Are you planning a road trip to Suffolk? Or perhaps you're just looking for a day out with the family?
In this post, I will list all the places I would like to see during my road trip of Suffolk.
Photography
Please note that the key driver for this road trip is photography. Therefore, many places listed below will consist of many locations that you may not consider to be 'bucket list' items. But if you are a photographer, or plan a long term road trip, then these may well be places you'd like to check out.
Get your personal blog review and added to the directory
Are you the proprietor or owner of any of the venues listed below? Or perhaps I have missed your venue from the list? I haven't listed any/many eateries on this list because those I will seek out personally when visiting towns/villages.
If you would like your venue added as a blog post, this can be arranged in exchange for free entry to your venue, free use of activities if any and sustenance (I don't take the piss!).
In return, I will experience your venue and provide a review of my own in a blog post. This post can include a few paragraphs from yourself if you choose and will contain a backlink to your website plus any contact details you wish to add.
In addition, you can choose any 2 images taken at your venue. Get in touch if you'd like to invite me to your venue. Check with your Marketing Director, it's a great deal 👍
Please get involved in Grumpy Git's Road Trip!
If there is something missing from this list that you feel should be there, please do leave a comment and if it's something that interests me I'll be sure to add it to the list 😊
As I visit the attractions/places below I will update this post with a link to the associated blog post for that location.
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Okay, I'll stop now 😊
Let's get into the bucket list!
Places to see in Suffolk
Attractions, Museums etc
The 95th Bomb Group Hospital Museum -
493rd Bomb Group Museum -
Africa Alive! - Africa Alive!, formerly known as Suffolk Wildlife Park, is a zoo located in Kessingland, Suffolk, UK. It is situated off the A12 at Kessingland 2 miles (3 km) south of Lowestoft. Africa Alive! is part of the Zoological Society of East Anglia, a registered charity, and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), and the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).
Allen Gardiner River Cruise Restaurant - Built in Miami, Florida, in 1942 as a South African Air Force air-sea rescue launch, the Allen Gardiner has the character of a fine wooden ship. In 2011, she underwent a rebuild before being transported to Ipswich from Durban, South Africa.
Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm - Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm is in the middle of the beautiful county of Suffolk in Eastern England and is a small livestock farm breeding farm animals that were once common but are now very rare.
Bentwaters Cold War Museum -
Bures Dragon -
Bury St Edmunds Boer War Memorial -
Carlton Colville Skatepark -
Clare Ancient House Museum -
Debach Airfield Museum -
Dunwich Museum -
East Anglia Transport Museum - The East Anglia Transport Museum is an open-air transport museum, with numerous historic public transport vehicles (including many in full working order). It is located in Carlton Colville a suburb of Lowestoft, Suffolk. It is the only museum in the country where visitors can ride on buses, trams and trolleybuses, as well as a narrow-gauge railway.
Easton Farm Park - This is a children's open farm that has been operating for over 30 years - a great place for children to interact with animals.
Explore 4X4 -
Felixstowe Pier -
Flint Vineyard - Flint Vineyard is set in a beautiful location overlooking the Waveney Valley, close to the bustling market town of Bungay. Join us for a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes at one of England’s most exciting new wineries, including a guided tour of our vineyard and state-of-the-art winery and a tutored tasting of our award-winning wines.
Flo-ridaz Hovercraft -
Greene King Brewery - Greene King is the UK's largest pub retailer and brewer. It is based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England. The company owns pubs, restaurants and hotels. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange until it was acquired by CK Assets in October 2019.
Halesworth Airfield Museum -
Harwich Harbour Foot Ferry - Foot and Bicycle Ferry connecting Harwich, Shotley and Felixstowe since 1912.
Hilly Ridge Alpacas - We have a small farm with about 50 alpacas. Walk with alpacas through beautiful countryside and walk around the farm and meet the babies and possibly bottle-feed a baby alpaca.
