Suffolk has a wide choice of activities on offer, whether you’re looking for an adrenaline packed day on the high wires of Thetford Forest’s “Go Ape” or a relaxing stroll along coastal paths or through Constable country, there is something for everyone.
Located right next door, in 150 acres of tranquil Suffolk countryside, Hintlesham hall golf course provides a challenge for players of all abilities.
www.hintleshamgolfclub.com
Suffolk leisure park offers 3 dry ski slopes, tobogganing, a climbing wall, high ropes course and a driving range.
http://www.suffolkskicentre.co.uk/
Our friends at Coopers Country offer clay pigeon shooting and fly-fishing experiences at their quiet rural site nearby. It is a superb way to enjoy clay pigeon shooting and fly-fishing with personal instruction, catering for all levels of experience. The team offers a range of packages including a favourite of ours where they collect you from your log cabin, give you an introduction to guns and safety, then you shoot at 50 clays. This is then followed by a relaxing hearty lunch at their lodge including wine, beer and soft drinks.
www.cooperscountry.co.uk/
The website below has a list of cycle routes in Suffolk and includes details such as distance, difficulty and things to look out for.
http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/county-cycling/Suffolk
For those seeking the adrenaline rush of off-road forest trails, Thetford forest, Rendlesham forest and Tunstall woods are the places to go.
For those with a head for heights this is an exciting course of zip-slides, rope bridges and tarzan swings up in the tree tops, 120 feet above the forest floor.
There are also walking routes and varying grades of mountain biking courses through the forest as well as the ‘Segways’ – electric, self balancing, all terrain two wheeler scooters – a unique way to tackle the trails of the forest.
www.goape.co.uk/days-out/thetford
One of the most enjoyable ways of getting to see the Suffolk countryside is on the back of a horse and there are a number of BHS approved equestrian centres nearby.
With a landscape that inspired the likes of Constable and Gainsborough, it’s no surprise that Suffolk attracts walkers to the area. The diversity of beautiful paths along the heritage coastline, sweeping heathlands, picturesque villages, forests and those wide open skies offer something for everyone, and often all in one walk!
www.discoversuffolk.org.uk/explore-suffolk
Rowing, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, powerboating. The beautiful stretch of North Sea along with the five estuaries that break up the Suffolk coastline; the Stour, the Orwell, the Deben, the Alde and the Blyth, provide ample opportunities to partake in a wide range of water sports. Whether you’re a thrill seeker looking for a high speed powerboat ride or you’d prefer to explore Constable country from a rowing boat on a gently meandering river, there are a wealth of options available.
For a more relaxed way of experiencing the Suffolk waterways why not book a river trip. There are several available, including:
‘Lady Florence’ or ‘Allen Gardiner’ boat rips which offer brunch, lunch, dinner and sunset cocktail cruises.
www.rivercruiserestaurants.co.uk
Orwell River Cruises which runs daytime public cruises, cream tea afternoon cruises and theme night evening cruises.
www.orwellrivercruises.com
River Stour Trust offer crewed boat trips from Sudbury and Dedham Vale.
www.riverstourboating.org/boat-trips
Our lake is not open for fishing, however, there are a range of coarse fishing lakes within the village at Hintlesham Fisheries. They have four lakes stocked with trout, carp, perch, tench, bream and many more.
There are a number of locations to enjoy both sea and river fishing in Suffolk. Lowestoft and Orford beach fishing has a long tradition, or you can be taken out to sea to fish on a charter boat, then return to your cabin cook and eat your catch!
The varied and diverse landscape of Suffolk enables a wide range of wildlife to inhabit it. The Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and English Nature all have reserves, many of which have dedicated hides. We are very lucky to have a RSPB reserve right on our doorstep, Wolves Wood is only a 2minute drive or a short walk away from the cabins.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/
In the cabins you will find some things to really help you enjoy the wildlife in the area including binoculars, bird identification and wildlife books.
The Suffolk Escape itself is set on our mixed arable and livestock farm which is part of a designated special landscape area. We have worked with an ecologist to create a management plan to help ensure we encourage more wildlife including building many bird and bat boxes in hedgerows and trees. On the farm there is a wide range of wildlife including a healthy stock of roe deer, badgers, owls and other hunting birds.
Please click here to find out more about the wildlife on the farm here at The Suffolk Escape.