The Suffolks
Welcome to The Suffolks, Cheltenham...
The Suffolks is an area of quiet, period streets set around the grand architecture of Suffolk Square, a short walk from the top of Cheltenham's Montpellier District in one direction and the same distance to Bath Road, Leckhampton in the other.
It's a quirky place where the terraces of Georgian and Victorian townhouses recall the affluent heydays of Cheltenham as a spa town. The Earl of Suffolk acquired the area briefly in the early 19th century, and has left his name not only on the streets and square, but also (as is the way of the English aristocracy) on one of the local pubs.
It's a place to wander, whatever the weather and a place for browsing among curios and quality things. It’s also worth taking a peek inside the Daffodil Restaurant which is housed in an original 1920 Art Deco Cinema, retaining many of the original features and once appearing in an episode of Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock.
A large car park off the Bath Road make access very easy. The best way to see the Suffolks is at your leisure. Walk around the gentle streets or drop into a cafe for a cup of something hot. Browse in shops, talk to the independent shop owners; there's no hurry. Here, time moves at the pace you choose.
Shopping and Food & Drink in The Suffolk's
The big commercial retailers have not penetrated here; the shops are independent, artisan and knowledgeably run. There are restaurants, cafes, bookshops and a lavish supply of small hairdressers, antique and interior shops, a range of boutiques including vintage clothing, giftware and jewellery, landscape designers, interior designers, silversmiths, photographers and other creative professions all nestled together down the streets.
As well as The Daffodil in its Art Deco Cinema setting, The Suffolks is also home to Cheltenham's Michelin Star Restaurant Le Champignon Sauvage. Zizzi's, Bar 50 and The Beehive Pub are all on the list of must-visits.
The Suffolk's Annual Street Fairs
The Suffolks Independent retailers often come together with pop-up suppliers to create street fairs to remember, with one held annually every year on one of the May Bank Holidays. There are now four Sunday markets a year, usually in April, July, August and October, and a Christmas market in December.
Make sure you join in the fun during one of their regular Sunday Street Markets and experience the “Notting Hill” flavour as people (and dogs) browse and chat, meeting friends old and new.