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Top Picnic Spots on The Suffolk Coast

What better way to entertain the kids this summer than packing up the picnic hamper and heading out across The Suffolk Coast for a spot of al fresco dining!

We've selected some of our favourite picnic spots on The Suffolk Coast, where the kids can let of steam whilst you put your feet up and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Nicholas Everitt Park

Nicholas Everitt Park in Oulton Broad is situated on the edge of the southernmost point of the broads, so the views are pretty spectacular!

You will also find a bandstand, trampolines, and cafe plus a playground complete with slides, swings, see-saw.

Rendlesham Forest

Adventure awaits you at Rendlesham Forest, explore the UFO trail through plantation, heath, and wetland before letting the kids run wild on the play area complete with tube slide, climbing wall, obstacle course, swings and zip-line.

Find a place amongst the trees to lay your blanket or grab one of the BBQ spots if a juicy burger rather than a soggy sandwich is what you fancy.

Beccles Quay

With a large open green, you can enjoy a picnic sat amongst the boats at Beccles Quay. There's a selection of picnic tables located close to the play area, dogs are welcome too and you can finish off your scotch eggs and sarnies with an ice cream from the nearby cafe.

Covehithe Beach

Covehithe Beach, near Kessingland is like a pirates cove and so is sure to spark imaginations and a fun spot for a little explorers lunch. Only accessible by foot (and not suitable for pushchairs), the remote stretch is surrounded by cliffs so an afternoon building a den from the flotsam and jetsam before enjoying cake and will make a fun day for all.

Elmhurst Park

Located in the centre of Woodbridge and with views across the River Deben, Elmhurst Park is the perfect place to put down your blanket ad enjoy a family picnic. There's a children's play area nearby, and lots of green space for a game of rounders or frisbee!

Things to see and do

Southwold Pier

Southwold

Southwold is a popular destination for the many visitors to the East Coast and its most prominent attraction, the pier, hosts a wide range of things to see and do.

Beccles Lido & Big Dog Ferry

Beccles

Come down to Beccles in the Summer Holidays and enjoy the amazing views and facilities of the Lido.

Landguard Fort

Felixstowe

Discover the rich military and maritime heritage of Landguard Fort, one of England's best preserved coastal defences, with a history spanning almost 450 years.

Long Shop Museum

Leiston

Located at the heart of the original Richard Garrett and Sons Town Works, The Long Shop museum tells an inspiring story of enterprise and endeavor through its stunning collections, hands-on displays and the remarkable family behind the factory.

East Anglia Transport Museum

Lowestoft

The only museum in East Anglia where you can ride on working trams, trolley buses and narrow gauge railway!

Waveney River Tours

Lowestoft

Conducted river tours and boat hire through the Waveney Valley and the New Broads National Park.

Deben Boat Trips

Join the 'Oystercatcher' for a 30 minute river trip. Departing from The Quay, Waldringfield.

Claremont Pier Leisure and Family Entertainment Centre

Claremont Pier Leisure and Family Entertainment Centre is situated in between Lowestoft's Award winning beaches in South Lowestoft.

It's a hive of activity and entertainment, from traditional fruit machines and video games, to roller skating, fantastic live music, perfect party venue, great fish and chips and fabulous brasserie dining with the best sea views in town!

Southwold Cycle Hire

Southwold

Unlike a larger town there aren’t any major roads in Southwold, meaning it’s a far safer environment for anyone on two wheels. Plus it only takes a few minutes pedalling in any direction before you are taking in scenic views, whether it’s a breathtaking coastal panorama or Suffolk’s rural landscape.

Outdoor Play Areas On The Suffolk Coast

Whether it's a traditional Victorian park, a fort in the middle of a forest, or a zip wire along the river, the outdoor play areas on The Suffolk Coast are the perfect place for kids to let off steam and enjoy the great outdoors.

Sailing Barge Cruises

Ipswich

Relaxing Orwell River Cruises on board the vintage sailing barges, Thistle, Hydrogen and Kitty.

RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve

Westleton

Discover nature together on the beautiful Suffolk coast. Wander among the wetlands and woods, potter along the beach, and pause to watch some amazing wildlife. Explore the Wild Zone with the family, then sample some delicious home-cooked, locally-sourced food in the cafe.

