Out & About

Ipswich is the perfect base for exploring Suffolk. Whilst here you can be as active or as relaxed as you desire. With miles of unspoilt coastline within a short drive, quiet country roads, villages and market towns you could just immerse yourself in quaint English charm and rich cultural heritage or simply meander through Constable Countryside. However if you desire a faster pace there is high speed powerboat rides in Southwold, high wire walking in Thetford Forest and off road cycling in the surrounding countryside.

Ipswich is steeped in history, yet full of life. There's a chance to stroll along its historic waterfront and streets, and plenty of entertainment – a vibrant mix of theatre, cinema, clubs and bars.

Museums

East Anglia Transport Museum - Situated 3 miles south west of Lowestoft on the B1384. Enjoy a truly historical experience with rides on vintage trams and trolleybuses as well as displays of public transport in years gone by.

www.eatm.org.uk Tel. 01502 518459

Museum Of East Anglian Life – Located in Stowmarket, just off the A14 to Bury. Explore the variety of old East Anglia life with a visit to see rare breeds of cattle, pigs and sheep as well as the traditional Suffolk Punch horses. Includes a selection of historic buildings and recreated Victorian rooms, and displays in the farming and craft workshops.

www.eastanglianlife.org.uk Tel. 01449 612229

The National Stud Guided Tours – Two miles south west of Newmarket at the junction of A1303 (A14). This purpose built thoroughbred stud farm sits on 500 acres of glorious countryside and is one of the most prestigious studs in the country today.

www.nationalstud.co.uk Tel. 01638 663464

Duxford Imperial War Museum – Just off junction 10 of the M11 in Cambridgeshire. Many collections of war paraphernalia as well as a vast number of massive exhibitions, from the 2nd World War to an assembly of British and American aircraft.

www.duxford.iwm.org.uk Tel. 01223 835000

Ipswich Museum – North Ipswich on High Street. Free admission to the museum and experience various exhibits, including the captivating main hall with its vast array of life-sized stuffed animals. Explore the fascinating temporary exhibitions, which change quarterly.

www.ipswich.gov.uk/tourism Tel. 01473 433550

Ipswich Transport Museum - A collection of over 1000 historic vehicles, housed in former Ipswich corporation trolleybus depot. The vehicles date from 1800 and all have been built or used in the area.

www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk Tel. 01473 715666

Christchurch Mansion - A fine Tudor Mansion built between 1548 and 1550 with later additions. A good collection of furniture, panelling, ceramics, clocks and paintings from the 16^th-19^th century. Set in the delightful Christchurch Park.

www.ipswich.gov.uk/Services/Museums Tel. 01473 433554

Antiques

Long Melford – This former wool town is the ‘antiques capital of Suffolk’. Its wide, tree-lined high street is full of antique shops and centres.

www.longmelford.co.uk

Lavenham - In medieval times, Lavenham (whose population has never exceeded 2000) was the fourteenth wealthiest town in England. It has been called "the most complete medieval town in Britain", a tribute to its fine collection of medieval and Tudor architecture. Mansions of wealthy merchants mingle with simple cottages. Its fine timber-framed buildings and beautiful church, built on the success of the wool trade, make it a fascinating place to explore, whether you are looking for that perfect antique, admiring the architecture or just browsing around the streets of the town centre.

www.lavenham.co.uk

Maud’s Attic – On St Peters Street in Ipswich town centre. A hoard of architectural antiques, furniture, lighting and various other collectables.

www.maudsatticantiques.com Tel. 01473 221057

Houses & Gardens

Kentwell Hall - Just off the A134 between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury, not just a moated house but a lived-in home with extensive gardens and farm to explore, with famous re-creations of Tudor life.

www.kentwell.co.uk Tel. 01787 310207

Sandringham Estate - 2 hour drive to the Norfolk retreat of her Majesty the Queen, 19^th century house built on acres of outstanding natural beauty.

www.sandringhamestate.co.uk Tel. 01553 612908

Ickworth - On the A143, 2 miles south of Bury St Edmunds, experience the Italianate wonders of the house and gardens at Ickworth and enjoy the beautiful park and woodlands.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth Tel. 01284 735270

Gainsborough’s House - Just a short drive away is the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough, one of England’s greatest painters, now an art gallery and museum with more of his paintings, drawings and prints than anywhere else in the world.

www.gainsborough.org/thesite Tel. 01787 372958

Somerleyton Hall & Gardens – On the B1074, 5 miles north west of Lowestoft. Somerleyton Hall is an early Victorian mansion and the formal gardens boast a famous 1846 yew tree maze.

www.somerleyton.co.uk Tel. 01502 730224

Gifford’s Hall – A vineyard and winery in Hartest near Bury St Edmunds (tourist signs on A134, B1066 & A1092). Homemade liqueurs, wild flower meadows and free range animals to visit.

www.giffordshall.co.uk Tel. 01284 830464

Wyken Hall – From Ipswich onto A1088 then follow tourist signs on A143. An Elizabethan manor house surrounded by 4 acres of garden and vineyard, visit the Leaping Hare Vineyard Restaurant and country store. A celebration of country life.

www.wykenvineyards.co.uk Tel. 01359 250287

Shawsgate Vineyard – One mile from Framlingham on B1120. Established in 1973 the vineyard has undergone major restoration work and visitors can sample the various wines and cider as well as purchase vines.

www.shawsgate.co.uk/ Tel. 01728 724060

Unitarian Meeting House – Located in the heart of Ipswich, next to the Willis building on Friars Street. Built in 1699 this is one of the finest dissenting Meeting Houses in the country, and is one of Ipswich’s most important historic structures.

www.unitarianipswich.org.uk Tel. 01473 218217

Beaches, Walks, Tours & Cycling

Felixstowe Beach - A short trip down the A14, sand and shingle beach with little tidal movement. Two-mile long promenade with seafront gardens and seating, pier with amusements and arcades.

