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Choosing a market town for a weekend day out isn't easy. There are so many across the UK, and most of them offer something different. Some are right by the sea, some are in the countryside, and some are close to cities. On a quiet Sunday morning, my wife and I sat down to pick somewhere new. One name came up straight away, and we decided to go. We didn't expect it to turn into one of our best days out.

We chose Woodbridge in Suffolk. It's only a short drive from where we live, yet for some reason we had never visited. That turned out to be a mistake, because from the moment we arrived it felt like a place worth exploring. We had no plan. We just wanted to walk around and see what the town was like.

We started with a riverside walk along the Deben. The path runs past a boatyard with older boats tied up close to the water. There are benches all the way along, which is handy if you want a quick rest or a snack.

After exploring the riverside, we carried on towards the railway line and crossed over into the town centre. This is when Woodbridge becomes much livelier.

The high street was busy, with lots of independent shops, cafés and people out for the day. It immediately felt like a town with a strong local community.

One of the first things we noticed was the number of charity shops. In around thirty minutes we managed to visit four. They're all close together and each one has something different. I bought a calendar, while my wife almost left with a croissant-shaped necklace. The shops were tidy and well stocked.

We also stopped at two bakeries: Brownbread Bakery and the Cornish Bakery. They had plenty of cakes, pastries and savoury items.

Both had indoor seating, which was helpful. For two drinks and two items each, we paid about £15. Good value for a popular town.

Later on, we visited one of Woodbridge's many pubs for a Sunday roast. Most of the pubs we walked past had outdoor seating with heaters, including the one we chose.

It was comfortable even though the weather was cold. It was a nice, relaxed way to end the afternoon.

Woodbridge is known as one of Suffolk's most popular market towns. It sits by the River Deben and has links to old industries such as boat-building and rope-making.

You can still see signs of that around the waterfront. The town is also close to Sutton Hoo, the famous Anglo-Saxon burial site discovered in the 1930s. The National Trust now runs it, with exhibitions, walking trails and a full-size replica of the burial chamber.

There are plenty of walking routes around Woodbridge. You can choose short paths or longer countryside routes, and most are easy to follow.

Back in the town centre, the high street has a wide range of independent shops selling gifts, books, homeware and food. Regular markets take place on Thursdays on Market Hill, along with a farmers' market every other Saturday.

If you want something to eat or drink, there are lots of options. Pubs like The Duke of York and The Cherry Tree Inn offer classic meals, while places such as The Crown and Blue Salt serve something a bit different.

Whether you want a quick snack or a sit-down meal, you won't struggle to find somewhere.

After one visit, it was clear why Woodbridge is so well liked. The riverside walk, the independent shops and the food made it a really enjoyable day out. And, having visited hundreds of market towns before, I can honestly say nothing comes close to Woodbridge. It's simply the best.