Explore the heart of Suffolk,
in your own way
Explore the heart of Suffolk, in your own way
Outdoors and Active
With an abundance of open countryside, off-road pathways and cycle routes, there is so much space and fresh air to enjoy in the heart of Suffolk. With loads of great pubs and walking routes you can take your pick of locations and just make the most of your weekend away.
Suffolk is pretty much hill-free but whether you have energy to burn, or just fancy a slow amble, there is plenty of choice. Combined with great food to refuel and go again, it is the perfect way to unwind.
Day 1: Eye and the Mid Suffolk countryside
Morning
Arrive in Eye and spend some time exploring the historic market town, enjoying local cafes and perhaps buying a picnic lunch or enjoying some pub food before heading out into the surrounding countryside. Don’t forget you can reach Eye by train, it is just a short cab ride from Diss station.
Fancy a refreshment break, try the Bank Arts Centre café run by a volunteer chef serving great food, or Beards Deli – excellent range of local produce, particularly Suffolk cheeses.
Enjoy a walk
Explore a section of the Mid Suffolk Footpath, which passes through Eye, Thorndon and Mendlesham on its route towards Stowmarket. The full trail is 23 miles, so visitors can simply choose a shorter section to suit their day. The route follows the valleys of the River Dove and River Gipping through the Suffolk countryside.
Afternoon
After your walk and a mooch around town (did you find the crinkle crankle wall), you might want to call in at the infamous Bar 14 for a cocktail, not to be missed.
Check-in
Continue to Retreat East, Hemingstone, for your overnight stay, followed by spa time and dinner. After an active afternoon, settle into the countryside surroundings and make the most of the retreat's leisure and hospitality offer.
Day 2: Shotley Peninsula and Pin Mill
Morning:
Head to the Shotley Peninsula for a countryside and riverside walk.
This is a place to experience the landscape, walk along the coastline or use a bike to explore the fields and pathways, plenty of peace and quiet and fresh air.
There is lots of choice around this area, you might head over to Pin Mill, a lovely riverside hamlet made famous by children’s author Arthur Ransome, explore his walking trail and call in at the pub for refreshments.
Or maybe you fancy a different route, you can take your pick from a choice of options long or short walks in and around Shotley Peninsula and Explore Harwich Haven.
Alternatively...
Arrive at Shotley Marina and pick up an Eezybike and head out on two wheels to take a look around. You might want to head over to Shotley Heritage Park woodland, or bring your binoculars and spend some time bird watching, the mudflats are a haven for wading birds.
Lunch
Stop for lunch around Pin Mill, visiting the Butt and Oyster or continue towards the next stop and have lunch at Suffolk Food Hall.
Afternoon: Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead
Finish the weekend at Suffolk Food Hall at Wherstead, and a short, circular walk with views over the Orwell countryside.
Allow time for some afternoon tea, browsing local produce and picking up Suffolk food and gifts before heading home.
Or maybe you want to find your own way?
First of all, ‘Discover Suffolk’ is your friend. A fantastic resource of walking and cycling routes of varying lengths and so many locations to choose from. Explore the map, pick a route and get your boots on, or your bike out. Or, take a look at the Grazing Walks maps, choose a village (or a pub) and follow the link to the nearest walking route, it’s that simple.
- On two wheels… pick up an Eezybike available from Stowmarket, Sudbury, Needham Lake, Shotley Marina or Lavenham for a full or half day and download one of their routes to follow.
- Cycle Breaks - with lots of short, one or two night options, make it easy, let them do the planning, you just relax and enjoy.
- Fancy a wild swim in the River Stour, head to Harkstead. Find off street parking along The Street, then follow the footpath down Walnut Tree Lane until it opens up to the field which leads to the beach. Swim. And then head to the Wild Rabbit for a well-earned feast.
- Got your own paddleboard, book a chalet and hot tub at Constable Park and head next door to Cattawade Picnic Site to launch onto the River Stour.
- If you need to burn off some energy, visit Anglia Karting an indoor circuit offering all the noise and fast-pace of a racing experience whatever the weather. Now you have whetted your competitive spirit on the race track, try Lazer Maze to test your skills a bit further.
- If it is a group activity you are looking for, try Suffolk Ski Centre, based just outside Ipswich. As well as skiing, enjoy tobogganing, ringos, high ropes and golf, a great day out.
Getting around
Think about leaving the car at home and using public transport and let someone else do the driving for a change, visit Greater Anglia for train timetables and ticket information.
For all other forms of public transport, Suffolk on Board, brings together all the different options in one place.