How to Spend a Curious 24 Hours in Suffolk in 2013

Events in Norfolk and Suffolk / Holidays / Tourist Attractions Norfolk and Suffolk July 15, 2013

Inspired by the success of Visit Suffolk’s peculiar tourism campaign The Curious County which highlights the more unusual attractions the county has to offer, there’s a growing appetite for a break from the norm.

With Suffolk just an hour away from London, why not enjoy some of the county’s more quirky assets and experiences with one of these jam-packed itineraries for a curiously different 24 hour break.

Curious Itinerary 1: Family fun with a twist

AM: There’s nothing like some fresh sea air so why not try the ‘human ferry’, which links Southwold to Walberswick. These seaside destinations are popular in summer but chartering the human ferry provides a bucket and spade experience with a twist! Regularly scheduled trips take place between June and September and the boat departs from Southwold harbour, taking two minutes to cross to Walberswick.

Make a visit even more bonkers with a trip to the wacky slot machines on Southwold Pier – look out for the Micro Break Chair offering fast, efficient holidays for £1.

Take some snaps by Southwold’s iconic beach huts and indulge in a treasure hunt in search of amber on the beach. Plus, don’t forget the bacon in nearby Walberswick when crabbing on the harbour.

Try the catch of the day by buying some fresh fish from Uncle Fred in Church Lane or from the harbour huts on the Southwold side of the River Blyth.

PM: 40 minutes drive from Walberswick is Rendlesham Forest with its mysterious UFO Trail. Be guided by the silver markers, and crack the cryptic alien code. Then have some fun in the forest’s play area, complete with tube slide, climbing wall, obstacle course and zip-lines.

End the day at Office Piece, a delightfully modern ‘Hansel and Gretel style’ woodland cabin, while looking out of the window to spot Nightjars and Woodlarks in the forest.

Curious Itinerary 2: Quirky Heritage

AM: Newmarket has been the beating heart of horseracing since the 17^th Century. Don’t be surprised to see troupes of horses crossing the roads on their way to the gallops as the town itself is home to over 3,000 racehorses.

For something out of the ordinary, attend The Town Plate meeting (25^th August 2013); a 349 year old tradition which sees amateur riders compete over three miles to win a plate of sausages!

The Newmarket Experience offers tours and days out to go behind the scenes at racing’s headquarters and to see the equine stars at work, as well as meet their trainers and the staff who look after them.

Plus, children will love having a go on the ‘equiciser’ at the National Horseracing Museum, a simulator which mimics the effect of riding a racehorse.

PM: What could be more curious than enjoying a drink in Britain’s smallest pub? 25 minutes from Newmarket is The Nutshell pub in Bury St Edmunds, with a bar that is just 15ft by 7ft with little room for more than fifteen people to drink at any one time.

Pick up some of Suffolk’s delicacies at Bury market on Cornhill (Wednesday’s and Saturday’s), including black Suffolk ham, pork, cider, Suffolk Gold cheese and artisan breads for a tasty picnic. Enjoy them in the gardens at St Edmundsbury cathedral; Suffolk’s only cathedral. With its Gothic lantern tower and vaulted ceiling, it’s a curious spectacle to behold.

In the evening enjoy a meal at The Angel Hotel. Clad in ivy and overlooking the main square, the old coaching inn with a twist has modern decor and arty interiors. Head to its bar Wingspan, which is fashioned out of the secret tunnels that run under much of Bury St Edmunds. Look out for the bar created from half an aircraft engine, tables designed from aeroplane doors and sofas individually covered in German flour sacks.

To round off a quirky day, drive 30 minutes to Suffolk Retreats, which offers luxurious hand crafted yurts for glamping in style.

Curious Itinerary 3: Luxurious Suffolk

AM: Sails ahoy! At the Salthouse Harbour Hotel in Ipswich take a ‘snooze cruise’; a luxurious sail and stay break combining a boutique hotel getaway with a day on the water. Head off from Ipswich Marina on your own personal yacht for a luxury escape and enjoy relaxing or sunbathing on board. Those brave enough can sit with the captain to learn the ropes.

PM: Ipswich is just 30 minutes from wool town Lavenham so drive over to The Swan in Lavenham for lunch. A popular haunt with servicemen during the Second World War, the Airmen’s Bar pays tribute to them by retaining graffiti on the walls. The former servicemen and their families continue to visit and sign the wall as a mark of respect.

After lunch stroll round the “finest medieval town in England”, with no fewer than 300 of its buildings listed as being of architectural or historic interest. Just remember to look up, down and all around at the stunning architecture.

Dress up in Tudor clothes for a visit to the 14^th Century Lavenham Little Hall on the Market Place which tells the story of the changing fortunes of the town.

In the evening head back to Ipswich to catch a performance at Dance East or enjoy theatre in the forest with Red Rose Chain Theatre’s The Taming of the Shrew at Jimmy’s Farm (23^rd July to 25^th August 2013).

Enjoy a night’s stay as part of the ‘snooze cruise’ package in the waterfront Salthouse Harbour Hotel famous for its roll top baths, enviable views and eclectic artwork.

For more curious experiences visit www.visitsuffolk.com or to arrange a curious themed press trip email Jungle PR at [email protected].