Exploring Snape Maltings

Snape Maltings is a complex of shops, galleries, restaurants, condos, and a concert hall.

The original function of this area and the history of the name, comes from the malting of barley for use in making beer.

The malting was stopped in the 1960’s and the industrial buildings and acreage were sold.  A local farmer and business man saw potential and bought it.

There are several walking paths through the estuary marshlands.  You can even walk all the way to Aldeburgh, a 12 mile round trip.

The recent rains caused some flooding in this area and the trail was washed out.  Since only Luie was equipped with Wellies, we decided to turn back toward the sculpture and not muck through the mud.

The long sunsets in the winter seem to always put color in the sky.

There are river boat tours from spring through autumn.  But the river Alde is tidal, so sailing time varies.

View of the Concert Hall from the trail.  The concert hall seats over 800 people.

Behind the concert hall area, there is a board walk for a short distance.  The flooding did some damage, but we were still able to walk across to the sculpture.

There are flats here that are used both as vacation rentals and residences.

Benjamin Britten was a British Classical composer and pianist.  He died in 1976 in Aldeburgh.   Britten was instrumental in getting the concert hall at Snape Maltings for use in the annual Aldeburgh Music Festival.

You can see the dates on the sign above.  2013 is 100 years since Britten was born in Lowestoft.