CORNER FARM HOLIDAYS

Things to do on your holiday

Visit Southwold, home to Adnams brewery, with its pier and pretty beach huts. Family fun can be had at Easton Farm Park, rowing on Thorpeness Meare, crabbing at Walberswick, exploring Framlingham Castle and discovering the animals at Africa Alive. Grown ups can enjoy a stroll around Shawsgate Vineyard followed by free wine tasting, relaxing in one of Adnams local country pubs, or fine dining at award winning local restaurants.

There are many miles of beautiful countryside in which to walk, along with the coastal path to explore. Minsmere RSPB Reserve offers the opportunity to enjoy sightings of coastal and reed-based birds, including the Bittern, as seen on Spring Watch.

The Crown, Southwold

The Crown Hotel’s menu changes slightly, depending on what the Chefs have bought in fresh that morning from local suppliers. Main courses range from £12 - £20. It also boast an award-winning winelist. Contact number: 01502 722275 Website: http://adnams.co.uk/hotels/the-crown

Smokey Joes Grill, Bungay

A family-run business offering a wide range of locally sourced meals, ranging from burgers to Mexican fajitas all cooked in an American style open char grill. Main courses range from £8.45 - £18.95. Contact number: 01986 894776 Website: http://www.smokeyjoesgrill.co.uk

Fox and Goose, Fressingfield

A fine restaurant and country pub serving a very high standard of traditional and modern cooking. Two courses for £27. Awarded AA 2 Rosettes and featured in the Michelin and Harden's food guides. Contact number: 01379 586247 Website: http://www.foxandgoose.net/about  

Sutherland House, Southwold

Primarily a fish restaurant. Main courses range from £16.50 - £20.50. Included in the “150 best restaurants in the UK” by the Sunday Telegraph August 2012 “Our food is locally sourced, we print food miles on our menu to quantify this, and we only use seasonal ingredients” Andy Rudd, Owner Contact number: 01502 724544 Website: http://www.sutherlandhouse.co.uk

Leiston Abbey

The mainly 14th-century remains of an abbey of Premonstratensian canons. Among Suffolk’s most impressive monastic ruins, with some spectacular architectural features. Open at any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Pleasurewood Hills

Slightly further afield you can visit Pleasurewood Hills theme-park - under an hours drive away with rides suitable for all ages, including the infamous Wipeout. There are also regular sea-lion and parrot shows as well as go-karts. Admission: Adults £20, Children £17 (children under 1m free) Opening times: 10:00am-5:00pm on selected days - check their website for details

Oasis Camel Park

The only park in the UK where you can touch and see close-up the camels and their animal relations. Experienced handlers hold Meet-A-Camel and Cuddle-A-Pet sessions regularly. Open from March to October 10:30 - 5:00  Admission prices: Adult £8.50, Children £7.50 (under 3s free)

RSPB Minsmere

RSPB Minsmere is more than just a Nature Reserve, it's a great day out for everyone, young and old. Families will love the Wild Zone, complete with den building, child-sized sand martin tunnels and a willow-woven nest. Children can play whilst parents relax on comfortable sculpted sky-watching seats. Families can borrow an Explorer Backpack for self-guided wildlife discovery from the Visitor’s centre. These packs contain binoculars, a bugbox and a wildlife checklist. Admission: Adults £8, Children £4 (under 5s free). The Visitor’s centre is open daily 9am-5pm (4pm in the Winter months).

Framlingham Castle

It was behind these walls that Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England. Enjoy a historic afternoon exploring the museum and enjoying the breath-taking views from the castles ramparts. Admission: Adults £7.60, Children £4.50 (under 5s free) Open daily from 10:00am-6:00pm in the Summer.

Africa Alive

Just outside Lowestoft, Africa Alive is a walking safari set in 100 acres. From lions to lemurs, it has it all with the opportunity for some hands-on experiences including stroking a snake and meeting some bird of prey. Open daily from 9:30-6:00 and admission is: Adults £19.95, Children £9.95 (under 3s free)

Easton Park Farm

The magic of this farm can be found by meeting the animals. They are the life and soul of the farm, and are real characters. From Suffolk Punch horses to guinea pigs, visitors are given a bag of feed on arrival to help them to get to know its inhabitants. They regularly hold horse and cart rides, hug-a-bunny sessions and meet-the-animals sessions. Kids love it! The park is open daily from 10:30-5:30 and admission is: Adults £9, Children £8

Thorpeness

If there was ever a village that deserved to be called ‘fantastic’ it is Thorpeness, built at the start of last century by a wealthy Scottish barrister with a penchant for mock Tudor and Jacobean architecture. This village, which is the next one along the coast from Aldeburgh, is full of quirky buildings, including the ‘House in the Clouds.’ It has a golf course, beach and the gorgeous Meare boating lake where small rowing boats can be hired to explore the islands and coves given names from Peter Pan - an absolute must for a family day out.

Snape Maltings

This arts complex is the cultural hub of the Suffolk coast with a concert hall, shops selling locally made crafts and produce, a gallery, a boutique, an antique shop and a number of places to eat and relax. It is located just outside Aldeburgh and is open from 10:00-5:30 daily. Check their website for current events.

Southwold

Southwold is a charming north Suffolk seaside town which boasts many local attractions. These include: a working lighthouse, beach huts, an award-winning pier, The Adnams Brewery, a cliff top cannon and of course the sandy beach.   The Pier consists of two arcades (a modern one and an antique one), a shop and some restaurants. It is open daily from 8:30am - 8.00pm. Adnams Brewery offers a range of different tours (over 18s only) that can be viewed on their website. To book a tour call 01502 727 225.

Shawsgate Vineyard

One of East Anglia’s oldest commercial vineyards producing a range of White, Red and Rosé wines as well as Quality English Sparkling wines. Self-guided tours of the vineyard and wine tasting are free. October to April: Friday and Saturday 11am to 4pm. May to September: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm.

Aldeburgh

The seaside town of Aldeburgh on the Suffolk coast, has a beautiful shingle beach on which stands a 4.6m high sculpture, The Scallop, dedicated to Benjamin Britten. You can buy freshly caught fish and lobster on Crag path which follows the beach along Aldeburgh. There is a boating pond which is thoroughly enjoyed by both children and adults alike. You can also enjoy Aldeburgh’s famous fish and chips from one of the three outlets in the town owned by the award-winning Aldeburgh Fish and Chip Shop. They are regarded as one of the UK’s finest servers of the British classic and it is put down to the fresh fish, locally grown potatoes and their own way of frying.

Crabbing at Walberswick Beach

This lovely little sand dune backed beach is just across the River Blythe from Southwold, which is within easy walking distance. Walberswick is however best known as the home of "The British Open Crabbing Championship". This takes place in the waterways behind the beach and the person catching the largest crab within 90 minutes is the winner!

Southwold Pier Beach

Southwold is perhaps one of Suffolk's best known beaches with its 800 foot (250m) long pier. The beach has a blue flag award which demonstrates that it is clean and provides an excellent array of amenities.  There is a promenade which runs along the front of the town.