When the sun shines, the temperature rises and the big Suffolk skies are a beautiful shade of blue, the urge to get outside and make the most of the long daylight hours can be overwhelming. We have written a handy guide packed with ideas for how you might want to spend these precious summer days…
HEAD TO THE BEACH
Heading for one of the beaches dotted along Suffolk’s coast is an absolute must, especially on the hottest of hot days.
Walk along the promenade at Felixstowe and explore the seafront gardens; take the children crabbing in Walberswick; have a laugh at the Under-the-Pier-Show in Southwold; eat freshly caught oysters at Pinneys in Orford or build sandcastles on the blue flag beach at Lowestoft.
Pack your swimming essentials and make a day of it. Read our Guide to Suffolk’s Beaches before you go, and if you are into surfing, read our article about the best places to surf in Suffolk.
Have fun with friends and family on Lowestoft beach
GET ON YOUR BIKE
If you enjoy the cool breeze in your hair as you freewheel with abandon, then a trip out on your bike would be an ideal way to spend a summer’s day. Suffolk has many miles of quiet country lanes and lots of cycling maps are available to help you navigate the most scenic routes.
Visit the Discover Suffolk website to download some cycle maps.
There’s also the option of off-road cycling in The Brecks, where you can hire bikes and cycle through Thetford Forest on one of four routes, graded from moderate to difficult.
Alternatively, book a cycling holiday with Cycle Breaks and let them do the hard work for you. They will provide bikes, map out a route, organise your accommodation and even transport your luggage each day to your next overnight pit stop.
Going through the water-splash in Kersey
TAKE A HIKE
Suffolk has two areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and many nature reserves, which means taking a long walk through the countryside or along the coast, is lovely at any time of year. There are many long-distance walks stretching across the county, or for something a little shorter, try The Sailor’s Path. It’s a six-mile walk that ambles its way through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
If you love history, walk one of the Suffolk Thread Trails which explore the county’s wool towns and their fascinating history. There are regular guided walks on offer too, including walks around medieval Lavenham, birdwatching walks around RSPB Minsmere and guided town walks around Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich. Keep an eye on our events list for further information.
Birdwatching at RSPB Minsmere
TAKE TO THE WATER
We’ve spoken about Suffolk’s coast and scenic beaches, but did you know we also have some beautiful rivers too? Hire a boat or a canoe and paddle down the River Stour through Constable Country or sail down the River Waveney into The Broads National Park; take a river cruise along the River Orwell on a vintage sailing barge; or catch the Big Dog Ferry from Beccles Lido and enjoy a 40-minute boat ride. Read our article on the eight best boating holidays in Suffolk.
Or you could forgo the sailing vessel all together and opt for wild water swimming instead! Read our article on the best places to go wild swimming in Suffolk.
Hire a day boat to explore the waterways in the Waveney Valley
