The best things to do in Suffolk with kids

My daughter’s first visit to Suffolk came when she was just two, and we’ve been going back as often as we can ever since – because with so many things to do in Suffolk with kids, it’s hard to resist the temptation to book another holiday there.

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From pretty Aldeburgh, where we scoffed fish and chips and soaked up the sun by the sea, to our mini road trip of East Anglia, visiting Sutton Hoo and Orford Castle, it’s easy to explore, ideal to mix some coast and countryside, plus there are some great family attractions in Suffolk too.

Depending where you stay, it’s easy to pop into Norfolk as well… although you won’t be short of things to do in Suffolk with kids if you don’t want to combine both counties in one break. Here’s my pick of the best.

Castles and historic houses

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge

It’s a story that’s straight from a fairytale – a king buried under a hill with his treasure, undisturbed for centuries. Until a small team of archaeologists discovered “the find of a lifetime” in the mounds at Sutton Hoo on the eve of the Second World War.

The final resting place of the King of the Wuffinga, Raedwald, King of East Anglia who ruled in the 7th century, his boat had rotted away but the precious items of his hoard survived, from jewellery to gold coins and an intricate metal helmet.

There’s a treasure trail for kids, plus dressing up and you can walk out to the burial mounds, as well as visiting Tranmer House, decorated as it would have been during the Second World War.

Prebook tickets here

Read more about our visit to Sutton Hoo with kids

Framlingham Castle, Framlingham

Framlingham castle, which dates back to the 12th century, has seen its share of momentous history – Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen here, and the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk have been both friend and foe to monarchs over the centuries.

Today, one of the most exciting things to do is to head out along the wall walk, 10.5 metres up, and gaze our across the grounds and lake.

There are regular family activities and some fun games and quizzes for kids to try too, as well as the chase to race around the slopes leading down to the old moat – the workhouse is the only surviving building.

Prebook tickets here

Check out my review of a day out at Framlingham Castle with kids

Orford Castle, Orford, Woodbridge

Simpler than some of the sprawling castles you’ll find elsewhere in England, Orford Castle still towers 90ft high from the top of its grassy mound, above the little town of Orford.

Built in the 12th century by Henry II as a symbol of royal power, 91 steps lead you up the spiral staircase to some incredible views across the river and countryside to Orford Ness nature reserve.

At the top, you can also find the old bakehouse, as well as spotting original tiles on the way up, bedchambers for the most important inhabitants and guests and a chapel, as well as reading more about the legend of the wild man of Orford who was caught in fishermen’s nets and held here.

Prebook tickets here.

Read more about our visit to Orford Castle with kids

Ickworth, Bury St Edmunds

The Italianate palace of Ickworth is known as much for its beautiful gardens and grounds as for the house, with its unusual rotunda.

With 1,800 acres to explore, you won’t be short of a walk, and in January and February, you can see carpets of snowdrops across several parts of the grounds, as well as finding an all-weather trail and play area.

There’s also a chance to see how the servants lived, venturing into the servants’ quarters, along with tales of some of the most colourful earls and marquesses who’ve called Ickworth home.

Prebook tickets here.

Animal attractions

Easton Farm Park, Woodbridge

Easton Farm Park is perfect if your kids love to get hands on with the animals, with a chance to stroke and meet bunnies, pygmy goats, horses, donkeys and guinea pigs.

It’s also a great place if you’re visiting Suffolk in the rain with kids – as I can attest, having ended up exploring during a torrential summer downpour – with tiny tractors and play areas inside.

Or there are pony and tractor trailer rides when it’s dry, plus a trail through the water meadows.

Check out my review of a (wet) day out at Easton Farm Park

Africa Alive, Lowestoft

From a safari train ride to lemur encounters, Africa Alive might just be one of the best ways to experience Africa without a passport.

While you’re in this massive park you can feed giraffes, see rhinos, and lions, plus there’s a farmyard that kids will love too. Add in the discovery centre too, and Africa Alive is easily a full day’s adventure all on its own.

Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, Ipswich

Perfect with younger kids, you can get close to friendly farm animals at the Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm, with a free bag of feed to offer to cows, sheep, goats, alpacas, pigs, and poultry living here.

