Guide to Suffolk Gardens

Suffolk has an array of breath-taking and relaxing gardens open for visitors to admire and explore. Packed with both ever popular and rare breeds of plants, flowers and trees, Suffolk Gardens promise something for everyone. The spring and summer months are the perfect time to take a stroll through the picturesque scenery, spot wildlife and perhaps picnic on the lawn or in the rolling Suffolk countryside. Outlined below is a guide to the gardens that Suffolk has to offer - the only problem is deciding which one you want to visit first!

Somerleyton Hall in Lowestoft is an archetypal Tudor-Jacobean mansion surrounded by the picturesque and unique Somerleyton Gardens. Included is a walled garden, a pergola with some old wisteria, roses, clematis and vines, and the arboreta features rhododendrons, azaleas and a fine collection of specimen trees. Surely the highlight of any visit to Somerleyton is the Maze, designed and planted in 1846. The journey to the centre and back is nearly 800 yards - however, be warned that should you make a mistake during the twists and turns of your expedition, it could take you considerably longer!

Most areas of the Hall and gardens are wheelchair accessible, and guide dogs are welcome. There are two disabled toilets at the top of gardens and also in the Winter Garden. Somerleyton is open from Sunday 5th April to Sunday 1st November, with the gardens being open between 10am-5pm, and the Hall from 11:30am to 3:30pm 9last tour). Entry to the Gardens is £5/Adult and £3/Child, and entry to the Hall and Gardens is £8.25/Adult and £4.25/Child. Family tickets are available at a cost of £23. Somerletyon Hall has many designated picnic areas with parking available. For more information about visits and private tours, please call 01502 734901.

At Ickworth House, Park & Gardens in Bury St Edmunds you will find an extraordinary oval house with flanking wings, begun in 1795, surrounded by the beautiful Gold and Silver Gardens, a Victorian Stumpery and the Temple Rose Garden. These gardens are designed in the Italian style and were created in the first half of the 19th century. A raised terrace walk separates the Gardens from the Park, which features 1,800 acres of wooded parkland rich in plant, animal, and bird life, so there is much to explore. There is also an adventure playground onsite, along with a woodland trim trail and family cycle route.

A visit to Bressingham Steam and Gardens is sure to make a fun-packed day out for all the family. At Bressingham you will discover one of Europe's leading steam collections alongside the beautiful gardens. Guests are invited to wander in the Dell Garden, and also Foggy Bottom and the adjacent gardens. After taking in the scenery, you can go to the award-winning Blooms of Bressingham garden centre and nursery to speak to an expert and pick up a plant to take home to your own garden.

Wyken Hall Gardens in Stanton surround the romantic Elizabethan manor house, and are open to visitors throughout the summer (please note, the house is not open to the public) from Sunday to Friday at 2-6pm. Here you will find a garden lover's paradise, providing rich variety on a sympathetic scale, including herb garden, knot garden, rose garden, kitchen garden, wildflower meadows, nuttery, maze and the Millenium Giant Stride. The delightful knot garden and formal herb garden were designed by Arabella Lennox-Boyd. The rose garden features old roses and has a long pergola smothered with flowers. A border in vibrant colours runs along the outside wall of the kitchen garden, which features fruit trees and a greenhouse. A walk through ancient woodlands leads to the Wyken Vineyards.

Christchurch Park in Ipswich is a 70-acre area of rolling lawns, wooded areas, and delicately created arboreta featuring a stunning and varied collection of trees. Christchurch was the first public park in the town, opening in 1895, and surrounds Christchurch Mansion on the ruins of the old priory. The Mansion is now the site of an historical museum, art gallery and tea room.

