Hear the story of how this sleepy port town was transformed into a premier tourist destination thanks, in part, to early visitors who flocked to the island for fresh sea air, saltwater, and the health benefits that they bring. On this walking tour, I’ll tell you about the town’s lucrative shipwreck-salvaging industry, seen as a gold mine for the brave, and how the promenade was once part of World War II’s front line. While we walk, I’ll show you well-known attractions like the colourful line of beach huts below the Southwold Lighthouse, Gun Hill which is home to a row of historical cannons and the Southwold Sailors Reading Room, and the 100-year-old town institution, the Adnams Brewery. I’ll guide you to the quaint cottage-lined streets just beyond the town’s popular Market Square and High Street, and share a story or two that you might not otherwise hear. Other highlights on this tour include: • Hearing about the town’s ‘Beach Boys’ who made a living rowing local navigators to ships in need • Standing at the entrance to Primrose Alley, once one of the roughest places to live in Southwold • Reliving the Battle of Sole Bay, fought by the British and the Dutch in 1672 • Finding out why Park Lane is sometimes called ‘the Historian’s Street’ • Learning about the mysterious Southwold Jack, a statue of a medieval foot soldier holding a sword that was used to strike the church bell at the start of every church service By the end of this tour, you’ll understand how fear of invasion, savvy businessmen, and the allure of the sea have all shaped this town. Come and seek out the clues left behind over the centuries to better appreciate this Sleeping Beauty of a town.