I visited a pretty market town with a thriving high street - I can't wait to go back

When it comes to choosing what market town to visit on a weekend, it's quite a difficult choice in the UK. There are hundreds of stunning places all around the country, each offering something different. Some towns are surrounded by hills and others are situated right next to the sea. So on one quiet Sunday morning, I sat down with my wife to have a look at some towns near us. And one stood out straight away. Little did we know it was going to be one of the best days out ever.

We set off for a Sunday getaway to the market town of Woodbridge, which is only a 30-minute drive from where we live but somehow we had never visited before. And what a mistake that was. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we'd found something special. We didn't have a plan and just wanted to see what the town had to offer.

The first thing we did was head for a walk along the river. It's a lovely path that goes past a boatyard, where you can see lots of old boats tied up.

There are benches all along the route, which are perfect for stopping and having a snack or just sitting quietly to enjoy the view.

One of the best bits was spotting the Tide Mill, which still looks like something from another time.

From there we kept walking and made our way into the town. You follow the river until you reach a railway line, and then cross over to reach the high street.

And that's when we realised just how lively Woodbridge really is. The town centre was busy and full of shops, cafés and people. It had a great feel to it.

What stood out the most for us were the charity shops. We ended up visiting four in half an hour - Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation, Woodgreen Pets Charity, and British Red Cross.

They're all close together and each one had something different. I picked up a calendar for next year and my wife nearly walked away with a necklace shaped like a croissant. The shops are well-stocked, tidy, and full of hidden gems.

After shopping, we popped into a couple of bakeries. Our favourites were the Brownbread Bakery and the Cornish Bakery. Both had a great selection of cakes, croissants, sausage rolls and more.

They also had tables inside so you can sit down and enjoy your food. Prices were very reasonable too - we spent around £15 for two drinks and two items each.

Later, we drove to The Red Lion pub in Martlesham, just outside Woodbridge, for a proper Sunday roast.

They've got outdoor heaters and a big seating area, so even though it was a bit chilly, it was still a lovely place to relax and eat.

So, as it turns out, Woodbridge is a well-known market town in Suffolk, right on the River Deben.

It's often called one of the prettiest towns in the area. It's full of things to do and surrounded by great countryside.

A short drive away is Sutton Hoo, one of the most important archaeological sites in the country.

It's where they found an Anglo-Saxon ship burial and loads of treasures in the 1930s. The site is run by the National Trust now and has exhibitions, walking trails and even a full-size replica of the burial chamber.

Woodbridge also has strong links to boat-building and rope-making, and you can still see reminders of that as you walk around the riverside.

There's also a good selection of local walks. You can pick from short strolls to longer routes like the River and Countryside Wander, which are all fairly easy and well-signed.

As mentioned before, the town's high street is full of independent shops. There's a good mix of places selling books, gifts, food and homeware. Regular markets are also held on the Market Hill surrounded by colourful houses, and there's a farmers' market every other Saturday.

If you're staying for longer, there's no shortage of places to eat and drink. Pubs like The Duke of York and The Cherry Tree Inn offer classic pub meals, while places like The Crown and Blue Salt are good for something a bit different. There's something for everyone, from quick snacks to full meals.

After just one visit, we could see why Woodbridge is so popular. The river walk, great food and those brilliant charity shops made it a day to remember. We're already planning a return trip.