The Suffolk Coast
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Suffolk Coast Spring Bucket List

A visit to the Suffolk Coast in spring is a breath of fresh air; days grow longer, the landscape bursts back into life, and the coast feels gently reawakened after the quieter winter months.

Whether you’re travelling from further afield or enjoying a change of pace close to home, make sure these things to do are on your Suffolk Coast spring bucket list!

Meet the newborn lambs at Easton Farm Park

Lambs at Easton Farm Park

Easton Farm Park is the perfect place to witness lambs being born. As a working farm, spring welcomes a range of new arrivals, including piglets, kids, newly hatched chicks and ducklings. Visitors also have the opportunity to get up close to a range of farm animals, from Suffolk Punch horses and cows to llamas, Highland cattle, rabbits and more.

For annual opening times and admission prices, visit eastonfarmpark.co.uk

Sail along some of Suffolk's beautiful waterways with Suffolk River Trips

Suffolk River Trips

Enjoy a tranquil sail along some of Suffolk’s most beautiful rivers with Suffolk River Trips, offering guided boat tours departing from Snape Maltings Quay, Orford Town Quay and Woodbridge Town Steps.

From Snape (April–October), cruises aboard Tilly Too or Emily last 45 minutes and are ideal for birdwatchers, with space for up to 12 passengers. Between May and October, step on board Tilly or Kitty at Orford for a one-hour circular trip around Havergate Island and Orford Ness. Alternatively, head to Woodbridge (May–October) for a 45-minute journey aboard Gina along the River Deben, passing the historic site of Sutton Hoo.

Each route offers stunning scenery, rich wildlife and frequent sightings of birds and seals.

Visit suffolkrivertrips.com for schedules and further information.

Go off-road on two wheels through The Suffolk Coast's Fantastic Forests

Cycling

As woodland floors burst into life and birdsong fills the trees, off-road cycling offers a brilliant way to discover places like Rendlesham Forest and Tunstall Forest, with miles of trails winding beneath towering pines.

Whether you’re tackling family-friendly routes or more adventurous tracks, it’s a refreshing way to experience the coast’s wilder side.

Meet the Brown Hares at National Trust Orford Ness

Hares Orford Ness

This spring, pay a visit to National Trust Orford Ness and follow the trails lead through coastal grazing marsh and vegetated shingle habitats to the sea, taking in wildlife, ex-military testing areas, buildings and displays.

Scattered across the remote and exposed site, the Ness' Brown Hares are often spotted on the shingle bank from the top of the Bomb Ballistics Building. Be patient and look across the vegetated ridges, and if you're lucky, you'll spot an Orford hare. Often claimed locally as a breed in their own right, the Ness's brown hares certainly tend to be bigger, fatter and healthier than their mainland cousins. 

Another inhabitant of the wild and wet marshes are the rare Chinese Water Deer; Escapees from ornamental deer parks, they've swum the river to a new home.

Orford Ness opens for the season in May 2026. For more information visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/suffolk/orford-ness-national-nature-reserve

Walk amongst the Bluebells at Captain's Wood

Captains Wood (c) Gill Moon

The bluebell is another sign of spring and Captain’s Wood near Orford offers one of the most astonishing displays.

The area, known on ancient maps as Cutmore’s Wood, has been passed ownership from various wealthy Bishops, noblemen and moneyed families, including in 1550 the Bishop of Norwich. These days, the Wood is owned by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, who purchased the 140 acre site to offer free access to the public. Of this, 50 acres is grassland and the remainder woodland with oak and birch to almost pure hazel, mature Scots pine and sweet chestnut — in fact, 65 recorded botanical species!

Once you arrive at the Wood, you step back one hundred years or more into a habitat of ancient trees and wild flowers where deer roam freely, barn owls hunt the clearings and seven species of bat feed amongst the trees.

The best time to see the reserve is April and May. Due to the wildlife, dogs are not allowed.

Treat yourself to a taste of the season at Pump Street Bakery

Hot Cross Buns Pump Street

Nothing heralds the arrival of spring quite like the sight and scent of pillowy hot cross buns appearing out of the oven at Pump Street Bakery. These signature seasonal treats are sold fresh daily in their Orford bakery throughout the Easter season.

