old cow shed, has been turned into the most stylish of Cafe’s that has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of years.

Folk now offers the cosiest location, with a simple, quality menu, speciality coffee and artisan breads, and provides the perfect place for those of all ages to meet for a catch up.

One aspect that people nowadays find so important, is the fact that FOLK cafe are avid supporters of local produce. Not only do they use local produce to serve their customers with, they also sell many products local to the Suffolk area too. For example, all bread and cakes are supplied by Wooster’s Bakery, a local family run bakery, of whom have perfected the almond croissant! All coffee used by FOLK is from local supplier, Butterworth and Son’s, which is also available for customers to purchase themselves and enjoy at home.

Supporting local businesses and buying local produce has never been more important, and I know to me, and many others, this is one of the best features about FOLK. Not only do they provide local food and drink produce, but also display local florist and artists work in the cafe too. By promoting local, reduces our global impact and also boosts the local economy for all those small businesses working hard to make it happen!

FOLK, along with so many other businesses this year, have had adapt to changing times. A global pandemic is not the easiest thing to deal with when running your own business. However owner Ali Barker, has stepped up to the mark in terms of making adaptations to the cafe which has enabled business to carry on as normal. Now one of my favourite spots to catchup with friends and family, I cannot recommend the place enough.

To find out more about FOLK Cafe, what their menu has to offer, check out their website or Instagram page linked below!

FOLK CAFE

Ellie Adams 2/1/21 Ellie Adams 2/1/21

Off The Beaten Track…

In a time when we have all been forced to stay at home, we make the most of our local outdoor space, and rediscover what lay right on our doorsteps.

In an age where we are consumed by technology and have begun to let it take over our lives, taking a step outside and switching off from our digital distractions has become one of the very best ways of reconnecting with the natural world. We find ourselves getting caught up in such fast paced lifestyles, that we rarely take a minute to slow down and appreciate the smaller pleasures of life. When was the last time you stepped outside with your morning coffee to watch the sunrise, or stopped and listened to the birds on your daily walk?

Spending time amongst nature is scientifically proven to improve our mental health and well-being. Since the UK’s lockdowns we have experienced recently due to the ongoing pandemic, it has never been more important to embrace the opportunities that being outside bring. It seems over the last few months, that Britain as a nation have begun to regain their love for the great outdoors, mainly because its been our only escape from the stresses of day to day life. A much slower pace of life has become more evident amongst many, the cities parks and commons have been filled with picnickers, and country lanes are brimming with cyclists and runners. People have had more time to realise the beauty of what lay outside, with many questioning why they hadn’t explored these places before! It seems crazy to me that some people have only come to this realisation now, we should have learnt long before our lives became more restricted, of the benefits that nature can bring to our daily lives.

Ellie_Adams_Lifestyle-Photography-Suffolk-Norfolk-Essex-Cornwall-OffTheBeatenTrack-LandRover

We should take inspiration from our European neighbours, of whom for years now seem to have incorporated aspects of nature and being outside into their lifestyles all year round. You can visit the Alps at any time of the year and expect to be given a blanket to sit outside with friends and enjoy beverages in the open air; they embrace the feeling of being outside in all weathers, come rain or shine.

These opportunities do not need to be something you have to travel or plan for. Here in Suffolk we are surrounded by some of the very best rural countryside. Forests, fields and beaches all lay within the county’s borders. Pack up your bag with a flask of tea and your camera, and you’ll be set for a day of exploring what’s been right on your doorstep the whole entire time. Throughout the summer lockdown, I tried nearly every weekend to go for a cold water swim. I grabbed my wetsuit, and headed to the Suffolk coast for a cold water sea swim, followed by breakfast on the beach. The sense of refreshment was like nothing I had experienced before, it would set me up for the day feeling calm, positive and in a good mindset to tackle the week! Very little would stop me from attending my weekly swims!

So reading this article is the nudge that you needed, take a fresh perspective on the familiar, there are well trodden paths that are yet to be explored. Time spent outdoors is precious, sustaining us and connecting us to the land, and promises of new adventures await beyond your doorstep, some a lot closer than you may think.

Ellie x

Ellie Adams 1/13/21 Ellie Adams 1/13/21

The Suffolk Coast…

Often not known for its 50 mile stretch of beautiful coastline, we visit some of Suffolk’s seaside town’s and villages.

Suffolk is not often known for its coastal towns, they are often overlooked as they don’t fit the stereotypical, rural countryside appeal of the rest of the county. However the 50 mile stretch of coastline and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are home to many small towns and villages that face out onto the rough North Sea. Places such as Aldeburgh and Southwold are some of the most serene and picturesque places in the UK.

