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Wallet-friendly May half-term activities in Felixstowe, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Haverhill, Brandon, Stowmarket, Clare, Needham Market and more
With the May half-term looming, we’ve put our thinking caps on to find some budget-friendly activities across Suffolk dring the break.
From trails, walks, art and theatre to den building and a man-made beach, there is plenty to keep youngsters entertained during the school holiday.
We’ve done our best to find activities with either reasonably-priced entry fees or – even better – completely free in some cases.
Read on for some half-term inspiration.
May 27
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Brandon Country Park Holiday Trail, 10am-4.30pm
Pick up a £1 trail sheet from Brandon Country Park’s Copper Beech Café and follow the trail – solving clues along the way – to help find the special word and then return to the cafe to collect a small prize.
The trail is running from May 27-June 4.
May 28
Cars on Bardwell Village Green
Classic and vintage vehicles in a village setting will be a sight to see in Bardwell for this annual event, from 10am-5pm.
A World War Two flypast will be an extra feature – weather permitting – as well as entertainment.
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Admission is free.
Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum
Explore the history of the airfield that spanned two world wars, from the Royal Flying Corps to the RAF and USAAF, through to the jet age.
Admission is free but donations are welcomed. No need to book, just turn up from 2-4.30pm (the museum is open weekly on Sundays until October).
May 28 and 29
Bury St Edmunds Spring Fayre
Entry to this large two-day event in Bury St Edmunds town centre – open 10am-4pm daily – is free.
Plants, flowers, crafts, fairground rides, a beach with Punch and Judy and additional stalls on Angel Hill are some of the attractions lined up.
There will also be free children’s entertainment at Arc Shopping Centre
May 30 and 31
Twirlywoos Live, Wolsey Theatre
The Twirlywoos are at the Wolsey for a great big adventure this half-term, with daytime performances and tickets priced from £12.
Join Great BigHoo, Toodloo, Chickedy, Chick and their friends as they discover the world. Expect mischief, music and surprises as they set sail in their big red boat.
The Twirlywoos are brought to life on stage with inventive puppetry, promising an hour of colourful fun and laughter.
June 1
Kids & Canvas, The Apex
Why not take the children to The Apex for some painting fun?
During this fun class they will be guided through a painting step-by-step, from start to finish. At the end they can take their own masterpiece home.
All materials are included and aprons will be provided, but acrylic paint will be used which will not wash out of clothing.
Suitable for ages five-plus, tickets cost £20. Children must be accompanied by a maximum of one adult, no ticket required.
This event starts at 10am.
The Giant’s Loo Roll, Haverhill Arts Centre
Look out for the biggest loo roll ever on stage in this giant of a children’s musical, at Haverhill Arts Centre this half-term.
The villagers living in the town below the giant’s house had better watch out – the loo roll has gone bouncing down the hill and is heading straight towards them.
Luckily, the townsfolk can find lots of uses for runaway loo paper.
The performance starts at 2pm and tickets cost £12.50.
June 2
Den Building, Nowton Park
Two sessions of den building – at 11am and 2pm – will be at Nowton Park on the Friday of half-term.
Youngsters can expect to experience wild activities, build secret dens and cook marshmallows and popcorn over an open fire.
Tickets cost £5 per child and the event will continue in all weathers – so dress appropriately. Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult
West End Magic, Haverhill Arts Centre
This exciting, family-friendly show offering an amazing mixture of magic, comedy and variety acts is at Haverhill Arts Centre on June 2.
British Champion of Magic Oliver Tabor, compére Wayne Trice and special guest acts will take to the stage at 7.30pm.
Tickets start at £11.
June 3
Dragon Boat Race, Ipswich Waterfront
The charity Fresh Start New Beginnings has organised this fund-raising Dragon Boat Race along Ipswich Waterfront.
Teams of businesses will take to water as they race in traditional dragon-boats along Orwell Quay, outside Cult Café Bar.
Entry is free but donations are welcome.
Fresh Start New Beginnings is an Ipswich-based charity which provides therapeutic services to child victims of sexual abuse
June 4
A Right Royal Trail, Landguard Fort, Felixstowe
Celebrate the Coronation with this children’s trail around Landguard Fort.
Find the Kings and Queens in the special Coronation-themed rooms and displays – and win a prize.
Normal admission charges for the fort apply, plus £2 for a trail sheet, purchased at the ticket office on arrival.
Open daily
The Food Museum, Stowmarket
With 75 acres of land, 40,000 objects, 17 buildings to explore and daily activities, Stowmarket’s Food Museum is well worth a visit over the half-term break.
Admission is £12 adults and £8 children, allowing unlimited visits for 12 months.
The museum opens 10am-4pm Tuesday to Sunday (also open bank holidays).
West Stow Country Park
One of England’s great archaeological sites, West Stow has extensive indoor galleries and a recreation of an Anglo-Saxon village surrounded by 125 acres of unspoilt countryside.
Visitors to West Stow can explore history and nature, watch a film, dress up as an Anglo-Saxon or say hello to the rare breed pigs and chickens.
As well as the village and country park, there is a playground popular with younger visitors.
Day tickets cost £7 for adults and £4 for children aged five-16. Car parking charges apply.
Clare Castle Country Park
With a café, Victorian railway buildings, the remains of a castle keep on a 60ft high motte, children’s play areas, trails, rivers, ponds and a part-time visitor centre, there is plenty at Clare Castle Country Park for a family-friendly trip out.
The park is the starting point for a number of walks, from one to eight-and-a-half miles, and cycle routes.
Dogs are welcome in the park and the café is dog friendly.
Car parking charges apply.
Needham Lake
Offering walks and play areas, Needham Lake is a popular spot for families.
Its Duck and Teapot Café – which is also a visitor centre – opened last year and is open 9am-7pm daily.
Parking is free. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads on surfaced paths.
