We have listed our top ten things to see and do in Suffolk. If you’re looking for
beautiful countryside, coastal escapes, good food, award-winning attractions, and
amazing heritage & culture, there’s no need to look further, we have it all here.
1 HAVE A DAY AT THE BEACH
Visit a beach on Suffolk’s coast and whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or autumn, whatever the season is, you are spoilt for choice. The stunning dunes and quiet beach at Dunwich to the family favourites at Lowestoft and Felixstowe are equally great to visit whatever the weather.
Both Aldeburgh and Southwold have some great independent shops to wander around,
along with the famous Adnams Brewery also in Southwold. A trip to the beach isn’t
complete without fish, fresh from the sea, and chips.
Enjoy fish and chips on Felixstowe beach
2 MEET THE SUFFOLK TRINITY
The annual County show celebrating all things Suffolk is on Tuesday 31st May and Wednesday 1st June 2022 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.
See the Suffolk Punch’s at the county show
3 FIND DELICIOUS FOOD AND DRINK
Suffolk has become home to world-class breweries, distilleries, and because of the fair
climate and warm summers, produces some of the best ingredients in the country. Fish
and shellfish caught by day boats off the coast can be bought from the wooden huts
along the beaches, and have a surprising choice and variety. Orford is home to both
Pinneys, where the range of smoked and cured fish is incredible, and the Pump Street
Bakery where you can enjoy homemade pastries and craft chocolate. The multi-award
restaurant Maison Bleue, The Unruly Pig, The Leaping Hare at Wyken Vineyards, and
Tuddenham Mill are all worthy of a visit but there’s plenty of award-winning pubs, cafes
and farm shops too.
Pinney’s Smokehouse in Orford is a Suffolk favourite
4 EXPLORE THE WATERWAYS
Learn a new skill or perfect an existing one on the water. You can sail, surf, kayak, and
paddleboard 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.
The whole family can enjoy paddleboarding on the Suffolk coast
5 SEE THE BIRDS OF SUFFOLK
Grab your binoculars and head to one of the many nature reserves to see the birds and
other wildlife up close. Birdwatching has always been high on the outdoor activity list in
Suffolk. You’ll soon discover it’s no wonder why when you visit the rugged heathland and
coastal lagoons at RSPB Minsmere. Here you will find a variety of birds and wildlife that make it their home and resting place.
A Bittern at Minsmere (c) Jon Evans
6 IMMERSE YOURSELF, IN THE PARKS, FORESTS, AND WOODLANDS
Visit one of the many country parks, forests and woods around the county and make the
most of the great outdoors. Christchurch Park in Ipswich is set around the Mansion which
hosts exhibitions and art displays of national interest. Thetford Forest, Knettishall Heath
Nature Reserve and Brandon Country Park are excellent for walking, cycling, and wildlife
watching. Meanwhile, at Clare Castle Country Park you can visit the 13th Century stone
castle keep set upon its 60ft high motte overlooking the town.
Cycling through the Forest at Brandon
7 JOIN IN THE 1000 YEAR CELEBRATION OF THE ABBEY OF ST EDMUND
In 2022, two years after the anniversary, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk is celebrating the founding of the Abbey of St Edmund by King Canute 1002 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.
Explore the Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds
8 GO WALKING AND CYCLING
See the Suffolk countryside and coast by foot or on bike. Suffolk has miles and miles of
off-road cycling and quiet country roads that are perfect for cycling. Take the Heart of Suffolk
waymarked routes, the 69-mile Painters Trail around Constable Country, The Saints cycle
around the Bungay area, and the marked paths within Thetford and Rendlesham Forests.
See so much more of the Suffolk countryside by bike
9 GET INTO THE GARDEN
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 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.
Kentwell Hall’s garden in spring is well worth a visit
10 HAVE A DAY AT THE RACES
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. The lineup so far for 2022 includes Paloma Faith and The Script.
Enjoy a day at the races in 2022
This is just a snapshot of what there is to see and do in Suffolk. Why not read some of our other blogs for more inspiration for your visit to Suffolk.
