Whereas Suffolk’s seashores are all the time a implausible option to spend a sunny day, I’ve spent sufficient wet days within the county to know you’ll have simply as a lot enjoyable in Suffolk within the rain with children.
incorporates affiliate hyperlinks*
From some quirky museums to a royal burial web site, animal sights and many extra indoor household enjoyable, there’s tons to find throughout the county.
So whether or not you’re visiting Suffolk in winter, or dodging the showers in mid summer time, listed here are my tips about the perfect issues to do in Suffolk within the rain with children.
Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge
It’s a narrative that’s straight from a fairytale – a king buried beneath a hill together with his treasure, undisturbed for hundreds of years. Till a small staff of archaeologists found “the discover of a lifetime” within the mounds at Sutton Hoo on the eve of the Second World Warfare.
Ultimate resting place of the King of the Wuffinga, Raedwald, King of East Anglia who dominated within the seventh century, his boat had rotted away however the valuable gadgets of his hoard survived, from jewelry to gold cash and an intricate steel helmet.
There’s a treasure path for youths, plus dressing up and you may stroll out to the burial mounds if the rain isn’t too unhealthy, in addition to visiting Tranmer Home, embellished as it could have been in the course of the Second World Warfare.
Prebook tickets right here When you’re visiting Suffolk in winter, it’s price realizing that there are restricted opening hours in the course of the winter months.
Learn extra about our go to to Sutton Hoo with children
Ipswich Museum
The pure historical past part which is the most important draw with children at Ipswich Museum, however that’s solely the beginning of what there may be to see in case you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Ipswich within the rain with children.
You’ll be able to uncover native historical past, in addition to taking a visit via time to find extra in regards to the Iron Age, the Romans and the Saxons – ultimate in case you’ve additionally seen Sutton Hoo.
There are additionally shows on Historic Egypt, plus animals together with gorillas to lions and even a uncommon sub-species of giraffe within the Victorian pure historical past assortment – and final however very undoubtedly not least, a mammoth.
Christchurch Park and Mansion, Ipswich
Constructed on the location of a twelfth century priory, Christchurch Mansion is implausible in case you’re on the lookout for a free time out in Suffolk within the rain with children, with a mix of historical past, museum and locations to play if the unhealthy climate improves.
You’ll be able to discover rooms embellished in numerous kinds from the previous 450 years, starting from the Tudors proper via to the Victorians.
There’s additionally artwork on show, together with Gainsborough and Constable, in addition to different displays, starting from ceramics to musical devices and toys – the short-term exhibitions have additionally centered on every thing from Ed Sheeran to the ability of tales.
Ickworth, Bury St Edmunds
The Italianate palace of Ickworth is called a lot for its stunning gardens and grounds as for the home, with its uncommon rotunda, however in case you’re visiting on a wet day in Suffolk, there’s nonetheless loads to see.
The constructing was meant to be as a lot gallery as dwelling, and there’s nonetheless some spectacular artwork on present at Ickworth – designed to encourage guests, there are sometimes household actions with the identical purpose.
There’s additionally an opportunity to see how the servants lived, venturing into the servants’ quarters, together with tales of a number of the most vibrant earls and marquesses who’ve known as Ickworth dwelling.
And for individuals who are decided to get exterior and never deterred by some drizzle, there’s an all-weather path to find. Prebook tickets right here.
Mid-Suffolk Mild Railway, Stowmarket
The Mid Suffolk Mild Railway is Suffolk’s solely normal gauge heritage railway, with a museum for train-lovers in addition to an opportunity to make a journey on a steam practice.
There are occasions all year long, together with Middy within the Warfare Years, an opportunity to just about return to the Forties, and Santa specials at Christmas.
Do verify earlier than you flip up although because the trains don’t run day-after-day.
Ipswich Transport Museum
There are over 100 automobiles on show on the Ipswich Transport Museum, all made or used within the native space over a interval of round 200 years.
So in addition to police automobiles and fireplace engines, you’ll discover bicycles, classic prams, lawnmowers and even a funeral hearse.
There’s additionally a mannequin railway, the place everybody can attempt their hand at driving the trains, plus an exercise zone for youths – a really enjoyable option to spend a wet day in Suffolk with children massive and small!
The Meals Museum
The Meals Museum in Stowmarket is the one one in all its form within the UK, exploring every thing you might want to learn about rising, making, and consuming meals.
