Top Things to do in Suffolk
What to do and see in Suffolk, England: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Suffolk, United Kingdom including Sparrow’s Nest & Gardens, Africa Alive!, Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, Kentwell Hall, Christchurch Park, Rendlesham Forest Centre, Chantry Park, Holywells Park, Nowton Park, RSPB Minsmere.
Restaurants in Suffolk
1. Sparrow’s Nest & Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By JethrotheMutant - Oulton Broad, United Kingdom
We often walk through the park down to the sea wall and back again Recently a WW1 memorial has been constructed which we found very moving and evocative 'All the brothers were valiant all the sisters were virtuous'
2. Africa Alive!
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,739 reviews
Explore the sights and sounds of Africa and discover lions, giraffes, rhinos, meerkats, hunting dogs and many more animals from the African continent. The spectacular centrepiece of Africa Alive!, our "Plains of Africa" paddock, is the perfect place to spot 5 species of African savannah animals, including our graceful giraffe and heavyweight rhinos. Enjoy a bird's eye view of our magnificent lions from "Lookout Lodge", and visit "Lemur Encounters", which gives you the chance to get incredibly close to our ring-tailed lemurs as you walk through their enclosure! Bird lovers can also enjoy spotting native species from our new "Wader's Lake Boardwalk". Discover some amazing facts about our animals during our exciting feeding talks and seasonal Bird of Prey displays. Climb aboard the free Safari Roadtrain for an entertaining journey around the Park. Look, learn and play in our fun-packed Discovery Centre and meet some of our smaller residents at the animal encounter sessions. The park offers a great outdoor adventure play area, as well as restaurants, free car parking, disabled facilities and a gift shop where you can find souvenirs and gifts for everyone - including yourself! Open daily at 9.30am all year, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. For admission prices and closing times please check our website
Reviewed By hannahcC5485AL - Essex, United Kingdom
Would definitely recommend Africa Alive. The park has a great collection of animals and a clean environment. Highlights included the Amazing African Animal show and the lemur walk through which both enable you to get up close and personal with the animals. I Recommend bringing your own food as there are limited facilities for eating and not a great range of options for gluten free.
3. Orford Ness National Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
Wild, remote and exposed, Orford Ness contains the ruined remnants of a disturbing past. Ranked among the most important shingle features in the world, rare and fragile wildlife thrives where weapons, including atomic bombs, were once tested and perfected.
Reviewed By DrRoger56
Orford Ness was a military experimental centre from the First World War until 1995. From the development of radar in the 1930s to the testing of some components of nuclear weapons in the 1950s & 60s - plus other experiments and research, elements of which are still Top Secret! You will see the remains of the the military history and the rich flora and fauna that are increasingly important as the military remains are allowed to decay. Well worth a visit - to see it all involves a walk of more than 7kms.
4. Kentwell Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 717 reviews
A 50 year restoration project The House: part original Tudor, with later classical elements, mixed with the owners' personal style. Tudor portraits, interesting artefacts and historic tapestries make this a family home with a difference. The Gardens: romantic moats, extensive lawns, walled gardens, massive clipped yews, espaliered fruit trees and giant cedars surround the House. Over 30 acres of tranquil breathing space, with a surprise to delight around every corner. The Moat House: this rare survivor of a 15th Century service building rises sheer from the moat and contains our working dairy, bakery, brewhouse and stillroom. Special Events: Kentwell Hall pioneers domestic living history events in the UK with something for everyone to enjoy together. But we're not just all about history - a wide variety of family events, open air cinema and themed days all bring this historic venue to life throughout the year. Tea Rooms Free on-site car parking Under 5's are free
Reviewed By Zan190775 - Lowestoft, United Kingdom
We septuagenarians went to Kentwell Hall, for the first time, to the lambing & Spring bulb walk event. at the weekend. It was a perfect March day, plenty of sunshine and not too warm for walking. We enjoyed every bit our day out. The woodland walk and swathes of daffodils alongside the moat were a delight. We heard and saw a nuthatch calling from a tree top, listened to great tits and watched numerous brimstone butterflies. We marvelled at the great cedars on the cedar lawn, tried the human sundial (it worked!) and sat on a bench in the sunshine in the walled garden, admiring the wonderful Pied Piper topiary. We tried everything; the dark and spooky ice house, the fascinating Camera Obscura and made a mental note to return in the summertime to see the walled garden again, the sunken garden, fish pond and rose garden etc. We joined the families to aah and ooh over the newborn lambs and saw the biggest pigs we've ever seen, along with their two-week old piglets. We took 'framed' photos in in the barn, explored the pottery wood, which we thought would be interesting on re-creation days and also the forge, which again, we would like to see being used. Our lunch of vegetable soup was delicious. The staff were even able to rustle up a gluten-free roll for me (extra points for that!). There was so much for children to do too. The little adventure playground with its unusual games looked great fun, as did the Storybook Trail. We finally dragged ourselves away at 3.30pm, promising ourselves a summer visit when we can view the house as well as making a return visit to the gardens.