Suffolk Libraries

All of the county's 44 libraries provide a wide range of services including traditional library loans (books, DVDs etc) access to the internet and a range of information materials, free Wi-Fi and activities for people of all ages throughout the year.

Cycle Breaks

Ipswich

Supported, gentle cycling & walking holidays along the Suffolk Coast as well as in Constable Country & The Wool Towns and Norfolk and quality bike hire too!

Felixstowe Seafront Gardens

The newly restored Felixstowe Seafront Gardens sit on cliffs between the town centre and beach.

Suffolk Museums

There are more than 50 museums in Suffolk. Each one is unique, and they are all packed with fascinating stories and objects.

Suffolk Food Hall and Cookhouse Restaurant

Ipswich

Suffolk Food Hall has everything you’d expect from a large farm shop and more. It is the 10 year Champion of Champions for Local Food (Countryside Alliance rural oscars) and it’s also an ideal location to the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is a restaurant (booking advisable) which has been judged to be the Best On Farm Restaurant in Britain and separate café with a children’s playarea.

Coastal Voyager

Coastal Voyager is the perfect activity for all ages ranging from families with children to work groups.

Lowestoft Ferry

The harbour launch "Terrier" provides regular daily trips between the attractions of Lowestoft and Oulton Broad.

Running hourly along the inland waterway known as Lake Lothing the journey provides a new and interesting way to see the town from the water. Accommodating up to 12 passengers, the vessel can be booked for groups. Why not give the traffic a miss, sit back and enjoy the view!

Southwold Boating Lake and Tearoom

Southwold

So much more than glorious cream teas and freshly baked cakes and pastries, tasty breakfasts, lunches and homemade snacks - Southwold Boating Lake and Tearoom is one of the gems of Southwold.

The Suffolk Punch Trust

Woodbridge

The Suffolk Punch Trust is an educational and environmental charity dedicated to breeding and preserving the Suffolk Punch horse. The Hollesley Bay Colony Stud, is the world’s oldest and largest Suffolk Punch stud farm. It is the perfect place to meet these magnificent horses, to find out how they shaped the landscape of East Anglia and helped to develop farming throughout the Eastern Counties.

Snape Maltings

Snape

Snape Maltings is a place of energy and inspiration – a visitor destination of outstanding natural beauty and one of the world’s leading centres of music, founded by Suffolk-born composer Benjamin Britten.

Woodbridge Tide Mill

Woodbridge

The Tide Mill has stood on the banks of the River Deben for over 800 years. The earliest record of a tide mill on this site by the River Deben is in 1170.

Easton Farm Park

Woodbridge

Home to plenty of animals, including a new contingent of ducklings, lambs, foals, chicks, piglets and calves every spring, Easton Farm Park never ceases to be a popular day out for families and school trips.

Felixstowe Museum

Explore the fascinating artefacts and collections of Felixstowe Museum, which brings alive the military and social history of this seaside town.

Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

The Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a stunning landscape packed full with wildlife and exciting places to explore and discover. There's something for everyone with 155 square miles of tranquil and unspoilt landscape including wildlife-rich estuaries, ancient heaths, windswept shingle beaches and historic towns and villages.

Sailing Barge Victor

Sailing Barge Victor is a perfect marriage of a majestic and traditionally rigged 19th century sailing vessel with comfortable, modern facilities for guests.

Beaches

Whether you’re in search of a great family day out, a birdwatching haven, or trip back in time, the beaches along the Suffolk Coast will provide you with a memorable day out whatever the time of year.

In the winter, Suffolk's beaches take on a whole new persona; with windswept dunes, crashing waves, and bracing winds, they are the perfect place to blow away the cobwebs, stroll hand in hand with your loved one, or enjoy a solitary dog walk.

Orwell Lady River Cruises

Ipswich

From April to October each year, Orwell Lady cruises up and down the beautiful and historic River Orwell, offering passengers a choice of trips and experiences whilst taking in the beautiful wooded stretches of the river, local wildlife and points of local and historical interest.

Africa Alive!

Kessingland

Africa Alive! - explore the sights and sounds of Africa and discover lions, giraffes, meerkats, hunting dogs and many more animals from the African continent!