Summer Days Out on The Suffolk Coast

Located just south of Lowestoft in Kessingland, Africa Alive is home to animals of the African savannah; lions, rhinos, giraffes, meerkats and many more! There’s plenty to see and do, the park is spread across 100 acres and you have ample opportunity to get up close to many of the park’s residents including lemurs, aardvarks, and new for 2019, the ‘feed a giraffe’ experience! Children will love taking a ride on the safari train, plus there’s an outdoor play area and indoor soft play area for them to explore. 

Families with young children will also love a day at Easton Farm Park. Here they can experience life on a working farm and meet many of the furry inhabitants including bunnies, chicks, goats, donkeys, cows and pigs. Take a trip around the farm on the barrel bugs, train or tractor, ride a pony and visit the play area complete with zip wire, sandpit and bouncy cushion.

Older children and teenagers will love a round or two of crazy golf at the Congo Rapids at Ufford Park Golf, Hotel & Spa; the 18-hole adventure golf course challenges you to pass through an abandoned temple, ride of the raft into the Lost World where you will find life-size dinosaurs, tackle  an erupting volcano and giant dinosaur claw, before you head into the Congo jungle. 

When the weather is hot, cool down and have fun at Beccles Lido. The traditional outdoor pool is situated on the banks of the River Waveney and includes a splash pool for babies and toddlers, a children’s pool, and the main large pool with slide. The giant inflatable makes an appearance most days and there’s a café on site serving reasonably priced meals, snack, drinks and ice creams.

Explore the stunning landscape of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a visit to National Trust Dunwich Heath. Set off on foot or bicycle and explore the footpaths that take you through a myriad of habitats, discovering some of Suffolk’s rare wildlife and birdlife. From July to September, the heath comes alive with colour; a patchwork of pink and purple heather and coconut scented yellow gorse. The perfect place to enjoy a summer picnic, and dogs are welcome too!

Throughout the summer, there are a number of family events and activities taking place at RSPB Minsmere including pond dipping, owl pellet dissecting, bird ringing demonstrations, family nature walks and wild woods forest school where for six mornings children aged 7-11 can take part in activities such as den building, learning basic bushcraft and playing games around the campfire. Whilst the kids are being kept entertained, adults can explore the award-winning nature reserve followed by coffee and cake in the café.

There’s a packed schedule of festivals and events taking place across the Suffolk coast this summer. Celebrate the summer solstice and take the family along to First Light Festival. Taking place on Lowestoft's sandy beach, the 24-hour festival includes headline acts Gilles Peterson, Talvin Singh and Academy-Award winning director Danny Boyle. There's a whole host of family events taking place too including storytelling, raft building, beach combing, dance, yoga and sports.

Spend a day messing about on the river at Beccles River Festival on 6th and 7th July; travel along the River Waveney on a day boat taster, or get wet and enjoy short canoe and kayak tasters for all the family. There will be historic craft to view; step aboard the MTB 102 Trust Wherry Maud Trust, Countess of Light and other historic vessels that will be moored especially for the event. Local musicians will be playing throughout the day and local food stalls will be serving refreshments.

On 3rd August, enter the imaginarium of the world of engines and eccentricities, as the Long Shop Museum holds its annual Suffolk Steampunk Spectacular! The weekend is packed with family fun activities including High Noon Shoot-outs (with Nerf Guns), sci-fi storytelling, Sherlock Holmes style Bartitsu, and much more.  

Of course, summer wouldn’t be summer without carnival and there are plenty of opportunities for you to join in the frivolities. Felixstowe is first up with the carnival weekend taking place on 28th and 29th July, followed by Aldeburgh Carnival weekend on 17th, 18th and 19th August and Beccles also on the 17th and 18th August. And whilst not a carnival, Thorpeness Regatta and Fireworks is a summer spectacle not to be missed! On 22nd and 23rd August, the Meare hosts sailing events, canoeing and kayaking for children, plus there’s a BBQ and paella for you to enjoy as you sit in the beautiful Meare gardens to watch the magical lit boat parade and fireworks at dusk.

Click here for more festivals, fetes and carnivals on The Suffolk Coast!

A fun-filled day out doesn’t have to cost the earth, on the Suffolk coast there’s plenty to do that will keep all members of the family entertained, and they don’t cost you a penny! Visit the child-friendly beaches at Lowestoft, Felixstowe, Southwold and Aldeburgh for a day of sandcastle building, paddling in the sea and collecting shells, or head to the coastal village of Walberswick with a bucket and line for a crab catching competition!

Explore the forest at Rendlesham by bike or by foot or walk along the banks of the River Waveney from Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton Marshes to Oulton Broad where you can stop for a go on the swings and slide in Nicholas Everitt Park before catching the Powerboat championships which take place on the broad every Thursday evening throughout the summer. 

For more summer days out inspiration and to plan your summer holiday, take a look at our 'Explore' guide!