As the name suggests, many of the animals on this farm are rare breeds that you aren’t likely to see in very many places, and there’s plenty to learn along the farm trail. Don’t miss the chance to cuddle a goat too!

Jimmy’s Farm, Ipswich

Not far from the border with Essex (we visited while staying in Mistley), it’s also easy to reach Jimmy’s Farm from pretty Pin Mill as well as Ipswich. And with its farm and wildlife park, not to mention some very good food in the cafe and shop, it’s definitely worth a day out.

There are over 80 different species of animals, so you’ll find farmyard creatures (including some rare breeds) but also meerkats and wallabies plus camels and crocodiles.

Along with the furred and feathered inhabitants, there are some great indoor and outdoor play areas too – including huge bouncy pillows plus soft play – and the chance to go wilder still in the woodland.

Camel Park Oasis, Halesworth

The Oasis Camel Centre is the only camel park in the UK, making it a one of a kind day out which also supports endangered camels in the wild.

While you’re there you can ride on camels and donkeys, walk alongside llamas, and meet a number of other animals you won’t be able to get close to anywhere else, as well as some more familiar fluffy inhabitants and play areas.

It’s worth knowing that it’s best to take cash with you – its location means data (and therefore working card machines) isn’t always guaranteed and the nearest ATM is six miles away.

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, Stowmarket

Whether your kids are Harry Potter fans or just love animals, the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is a lovely place for a day out in Suffolk with kids.

Home to a wide variety of owls as well as a family of meerkats, you can also meet falcons as well as watching flying displays and talks. The sanctuary treats injured owls and helps to return them to the wild too.

Do prebook as limited numbers mean you may not otherwise be able to visit.

Outdoors in Suffolk with kids

Gainsborough Trail, Sudbury

You can’t visit Suffolk on a family holiday without exploring some of the gorgeous countryside and the Gainsborough Trail is a lovely, easy way to do that with kids.

The 3.5 mile long trail wraps around Sudbury, taking you on an adventure to see Suffolk at its wildest, with more stretches planned as well.

Along the way you might spot butterflies, kingfishers, (harmless) grass snakes, and other native wild animals, as unlike much of the Suffolk countryside, the land here has never been farmed so its wonderfully biodiverse and unspoiled.

Thetford Forest, Brandon

This huge Forestry England site, stretching for 18,720 hectares on the border of Suffolk and Norfolk, has loads to discover for all ages.

For older kids and more adventurous younger ones, there’s a Go Ape high ropes course, including the treetop adventure for kids over 1m tall, as well as segways through the forest (with a weight minimum rather than age, but usually for older tweens/teens and up).

There are various walking trails too, including an easy walk nature trail at High Lodge, a walk through the pine trees, Gruffalo trail and more at Lynford Arboretum, including an accessible path that’s easy to follow with a buggy: great if you’re visiting Suffolk with a baby or toddler.

Thorpeness Meare, Thorpeness

A day outside with a bit of a difference, Thorpeness Meare is never more than three feet deep anywhere, so it’s a great place to get out on the water – keep an eye open for the quirky House in the Clouds while you do.

You can hire rowing boats, kayaks, canoes, punts, dinghies, and sail boats, depending how much skill you’ve got or effort you want to put in! Hugely popular on a sunny day, Thorpeness Meare operates on a first come, first served basis, so if you want to ensure you get a boat be sure to get there early.

Thorpeness is also walkable from Aldeburgh along the coast path for a bonus bit of fresh air and exercise – part of the route follows an old railway line so it’s flat and easy enough for kids too.

Bromeswell Green, Woodbridge

One of a string of nature reserves in Suffolk, Bromeswell Green has a circular trail to wander around as you discover the plants and wildlife of a string of habitats, including wet meadows, saltmarsh and woodland.

Keep an eye out for common lizards basking on sunny days. There are dozens of sites if you want to explore the fens and marshes in Suffolk with kids too.

Not far away from this particular reserve is Bromeswell Lakes if your kids love the idea of fishing – a strict catch and release fish farm.

