The Suffolk 2-day short break itinerary for families
As proud locals, we’re confident in saying that Suffolk has enough exciting and interesting things to do for weeks on end, but sadly, not many holidays last quite that long! Suffolk is a truly wonderful place to visit, from short mini breaks to longer, relaxing trips, and we’re here to help you plan those stays, no matter their length.
In the first of our Suffolk itinerary series, we’re going to share our itinerary for the best 2-day Suffolk trip for families. We’ve created a plan for two days full of fun for children and parents alike, including where to eat and where to stay.
2 days in Suffolk with kids
Let’s get stuck into these jam-packed family days out ahead of your 2-day trip.
Day 1
For breakfast: The Grazing Sheep
Start day one in Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk, by grabbing some delicious and nutritious breakfast at The Grazing Sheep. Fantastic food and gorgeous views, this restaurant is found right on the marina in Ipswich, so you can sit and enjoy your food while watching the bobbing of colourful moored boats.
Choose from heavenly breakfast muffins, light granola and muesli pots, waffles and pancakes, open sourdough sandwiches, and breakfast classics on pan de cristal, a Catalan bread similar to sourdough. There are plenty of coffees and teas on offer for the grown-ups, plus smoothies and juices for the kids to enjoy. Why not also grab some handmade snacks for later, and take away some sausage rolls, filled croissants, or cakes?
Find The Grazing Sheep on Ipswich Waterfront, off Key Street.
For the day: Jimmy’s Farm
This can quite easily be a full-day activity! Jimmy’s Farm is one of Suffolk’s most popular attractions and one of England’s most well-known farms. Over the years, this large farm has extended into a full wildlife park, home to over 100 species and breeds of working farm animals and some incredible creatures, including polar bears, wolves, and camels.
Jimmy’s Farm also boasts an amazing adventure playground, a giant bouncy pillow, a 100-acre woodland to walk through, animal talks and experiences, and so much more to enjoy. The restaurant at the farm, The Barn, has an incredible lunch menu with food made from products straight from the farm itself. The children’s menu has lots of yummy meals to choose from and activities to keep them busy while they wait, and the adult menus are rich in flavourful and filling meals to leave you satisfied.
Find Jimmy’s Farm in Wherstead, south of Ipswich.
For dinner: The Forge Kitchen
End a busy day with the best burgers you’ve ever eaten. The Forge Kitchen in Ipswich serves up a fantastic burger with sides, wings, and fries that’ll have your mouth watering. The menu also includes excellent steaks and hot dogs, plus a cocktail menu of unique and exciting drinks you simply have to try. The children’s menu is suited to kids under 12 and is very affordable, including three courses with crowd-pleasing options to choose from.
Where to stay near Ipswich:
- Cosy up in the Langenfeld Retreat in Nacton for activities around the Ipswich area. Close to the River Orwell and surrounded by luscious green Suffolk countryside, this spacious home offers a relaxing atmosphere while sleeping 6 guests in its 2 double bedrooms and 2 twin-bed pair bedrooms. There’s plenty of space in the patio garden, complete with a hot tub and outdoor dining table.
- For larger families or multiple families taking the trip together, we recommend The Shealing in Waldringfield. This large family home has a lovely big garden for playing in, plus spacious living areas for relaxing and socialising without feeling cramped. The home has 6 bedrooms and sleeps 14 guests thanks to the converted loft, which houses several bunk beds that the kids will love.
Day 2
For breakfast: The Westleton Crown
For day 2, head west to the coast and stop at The Westletone Crown. The public restaurant in this hotel is the perfect place for a family breakfast before a big day out, with lots of lovely outdoor seating for when it’s sunny outside. Choose from a selection of hearty cooked breakfasts or enjoy some porridge, yoghurt, toast, or croissants. Everything is prepared with heart and seasonal, local ingredients for the perfect breakfast.
Find The Westleton Crown in Westleton, north of Saxmundham.
For the morning: RSPB Minsmere
Spend the morning getting in touch with nature at the beautiful RSPB Minsmere. This 2,500-acre site is full of wonderful walks to explore, with rare birds and other species just waiting to be discovered as you go. Traverse the stunning woodland, grassland, heathland and reedbeds, then go pond dipping or build dens in the woods. Stop by the cafe for a cup of tea and some juice while you’re at it, and, if the weather allows it, sit on the terrace there and enjoy the sights.
Find RSPB Minsmere on the Suffolk Coast, north of Sizewell.
For lunch: Bring a picnic
Pack your bag with sandwiches, snacks, and sweet treats to enjoy on a picnic at Minsmere! There are so many spots to sit with a blanket, plus many benches and picnic tables to use, and we highly encourage you to make the most of them. If the weather doesn’t permit a picnic, then grab lunch at the Minsmere cafe – the food is delicious.
For the afternoon: Walberswick crabbing and beach fun
Next, head further north to the seaside village of Walberswick. The long sand and shingle beach is the perfect place to rest a while and build some sand castles, and, depending on the time of year, to have a good paddle in the sea. The grassy dunes that back the beach are a lot of fun to explore, as is the village itself.
The biggest draw of Walberswick to most, however, is the crabbing. This family-friendly activity is the perfect way to spend an hour, so grab your buckets and crab lines and head to Wally’s Bridge or the Kissing Bridge and get ready to catch some crawly ocean critters. Just remember to gently release them afterwards.
Find Walberswick on the Suffolk Coast, south of Southwold.
For dinner: Fish and chips on Southwold Pier
To finish off your day, head to Southwold Pier, just a 20-minute drive north of Walberswick or a half-hour walk along the coastline (and a trip across the River Blyth on the Walberswick mini ferry!). Southwold is one of England’s most beloved beaches, with its quintessential seaside town and classic wooden leisure pier. It’s the perfect place for dinner with a view, and we have two brilliant fish and chips options – the only supper for a seaside dinner!
One of the most popular fish and chip shops in Southwold, The Little Fish & Chip Shop, serves up fantastic piping hot platters for you to tuck into. There’s often a queue around meal times, but they’re speedy servers, so you won’t be waiting long. It’s worth the wait; trust us! All of their food is fried in beef dripping for a rich, savoury taste.
Find The Little Fish & Chip Shop on East Street in the centre of Southwold town.
For the vegetarians and pescatarians, we recommend Mrs T’s Fish & Chips. This shop is a little further out of Southwold, but handily situated just north of Walberswick, meaning you can pick it up along the way if you choose to walk from your crabbing spot to Southwold Pier. The food here is fried in rapeseed oil, meaning the chips are vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian-friendly, and they make a crispy feast all on their own.
Find Mrs T’s Fish & Chips on Southwold Harbour, a few minutes on foot from the Walberswick Ferry.
Where to stay in Walberswick: 6 The Terrace in Walberswick is a beautiful Edwardian holiday home with 4 bedrooms, sleeping 8 guests in total, perfect for a big family. Bright, spacious, and airy, this lovely house is as picturesque as the village it’s found in, with a sunny front garden and space for two cars.
Where to stay in Southwold: The aptly named Cosy Nook in Southwold is the perfect location, with the famous Southwold Lighthouse just metres from the home. The pier is only a few minutes on foot away, with the beach even closer. This holiday home is bright and welcoming, with 3 bedrooms sleeping 8 guests.
Start planning your Suffolk mini break today
We hope this itinerary inspires your next holiday to Suffolk and gives you plenty of ideas for how to fill your mini family break. For more ideas and inspiration on what to do in Suffolk, take a look through our other articles and get planning, or get in touch with our team, all locals to beautiful Suffolk.
