Pop down to the Suffolk Food Hall for local meats, cheese, bread, fruit and veg. Put the kids in the play area while you grab a coffee. Work on your handicap at Hintelsham Hall Golf Club. Or get out to pretty Mistley, England’s smallest town, and Manningtree, the gateway to Constable Country.
For walking, wildlife-spotting, cycling, fishing and picnics, there’s Alton Water Reservoir. Learn sailing and windsurfing. Watch the outdoor theatre. Refuel in the café. Or head to Shotley Marina to gaze at the yachts and tackle bar meals and ales from the Shipwreck bar and restaurant.
Head into Ipswich for a drop of culture at the New Wolsey Theatre, renowned for musicals and home to the PULSE Festival, an annual celebration of contemporary theatre from established artists and new talent. Or shop your favourite high-street brands plus independent boutiques, across Sailmakers and The Buttermarket.
Go back in time to see vintage buses, lorries, bikes, cranes and carriages at the Ipswich Transport Museum. Enjoy a little café culture at Ipswich Waterfront, with bars, restaurants and fast-food stalls set to a river backdrop. Experience the River Orwell aboard the Allen Gardiner with commentary on the history and wildlife.