5. Christchurch Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 843 reviews
Reviewed By RodF143 - Ipswich, United Kingdom
This park is certainly a Jewell, it is a wonderful open space in the centre of Ipswich. The arboretum is well tended and full of lovely shrubs, flowers and magnificent trees; squirrels that are quite tame are in abundance and a variety of birdlife; the outside tennis courts that are nestled in the trees are well utilised. The large ponds with their many species is of wildfowl and if you are lucky you may see one of the many turtles or terrapins that frequent the wilderness pond, that's if the commorant sitting high up in the tree at the edge hasn't picked them off. To cap it all, the highlight of the park, that is the Christchurch Mansion, free to all to roam and see it's many displays of art and artifacts, and indeed I was very fortunate to see Rodin's sculpture "The Kiss" on the day I visited. The park was bustling with people of all ages and backgrounds. What a joy.
6. Rendlesham Forest Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 274 reviews
Reviewed By mandicoxosborne - Woodbridge, United Kingdom
A lovely forest with plenty of walks for all abilities; whether it’s to walk the dog, a Sunday afternoon stroll, plenty of resources to find your inner ‘Bear Grylls’ or take your bikes along and explore . . .
7. Chantry Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Large park with cricket ground
Reviewed By petermack2011 - Bungay, United Kingdom
All in all an amazing experience seeing Ed's, (second to last) Divide tour concert at Chantry Park. Whilst Ed's concert itself was absolutely fantastic the support from the Local band Salvador, the incredible Lewis Capaldi and Lowestoft's finest, The Darkness made this an incredible day out. The weather was superb too (until later when it came down a Stormzy). The organisation of the event was fantastc from the moment that we got off the train to getting to the park (and back). They have to be congratulated for doing so well. Suffolk did proud for one of its most famous sons. Multi talented people from the headliner to the people on the ground. Hope that he can now put his feet up for a few days before starting another 890 day tour entertaining nine million people. Such a talented, genuine person. I don't think Ipswich will see another 4 days with 40,000 people pouring in and out of the town again. So glad it all ended so well in his own county (oh, and The Darkness's home county too).
8. Holywells Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
Reviewed By Ch6487 - Melton, United Kingdom
I really like this park, it keeps going on. It’s got a great play area though I’m a little big for that. A cafe which has a good selection of drinks and cakes.
9. Nowton Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By ahurrell2004 - London, United Kingdom
Good park ,has load of open spaces for picnic with families or groups of friends. A cafe with clean toilets , disabled toilets also a play park that is gated . Great for runners and dog walkers with dog bins and bags .tables for picnics nearby .football area that’s closed in for all use ,and a maze in summer . Have sheeps in back of park and they arrange activities for kids in holiday periods .parking for cars bikes etc
10. RSPB Minsmere
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 788 reviews
RSPB Minsmere a a nature reserve on the Suffolk coast, with large car park, shop and cafe, a choice of birdwatching hides and nature trails, and a a superb variety of different habitats and wildlife. The RSPB is a nature conservation charity
Reviewed By Perek24 - Ashford, United Kingdom
Fantastic, we went here twice on our Suffolk trip, the birding was superb, it is very hard to describe how well this site is laid out, it offers all aspects a bird watcher could wish for, Coast, Marshes, Reed Beds, Heathland and Woodland. Not only birds the Otters kept us amused as well. Highly recommended.
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