HMS Ganges Museum -
Hollow Trees Farm Shop - Fresh is best, and you can buy everything we produce at Hollow Trees in our fantastic Farm Shop. Have an adventure on the Hollow Trees Farm Trail where there are surprises around every corner!
Ipswich Transport Museum - The Ipswich Transport Museum is a museum in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, devoted principally to the history of transport and engineering objects made or used in its local area.
Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park - This rare breed's farm is home to ponies, donkeys, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, goats, geese, ducks, cows, pigs and much more. Visitors can feed all the animals using the bags of food available and get even closer with special animal encounters every weekend and during the school holidays.
Latitude Festival - One of the more recent additions to the British festival calendar, Latitude is a magical experience in the woods of Suffolk.
Lavenham Airfield -
Lavenham Falconry - Bird of prey experience centre offering the following experiences at our purpose-built venue.
Lavenham Farmers Market - Suffolk Market Events runs the highest quality Farmers' Markets in Suffolk including the award-winning Lavenham, Farmers' Market and the fantastic monthly markets in Sudbury and Bury St Edmund's.
Lowestoft Ferry - Come and take a cruise along Lake Lothing on our Motor Launch that was built in 1954 and use in Glasgow and the Clyde.
Lowestoft War Memorial Museum - Only costs 80pence or 60 pence for adults. This is a memorial to all Lowestoft. It has a small chapel of remembrance, some small rooms to look round, has a wide range of artefacts and the volunteers are really dedicated.
Mid Suffolk Light Railway Museum - Located in the heart of the countryside, the Mid-Suffolk Light Railway Museum is Suffolk's only standard gauge steam railway.
Mincarlo Floating Maritime Museum -
Moyse's Hall Museum -
Noah's Ark -
Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum -
Oasis Camel Park -
Orwell River Cruises - Sail the River Orwell in Style The River Orwell is one of the most scenic and historic rivers in the country. The Orwell Lady public cruises sail from Ipswich Wet Dock (Orwell Quay) to Pin Mill or Harwich Harbour from Easter weekend through to September.
Past & Present at the Risby Barn Antique Center -
Pleasurewood Hills - The fun starts here at Pleasurewood Hills, with over 35 rides, shows and attractions there is something for all the family to enjoy.
The Red House - Benjamin Britten was one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century. He wrote a vast amount of incredible music and wanted everyone to enjoy it – professional and amateur musicians, music enthusiasts, children and families.
Regent Theatre -
River Stour Trust Boat Trips - River Stour Trust is a volunteer-led registered charity dedicated to restoring & conserving the River Stour Navigation for all.
Royal Air Force Mildenhall -
South Pier, Lowestoft -
Southwold Maize Maze -
Southwold Museum and Historical Society -
Southwold Pier - Southwold Pier is a pier in the coastal town of Southwold in the English county of Suffolk. It is on the northern edge of the town and extends 190 metres (620 ft) into the North Sea.
St Peter's Brewery - St. Peter's is an independent brewery founded in 1996 by John Murphy in former agricultural buildings adjacent to St. Peter’s Hall in St Peter, South Elmham, near Bungay, Suffolk, England.
Suffolk Moto Park -
Suffolk Punch Trust - Come and join our gentle giant Suffolk Punch Heavy Horses for a fun family day out. Visit pets corner, meet our Suffolk lambs, see the horses being trained, explore the 120-acre farm.
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary - The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is home to more than 80 beautiful and unusual owls and other birds of prey. Between Easter & September, we give three flying displays daily, each featuring different birds.
Suffolk Yacht Harbour -
Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds - Built in 1819, this Grade 1 listed playhouse is the only surviving example of a Regency theatre in the UK. It is the only theatre open to the public in the National Trust's portfolio of properties.
Tostock Animal Park -
Undley Pumpkin Patch & Maize Maze - Undley Farm Events was founded by Anthony and Sally Pooley and they have also been hosting Undley Pumpkin Patch and Maize Maze for over two decades.
