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We are a home education family and love days out with the kids, educational or otherwise.
I created a list of our most popular places to visit in Suffolk. I got so carried away with my list that I had to narrow it down at the end to our top 20.
Some have home education discounts/offers, some do not and some are free which is my favourite price. lol
Here we go and in no particular order.
This is close to where we live so it’s a nice one to visit.
There is more than just the farm here, with restaurants, walks, shops and more on offer. They often do events during the year too e.g.. fireworks night.
We love the days out at the farm.
Jimmy’s isn’t huge so it’s great if you have little ones that can’t handle long days out. Jimmy’s Farm also has a couple of great play areas, including sand pits and a bouncy pillow.
Lots of hand wash stations, drinks and ice cream are available during peak times.
Jimmy’s Farm does offer a home education offer but this is only for weekdays. I contacted them a few days prior to our visit and they emailed back the next day, friendly and with no issues with getting in.
Framlingham Castle is an English Heritage site. You can get a pass but we normally get a group of Home edders together and book a group booking that way.
You can pay to park there or you can find on-street parking near by and walk a few minutes to the grounds.
There’s no need to get a ticket if you want to walk around the grounds.
If you do decide to go inside the gates you will find wonderful walks, kids love climbing the walls and sliding or rolling down the hills.
It has a wonderful café and museum and during the summer they put on great re-enactments which get the children involved. It’s a lovely place to visit.
We always have the best days out here at Sutton Hoo.
A wonderful place to visit, with friendly staff with brilliant tours that encourage children to take part in.
There is parking on-site, a café, a shop, lots of woodland walks, Tramner House, burial grounds, a park and the exhibition hall.
We love to visit Sutton Hoo regularly, a place you seem to learn something new no matter how many times you visit. Always brilliant family days out here.
This is a National Trust site and as the same with English Heritage you can get a pass but you can also get a home education pass. Just contact them for all the details.
This is a beautiful building and free to enter.
There is a shop and café. They often do different exhibitions and the staff are lovely and happy to answer questions.
You can’t park on site but it’s in town so there are plenty of places to park nearby.
You will find a wonderful park and a large green space, perfect for picnics and to let your little ones burn off steam.
I know I seem to say this about every place so far but…. We love it here. Lol
You can get a ‘school’ group booking so I booked a few of us home edders and they were brilliant in making sure our day went smoothly.
At Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, as the name suggests there are lots of owls, different birds of prey, meerkats, bugs, bees and other animals too.
They offer tours, birthday parties and shows of the animals.
Very educational.
There are lots of other businesses at the same site with parking there too.
They do specific home education days too which is great. All the info is on their site.
This is a place that looks like you’ve taken a wrong turn as you park in a field and then take a short walk along a little road to the farm.
It’s a very cute place, not massive but has a play area, café and often Santa visits at Christmas.
They don’t offer a home ed price but the prices are in line with the farm and worth a visit.
My husband and a goat really hit it off.
There were piglets, calves and lots of other animals to see and pet. Great family days out.
So the Ipswich Museum is currently closed and due to reopen in 2025.
They are giving it a much-needed refurb.
Nonetheless, you can still access things on their site and it is a great rainy-day educational activity.
Looking forward to lots more days out here when it reopens.
When my oldest turned two we took her here for her birthday and it was raining heavily. She had the place to herself and the staff loved showing her all the animals.
They do offer group bookings and birthday parties.
At the farm, you will find an indoor play area, café, lots of hand wash stations, carts to ride on and lots more. Great days out for all ages.
Africa Alive often has deals on and educational trips available.
They have everything here that you need for a great family fun filled days out.
There are lots of locations for Go Ape as I’m sure you know.
It is a popular place to visit with something for all ages.
They offer group bookings, birthday parties, discounts and more.
I will be honest, this is one we haven’t been to but definitely on our to do list of places to visit.
Southwold Maze is usually open during the warmer weather months so do make sure to check it is open before you dash down there.
They have walks, café, of course a maze and a play area.
We have been here more times than I can count!
It is such a lovely place to visit at any time of year. Definitely a must for family days out.
They offer lots more during the warmer and summer holiday months but they always have friendly staff, great animals, the best play areas, ice cream, farm shop, car parking and lots more.
Flatford is a National trust site.
Car parking is available.
Beautiful walks, shops, wildlife, picnic sites, café, bookshop, toilets and if you are a dog owner then a lovely place to walk them too.
I do have to warn you that sometimes the site does get flooded so always best to check the site first to make sure you can get around. But definitely well worth a visit.
Rendlesham Forest holds a special place in my heart.
Besides the hefty car park price it is a stunning place to walk, cycle, bring a picnic, play on the two play areas they have, coffee and ice cream available from the vans too.
If you don’t know much about Rendlesham Forest then know that you can follow a UFO trail and find a real UFO.
Great fun for everyone.
Landguard Fort is an English Heritage site with parking right by the sea and great views.
This world war site is quite big and a great educational day out with lots of interactive areas.
You can also arrange a school/home education visit for a group of you, to make this some of the best days out.
This is a different one but a place we enjoy going mostly in the summer. It can be pretty nippy otherwise, not that it bothers the children.
Felixstowe beach naturally is free and the promenade is lovely with the usual ice creams and play areas, toilets and so along the route.
We have fun days out here riding bikes and playing in the sand.
You can find parking along the road and there are lots of car parks around too.
Felixstowe Pier is a fun place if you want to go on rides, eat fish and chips, go bowling and so on.
Dunwich Heath is a beautiful place. This is a National trust site and parking onsite.
Lots of wildlife, beach, toilets, café, bookshop, walks, dog friendly, guided tours and often events going on around Easter and such. We love our family days out here.
This seaside town has the best fish and chips!
Lovely walks along the beach and town. Lots of quaint stores, art galleries, funny looking buildings, hotels and restaurants.
Parking can be a struggle but don’t let that put you off visiting.
This another one we haven’t been too but everyone always says how great it is.
They seem to have it all here too with Toboggans, Ski lessons, parties, snowboarding, they even have golf!
On site is also a bar and restaurant!
This is another one that is special for me and my brother.
Wonderful family days out.
The staff are friendly and you will find lots of trains (who would have thought it)
You can ride on miniature and steam trains.
Picnic sites, walks, museums, play area, Ice cream and more.
For the crazy about trains people, you can book on a steam driving experience.