Aldeburgh - A quiet unspoilt resort, long steeply shingle shelving shingle beach with groynes. Winner of the ENCAMS Seaside award. Fishing boats hauled up onto the beach, with stalls selling fresh fish daily.

www.visit-aldeburgh.co.uk

Sudbury Common Lands – From Sudbury town centre. These water meadows were recorded in the Domesday survey of 1086 and the landscape itself has not changed since it inspired Thomas Gainsborough's early paintings.

Needham Market Town & Countryside Trail – The trail starts and finishes at Needham Lake, which is 7 miles outside of Ipswich. Various areas of beauty to visit, such as Baylham Lock, which is found along Gipping Valley, and Needham Lake where you can feed the swans and ducks.

Gemini Ghost Tours – A guided tour of the haunted sites of Ipswich! Tours start from the Tourist Information Centre at St Stephen church on the first Thursday of every month. Tales of apparitions and strange manifestations can be related over an optional drink as many of the locations are pubs.

www.geminighosts.co.uk/ Tel. 01473 258070

Ipswich Town Stadium Tour – Tour Portman Road, the official Ipswich Town Football Club stadium. A unique insight into the world of professional football and a chance to view the areas that are ‘off limits’. Visit the Champions lounge, directors box and get your chance to walk through the players tunnel on these Monday evening tours.

www.itfc.co.uk Tel. 01473 400555

Family Days Out

Baylam House Rare Breeds Farm - With cattle, sheep, pygmy goats, poultry and pigs, the main area of the farm is wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Visit the visitor’s centre for information, gifts, souvenirs and refreshments. In Great Blakenham, near Ipswich.

www.baylham-house-farm.co.uk Tel 01473 830264

Stonham Barns – Located on A1120 tourist route, Stonham Barns is a leisure and retail complex comprising of a host of different attractions including Redwings Horse Rescue Centre, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary and a Golf Centre. There are also over 30 craft and specialist shops and a licensed restaurant.

www.stonhambarns.co.uk Tel. 01449 711755

Colchester Zoo – Visit the vast variety of enclosures, divided into different regions of the world and their associated animals. Daily programmes such as falconry displays and big cat feeding time. Is considered one of the most modern and stimulating zoos in the world. Off A12 in Colchester.

www.colchester-zoo.co.uk Tel. 01206 331292

Easton Farm Park – Set in 35 acres of rural Suffolk, the original Victorian buildings include the dairy, blacksmiths forge and traditional woodwright. Meet the farm animals have a pony ride! Located in Woodbridge off the Lowestoft A12.

www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk Tel. 01728 746475

Go Ape – Is situated in Thetford Forest and is an award-winning high wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, Tarzan Swings and zip slides up to 40 feet up in the trees. Appealing to a wide age range, customers are fitted with a climbing harness, given instructions, and then trek from tree to tree high above the forest floor.

www.goape.co.uk Tel: 0870 444 5562

Snape Maltings - is a unique collection of granaries nestled beside the River Alde. The fine collection of shops and galleries provide an inspiring shopping experience. The Plough & Sail public house is a favourite for visitors for either, a light refreshment, relaxing lunch or evening meal. The Granary Tea Shop is ideal for a morning coffee, light lunch or afternoon tea. Painting and craft courses take place from May to September. A variety of solo and group exhibitions are held throughout the year together with the featured 'Artist of the Month' exhibition. Open Daily from 10.00am.

Snape Maltings Concert Hall is a beautiful conversion of one of the old Maltings. The Concert Hall hosts a year-round programme of concerts, opera and dance. The highlights include the Aldeburgh Festival during June, the month long Snape Proms featuring classical music, jazz, world and folk music throughout August, the October Britten Festival; the Easter Festival and contemporary dance season in the spring and Autumn.

www.snapemaltings.co.uk Tel: 01728 688303

Sutton Hoo – Just off the A1152 north of Woodbridge and follow tourist signs. One of Britain’s most important archaeological sites, ranking in significance with Stonehenge, Sutton Hoo is the burial site of the Anglo-Saxon pagan kings of East Anglia. One of the several large mounds was first excavated in 1939 revealing now world-renowned treasures, including the famous warriors helmet.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/places/suttonhoo Tel. 01394 389714

Framlingham Castle – Located in Framlingham on B1116. This late 12^th century castle was built by the Earl of Norfolk and was stayed in by Mary Tudor in 1553 before being crowned.

www.framlingham.com/visitfram/framlinghamcastle Tel. 01728 724189

Suffolk Food Hall & Bourne Garden Centre – Start your visit with a trip round the Bourne Garden Centre – an independent horticultural specialist offering all you could wish for your garden, including expert advice.  Refresh yourselves at the Samford Restaurant & Café with panoramic views over the River Orwell and round off your day with a visit to the Suffolk Food Hall which offers you the finest food emporium in East Anglia and will give you plenty of tasters to remind you that shopping can be fun.  Butcher, Fishmonger, Delicatessen, Bakery, Greengrocer, Wine and Beer merchant. Located in Wherstead, Ipswich. Open Mon-Sat 9am – 6pm Sundays 1030am – 4.30pm.

www.suffolkfoodhall.co.uk Tel: 01473 786610