Activities

For a different view of Suffolk's beautiful scenery why not take to its rivers and coastline.

East Anglian Sea School  - At Levington you will find the East Anglian Sea School who offer a wide range of courses to suit all abilities and experience.

Alton Water - set in 400 acres of beautiful Suffolk countryside Alton Water is another great destination to get on the water with sailing courses and day access available.

Viking Mariners - Viking Mariners offer a variety of sailing packages where you can sit back and relax and sip something cold and refreshing.
1 Wherry Lane, Ipswich, IP4 1LQ
Tel: 01473 281961  

Iken Canoe - offers kayak and Canadian canoe adventures exploring the beautiful upper reaches of the Alde estuary between Snape and Aldeburgh.

River Stour Boating - in the village of Bures St Mary offer a variety of small raft services on the river including two day guilded trips by Canadian canoe along the navigable length of the river from Sudbury to Cattawade near Manningtree on the Essex coast. The journey some 25 miles meanders through some of the most beautiful and famous Suffolk scenery including Stratford St Mary and Dedham in Constable country.

River cruises - If you fancy a trip on the river you are spoilt for choice in Suffolk with departure points all over the county.  In Ipswich the Orwell Lady is a regular sight in the waterfront marina.  The Lady Florence which departs from Orford offers a series of excellent dining cruise packages.

Photo by Дмитрий Макаров

Suffolk has many cycle paths and an abundance of pretty villages to explore by bike. You will find six cycle routes in the Cycle South Suffolk brochure which will take you through some of the most beautiful countrysides. The cycle routes are also very clearly signposted.

Cycle Hire - Shotley Peninsula Alton Water
Tel: 01473 328873

Sudbury – Streetlife.
Tel: 01787 310940

Alton Water – Alton Cycle Hire and the neighbouring Cafe are situated on Alton Reservoir, which contains some of the most beautiful scenery in Suffolk. There is an 8 mile designated cycle track, which allows you to see the best views of the reservoir and the wildlife. But if you don’t have a bike, don’t worry you can hire a range of cycles and accessories, from ordinary mountain bikes to Go-carts, and from cycle helmets to spare parts.
Holbrook Road, Stutton, Ipswich, IP9 2RY
Tel: 01473 328873

There are so many beautiful walks and country parks in Suffolk. We have included a few local walks and request that you please replace any master copies, or guide books so they are available for other guests. You will also find a set of 30 walks in Suffolk on cards and a local ordnance
survey map for the area in the desk in the sitting room.

Kersey – There are a number of circular walks from Kersey and other surrounding villages. You will find maps in this file overleaf. Footpath walks are also organised from October – May on the third Wednesday of each month, usually from and to kersey, but occasionally around other local villages and usually in conjunction with a pub meal.
For further details please call Mr John Maltby, PAX Kersey
Tel: 01473 828383

Groton Woods Nature reserve – 2 miles from Kersey is a fairy tale like woodland and is one of our children’s favourite places. This ancient woodland is noted for its small-leaved lime coppice, this is an indication that the northern part of the wood has existed since prehistoric times. The other species to note in Groton Woods is its large wild cherry trees, -it is one of only a few ancient woodlands in Suffolk with this species.
Off Howe Road, Groton, near Hadleigh.

SPB Wolves Wood – Hadleigh – 3 miles from Kersey. This reserve is one of the few remnants of the ancient woodland that used to cover East Anglia. The RSPB manages it using the traditional method of  oppicing (a special way of cutting the trees to let light in), which means that the wood has a wide variety of birds, plants and mammals.

Clare Castle Country Park – Situated to the south of the picturesque, historic town of Clare, just two minutes’ walk from the town centre, Clare Castle Country Park is a beautiful quiet area to relax, play, get close to nature and learn about Clare’s fascinating history. The park contains
the remains of the 13th Century stone castle keep set upon its 70ft high motte overlooking the town, as well as its inner and outer baileys which are ideal areas for recreation and picnics. The inner bailey also contains the former Clare railway station and the goods yard, which operated for over 100 years, with the goods shed now housing displays and a railway goods van on a stretch of track. A ‘history trail’ reveals the park’s secrets to visitors. The railway walk. Away from the open green areas visitors can find the footpath through the trees and along the banks of the river Stour. Information boards show the various birds and water life which can be seen along the waters’ edge.

Alton Water – or those interested in wildlife, Alton Water Park hosts a variety of interesting waterfowl, especially in winter. New conservation zones and bird hides have been established to increase biodiversity with the help of local conservation volunteers. Fishing is also available at Alton Water Park (bream, pike etc.). Day and season permits are available from the café. The Watersports Centre has excellent sailing, windsurfing or diving facilities.

Hintlesham Golf Club – Hintlesham, IP8 3JG
Tel: 01473 652761

Stoke by Nayland – Keeper’s Lane, Leavenheath, CO6 4PZ
Tel: 01206 262 836

Assington Mill Art and Craft Courses - Assinington Mill offers short one to three-day courses on over 50 different topics. focussing mainly on rural and traditional crafts; subjects ranging from beekeeping, signwriting, fly fishing for beginners, cider making, ballroom dancing for novices, to jewellery making, upholstery.   Please see website for full list.  Assington Mill's objectives are to provide a friendly and welcoming setting where people can enjoy learning something new which will enrich their lives, and have a great day out with like-minded people. Assington Mill, on a small 70-acre organic farm, lies in one of Suffolk's beautiful secret valleys, which you can explore after the course is over.

Assington, Bures Rd, Assington, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 5LZ
Contact Anne Holden for information about the courses
Tel: 01787 229955
Mobile: 07770 550570
Email: info@assingtonmill.com

Photo by Brett Sayles

Africa Alive
Banham Zoo
Baylham House – Rare breeds farm 
Beth Chatto Gardens – Famous gardens 
Bewilderwood – Magical tree-house adventure park 
Bressingham – Steam Museum and gardens
Bury St Edmunds – Historic Market Town with Cathedral and Abbey Gardens
Colchester Castle
Colchester Zoo
Easton Farm Park
Felixstowe – Coastal town with Languard Fort
Hollow trees Farm Shop and Trail
Jimmy’s FarmNeedham Lake & Nature Reserve – Surfaced pathway 
Newmarket Racecourses
Orford
Pleasurewood Hills 
Stonham Barns – Owl sanctuary 
Suffolk Ski Centre 
Snape Maltings 
Sudbury Hall – National Trust, a museum of childhood
Sudbury Swimming Pool 
Suffolk Heritage Coast – Dunwich, Southwold, Aldeburgh 
Sutton Hoo (National Trust) – burial ground of the Anglo Saxon Kings of East Anglia 
Thetford Forest 
West Mersea – The Company Shed – Causeway, foot ferry – 
West Stow Anglo Saxon Village  

HISTORIC BUILDINGS/ATTRACTIONS

Christchurch Mansion and Park & Ipswich Museum
Colchester Castle
Framlingham – Framlingham Castle 
Gainsborough’s House
Ickworth House 
Kentwell Hall
Melford Hall 
Lavenham – Old wool market town – famous for its Guildhall, medieval buildings and antique shops