Walberswick Ferry -
Wild Tracks - Activity park offering exciting activities for ages 8+. Karting, quad treks, 4x4 rides, archery, shooting, battlefield live and more! On-site diner and other catering facilities.
Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum - Woodbridge Tide Mill in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England is a rare example of a tide mill whose water wheel still turns and is capable of grinding a wholemeal flour.
Architecture
The Abbey - The Abbey of Bury St Edmunds was once among the richest Benedictine monasteries in England until the Dissolution of the monasteries in 1539.
All Saints Church, Newmarket -
The Apex - Award-winning live music & entertainment venue in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. From classical to jazz, folk to pop/rock, comedy, family entertainment & more!
Bardwell Windmill -
Bridge Cottage -
Bury St Edmunds Guildhall - Dating back to before 1279 (the earliest written reference to the building), Bury St Edmunds Guildhall is the oldest continuously used civic building in England and its World War Two Royal Observer Corp room is the only surviving room of its kind in the world.
Buttrums Mill -
Christchurch Mansion - Christchurch Mansion is a substantial Tudor brick mansion house built in Ipswich, Suffolk by Edmund Withypoll around 1548-50. The Grade I listed building is located within Christchurch Park and sits by the southern gates close to the town centre of Ipswich. The mansion belonged to various noble families throughout its history but was purchased by the Ipswich Borough Council in 1884. Since 1885, the building has been used as a museum and is today run by the state-funded Colchester + Ipswich Museums organisation. The museum's rooms are preserved as past inhabitants would have known them, complete with original items such as furniture, fine clothing and children's toys. The museum also holds a collection of paintings by renowned local artists including John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough.
Church of Saint Andrew Covehithe - St Andrew's Church is a partly redundant Anglican church in the hamlet of Covehithe in the English county of Suffolk. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.
Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Clare -
Church of St Peter & St Paul, Lavenham -
Flatford Mill -
Haverhill Arts Centre -
Holy Trinity Church Blythburgh -
Holy Trinity Long Melford Church -
Landguard Fort -
Landguard Nature Reserve -
Orwell Bridge, Ipswich -
Pakenham Watermill - Pakenham Water mill is a working mill, dating from before the Domesday survey. It is run by volunteers, who offer tours of the mill, flour sales and refreshments in the cafe
Saxtead Green Windmill -
Southwold Lighthouse - Southwold Lighthouse is a lighthouse operated by Trinity House in the centre of Southwold in Suffolk, England. It stands on the North Sea coast, acting as a warning light for shipping passing along the east coast and as a guide for vessels navigating to Southwold Harbour.
St. Edmundsbury Cathedral -
St. Edmund's Church, Southwold- The parish church of Southwold is dedicated to St Edmund and is considered to be one of Suffolk's finest. It lies under one continuous roof, and was built over about 60 years from the 1430s to the 1490s; it replaced a smaller 13th-century church that was destroyed by fire.
St. Giles Church, Risby -
St. John the Baptist, the Parish Church of Needham Market -
St. Lawrence Church, Ipswich - The 15th-century church has the oldest set of church bells in the world. The church was reopened as a community restaurant and gallery in July 2008.
St. Margarets Church, Ipswich -
St. Mary at the Elms Church, Ipswich -
St. Mary's Church, Bury St Edmunds - Spectacular grade 1 listed medieval church in the Church of England with lots to see and an extensive programme of worship services and community activities. You're always welcome. Admission is free. St Mary's is the civic church of Bury St Edmunds and is one of England's most historic as well as one of the biggest.
St. Mary's Church, Hadleigh -
St. Mary's Church, Pakenham -
St. Mary's Church, Woodbridge -
St. Mary's, Mildenhall -
St. Mary-le-Tower -
St. Mary Magdaline, Debenham -
St. Mary the Virgin Church, Huntingfield -
St. Michael and All Angels, Woodbridge -
St. Michael's Church, Framlingham - St Michael’s is the parish church for Framlingham, and we have close links to All Saints Saxtead, an adjoining parish,north west of our small historic market town.
