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. The large grassed area which overlooks the broads is ideal for a game of football or rounders after you've enjoyed your picnic. If ice creams are demanded afterwards (or even if they're not), then pay a visit to the cafe kiosk for delicious whippy 99s, waffle ice creams with a range of flavours and lollies, along with other sweet treats such as slush drinks and candy floss.
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. It's a pretty impressive! With tube slide, climbing wall, obstacle course, swings and zip-line set amongst the forest backdrop.
Once you've built up an appetite, find a place amongst the trees to lay your blanket or grab one of the BBQ spots (you need to take your own BBQ long and fill out a BBQ permit form available from the info hut) if a juicy burger rather than a soggy sandwich is what you fancy.
If you'd rather not haul your picnic along with you, then pay a visit to Bear Grills Forest Caterer where you can tuck into hot and cold food, delicious cakes, tea, coffee, soft drinks and ice creams.
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, so you can sit and watch the children play whilst enjoying a glass of Pimms!
Dogs are welcome on the Quay (but not inside the fenced play areas) and there's plenty of space for them to enjoy a game of fetch. Once you've finished off your scotch eggs and sarnies, walk over the bridge and stop by the cafe to treat everyone to an ice cream or ice lolly.
Covehithe Beach
Covehithe Beach, near Kessingland is like a pirates cove and so is sure to spark imaginations and is 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 will make a fun day for all.
Whilst in the coastal village of Kessingland, pay a visit to Africa Alive! Here you can meet the animals of the African savannah, enjoy the soft play area and outdoor play area, take a ride on the safari train and get up close and personal with some of the park's smaller inhabitants and insects in the Discovery Centre.
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 and enjoy a family picnic. The park has been awarded a Green Flag every year for over ten years, so it's as pretty as it is green.
There's a children's play area nearby, and lots of green space for a game of rounders or frisbee! You're also right in the town centre, so it's the perfect spot to enjoy lunch al fresco when shopping.
Dunwich Forest
With over 260 hectares of woodland and heaths, Dunwich Forest is the perfect place to head to for a woodland walk or bike ride.
A designated County Wildlife Site, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission have created a mixture of semi-natural habitats including lowland heath, wet woodland and broad leaved woodland, so you're bound to spot some of Suffolk's rare birds and wildlife, you may even stumble across some of the resident Dartmoor ponies!
There are plenty of picnic benches located throughout the forest, so all you need to remember are your sandwiches and lashings and lashings of ginger beer!