Make the most of the longer days, warmer weather, and quality time together as a family with the National Trust’s Summer of Play when you visit Suffolk.
Discover a whole host of ways to play, with events, activities, games, and crafts on offer from the National Trust this summer. Get active and have a go at sports and garden games, with archery, croquet, athletics, ball sports and plenty more to spark your competitive side. Explore and play in nature with wild art, bug-hunting, and pond dipping, enjoy performance play with storytelling and dress-up sessions and get crafty with art workshops and craft making. With a range of activities and events at each National Trust place, there’s something to make everyone’s summer day out special.
Here we’ve rounded up some of the best and most exciting National Trust events and activities to keep the whole family busy this summer.
Ickworth Estate
• Summer of Play | 22 July to 5 September | 10am – 3:30pm
• Cycle hire | 22 July to 5 September | 10am – 4pm (last hire 2pm)
• Wind in the Willows, outdoor theatre | 4 August | 5pm – 7pm
Come out and play at Ickworth Estate this summer. As one of 11 National Trust Play Hubs we invite you transform the Walled Garden and reclaim it as a hub for families and friends to connect with nature and each other. With many different activities in this ‘Play Garden’, you can lose track of time weaving through wild mazes, performing on the Summer House stage, cooking at the mud kitchen or immersing yourself in the sensory garden among so much more.
Bring your bike (or hire one there), explore the parkland on two wheels and discover the far-flung corners with spectacular views of the Rotunda and surrounding estate. Make sure you bring a picnic or treat yourself to lunch at one of the cafes then grab an ice cream before visiting the adventure playground. Spend the evening at Ickworth Estate enjoying the family classic Wind in the Willows performed against the backdrop of the beautiful Rotunda setting.
For all this and more, head to the website.
Melford Hall
• Summer of Play, 22 July – 5 September (Wednesdays to Sundays) 12pm – 3.30pm
Enjoy family time together at Melford Hall this summer. Whether you spend a sunny afternoon on the lawn playing garden games, discover the family-friendly trails or borrow one of the story bags to enjoy reading together in the garden, we’ve got plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained and create great memories together. Why not bring your picnic blanket and relax on the lawn whilst the kids play? There are also 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ activities to experience and Beatrix Potter stories to uncover inside the Hall.
Head to the website for more details.
Flatford
• Summer of Play, 22 July – 5 September 10am – 4pm
Get the whole family outdoors and discover nature in the Dedham Vale countryside at Flatford. Navigate the River Stour on the water as the popular rowing boats return for the summer holidays. Have a go at nature-based activities and go on an adventure with the summer family nature trail, available daily throughout the holidays. Don’t miss the Flatford Nature Day on Tuesday 1 August, with a whole host of activities to get stuck into including natural crafts and pond dipping. Join us and the Companye of Merrie Folke for the Tudor fayre on 29 & 30 July, try your hand at archery, play traditional games or watch a puppet show and much more.
More details on the website.
Dunwich Heath and Beach
• Summer of Play | 22 July – 3 September | 10am – 5pm
• Insect Safari | 22 July and 5 August | 11am – 12pm
• Bat Walk | 22 July and 5 August | 8:30pm – 10pm
• Mini Ranger Walk | 20 August | 10am – 11am
Head to Dunwich Heath and Beach this summer for a family fun day immersed in nature. Explore the heath on one of the fun and interactive family trails or head to the beach for activities on the sand. Grab a tracker pack and see what wildlife wonders you can discover or make your way to the den building area to see who can construct the best hideout. Bring a picnic blanket and lunch or head to the tearoom for a tasty treat. Children can burn off steam on the outdoor play area. Why not join one of the bookable events to learn more about the wildlife that live at Dunwich Heath and Beach with the help of one of the knowledgeable team members.
For more information or to book an activity then head to the website.
Sutton Hoo
• Summer of Play | 22 July to 4 September | 10am – 5pm
• Theatre in the Forest: The Winter’s Tale presented by the Red Rose Chain Theatre Company | various dates between 26 July and 26 August
Head to Sutton Hoo this summer for a great family day out. Discover the story of an Anglo-Saxon King and his final resting place through story-telling, family trails and dressing up. Become an archaeologist on one of the sand tray activities or head into Tranmer House for family crafts and Anglo-Saxon inspired LEGO® building. Bring a picnic to enjoy an alfresco lunch or grab lunch or a tasty treat from the café before heading to the adventure playground to burn off steam.
Returning for another year is the hugely successful outdoor theatre production by Red Rose Chain Theatre Company, the largest outdoor theatre event in Suffolk. Grab your family ticket and enjoy A Winter’s Tale in this historical landscape.
For details of all the Summer of Play events head to the website.