St. Peter and St Paul Aldeburgh -
St. Peter's Church, Theberton -
St. Stephen’s Chapel, Bures -
Thelnetham Windmill -
Wickhambrook All Saints church -
Beaches and bays
Aldeburgh Beach -
Covehithe Beach -
Denes Beach - Great for a family day out at the beach. Large expanse of beach backed by sand dunes. Ideal for relaxing with a picnic, swimming, sandcastles etc.
Dunwich Heath and Beach -
Ness Point -
South Beach, Lowestoft -
Walberswick Beach -
Castles, Palaces and Stately homes
Bungay Castle -
Crow's Hall -
Eye Castle -
Framlingham Castle -
Gainsborough's House - Gainsborough’s House explores the life and art of Thomas Gainsborough. One of the greatest artists of his age, he is renowned throughout the world for his portrait and landscape paintings.
Glemham Hall - An Elizabethan family home, Glemham Hall is available exclusively for weddings, receptions, conferences and private events. It is also home to the FolkEast festival held in the surrounding parkland every August.
Heveningham Hall -
Ickworth - An Italianate Palace in the heart of an ancient deer park. Formal gardens, pleasure grounds, rolling Suffolk landscape and woodlands invite gentle strolls or long walks, runs, bike rides and picnics.
Kentwell Hall - A 50-year restoration project The House: part original Tudor, with later classical elements, mixed with the owners' personal style. Tudor portraits, interesting artefacts and historic tapestries make this a family home with a difference.
Melford Hall, Long Melford -
Orford Castle -
Otley Hall -
Palace House - Palace House is the home of Great Britain’s National Heritage Centre of Horseracing and Sporting Art in the remaining part of Charles II's racing palace in Newmarket, Suffolk, England. It is home to the National Horseracing Museum, the British Sporting Art Trust and Retraining of Racehorses, and was opened by Elizabeth II in 2016.
Somerleyton Hall - Somerleyton Hall is one of the finest Victorian Stately homes in the country. The hall and its surrounding 12-acre gardens are located on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. Lord and Lady Somerleyton open their doors to the public from Easter to September.
Weeting Castle -
Cities, towns, villages and islands
Aldeburgh
Bury St Edmunds
Felixstowe
Ipswich
Ipswich Waterfront - The Ipswich Waterfront is a cultural and historically significant area surrounding the marina in the town of Ipswich, Suffolk.
Lavenham
Lowestoft
Lowestoft Harbour
Newmarket
Port of Felixstowe
Southwold
Sudbury
Woodbridge
Nature reserves/national parks/gardens/lakes/forests
Abbey Gardens - The Abbey Gardens are owned by St Edmundsbury Borough Council and managed by the council in conjunction with English Heritage. The abbey ruins lie within the park. A friends' group supports the maintenance of and improvements to the gardens.
Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale -
Blakenham Woodland Garden -
Bourne Park -
Bradfield Woods -
Brandon Country Park - Brandon Country Park is located in the very heart of Thetford Forest. Surrounded by acres of pure forest, we have miles of walking and nature trails, cycle routes, a lake, lawns, historic arboretum, Walled Garden, Visitor Centre and the Copper Beech Tearoom with our homemade cakes and soups.
Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve - Carlton Marshes lies in the Waveney Valley at the southern tip of the Norfolk Broads. This Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve is a mosaic of marshland habitats and supports a wide variety of wildlife including marsh harrier, water vole and fen raft spider.
Carlton Meadow Park -
Chantry Park - Chantry Park is a park located west of Ipswich town centre, in the Ipswich district, in the county of Suffolk, England. It is the largest park in Ipswich and extends over 124 acres. Chantry Park was opened to the public on 17 May 1928 and was designated a Conservation Area in 2005.