Aldeburgh:

Aldeburgh is a traditional British seaside town. Its pastel coloured 19th Century houses line the promenade overlooking the stony, pebbled beach. Situated along the sea front sits weathered and worn fishermen’s huts, with swarms of gulls flying over head, as the catch of the day is hauled up the beach ready to be prepared and sold.

The name Aldeburgh is derived from the Old English ald (old) and burh (fortification), meaning an old defensive wall built to strengthen a place against attack. Although this structure, along with much of the Tudor town has now been lost to the sea. In the late 16th Century, Aldeburgh was a leading port and had a flourishing shipbuilding industry. However the importance and use of its port declined as the River Alde silted up, resulting in much larger ships being unable to dock. It therefore survived mainly off being a fishing town until the 19th Century, which was when it made the major shift towards more of a seaside resort.

Aldeburgh today, has a large array of high-end clothing shops as well as individual cafes, a deli, and bakery. It is also home to two family run Fish and Chip shops that are voted some of the best in the country. The towns timeless quality, makes it a wonderful place to visit all year round.

Aldeburgh is also known for its historic Aldeburgh Carnival which takes place annually and is thought to be at least 170 years old! It has had various titles over the years, but was known as Ye Olde Marine Regatta as long ago as 1835. The earliest recorded programme of the carnival was in 1892, when 15 events were held - 12 sailing races, 2 swimming races and a Greasy Pole competition. It is now one of the towns biggest events, that is on the calendar of many locals who attend year upon year.

THORPENESS:

Thorpeness is a much smaller and quieter seaside village of around just 400 people. The village was a small fishing hamlet in the late 19th Century, with folk tales of it being a route for smugglers into East Anglia. However in 1910, a Scottish barrister known as Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie, increased his family estates to cover the entire area from north Aldeburgh to past Sizewell. Most of his land was used for farming, however he developed Thorpeness into a private fantasy holiday village for his friends and family. A country club with tennis courts, swimming pool and golf course were all built to go alongside the holiday village.

Thorpeness today, is known for its large artificial boating lake, known as “The Meare” and variety of unique houses. The Meare covers over 60 acres of ground and was entirely dug by hand. Although it may be wide, it is at no point anymore than 3 feet deep, which was the intention of Ogilvie, meaning young children could learn to punt, sail and row in the shallower waters. The idea of the lake, was sparked by Ogilvie’s closest friends, J.M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan. This is therefore why the tiny islands, coves and creeks of the lake are all named after parts of the Peter Pan novel!

The House in The Clouds is perhaps the villages most notable tourist attraction. To hide the eyesore of having a water tower in the village, the tank built in 1923 was clad in wood to make it look like a small house on top of a five-storey tower. The mill next to the House in the Clouds was used to pump water to the tower.

SOUTHWOLD:

Southwold is situated at the mouth of the River Blyth, within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on the East coast of the UK. A charming and quintessential English resort town, Southwold’s sandy beach and beach-hut lined promenade offers the perfect environment whether it be for weekends away or day trips away to the coast!

Southwold was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, as a fishing port, specialising in herring fishery. However a shingle bar built up across the harbour mouth, eventually preventing the town from becoming a major Early Modern port. A large fire in 1659 devastated most of the town, which created the large number of open spaces within Southwold today. The large village green areas were never rebuilt upon, which has preserved the towns polished appearance.

The town is also well know for its array of cannons situated on Gun Hill overlooking the sea. The cannons are to commemorate the Battle of Sole Bay fought in 1672 between English and French fleets against the Dutch. Many of the bodies lost in the battle were washed up onto the shores of Southwold. During World War I, it is thought that the presence of these cannons is one of the reasons that this part of the coast was bombarded by German Fleet, as they saw it as a “fortified coast”.

Southwold has become the home to Adnams Brewery, which was established in the town by George and Ernest Adams in 1872, with the purchase of Sole Bay Brewery. The brewery is now the town’s largest employer, and the Adnams name is now extremely popular and well-recognised in the Suffolk county. Southwold is also known for its lighthouse which has stood as a prominent landmark in the centre of town since 1890. In 1938 it was automated and electrified, and is currently classed as a Grade II listed building. The lighthouse replaced three local lighthouses that were under serious threat from coastal erosion. It also suffered a fire in its original oil fired lamp days just six days after commissioning, but survived and today operates a rotating 150 watt lamp with a range of 24 nautical miles!

Southwold Pier was built in 1900. Originally at 247m it was long enough to accommodate the old steam boats that carried trippers along the coast. In World War II, it was weakened by two breaches and in 1955 a large section was destroyed in a gale. The pier was entirely rebuilt in 2001 and is now one of the most popular attractions that Southwold has to offer.

The dramatic coastline and town’s beautiful architecture make it a popular attraction all year round. In the winter some of Southwold’s best elements can be enjoyed away from the summer crowds. Cosy pub lunches, long walks along the beach and a browse in some of the many independent shops the town has to offer.