Family Days Out Under £50

Southwold is the perfect family friendly option for a low cost day out by the sea; take a stroll along the jaunty Pier, spend your pennies in the amusements and remember to pop into Tim Hunkin's famous automatons to spend a few coins and see the machines whirr into action.

Afterwards, let the kids burn off some energy at Southwold Skatepark – just bring their scooters or skateboards along, and it’s completely free! Then the whole family can try their hand at the Southwold heritage adventure golf for a small fee. This 12 hole adventure golf offers an historical, educational, and fun experience for families with each hole featuring information about an aspect of Southwold’s rich history.

Round off the day with something hot and delicious at The Pier's fish and chip shop. 

Head to Bawdsey Quay, where you can enjoy scenic views, spot some wildlife, take a walk and perhaps bring a picnic to eat by the water. If you’re feeling adventurous, take the historic Bawdsey Ferry across the River Deben to Felixstowe - £10 for a family of four one way and £14 for return.

Don’t miss the Bawdsey Radar Museum, where you can find out all about the pioneering use of the first fully operational radar station in the world which provided invaluable intelligence throughout the second world war. Entry is free for under 18’s and just £8 for adults. 

Families can while away a sunny day on Felixstowe’s friendly beach, building sandcastles and paddling in the sea. Stroll along the promenade to the newly redeveloped Pier or Mannings Amusements where the kids can have fun in the amusements for just a handful of change.

The Little Ice Cream Company is a great place for a cheeky hot chocolate, a snack or an ice cream before heading to the new Activity Park on Felixstowe's seafront located between Sea Road and the Promenade. The site offers free sporting equipment and games for all ages, including table tennis, chess tables and climbing walls as well as a whole range of outdoor fitness equipment so you can work out with a glorious sea view. 

Be sure to pay a visit to Felixstowe Museum where fascinating artefacts bring to life the military and social history of the town. Adults and children alike can discover fourteen different rooms with costumes, model planes, fossils and toys as well as learning activities and new exhibitions each season. Entry is £5 for adults and £1 for children. 

Finish the day watching the big ships come into Felixstowe's port whilst tucking into sausage and chips at the View Point Cafe.

Beccles is a charming market town with green spaces, walks and lots to explore. Browse in the independent shops and pick up a bargain in one of the many charity shops. Then head down to the quay to watch the boats go by and enjoy a picnic and play in the park.

A hidden gem is Beccles Lido; an outdoor heated swimming pool open during the warmer months, with a small fee for swimmers and spectators (book ahead to reserve your space). Or hop on board the Big Dog Ferry and sail down the River Waveney to the pretty village of Geldeston and back.

Discover the historic town of Bungay, and pay a visit to the mysterious ruins of Bungay Castle, which is free to enter. Families who love history can wander around the ruins, which offer an evocative photo opportunity too.

Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely walk along the River Waveney, and perhaps pay a visit to the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum in Flixton which charts the fascinating history of aviation in the east of England with a varied collection of 65 aircraft on display as well as other artefacts. It’s just £20 for a family ticket. 

Dunwich boasts a stunning National Trust nature reserve where families can enjoy roaming around the areas of natural beauty, discovering birds and wildlife and taking in the fantastic views. The nearby RSPB Minsmere is a great spot for families to learn more about the avian population, go pond dipping or build a den. Take time to enjoy the nature trails and adventure playground and perhaps pay a visit to the cafe for refreshments. Entry price is £9 for adults and the first child is free, further children pay £5 and under 5’s and 16-24 year olds also visit for free.

The beach at Dunwich is perfectly wild – a broad shingle stretch popular with dog walkers. See if the kids can find stones with a hole right through them- a sign of good luck and protection of East Anglian folklore. If you are there on a weekend, pay a visit to Dunwich Museum to learn about the town's fascinating history, in particular the ‘Lost City of Dunwich’.

A perfect town for a stroll, a browse and a glimpse of history, families can follow the town trail which takes visitors on a tour of Framlingham’s sites of historic interest. On Saturdays and Tuesdays catch the hustle bustle of the market, with fresh local produce on sale. Explore the historic Framlingham Castle – famously the inspiration for Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Castle on the Hill’. A family tickets costs £29.40 and once inside families can enjoy the castle grounds, complete the magnificent ‘wall walk’ and take part in events and interactive activities such as dressing up and ‘spin the king’. Pop your head into the second hand bookshop, you might just find a bargain to take home.  

