Suffolk
Places to Visit and Days out in Suffolk
Africa Alive | Transport Museum | Easton Farm Park | Flatford Mill | Framlingham Castle | Ickworth House | Lavenham Guildhall | Maritime Museum | National Horseracing Museum | Otter Trust | Minsmere Nature Reserve | Sutton Hoo
Africa Alive (Suffolk Wildlife Park)
Suffolk Wildlife Park is situated in 80 acres of beautiful coastal parkland, where visitors can see lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, big cats, exotic birds and many other animals, roaming the parks own simulation of the plains of Africa. Visitors can also enjoy daily feeding displays, regular talks and bird of prey shows.
Opening times: all year, daily from 10am (closed Xmas) Admission Charge
Location: Kessingland, Suffolk, NR33 7TF - Tel: 01502 740291 Website
Facilities: Parking, café, shop, wheelchair access
East Anglia Transport Museum
A reconstructed 1930s period street scene provides a perfect setting for the museum's collection of historic transport vehicles. Working exhibits range from old trams, buses, vintage cars, electric vehicles and commercial trucks to steam rollers. Visitors can ride around the site in a vintage tram, trolley bus or narrow gauge railway. There is also a tramway and woodland trail to a picnic area.
Opening times: Apr~Sep, times vary see website for details Admission Charge
Location: Chapel Rd, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 8BL - Tel: 01502 518459 Website
Facilities: Parking, café, shop, wheelchair access
Easton Farm Park
A working farm is the focal point of this country park, located on the banks of the River Deben, near to the picturesque village Easton. The park is host to various breeds of farm animals, including calves, goats, horses, pigs, lambs, rabbits, guinea pigs and poultry. There is also an indoor soft play barn, outdoor adventure play area, plus train rides and pony rides for the children.
The farm has a display of early farm machinery and other country memorabilia on show in its many Victorian farm buildings, including demonstrations of steam machinery and horse-drawn vehicles. The surrounding parkland, woodland and river meadows have excellent walks and nature trails.
Opening times: Mar~Sep, daily 10.30am - 5.30pm Admission Charge
Location: Easton, Suffolk, IP13 0EQ - Tel: 01728 746475 Website
Facilities: Parking, café, craft shop, children's play areas, wheelchair access
Flatford Mill & Bridge Cottage
Immortalised by Constable's early 19th century pastoral scenes, the pleasant scenery, lush meadows, willows and winding streams of the Dedham Vale have changed very little since Constable's day. Upstream from the famous Flatford mill is the thatched 16th century Bridge Cottage, which was the home of friend Willy Lott. The cottage is now open to the public and houses an exhibition about Constable and his works.
Opening times: Mar~Nov, 11am - 5pm (closed certain days in Nov/Dec) Free Entry
Location: Flatford, East Bergholt, Suffolk, CO7 6UL - Tel: 01206 298260 Website
Facilities: Parking (200 m), tea-room, shop, wheelchair access
Framlingham Castle
Framlingham castle, which stands above a large artificial mere on the outskirts of the town, is one of the most complete castles in Britain. Dating from 1100, the castle was once the stronghold of King John in his struggle with the Barons and was later the sanctuary of Mary Tudor, before she rose to the throne in 1553. It eventually became the seat of the successive dukes of Norfolk. The fortifications were largely rebuilt in the 16th century, incorporating thirteen square towers within its extensive curtain wall, some rising to a height of 60 feet. In the 17th century the castle was given to Pembroke College, when the interior was demolished to make way for a poor house. The castle is now open to the public, who are free to climb the magnificent battlements and experience exceptional views over the surrounding countryside.
Opening times: Apr~Sep, daily 10am to 6pm; Oct~Mar, Thu-Mon, 10am to 4pm (closed Xmas & NY) Admission Charge
Location: Framlingham, Suffolk, IP8 9BT - Tel: 01728 724189 Website
Facilities: Parking, shop, wheelchair access
Ickworth House, Park & Gardens
Ickworth House is one of Britains most unique properties; designed in the late 18th century by Frederick Augustus Hervey, the fourth Earl of Bristol. Its most unusual feature is an impressive 100 ft high rotunda, modelled on the Parthenon in Rome, with a domed shaped roof and decorated all around with a terracotta frieze. The house is surrounded by parkland landscaped by Capability Brown, containing a formal Italianate garden and many magnificent oak and cedar trees.
Within, the house hosts an array of fine pieces of English and French furniture. Its spacious rooms are hung with paintings by Reynolds and Gainsborough, and part of the silver collection on display dates back to the 17th century with elaborate designs by French Huguenot craftsmen.