Helmingham Hall Gardens

If you’re looking to get outdoors in Suffolk with kids but don’t necessarily want to head right into the countryside, Helmingham Hall Gardens is a great option.

Open during the summer months, from late April to September, there’s a new outdoor art trail for 2023, with more than 50 sculptures on display around the award-winning gardens, so it’s great for getting kids out and walking.

There’s also a new cafe in the former Coach House, which promises a range of posh toasties as well as cakes, puddings and other specials using ingredients from Helmingham’s own garden and grounds

The Hall itself is usually not open to the public, although there are occasionally exhibitions and temporary access, so it’s worth keeping an eye out.

Suffolk beaches with kids

Southwold

If you’re looking for sandy beaches in Suffolk, Southwold is hard to beat, with plenty of traditional seaside fun. It’s not very large and you can easily walk around it, visiting the lighthouse, the restored pier and spotting the colourful beach huts (which have previously sold for a whopping £150,000!)

Stroll along the pier to see your distorted reflections in the wall of mirrors, find the water-powered clock and don’t miss the Under the Pier show, with around 20 weird and wonderful interactive mechanical creations.

You can take tours of Southwold lighthouse too – children must be over 1.1m to climb the tower, and they take place around every half hour, lasting 20 to 30 minutes, with a fascinating chance to discover what it’s actually like inside a lighthouse.

Dogs are not allowed on the main beach from April to September.

Aldeburgh

One of my favourite beaches in Suffolk with kids, you can stroll along the sea wall, spot the Scallop sculpture and play in the sandy shingle. Plus there’s great fish and chips, as well as ice cream, on the historic streets.

Perfect for a sunny day, you can wander all the way to Thorpeness or to the Martello Tower in the other direction. And if it rains, there’s a quirky little museum to shelter inside for some local history.

The section of beach north of Aldeburgh towards Thorpeness is dog-friendly year-round, though there are restrictions on the main beach in summer.

Check out my tips on all the best things to do in Aldeburgh with kids here

Walberswick

Walberswick has another long sand and shingle beach, but what sets it apart is that it was once home to the British Crabbing Championships. And while the contest isn’t held there any more, there are still plenty of crabs to try it yourself!

Bring a plastic bucket to put the crabs in, a small fishing net, as well as a net with some bait in it (they love a bit of bacon). Catch yourself some crabs, then after you’ve got a few, return them where you got them so they can continue growing.

Quieter than nearby Southwold – there’s a foot ferry connecting the two in summer – this dog-friendly beach is backed by dunes and a nature reserve around the River Blyth estuary

Lowestoft

More classic English seaside, Lowestoft’s South Beach (aka Victoria Beach) has a Blue Flag award for its clean waters and lovely fine sand.

Beyond the chance to paddle and make sandcastles, there are some fun family friendly attractions as well, including favourites like crazy golf near the beach.

There are no dogs allowed from May to September though.

If you’re looking for a theme park in Suffolk, Pleasurewood Hills is only a short drive or bus ride from Lowestoft – with 35 rides, shows and attractions, including an area for younger kids, it’s open between April and October

Other family days out in Suffolk

Take a boat trip

If you’d like to see Suffolk from another angle, head out onto the water with a boat trip – there are several starting in Ipswich, including the Orwell Lady which heads long the River Orwell to Pin Mill and historic Harwich.

Cruises last around 3 and a half hours – there are also shorter options between one and two and a half hours which are ideal with younger kids. And you can choose between seats on the enclosed lower deck and open-air seating on top for the best views on dry days.

Ipswich Museum

It’s the natural history section which is the biggest draw with kids at Ipswich Museum, but that’s only the start of what there is to see if you’re looking for things to do in Ipswich with kids.

You can discover local history, as well as taking a trip through time to discover more about the Iron Age, the Romans and the Saxons – ideal if you’ve also seen Sutton Hoo.

There are also displays on Ancient Egypt, plus animals including  gorillas to lions and even a rare sub-species of giraffe in the Victorian natural history collection – and last but very definitely not least, a mammoth.

Christchurch Park and Mansion, Ipswich

Built on the site of a 12th century priory, Christchurch Mansion is fantastic if you’re looking for a free day out in Suffolk with kids, with a combination of history, museum and places to play.