A terrific place to get kids extra engaged with the place their meals comes from and the individuals who produce it, children will love the numerous hands-on displays and interactive shows across the museum, together with the chance to check out agricultural instruments.
There are additionally loads of enjoyable indoor actions for the entire household, comparable to talks, excursions, demonstrations, meals tastings, and baking courses.
The primary museum is ready throughout 17 buildings and also you’ll have to go exterior to get between them, so make certain to carry an umbrella/coat. The farm space and grounds aren’t notably wet day pleasant. However tickets are legitimate for 12 months, so you may all the time return one other day to benefit from the outside actions too.
Aldeburgh museum
Aldeburgh is one in all my favorite locations on the Suffolk coast – however ideally when the solar is shining. So in case you’re on the lookout for one thing to do in Aldeburgh within the rain, it’s nicely price popping into the city’s little museum.
Housed within the sixteenth century Tudor Moot Corridor, which remains to be used for council conferences, the museum is predicated downstairs, with a wildly eclectic assortment to find.
In addition to a number of the city’s with Roman and Anglo-Saxon finds, you’ll see displays from Aldeburgh’s maritime previous and a few distinctly uncommon odds and ends, together with drawers filled with collected butterflies.
Lengthy Store Museum
Suffolk’s inexperienced fields are sufficient to make you neglect that the county has its personal industrial historical past as nicely – and the Lengthy Store Museum is the place you may uncover it.
Making engines, machines and automobiles, the location has been transformed to a museum, with loads of quirky info and surprising displays to carry every thing alive for households – together with how deep the county’s deepest nicely is.
And together with dressing up, making sample moulds in sand and extra trails, children can discover a van which employees generally slept in, in addition to tales together with that of Elizabeth Garrett, who was a relation of the manufacturing unit homeowners, earlier than happening to her personal inspiring achievements.
Lowestoft Maritime Museum
The Lowestoft Maritime Museum is a captivating family-friendly museum that takes you on a journey via the maritime heritage of Lowestoft. It’s dwelling to a big assortment of maritime artefacts, together with actual lifeboats, ship reconstructions, and an enormous scale-model boat assortment.
Youthful company shall be given hats to put on as they enter the museum, with fisherman, captain, sailor, and pirate hats to choose from. The museum additionally has loads of participating hands-on actions to maintain little ones entertained, together with a kids’s maritime identification path and a household play room with sea-themed jigsaws, puzzles, and youngsters’s books.
The museum does shut briefly over the winter months, so make certain to verify the opening schedule earlier than your go to, however in any other case it’s a enjoyable choice for a wet day by the Suffolk coast.
Snape Maltings
On the financial institution of the River Alde, not removed from Aldeburgh, there’s all the time one thing to find at Snape Maltings for households.
The transformed Victorian buildings now home artwork galleries, impartial retailers, a eating places and cafe, in addition to efficiency venues – to not point out occasions and actions for youths, together with free toddler music classes, and seasonal enjoyable like Halloween trails.
Younger Harry Potter followers can benefit from the probability to go to Snape close by as nicely – and get a photograph with the signal if the rain isn’t too heavy.
Landguard Fort, Felixstowe
Who knew that Suffolk was the location of the final opposed seaborne invasion of England, the place the Royal Marines fought off the Dutch in 1667, of their first land battle.
When the battle happened close to Harwich Harbour, the present Landguard Fort hadn’t but been constructed, constructed within the 18th century earlier than extra work was finished within the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when it performed an vital anti-aircraft function in the course of the Second World Warfare.
Disarmed in 1956, now you can discover the maze of tunnels, passageways and rooms throughout the historic fort, with guided excursions alongside the shows, plus some particular re-enactments happening all year long
There are additionally particular household occasions which happen all year long.
Easton Farm Park, Woodbridge
Easton Farm Park is ideal in case your children like to get fingers on with the animals, with an opportunity to stroke and meet bunnies, pygmy goats, horses, donkeys and guinea pigs.
It’s additionally an awesome place in case you’re visiting Suffolk within the rain with children – as I can attest, having ended up exploring throughout a torrential summer time downpour – with tiny tractors and play areas inside.
Or there are pony and tractor trailer rides when it’s dry, plus a path via the water meadows.