For a fun and free day out in Ipswich, visit Holywells Park; a 67-acre public park featuring a children's play area, water play facilities (in summer), and beautiful gardens, and what’s more- entry is free. If you’re a family fascinated by history make your way to Christchurch Mansion which offers a rich experience blending historical exploration with interactive activities and exhibits. Step back in time as you explore period rooms, from the Tudor kitchen to the Victorian wing. Then, head outside to Christchurch Park, where you’ll find play areas, tennis courts, and beautiful picnic spots.There’s also a tearoom where you can pick up some refreshments and maybe an ice cream or two to round off your day. 

Lowestoft is a great location for a fun family day out by the sea. Start your day at Lowestoft's sandy South Beach, take a walk along as the waves roll in and make your way all along the seafront pausing at the amusements at the Claremont Pier to spend some loose change on the games.

Head to the East Point Pavillion and step inside for a great atmosphere, comfy areas to sit and good coffee. Keep an eye on their website for free activities and events which take place throughout the year such as arts and crafts, music and markets.

If you have any vehicle enthusiasts in the family it is well worth taking a trip to the East Anglian Transport Museum where you can ride on working trams, trolley buses and a narrow gauge railway. Wander the exhibition halls, street scenes and peruse the examples of trams, motor buses, vintage cars and lorries as well as vans and taxis. Entry is £12 for adults and £7 for children. 

Oulton Broad is a unique area which forms the southern gateway to The Broads National Park. There’s plenty for families to do; head to Nicholas Everitt Park where there’s lots of space to run around, a playground, beautiful views of the Broads and even a Banksy! The museum within the park is free to enter and has a range of historical displays, fossils and artefacts as well as vintage toys and famous Lowestoft porcelain.

For a unique experience, hire a self-drive boat from Oulton Broad Dayboats- with a 1 hour slot costing £40. 

Originally designed as a holiday village where families could relax and enjoy the simple things, nowadays, Thorpeness is a quirky place where you can easily spend a day enjoying old fashioned fun. The Meare, at the centre of the village is a shallow boating lake inspired by 'Peter Pan.' Boat hire is affordable, and families can spend hours exploring the lake's islands and hidden treasures.

Thorpeness Golf Course is just a stroll away, here you can enjoy a round of miniature golf at Jiggers 9 hole miniature golf course, just  £4 adults, £2.50 for under 16's or £12 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children).

Afterwards, take a walk to see the House in the Clouds, an iconic and whimsical landmark. There’s a lovely cafe which has an antiques emporium attached, you’ll be fascinated by the Aladdin’s cave of treasures and perhaps you’ll pick up something to take home. Don’t forget to venture to the pebbly beach and enjoy the crashing waves while you relax and take in the view. 

Famous for crabbing, Walberswick offers families the chance to try their hand at this most traditional pastime; all you need is a crabbing line, bait, and a bucket. Little and big kids alike will be transfixed as they drop the line down into the water and wait for a bite - then it’s just the tricky task of pulling the line up without the crabs letting go and falling back into the water! 

Explore the sandy beach and dunes, great for running up and sliding down, as well as hide and seek amongst the grasses. And perhaps round off the day at Solebay Fish Company with some steaming hot, fresh cut chips for £5 a portion and a battered sausage for £4.50.

Families can enjoy a budget-friendly day out in and around Woodbridge with a mix of history, nature, and adventure. From April 2025, families can visit the Woodbridge Tide Mill Museum for £15 and see a working historic mill in action. Entry to Parham Airfield Museum is free and visitors can explore the history of WWII aviation.

You could head to Rendlesham Forest Centre and follow the famous UFO Trail, with only a small parking fee, as you uncover the mystery of Suffolk’s most famous extraterrestrial sighting. For a deep dive into Anglo-Saxon history, National Trust Sutton Hoo offers a hands on, immersive experience for just £24 per family.