From morning until night, there’s more than you thought to a day at one of Suffolk’s best-loved destinations...

When Benjamin Britten set his heart on building a world-class concert hall in a derelict Victorian maltings in a tiny Suffolk village, he may never have dreamed that one day, as well as hosting the world’s best musicians, the site would become a bustling hub for river cruising, community making and cultural adventures.

Britten and his partner Peter Pears were passionate about making music useful for local people. The charity Britten Pears Arts continues their mission. Alongside bringing world-class music to Suffolk, its thriving community, creative health and artist development programmes impact thousands of lives every year. Wandering past the red-brick buildings it’s not unusual to hear music-making drifting through open windows – a pianist composing; a quartet rehearsing for the week’s concert, school children singing their hearts out.

The cluster of independent shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes that has sprung up around Snape Maltings Concert Hall make the work of the charity possible. There's plenty to do. A leisurely coffee at MALT café, a pampering session in Asteria Wellbeing, bargain hunting in the Antiques Centre and river cruising along the Alde, and that's all before lunch. There are trails for children, winding walks through the reeds, an award-winning deli and a fascinating emporium of early musical instruments. You can shop for local crafts and art. See sculpture by Henry Moore, Ryan Gander and Barbara Hepworth. And enjoy fine dining with some of the best views in Suffolk.

Behind every door music is coming to life, and there's plenty of chances to get involved, explore and discover something new. And if one day is not enough, you can spend the night, and do it all over again.