Christchurch Park - Christchurch Park is a historical area of rolling lawns, wooded areas, and delicately created arboreta close to the town centre in Ipswich, Suffolk. The park hosts various facilities such as a children's play area, tennis courts, table tennis, bowling greens and outdoor gym equipment. The distinguished Tudor house, Christchurch Mansion, is located at the parks southern entrance and holds a public museum and art gallery. The park belonged to various noble families as private land throughout its history but was purchased by the Ipswich Borough Council in 1894 and opened as the town's first public park in 1895
Clare Castle Country Park - Clare Castle Country Park is a beautiful quiet area to relax, play, get close to nature and learn about Clare’s fascinating history and heritage.
Earsham Wetland Centre -
East Town Park -
Elmhurst Park - One of the Towns most enjoyable attractions and an area of immense community pride and appeal, Elmhurst Park is often referred to as the jewel in the crown of Woodbridge. Elmhurst is invitingly located a short walk from both the main shopping Thoroughfare and the River Deben and is renowned for its floral colour, mature planting, high standards of maintenance, diverse events programme and wide community appeal.
Elveden Estate -
Felixstowe Sea Front Gardens - A Tranquil Place By The Sea & A Unique Part of Suffolk Coastal Heritage. A Suffolk Coastal District Council Project (now East Suffolk Council) supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Fullers Mill Garden -
Gunton Warren Nature Reserve -
Haughley Park -
Helmingham Hall Gardens -
Henham Park -
Hen Reedbeds -
High Lodge Thetford Forest - High Lodge is a recreational site set in the heart of Thetford Forest offering extensive play areas, walking trails and cycling trails.
Holywells Park -
Ipswich Skatepark - Skate park along the waterfront
The Kings Forest, Bury St Edmunds -
Kingston Field - Delightful Playing field with many sporting and play facilities including outdoor table tennis table, slam dunk area, children s play area and outdoor gym equipment
Lackford Lakes -
Lakenheath Fen RSPB Reserve -
Landseer Park -
Levington Lagoon -
Long Melford -
Minsmere Nature Reserve RSPB - RSPB Minsmere is a nature reserve owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) at Minsmere, Suffolk. The 1,000-hectare (2,500-acre) site has been managed by the RSPB since 1947 and covers areas of reed bed, lowland heath, acid grassland, wet grassland, woodland and shingle vegetation. It lies within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Suffolk Heritage Coast area. It is conserved as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area and Ramsar site.
Needham Lake -
Newborne Springs Nature Reserve -
Nowton Park -
Orford Ness National Nature Reserve - Wild, remote and exposed, Orford Ness contains the ruined remnants of a disturbing past. Ranked among the most important shingle features in the world, rare and fragile wildlife thrives where weapons, including atomic bombs, were once tested and perfected.
Orwell Country Park -
Ravenswood Park -
Rendlesham Forest Centre - Rendlesham Forest is a 1,500-hectare mixed woodland in Suffolk owned by the Forestry Commission with recreation facilities for walkers, cyclists and campers.
Rendlesham Forest incident - In late December 1980, there was a series of reported sightings of unexplained lights near Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk, England which have become linked with claims of UFO landings.
Reydon Wood, Southwold -
RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden -
Sudbury Water Meadows -
Suffolk Wildlife Trust at Trimley Marshes -
The Walled Garden -
Thornham Walks -
Weeting Heath Nature Reserve -
Wherstead Park -
Wolves Wood RSPB Reserve - Wolves Wood is a woodland near Hadleigh in Suffolk and is one of seven ancient woodland areas which used to cover East Anglia.
Historical sites
Clare Priory -
Lavenham Guildhall -
Leiston Abbey - The ruins of a 12th-century abbey built by the Premonstratensian Order of Canons.
Norman Tower -
Sutton Hoo -
West Stow Country Park and Anglo-Saxon Village - West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village - one of the UK’s great archaeological sites - is a stunning recreation of the Anglo-Saxon settlement that occupied the site between 450-650 AD.
Camping sites
Easton Farm Park Campsite
Outney Meadow Camp Site
Google Map with Suffolk locations
