Snape Maltings — Attraction in East Suffolk

I’m not saying don’t go. But I cant say I was that enthralled with the place to be honest.

I get what it’s trying to do. And I guess I get the market it’s going for. But I don’t feel there’s any value in taking a trip to the place.

Sorry for all the concessions that pay to sell their wares there- not necessarily your fault. At least individually. But collectively, it was just very… meh.

For a drive to destination, that’s a curation issue. And there in lies the problem - it’s not well curated.

You get a cafe that’s not bad. Certainly not terrible. Above average coffee in a below average (and rather dirty and noisy) room.

You get a deli that isn’t serviced by patrons enough to put on a decent selection of fresh food on. Plenty of bottles of stuff. And the generic bronze cut pasta packets. It not going to change your life. But it’s ok.

There was certainly an interesting wine selection in one of the concessions - with a very impressive selection of English wines. With a healthy enough wallet, I could imagine there could be some real gems to be found there.

But the wines are next to the, to be expected, ridiculously extensive range of Stokes ketchups and preserves. If ever there was a sign of a shop punting for a certain demographic in east Anglia, it’s a range of stokes preserves. What a dull way to fill up the shelves.

I just feel that places asking for £4 for a small jar of ‘snap malting’ branded marmalade, that comes from the same place as every other ‘destination garden centre redcurrant jelly’ should try harder. Perhaps by working with actual local artisans. Who genuinely make incredible preserves, cakes, etc. that would delight the customers with something authentic, while boosting a local cottage outfits.

But maybe that’s just me. It probably just me.

I hold my hands up and say I didn’t see a performance at the clearly beautiful venue. That could have well changed my mind.

It’s a three star review for a three star place. Average. Could...

We'll what can I say... it's a total must go if you are in the area.

There's so much to do and see.

From free concerts if you're lucky enough to be there when they happen. We listened to the National Teachers Choir... they were FANTASTIC, what a beautiful bonus to our day. You can book seats for other events, look on their website.

Also a couple of amazing exhibitions - highly recommended ✨

Tea room with gorgeous views...(totally recommend the coffee and walnut cake). Not so the burnt, bitter coffee... on my second visit I opted for the tea. With gift shops and crafts shops, foodie shop, home furnishings and antiques to purchase bits, very much mostly all on the extremely expensive side.

Would have loved a bit of diversity, something a bit different - but the format as always with these places, is on the stale, clinical side.(English Heritage style) Same kind of artists, same kind of crafts, same, same, samey.

Unless you're famous of course, then it's okay to be different. As with Maggie Hambling and Chris Watson's collaboration piece. 'Relic' tiny exhibit (really is GREAT I highly recommend) is in a this miniscule outbuilding...it's difficult to find as is most things in Snape Maltings...(no proper signage, all a bit of a maze) but do make the effort. Just walk round and round and round...

But, never the less...a must go place to visit. It's free, the parking is free too, it's free to walk around, and to come and go as you please, if you like it you stay, if not you move on... perfect.

There are circular walks to the castle too... We bought lots of plants, that were reasonably priced and beautifully displayed.

I would recommend definitely if...

After a wonderful concert at Snape Maltings, I retired to the bar for a drink with my companions. Since I had sampled the wine before the concert, I felt too weary for another, so settled for a comforting cup of tea after a long day. To my surprise I was given a very small paper cup for my tea, I usually can look past this, I understand the desire to lighten to the washing up load, despite the hefty price of £2.50. I waited as my tea was made, watching as hot water was emptied from a hot water urn. I would’ve thought such a permanent building would have a permanent kettle. I received my tea, in my paper cup and was told to go to the end of the bar for milk. When I reached the end of the bar I could not find any milk. I asked a staff member who frantically searched for milk, high and low. Eventually the milk was located. I sat down with my aforementioned companions to enjoy my cup of tea but before I could do so I realised it was COLD. A cold cup of tea in a tiny paper cup. Had the issue just been the paper cup, I would have not been bothered, but cold tea?????? For £2.50????????? Absolutely shocking. Abysmal display. A bar should have real cups and a REAL kettle, not just an urn of lukewarm water. Very disappointing waste of money. The concert was exceptional though I must say. Will return. But...