Step Back in Time at Framlingham Castle

Framlingham Castle

Discover the stories of medieval aristocrats, a Tudor queen and Georgian poorhouse children at Suffolk’s famous “castle on the hill”.

Take the wall-top walk around Framlingham Castle’s defences and enjoy views across 800 years of history. Informative panels bring the surroundings to life, from the pretty market town and outer earthworks to the Mere below. Don’t forget to look up at the tall Tudor chimneys crowning several of the towers — each one features a unique brick design.

Inside, explore the exhibition uncovering the castle’s intriguing past. There’s also a free audio guide, and families can get hands-on with costumes and interactive games.

For more info and opening times, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/framlingham-castle/

Listen to the Sounds of the Cuckoo at RSPB Minsmere

Minsmere

The cuckoo’s distinctive call — a minor third in April, rising to a major third or even a fourth as the season progresses — is a sure sign that warmer days are on the way. At RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve, you may hear some of the UK’s first cuckoos of the year calling from Island Mere.

Of course, this coastal nature reserve offers far more than cuckoos alone. As birdlife returns to the country in spring, there are few better places to experience it — something broadcaster and naturalist Chris Packham agrees with, associating Suffolk with “rarity, because of the wildlife that is here and nowhere else”.

Minsmere is ideal for all ages and families, with a variety of walks and activities available. These range from shorter, buggy-friendly routes to longer trails, wide paths and shell-speckled beaches, alongside the Wild Zone play area for children and a café with high chairs and baby-changing facilities.

A full programme of spring events is also planned, including Birdwatching for Beginners, Easter Crafts, Family Nature Walks, bird ringing demonstrations and pond dipping.

For full event listings, opening times and admission prices, visit events.rspb.org.uk/minsmere

Discover the Four Foot Ferries of The Suffolk Coast

Ferry

The four foot ferries of The Suffolk Coast are a unique and popular attraction! Transporting walkers, cyclists and explorers around the coastline, a trip on board is a fun experience for children and adults alike. 

Departing from Walberswick jetty, the Walberswick Ferry takes passengers across the River Blyth from Southwold Harbour to the pretty seaside village. People, bicycles and dogs are all welcome aboard the rowing boat, and the pleasure of making such a trip costs just 90p per person!

Rowing between Butley and Orford, the Butley Ferry is an optional, but enjoyable link on the Suffolk Coast Path and Regional Cycle Route 41, it's said to be the smallest ferry in Europe, so anything bigger than a bike won't be able to board! 

Further south you will find Bawdsey Ferry and unlike Walberswick and Butley, it's a powered vessel, so you may find yourself sat next to a fisherman, making their way out to a boat!

At the southernmost point of the county, you can hop on board Harwich Harbour Ferry. Travelling between the towns of Harwich, Felixstowe and Shotley. The largest of the ferries in Suffolk, it can carry up to 58 people. During a trip on board, you may find yourself sailing alongside some of the monster cargo ships coming into the port at Felixstowe - a sight to be seen indeed!

For more information download the Foot Ferries Guide:

Pay a visit to see the iconic Suffolk Punch horses

Suffolk Punch Trust

Spring is the perfect time to visit The Suffolk Punch Trust and meet these iconic working horses. New foals are often on the paddocks, learning to walk, play and bond with their mothers, while the adults demonstrate their strength and gentle nature.

The surrounding countryside is fresh and green, making a guided tour or a stroll through the farm even more enjoyable. Families will also love the hands-on experiences and seeing the horses at work in the fields.

For opening times and entry prices, visit www.suffolkpunchtrust.org/

Take a Ride on a Trolleybus at the East Anglia Transport Museum

East Anglia Transport Museum

Winner of a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2025 and voted Museum of the Year 2024 by British Trams Online, the East Anglia Transport Museum opens its gates for the 2026 at the start of April.

The museum is the only one in East Anglia where you can ride on working trams, trolley buses and narrow gauge railway! It also features exhibition halls, period street scenes, and a "Tar, Sweat and Steam" building showcasing the history of road building.

Other vehicles include vintage cars, lorries, vans and taxis, some in various stages of renovation.