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What happened when a day out in West and Mid Suffolk was planned with a four year old in mind?  Our latest blog is all about things to do in the area for families, from country houses to feeding the ducks.  A complete variety of entertainment no matter your budget or age!  Written by Abi, our Marketing Manager, with her expert tester, four year old son Monty.

West Suffolk

Often overlooked as a holiday destination, but so rich in things to do and places to visit.  West Suffolk encompasses the area around the simply stunning market town of Bury St Edmunds.  Beautifully rural, West Suffolk is rich in history and heritage.  Museums and galleries a plenty, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Bury St Edmunds Abbey Gardens

Ideal for families, this outstanding open space right in the centre of Bury is perfect for combining the best of both worlds – the city and the countryside!  Walking through the old Abbey gate and into the Abbey Gardens is particularly impressive.

Abbey Gardens, West and Mid Suffolk

Perfect for picnics and a run about, exploring the ancient ruins and playing hide and seek!

The play park at the bottom of the gardens is ideal for children of all ages and well-used by both visitors and locals alike.

We have some stunning stylish places to stay in the centre of Bury St Edmunds, including Abbey Gardens Apartment (pictured below)

Abbey Gardens Apartment

 

Ickworth House

Not your traditional attraction for a young child, but plenty to do!  Pack a picnic and head outdoors.  Take time to explore the map and decide what you’d like to visit first!

The National Trust site is well thought out and well signposted.  The play area greets you from Ickworth House car park, ideal for the children to let off some steam before taking a look around the house and gardens.

For a nominal fee there’s also arts and craft activities.  Monty loves crafting and found this particularly enjoyable!

Over the hour we spent in the arts and crafts room, we managed to make a volcano (complete with smoke and lava!), a Venetian mask and a string of gelato bunting.

The café offers a varied menu, ideal for a coffee break and biscuit treat when a rest is needed!

Ickworth House Family

Looking for somewhere to stay near Ickworth? The spacious and contemporary Red Robin couldn’t be more ideally located!

Star Cottage

Soft Play!

Ideal for when the weather doesn’t behave and you need an indoors activity to keep the little ones active.  Monty and I headed to Curve Motion on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds.  Offering both indoor soft play from babies to 12 year olds, as well as a rollerskating rink, there’s options to keep everyone entertained!

Monty’s highlights include the ‘rainbow slide’ and climbing wall up to the ‘double snake slide’!  He gives it a solid thumbs up.

Mid Suffolk

As your Suffolk experts, we share our favourite family things to do, tried and tested by Best of Suffolk themselves!

Needham Lakes

A picture-perfect picnic spot with play park, what more could you want?!  Free car parking, and a stone’s throw from the centre of the charming town of Needham Market.  Pop into any of the local cafés or delicatessens to pick up some locally sourced tasty treats for a picnic.  When you arrive, you’re greeted by a mid-size adventure playground.  The usual culprits of swings, slides and climbing frames can be found.  Plus an interactive xylophone and some hoppers shaped like bulrushes – plenty to keep the kids (and big kids) busy!

West and Mid Suffolk

Right next to the play park is the stunning backdrop of Needham Lakes.  The play park is ideal for younger children, slightly older children can enjoy a climbing boulder and the informal play equipment located around the Lake.  There’s a circular walk around the lake which takes around 20 minutes to do, spotting various wildlife along the way.  There is a small den building area where children can build their own shelters from the materials provided.

West and Mid Suffolk

Looking to be based near Needham Market?  You are spoiled for choice!

The Stable Witnesham

Stylish Places to Stay in Mid and West Suffolk

If we’ve tempted you to explore Mid and West Suffolk with the kids there are a host of chic self catering cottages right on the doorstep.  Either take a look on our website or get in touch with our friendly team who would be delighted to help.