The Suffolk coast is pretty much 2 hours away, and one of my favourite parts of the country. Hotels I've stayed at and enjoyed are:
http://www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk/
http://www.satishouse.co.uk/
http://www.chequerssuffolk.co.uk/
http://www.salthouseharbourhotel.co.uk/
Both the Swan and the Salthouse have excellent restaurants. Not that Ipswich has anything really for a tourist, but it's a useful base (and I rather like the town - it's got a distinctive character and community to it).
You've got Aldeburgh, Southwold, Walberswick, Thorpeness, Woodbridge, Lavenham, Dunwich, Orford... Beautiful places, with more country pubs than you can shake a stick at (and some great seafood to boot!)