Opening times: House Mar~Nov, Mon, Tue, Fri, 1pm to 5pm. Gardens from 10am Admission Charge
Location: Horringer, Suffolk, IP29 5QE - Tel: 01284 735270 Website
Facilities: Parking, café, restaurant, shop, wheelchair access
Lavenham Guildhall
The charming 'oldie worldly' village of Lavenham has changed little over the centuries. Many of its beautiful old timbered houses date back to the 15th century, when the village sprang-up from the riches of the wool trade. Its rich past is still evident today in the magnificent Guildhall, and in the ornate plasterwork (or pargeting) covering many of the numerous half-timbered buildings.
The fine half-timbered guildhall, built in 1529, was originally the headquarters of the guild of Corpus Christi, responsible for the local cloth trade. The guildhall has since been an arms house, a workhouse and finally a prison. Today it is a fine museum, with exhibits relating to the history of Lavenham and the local wool trade. There is also a walled garden and a 19th century lock-up and mortuary.
Opening times: Mar & Nov, Sat & Sun 11am to 4pm; Apr, Wed-Sun, 11am to 5pm; May~Oct daily 11am to 5pm Admission Charge
Location: Market Place, Lavenham, Suffolk, CO10 9QZ - Tel: 01787 247646 Website
Facilities: Parking, café, shop, wheelchair access
Lowestoft Maritime Museum
Located near Britain's most easterly point, the maritime museum traces the local history of fishing and sea-faring around the coast of Lowestoft. The museum contains numerous models of both ancient and modern fishing boats, plus displays of fishing equipment and shipwrights' tools and a small marine art gallery.
Opening times: Apr~Oct, daily 10am to 5pm
Admission Charge
Location: Sparrow Nest Gardens, Whapload Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1XG - Tel: 01502 561963 Website
Facilities: Parking, shop, wheelchair access
National Horseracing Museum
The small market town of Newmarket has been dominated by horseracing since 1605, when James I instigated the town's first race meetings. Charles II later carried on the tradition, introducing spring and autumn meetings at the Rowley Mile racecourse (named after his favourite horse 'Old Rowley'). The Jockey Club founded in 1750, and based in the centre of Newmarket, is today home to the national horseracing museum, which tells the story of horse racing and the people involved. This friendly award-winning museum has several hands on exhibits, plus the chance to talk to many of the retired jockeys and trainers. Guided tours visit the gallops, stables and yards.
Opening times: Easter to Oct, Tue-Sun (also BH Mons) 11am to 5pm Admission Charge
Location: Website
Facilities: Parking (nearby), café, restaurant, shop, wheelchair access
Otter Trust, Earsham
The Otter Trust occupies 23 acres of near natural habitat beside the River Waveney at Earsham. The trust is part of a breeding programme to protect several endangered British and Asian otter species from extinction. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and follow the nature trails along the banks of the river and around the reserve's three lakes, which are teeming with waterfowl.
Opening times: Apr~Sep, daily 10.30am to 6pm Admission Charge
Location: Earsham, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 2AF - Tel: 01986 893470
Facilities: Parking, café, shop, wheelchair access
RSPB Nature Reserve Minsmere
One of England's major bird reserves, with nesting places for over a hundred different species. Breeding birds include rare avocets, marsh harriers, nightjars, bitterns and nightingales. Located on the Suffolk coast, the reserve includes several nature trails that run through a variety of habitats and incorporate many strategically placed bird-watching hides.
Opening times: daily 9am to 9pm (or dusk if earlier) Closed Xmas. Visitor centre: 9am to 5pm Admission Charge
Location: Westleton, Suffolk, IP17 3BY - Tel: 01728648281 Website
Facilities: Parking, café, shop, wheelchair access
Sutton Hoo
This remarkable 7th century Anglo Saxon ship burial was discovered in 1939, a field in Suffolk, regarded as one of the most important and valuable archaeological finds in Britain. It was here that an Anglo Saxon King was buried on board 90 ft long ship together with all his possessions including, jewels weapon, drinking vessels, cooking pots and silverware. The quality of the craftsmanship shows the level of sophistication in mediaeval Britain at the time. The fascinating finds are exhibited in a museum on the site, including a full sized reconstruction of an Anglo-Saxon warrior king's burial chamber.
Opening times: times vary see website for details Admission Charge
Location: IP12 3DJ - Tel: 01394 389700 Website
Facilities: Parking, restaurant, shop, wheelchair access
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