Christchurch Park is home to in excess of 100 different bird varieties and many squirrels inhabit the arboreta. Facilities within the park include tennis courts, a croquet lawn, a bowling green, children's play area, public toilets, kiosks and shelters. Christchurch Park is also the centre of many of Ipswich's leisure and entertainment events, such as The Ipswich Carnival, The Ipswich Flower Show, The Remembrance Day Ceremony and The Ip-Art Festival. Opening is from Monday to Saturday, at 7.30am, and Sunday at 9am, until approximately 4pm during the winter and 8-9pm during the summer.

In Bury St Edmunds, you can discover the beautiful public Abbey Gardens surrounding the ruins of the Bury St Edmunds Abbey. Stunning summer bedding displays set the tone for the annual Bury in Bloom campaign, and the gardens include a host of ducks, a children's play area, aviaries, tennis courts, a bowling green, a teashop and a riverside walk leading towards a local nature reserve known as No Man's Meadows.
The park is open from 7.30am until dusk Monday to Saturday and from 9am until dusk on Sundays.

Helmingham Hall Gardens in Helmingham Stowmarket promises a day out you are not likely to forget. The Grade 1 Listed gardens, set within a 400 year-old ancient red deer park, surround the spectacular moated Tudor Hall which has been owned an occupied by the Tollemache family for the past 500 years. The rich traditional gardens are complimented by a wonderful balance of nature and the modern accents.

Visitors will be spoilt for choice when deciding on where to begin their day wandering around these peaceful gardens. You will not want to miss The Knot Garden. This is a magnificent sight, whether viewed up close or from the windows of the Hall. It features two knot patterns planted in box, with each pattern being divided into four squares. Two of the squares depict the Tollemache fret, and contain plants introduced into Britain before 1750.

The Rose Garden is of breath-taking beauty, and features many rare as well as traditional breeds of roses, such as 'Mundi', 'The Fairy', catmints and forget-me-nots. This dense planting in a restricted colour range is very effective. Crossing over the moat you will find the Wild Flower Garden and Orchard, flourishing with primroses, cowslips, and ox-eye daisies to name but a few. Here also is the tennis court, which is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. After the formality of the previous gardens it is refreshing to find an area of natural wildness on the edge of the Tudor deer park.

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Days Out in Suffolk

Now is the perfect time to plan Days Out with the family, and Suffolk is the perfect place to come for them! We have a huge choice of attractions and activities for the whole family and of course they are all set within the beautiful Suffolk countryside.

Jimmys Farm provides a great day out for children and adults alike. The farm is full of things to do including a nature trail, an adventure playground, a woodland walk, a farm shop and a cafe. There are gardens galore including a herb garden, a vegetable garden and a butterfly house and garden. Entry into the farm is free, the only charges are for the nature trail which is £3.50 for adult and £2.50 for children.

Another lovely option is to head to Flatford, on the beautiful river Stour. From here you can visit 'Flatford Boats' where you can hire a rowing boat. This is one of the best ways to take in the countryside and views, a really leisurely way to spend the day and to meet the ducks and swans on their own territory!

Boats are available from half an hour hire but there is really no limit on how long you can stay on the river - people have booked boats for 8 hour slots before now! One of the most popular itineraries is to row up to Dedham. There is a dedicated landing stage here where you can moor the boat and head into Dedham for some lunch or maybe an ice cream. The river's gentle current will make your return trip easy as it helps you back to Flatford. If you have your dog travelling with you then don't worry - they are welcome on board the boats!

If you are looking for a day out to keep the children amused then you can never go wrong with trains. Younger family members are always enchanted by the engines. In Suffolk we're delighted to have several fantastic attractions that will keep everyone from the most ardent train enthusiast to the smallest child entertained.

At Castle Hedingham you will find a gem of an attraction - Colne Valley Railway. Open at weekends and throughout the school holidays, children and their parents will love to see the old steam trains, the working signal box and the garden railway. There is also a farm park on the site.

Thomas the Tank Engine pays regular visits to the railway and there are also special dining events organised. Whatever the programme, you are guaranteed a fantastic day.

