Our top 20 things to do in 2020

With a choice of accommodation from woodland glamping, lakeside lodges, luxury hotels and cosy farm cottages, there's accommodation to suit your lifestyle and your pocket.

The annual County show celebrating all things Suffolk is on 27th & 28th May 2020 at Trinity Park near Ipswich.  The show is a unique celebration of everything that makes the county great, showcasing the best of Suffolk’s food, farming and agricultural heritage.  Get to see the Suffolk Trinity consisting of the Red Poll Cattle, the Suffolk Punch Horse and the Black Faced Sheep 

The Suffolk Show is one of the UK's oldest county shows and remains a traditional agricultural show at heart but has plenty for everyone to enjoy with lifestyle shopping, food halls, exhibitions and plenty of animals both large and small to see.

Learn a new skill or perfect an existing one on the water.  You can sail, surf, kayak and paddle board on Suffolk’s rivers, coast or on open water at Alton Water or Lackford Lakes.  It's a perfect way to unwind and reconnect with nature.

Dogs love Suffolk, so bring your dog with you to enjoy the many beaches which are open for dogs throughout the year and explore the countryside on waymarked walks.  Many of the pubs and places to stay welcome well-behaved dogs and the historic town of Bury St Edmunds is exceptionally dog-friendly with the shops offering water bowls and doggie treats. 

26th July is Suffolk Dog Day, which is celebrated at Helmingham Hall Gardens, an event for all dogs to show off their agility, or to just watch the entertainment.

In 2020, join Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk to celebrate the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund by King Canute 1000 years ago.

The first Patron Saint of England and King of East Anglia, Saint Edmund was enshrined in the Abbey consequently lending his name to the town, which was built around it. The shrine brought visits from across the UK and abroad including Royalty as the Abbey became one of the most famous and wealthy pilgrimage locations in England.

Find the programme of events here.

Get dressed up and head to the tracks at Newmarket, the home of horseracing and home to over 3000 horses.

Throughout the season from April through to October, champions and new-comers from around the world will battle it out along the world-famous tracks.  Along with the racing, there's also a chance to see some great musicians playing to the après racing crowds, including for 2020 Bryan Ferry, Rick Astley and Alfie Boe.  

Ladies Day at the July Festival in Newmarket

Wander through the gardens of Suffolk and witness the displays of snowdrops in Christchurch Park, Ickworth House and Kentwell Hall.  During May see the bluebells at Haughley Park and Blakenham Woodland gardens, and then it's the turn of both the cottage and stately gardens to display their colours through the summer and autumn.   

A year round attraction is the Italian style gardens at Ickworth House which were designed as pleasure grounds for the former family and guests to enjoy.

At Langham Walled garden, they describe themselves as 'a little magic in rural Suffolk'.  The Walled Garden and Nursery are lovingly looked after with new projects always on the go.

Throughout the year, weekly markets pop up to sell a variety of produce harvested throughout the county.

At the weekly Saturday market at Wyken Vineyards, you can select the best of the best from cheeses to chocolate, bread and wine, honey and cider.  All set in the beautiful surroundings of Wyken Hall where you can browse around the country store and enjoy a coffee and cake in the cafe and the glorious gardens in the summer.

Many of the towns and villages host farmers markets, it's a great way to meet the producers and support the small businesses.