Come and visit Suffolk's amazing open-air theatre nestled in the Woods in Thorington, just a few minutes drive up the A12 from Bunker's Hill. The site is actually a bomb crater from WWII, which left a natural amphitheatre. The timber has was sourced through sensitive and sustainable coppicing of surrounding chestnut trees. This outdoor theatre seats 350 people; it has a wooden box office and bar serving the best local beers, wine, cider, juices and ice creams, and there is a picnic area where guests are welcome to enjoy a picnic before the show. There is parking, guest loos, and wheelchair access. Check the website for this Summer's events and be sure to book in advance.
Minsmere is about much more than just birds. It is home to some of the UK's rarest wildlife. Head to the coastal lagoons to see an impressive variety of birds, including avocets, bearded tits and bitterns. Walk to the reedbeds, where Marsh Harrier, Otters and Water Voles can be found. Or the heathlands, where Nightjars churr, Adders slither and Silver-studded Blue Butterflies flutter. Don't be surprised to see ponies grazing either! They play a vital role improving the habitat for some of the rarest plants and minibeasts, such as the brilliantly named Great Green Bush-cricket. As well as the miles of beautiful walks across varied terrains, the wonderful bird hides and unbeatable bird watching opportunities, Minsmere also offers a fascinating day out for our younger visitors with the Wild Zone Play area, trails all through the reserve, den buidling and organised activities such as pond dipping. Not to mention the Visitor Centre, Shop and Cafe.
RSPB Minsmere, Sheepwash Ln, Saxmundham IP17 3BY
For many, Suffolks favourite Seaside Town! With its sandy beach and beach hut-lined promenade, Southwold offers a wonderful environment for a day trip from Bunkers Hill Farm.
The prominent lighthouse in the town stands at 31 metres tall and is a grade II listed building, it is still a working lighthouse and guides vessels as they navigate the East Coast. If you are feeling energetic you can climb the 113 steps to the top by booking a Lighthouse Tour.
Another famous landmark, Southwold Pier stretches 190 metres into the sea and is a thriving tourist destination, check out the weird and wonderful automata designed by Tim Hunkin the 'under the Pier show' as well as the waterclock sculpture. Grab yourself an ice-cream, a slice of homemade cake, a delicious meal in the restaurant or of course, fish and chips from the Kiosk. And don't forget your pennies for the penny machines!
Other highlights of Southwold include the Boating Lake and Adventure Golf just oppsite the Pier, The Harbour where, in the Summer, you can hop on the foot ferry to Walberswick, book a boat trip or enjoy some very fresh fish, the unique Amber Shop and Museum, the award-winning beach and of course Southwold is home to the famous Adnams. Book a brewery tour, make your own gin, or simply just enjoy a pint or 2 in any of the local pubs.
Valley Farm Vineyard in Wissett specialises in producing quality grapes for still white and rosé, sparkling white, and sparkling rosé wines. Madeleine Angevine and Pinot Gris are the grapes used in the single varietal white wines carrying the same names, while selections of Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir grapes are blended to produce still rosé and sparkling wines. An extra squeeze from the latter gives the blush hue to some vintages. Contact Adrian at the Vineyard to book a tour and tasting.
Guests staying with us benefit from a £5 discount from tours and tastings
St. Peter’s Brewery is one of England’s original craft breweries, founded in 1996 in former traditional agricultural buildings alongside the moated St. Peter’s Hall, deep in the picturesque Suffolk countryside.
The location, in the village of St. Peter South Elmham, near Bungay, is ideal for the excellent water quality used in the brewing process – all beers brewed at St. Peter’s Brewery use water filtered through chalk deep beneath the brewery, obtained from our own deep bore-hole.
Aldeburgh is world-renowned thanks to its connection with Benjamin Britten, the founder of the Aldeburgh Festival, which takes place in June every year at nearby Snape Maltings. Pastel-coloured 19th Century holiday villas line the promenade and to the east, the pebble beach with fisherman’s huts selling the daily catch. Plus Maggi Hamblings infamous scallop shell sculpture on the baech. Aldeburgh is also home to several Art Galleries and a delightful little cinema. The town is full of eateries, shops and pubs and you will see the queue before you see the Fish & Chip Shop, arguably some of the best around! If you are holidaying in August then don't miss out on the spectacle of Aldeburgh's 3 day carnival.
Overlooking Aldeburgh's iconic shingle beach, the Fishers Gin Distillery has quickly become one of the town's most magnetic attractions. Book your tour, it’s the perfect experience for anyone who loves our gin or loves the Suffolk coast. We would love to share our home, our story and, of course, our lovingly crafted gins with you.
Guests staying with us benefit from 20% discount
The small village of Thorpeness with its fascinating history is definitely worth a visit. In 1910 Stuart Ogilvie bought the hamlet and transformed it into a private fantasy holiday village with pretty mock Tudor houses, a Country Club with tennis courts, a swimming pool, clubhouse and golf club. The shallow Meare in the centre of the village is also a popular attraction with rowing boats for hire and a shop and tearoom - notice as you glide around the Meare the references to Peter Pan - a nod to JM Barrie who was a friend of the Ogilvie family. Also home to the ‘House in the Clouds’ which is in fact an old water tower, now converted into fancy holiday accommodation. The Dolphin Pub in the centre of town is great for a drink out in the sunny beer garden and of course a walk to the beautiful single beach is a must.
In an area as steeped in history as the Suffolk Coast, it takes something special to stand out. Dunwich manages to do just this. Known as the lost city of England, this tiny village certainly has a story to tell. There's an expanse of forest and heath to explore - great for dog walking. There's also a rustic stoney beach with a great traditional tea room, a charming country pub - The Ship Inn and the Dunwich Museum - the perfect place to discover Dunwich's underwater history including the 12 Lost Churches. The museum has a great model of how Dunwich once looked and what is now beneath the sea. The reading rooms behind the mueum hold regular events and workshops too. There is a free car park next to the beach and Flora Tearooms. From here, you can enjoy the short walk through the woods and up to the cliffs to the Greyfriars monastery ruins.
Charming Walberswick sits on the coast between Southwold and Dunwich. It boasts a beautiful sandy beach with lovely wild sand dunes, a famous crabbing bridge, two delightful country pubs with attractive beer gardens, a village green with a slide and swings and a small handfull of shops including tea room, ice cream parlour and the original Black Dog Deli. Don't miss the annual Oyster Festival held at The Anchor pub during the summer! In the warmer months, you can hop on the foot ferry across to Southwold.
Halesworth is our closest town and the town park and Millennium Green are not to be missed! The Town Park features several play areas, basketball court and skatepark, all set alongside the picturesque River Blyth. The Millenium Green, at 55 acres in total, is the largest of its kind in the UK. You can enjoy meadows, woodlands, rivers, ponds, heathland, orchard and even stroll along the historic route of the old railway line. A superb all-weather track snakes its way through north-south and gives flat access for cycles, mobility scooters and push chairs. There is lots of wildlife to be spotted along the way including birds and bugs. Look out for the information boards along the way and learn about the Wherry's that used to sail up the River from London to Halesworth.
A fun day out for the whole family! The rural park offers camel, llama and donkey rides, feed the farm animals including goats and sheep, pet the smaller animals including rabbits and guinea pigs, several outdoor and indoor children's play areas including bouncy pillows, an indoor soft play area for toddlers, with bouncy castle. Plus crazy golf, land train and mini maze! There is a small cafe on site and a gift shop. There are also talks on Camels throughout the day. Visit their website to download a £1 off admission voucher before you go.