You can explore rooms decorated in different styles from the past 450 years, ranging from the Tudors right through to the Victorians.

There’s also art on display, including Gainsborough and Constable, as well as other exhibits, ranging from ceramics to musical instruments and toys – the temporary exhibitions have also focused on everything from Ed Sheeran to the power of stories.

Bury St Edmunds

The abbey at Bury St Edmunds was once among the richest and most powerful in the country, housing the shrine of the martyred Anglo-Saxon king St Edmund.

You can still visit the ruins of the abbey buildings, walking in through the impressive 14th century Abbey gate, seeing the Norman Tower and St Edmundsbury Cathedral, as well as St Mary’s Church where Mary Tudor, sister of Henry VIII (both Queen of France and Duchess of Suffolk) was buried.

While you’re in the city, you can also visit the 800-year-old Guildhall, home to the only surviving Royal Observer Corps Second World War operations room in the country and old courtroom, as well as the medieval Moyse’s Hall Museum with quirky collections on witchcraft and local crimes.

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park, Bury St Edmunds

Set on the site of an early Anglo-Saxon village, occupied between the 5th and 7th centuries, you can transport yourself back 400 years before the Norman conquest at West Stow.

There are eight buildings in the reconstructed village surrounded by 125 acres of countryside, with the chance to see rare breed pigs and chickens, as well as crafts and a peek inside different old houses.

Once you’ve had your fill of history, there are trails and walks galore through the country park too, including a distinctly unusual Beowulf and Grendel trail with rune quest.

If your kids are fans of the Lord of the Rings, there are regular events and activities inspired by the books too, including a RingQuest family challenge featuring a dragon and giant spiders…

Find Harry Potter in Lavenham

Harry Potter fans can’t miss the chance to visit the half-timbered buildings in the pretty medieval village of Lavenham – better known as Godric’s Hollow.

You can see the house which doubled as Harry’s home, while the ancient streets also featured in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Parts 1 and 2 under a scattering of snow (Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson were added later with a bit of CGI magic).

For more great Harry Potter days out in the UK, check out my pick of the best

Mid-Suffolk Light Railway, Stowmarket

The Mid Suffolk Light Railway is Suffolk’s only standard gauge heritage railway, with a museum for train-lovers as well as a chance to take a trip on a steam train.

There are events throughout the year, including Middy in the War Years, a chance to virtually return to the 1940s, and Santa specials at Christmas.

Ipswich Transport Museum

There are over 100 vehicles on display at the Ipswich Transport Museum, all made or used in the local area over a period of around 200 years.

So as well as police cars and fire engines, you’ll find bicycles, vintage prams, lawnmowers and even a funeral hearse. There’s also a model railway, where everyone can try their hand at driving the trains, and an activity zone for kids.

Wild Raspberry Ceramic Café, Shotley

Whether you’ve got creative kids or are looking for something to do on a rainy day in Suffolk with kids, a visit to the Wild Raspberry Ceramic Café is just the thing.

As well as painting your own ceramics – with everything from animal figures to souvenirs and plates – there are a host of other workshops including the chance to try printing, make mosaics… or slime. There are even occasional wizards and wands workshops.

For more ideas of things to do in Suffolk in the rain with kids, check out my top picks

Places to stay in Suffolk with kids

For more ideas of places to stay in Suffolk with kids, there are some great self-catering accommodation to check into – we’ve stayed in Aldeburgh in one of the cottages from Best of Suffolk.

Or check out the collection from Sykes Cottages and holidaycottages.co.uk, which has options in Aldeburgh, Southwold and Lowestoft, as well as Suffolk Hideaways.

For family-friendly Suffolk hotels, glamping, farm stays and more, there’s a great choice on booking.com too.

If you’re visiting the area around Ipswich and the Suffolk border with Essex, you’re only a short drive from Colchester – check out my top things to do in Colchester with kids here

*First published 2021, last updated 2023*

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Images: Southwold/Framlingham/Ickworth/rabbit/owl/woodland/Ipswich marina/Christchurch mansion/Lavenham courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels

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