Thomas the Tank also makes regular visits to Bressingham Steam and Gardens, near Diss. Also at Bressingham are the lovely gardens where world-renowned gardener and horticulturalist Alan Bloom combined his passion for plants and gardens with his love of steam, to create a truly unique experience for all the family! Another great reason to visit Bressingham is to visit the only official "Dad's Army" exhibition in existence! Great fun.

Hedingham Castle itself is another attraction well worth a visit. The castle itself is open to visitors, providing a wonderful glimpse into medieval life. There are four floors just waiting to be explored and the banqueting hall with its 28 foot arch is sure to take your breath away.

As well as the visit to the castle itself, you are invited into the grounds and gardens. They are a floral paradise and provide many picnic spots on which you can enjoy your lunch. During the year various events are held at the castle including jousting tournaments and visits by birds of prey. The site is open to visitors Sunday to Thursday with entrance costing £5 for adults and £3.50 for children.

For a thrill filled day out you can't beat a theme park and Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park is one of Suffolk's Top Attractions. There are plenty of rides with something for the whole family. The new white knuckle ride, Wipeout, opened in 2007 and is not one for the faint hearted, but there is also a miniature railway and the good old vintage cars for those who prefer to travel in a more sedate style! Nestled in between the rides you will also find the sea lion show and plenty of entertainment.

The park is open throughout the school holidays and every Saturday and Sunday from March to September. Entrance charges are based on height with children under 1 metre being free of charge.

Another option for those who love the rush of adrenalin is to head over to the Suffolk Ski Centre at the Suffolk Leisure Park. There is plenty on offer here whether or not you have experience on the ice. You don't need to book ahead if you just want to try your hand at skiing or snowboarding but there are plenty of lessons available if you want to sign up for them! There are three slopes for varying abilities from a mogul run for experienced skiers to the nursery slopes for beginners. Prices are great value for money with the open practice session for non-members costing £10 for adults and £7.50 for children - these prices include equipment hire.

Located next to the ski centre is 'The Lodge'. This is a restaurant with an alpine feel, a lovely place to relax after your hard work on the slopes! There is an extensive menu and you are welcome to eat outside on the patio if you want to enjoy the weather.

'Why Knot' is another part of the Leisure Park. Suitable for adults and older children it's a real assault course, designed to test the nerves, strength and agility! If climbing walls and balancing on ropes suspended in the air sounds like your cup of tea then 'Why Knot' is a place you must visit! You book at the ski centre and ideally you need at least 4 participants. This is a real day out with a difference - and a real sense of achievement at the end!

Also nearby is Ipswich golf range. Juniors and beginners are welcomed and the range is open from 9am seven days a week.

Clay pigeon shooting is an activity that children will love to have a go at and there are a number of places in the county that provide children's tuition. Lakenheath Clay Target Centre has safety as the number one priority and children will taught to respect and understand the equipment they use provides a shooting school. There is no lower age limit set, the only pre-requisite is that the child must be able to hold and support the shotgun safely. Lakenheath is set in beautiful countryside and it just twenty minutes from Bury St Edmunds. There is also a restaurant on site.

Junior shooters are also welcome for tuition at Fulton's Shooting which is also situated at Lakenheath. You can take part in a taster session for £40 per person with discounts available or families.

One option is a good one for the odd day when the weather doesn't play ball and is another sure fire family favourite - bowling. Mr G's Bowling Centre is on Market Hill in Brandon, Suffolk. It's more than just a bowling alley boasting a full restaurant on site as well.

At the weekends, the children will love the 'cosmic' bowling atmosphere with the lanes, balls and pins glowing brightly in the dark! It's a real experience! There are special offers for children on Saturday mornings and there is also a junior bowling league for those who really take to the sport. During the daytime, prices start at £8 for unlimited bowling.

These are just a sample of the hundreds of Days Out in Suffolk. We just know that you will find plenty to keep you busy and happy here. For more activities and attractions see Days Out in Suffolk

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