Which Celebrities Live In Suffolk? (& Where?)

The home of Ed Sheeran and John Constable, Ipswich Town and Newmarket Racecourse, Sutton Hoo and Southwold, Suffolk is full of timber-framed towns, coastal scenery and vast expanses of flat golden fields. If you’re a celebrity, where better to escape than this quiet corner of the country? Whilst the similarly bucolic regions of Surrey and the Cotswolds are both overrun with fellow A-listers, this county remains relatively lowkey. Ever wondered which celebrities live in Suffolk? Here’s your complete guide to Suffolk’s celeb set.

The Suffolk Celeb Set

Image credit: Disney+

Ed Sheeran

The singer-songwriter is by far the most loud and proud supporter of Suffolk. Raised in the market town of Framlingham – its medieval castle inspiring his song ‘Castle On The Hill’ – Ed Sheeran has continued to stay loyal to his Suffolk roots. Today he resides on a large estate, colloquially known as ‘Sheeranville’, close to his home town. The singer bought the first part of his estate, a six-bedroom farmhouse named Wynnes Hall, in June 2012. Since then, he’s added another farmhouse, two four-bedroom homes, and a bungalow to its portfolio.

Throughout the estate, he has a man cave, recording studio, hot tub, cinema room, outdoor kitchen, billiard room, treehouse, gym, indoor swimming pool, woodland, wildlife pond, football pitch and even his very own pub, The Lancaster Lock – named after his wife, Cherry Lancaster Saborn. He has also bought-up two adjoining terrace properties in a Suffolk coastal village (exact location unknown) to convert into one, five-bedroom home.

Whilst planning disputes have put him in the black books of some neighbours, his support of local team Ipswich Town (of which he is a minority owner and sponsor) has helped rocket the Tractor Boys back up to the Premier League – much to the joy of the Suffolk fans.

Claudia Schiffer & Matthew Vaughn

In 2002 German supermodel Claudia Schiffer and filmmaker Matthew Vaughan snapped up a Grade I listed Tudor manor in Suffolk. The pair bought the property on a whim just before they were married, and ended up holding their wedding reception on the grounds. Purchased for a reported £5m, Coldham Hall is set within 40 acres of private countryside in the village of Stanningfield, near Lawshall. Built in 1574, in 2014 a major fire destroyed several outbuildings and former stables on the grounds – though the flames failed to reach the main hall. 

Speaking about the home to Suffolk Magazine, Schiffer said: ‘The house feels like a warm, cosy nest – one you could easily get lost in if you’re not careful. It’s the perfect place for children to explore, steeped in history with tales of the past, creaks at night and ghostly sightings.’ Rumour has it that the H-shaped house (designed that way in honour of Henry VIII) was Christened ‘Coldham’ after Elizabeth I visited for lunch one day and was appalled to find herself served ‘cold ham’. 

Bill Nighy

When he’s not hanging out in his Pimlico townhouse, Bill Nighy can be found in the colourful coastal town of Aldeburgh. A favourite Suffolk spot for tourists and locals alike, this seaside town boasts boutique shops and the best fish and chips in the county (or country, depending on who you ask). The Love Actually star has been frequently spotted at community events like the Aldeburgh Carnival and the Aldeburgh Festival. Speaking to The Telegraph about his love of the county, he said: ‘I love the area with all my heart: Dunwich for dramatic cliffs; Aldeburgh for tea and world-class fish ‘n’ chips; and Walberswick for sandy beaches and crabbing.’

Kit Harrington & Rose Leslie

Having searched ‘all over’ the country for a new home, it was a chat with Ed Sheeran that sealed the deal for Kit Harrington. The Game of Thrones star revealed that ‘It was Ed who said, “Why don’t you go and have a look in my county?” I did, so it’s thanks to him I ended up there.’ He added that he’s now ‘in love’ with the county and considers himself a ‘Suffolk boy’.

He and his now-wife, fellow Game of Thrones star Rose Leslie, made the move in 2017, buying-up a 15th century timber home called Popples Farm in the village of Brettenham, near Lavenham. Purchased for a reported £1.75m, the Grade II* listed thatched farmhouse sits on a 8.2-acre estate, complete with a moat, tennis court and heated pool. When they’re not in the county, the couple also own a flat in Edinburgh.

Griff Rhys Jones

The actor and comedian Griff Rhys Jones has now lived in Suffolk for over 40 years. Having bought up his south Suffolk farmhouse in 1984, he now splits his time between the 17th century home and his London pad. Situated near the estuary, close to the village of Holbrook, he told Country Life that he moved there for the ‘Hollyhocks. Reasonable remoteness. A sleepy sunny day. A dream of total escape.’

Now living next door to his original home (renting out the former as a holiday let), this first home faced a 30-years restoration and conservation project, after a surveyor lied to him about the structure’s quality. When he’s not relaxing on his eight acres of grounds, the star can be found participating in local conservation campaigns about rural planning, pylons, wind farms and environmental threats.

Richard Curtis & Emma Freud

Though Richard Curtis and Emma Freud primarily live in the celeb-loved spot of Hampstead, the couple also own a home in the coastal village of Walberswick. Owned by Emma’s family (Sigmund Freud’s daughter Anna first moved to Walberswick before the Second World War), the 18th century, Grade II listed property passed down to the couple around 2003. Curtis is said to have also bought-up a separate fisherman’s shack in the area around 2004.

Just as his old home of Notting Hill inspired one of Curtis’s best-loved films, Suffolk has influenced much of the writer and director’s most recent work. His animated Netflix film and preceding children’s book That Christmas were heavily inspired by the communities of Walberswick, Southwold, and Halesworth, whilst the Beatles-inspired film Yesterday features several prominent Suffolk backdrops.

Twiggy & Leigh Lawson

When the 60s supermodel isn’t gliding down the King’s Road in her home turf of Kensington & Chelsea, she and her actor husband, Leigh Lawson, can be found holed up in Southwold. The site of their second home, it was here that Twiggy got her chance comeback in 2005. She was having a meal in The Crown pub in Southwold when M&S marketing director Steven Sharp spotted her. Inspired by the encounter, he made her the face of the brand, relaunching her modelling career. Years later, in 2010, Twiggy appeared on an episode of Alan Titchmarsh’s Walks of Fame – walking the seafront, climbing the Southwold lighthouse, sharing fish and chips, and waxing lyrical about her Suffolk home.

Esther and Bella Freud by Julian Broad

David Morissey & Esther Freud

Luckily for Emma Freud, her cousin the novelist Esther Freud, also owns a Walberswick holiday home – along with her husband, the actor and filmmaker David Morissey. The couple married on nearby Southwold pier, and often participate in local events like the INK Festival. 

Simon Mayo

DJ, author and radio host Simon Mayo is another Londoner to own a second home in Walberswick. He has used the area as inspiration for his writing, notably finding character names for his Itch book series on a noticeboard at Blythburgh Church. 

Kiera Knightly in Black Doves. (Netflix)

Keira Knightley

When she’s not strutting the streets of Islington, rumour has it that you’ll be able to find Keira Knightley among the Walberswick stars. Reported to own a second home in the quiet coastal village, the Pride & Prejudice star is frequently spotted by in the area’s shops and pubs.