It is where Ed Sheeran famously watched the sunset over the castle on the hill – but Framlingham’s iconic son is not the only reason this pretty little Suffolk market town is well worth a visit.

Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, the ancient market town nestled deep in the countryside about two or three hours away from London is steeped in history.

Its most famous landmark is Framlingham Castle, a magnificent fort built in the 12th century that was home to East Anglia’s gentry for hundreds of years and later became a workhouse for the poor.

Today, the castle – which Sheeran’s mega hit, the Castle on the Hill, is all about – is run by English Heritage and you can spend hours looking around the ruins with nearly 1,000 years of history.

But there is plenty else to enjoy on a day out to town where the pop star grew up and today still enjoys a quiet life on his £3.7 million estate – dubbed “Sheeranville” – just outside the town.

The beautiful market town’s narrow, winding streets contain an array of independent shops bustling with charm and character. 

Among its best are The Cake Bench, a “lovely” artisan bakery with a five-star rating on Google, and the Dancing Goat Cafe in the market square, which promises the best coffee in Suffolk.

If you are feeling peckish, you can even grab a takeaway from Rumbles Fish Bar – rumoured to be Sheeran’s favourite when he is in Suffolk.

Or you could try the Station Hotel, which Sheeran and fellow pop star Taylor Swift reportedly visited in 2013. The Crown and The Old Mill House are also favourites with pub goers.

For wine-lovers, Shawsgate Vineyard is a must-go destination. It offers tours and experience days to allow people to sample its broad range of white, red and rosé wines.

If you really fancy getting away from it all, Framlingham Mere – which can be seen from the castle – boasts a 13.8-hectare nature reserve that blossoms with wildlife.

The Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT), which runs the nature reserve, says it is “considered by many to be the best view in inland Suffolk”. It is certainly a birdwatcher’s paradise, with the SWT saying that you can spot marsh marigolds, mute swans and ragged robins.

Visitors posting on Tripadvisor seem to agree, with one describing Framlingham Castle as a “interesting historical site” that is “well worth a visit”, while another called a “pretty market town”.

Sheeran has always been proud of his roots in the town – and with such a beautiful setting and so much to explore, it is easy to see why.

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