Try my assessment of a (moist) time out at Easton Farm Park
Baylham Home Uncommon Breeds Farm, Ipswich
Excellent with youthful children, you may get near pleasant livestock on the Baylham Home Uncommon Breeds Farm, with a free bag of feed to supply to cows, sheep, goats, alpacas, pigs, and poultry dwelling right here.
Because the title suggests, lots of the animals on this farm are uncommon breeds that you just aren’t more likely to see in very many locations, and there’s loads to study alongside the farm path. Don’t miss the prospect to cuddle a goat too!
No have to e-book, and children get a free bag of animal meals on arrival. Inevitably you will have to stroll between the completely different barns and sheds, so do come ready with waterproofs and wellies although.
Jimmy’s Farm, Ipswich
Not removed from the border with Essex (we visited whereas staying in Mistley), it’s additionally simple to achieve Jimmy’s Farm from fairly Pin Mill in addition to Ipswich. And with its farm and wildlife park, to not point out some excellent meals within the cafe and store, there’s loads to maintain you entertained on a wet time out with children.
Together with the furred and feathered inhabitants, there are some nice indoor play areas too, together with delicate play.
Plus you may see over 80 completely different species of animals, so that you’ll discover farmyard creatures (together with some uncommon breeds) but additionally meerkats and wallabies plus camels and crocodiles – as above, you’ll have to stroll between a number of the coated areas, whereas some animals are outdoor, so it’s finest for a drizzly day quite than in torrential rain.
Get Artistic at a Craft Cafe
For artistic children, a craft cafe is a good way to spend a wet day in Suffolk with children
The Craft Cabin & Tea Room in Glemsford has nice espresso and selfmade muffins in its cafe, in addition to an enormous vary of enjoyable crafts for ages 2+. Children can take pleasure in portray pottery animals, colouring in, taking part in with loopy sand, or making their very own teddy.
When you’re in Ipswich, Pennikity Pots Ceramics Cafe affords ceramics portray classes proper within the coronary heart of town. Or Glass & Craft is one other craft centre round a 15 minute drive away, with glass and ceramic portray, clay moulding, bear making, sand artwork, mosaics, and extra.
Or head to the Wild Raspberry Ceramic Café in Shotley. In addition to portray your individual ceramics – with every thing from animal figures to souvenirs and plates – there are a bunch of different workshops together with the prospect to attempt printing, make mosaics… or slime.
Clip’n’Climb
Energetic children can burn off some power at Clip n Climb, a big indoor climbing centre in Ipswich.
The indoor centre has a wide range of climbing partitions appropriate for various ages and expertise ranges. There are many workers on the ground to ensure gear is safe and supply assist when wanted. Plus, actual daredevils may also try the exhilarating vertical drop slide and the thrilling leap of religion.
Common climbing classes are appropriate for youths 4 years and older. However in case you do have toddlers who’re too small to climb, the centre additionally has a delicate play space and cafe the place you may look forward to the older children to complete their climbing session.
Go Karting
Whereas Suffolk is dwelling to a number of implausible karting tracks, Anglia Indoor Karting in Ipswich is the county’s largest and finest indoor karting centre – ultimate when its trying slightly gloomy exterior.
The big karting centre has two principal racing circuits and a smaller household monitor, with particular karts out there for youngsters 5 years and above.
Children between 5-7 can benefit from the battery operated mini Kubz Karts, older kids (8+) can journey the 200cc engine Kadet Karts, whereas teenagers (16+) will love the speeds they’ll attain within the 270cc engine grownup karts.
Children can hit the tracks on their very own or mother and father can be a part of within the enjoyable too. Simply attempt to not get too aggressive with the little ones!
Strive an Escape Room in Suffolk
An escape room is a good way to check your loved ones’s teamwork, problem-solving, and inventive pondering abilities in an thrilling high-pressure setting. You’ll all have to work collectively in opposition to the clock to find clues, decode riddles, and remedy puzzles that will help you escape.
There are many thrilling escape rooms all throughout Suffolk, together with Cluetopia in Ipswich, Suffolk Escape Room in Saxmundham, EO Escape in Sudbury, and The Proof Room in Bury St Edmunds.
When you’re staying close to the Norfolk Suffolk border and on the lookout for extra wet day actions, try my choose of the perfect issues to do in Norfolk within the rain with children
Disclosure: This put up incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Christchurch Mansion/Ickworth/Rabbit/Climbing wall courtesy of Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels