district, administrative and historic county of Suffolk, eastern England, occupying an area that borders the North Sea to the east for about 32 miles (51 km). Suffolk Coastal is a low-lying district containing rolling hills in the interior north and west. The area bordering the sea has sand and gravel beaches, crumbling cliffs, and estuaries frequented by rare bird species. Directly inland the landscape is forested, especially in the south between the towns (parishes) of Woodbridge, the district seat, and Aldeburgh. The north coastal parishes of Walberswick, Dunwich, and Aldeburgh were prosperous local ports several hundred years ago. Erosion of the cliffs by waves, however, has washed away much of these towns. Artists, bird-watchers, and sailing enthusiasts visit the area, and music lovers attend the annual (since 1948) Aldeburgh Festival, founded by the locally born composer Benjamin Britten.