Easter and spring events in and around Bury St Edmunds
Escape to the cathedral town of Bury St Edmunds in the heart of Suffolk this Easter. With an array of family events, historic houses and country parks plus pretty villages and rambling walks there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
There’s also a wide choice of places to stay from boutique hotels in the heart of the town, to country inns and glamping pods in woodland settings.
Easter trail at Ickworth 4 – 22 April
Treat the whole family to a world of adventure following an Easter trail at the Ickworth Estate near Bury St Edmunds. Start by picking up a trail sheet at the Welcome Point in the main carpark, then make your way to the different nature-inspired stations through the Albana woodland. At the end you will be able to pick up your prize easter egg. The trail takes place between 4 – 22 April, from 9.30am – 3.30pm with last entry at 3pm; prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and a dairy or vegan chocolate egg. For details visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/suffolk/ickworth-estate or call 01284 735270. Dogs welcome on a lead. Pre-booking is not required.
Lambing days at Kentwell Hall March weekends 5 – 17 April
Amongst spring’s best sights must be newborn lambs. Visit Kentwell Hall, near Bury St Edmunds during their lambing weekends throughout March or every day from 5 – 17 April and you might even see a lamb being born. The young lambs will still be indoors, while older lambs might be out in the paddocks. In contrast Kentwell’s gardens provide a haven of tranquility and beauty. Younger visitors can explore the Courtyard Maze and Yew Castle with its secret tunnels and answer I-Spy challenges.
Gardens open 11am-3pm, house open 12pm-2pm. Prices £11.95 per adult for the gardens and farm or £19.95 including the house. Children 8-15 from £7; 3-7 years from £4, under 3s free. Tickets will also be available at the gate with a £2 supplement per person. For further information visit www.kentwell.co.uk Tel: 01787 310207.
Easter extravaganza at Lackford Lakes 7, 8 and 15 April
Lackford Lakes, a wildlife oasis with a landscape of lakes, reeds, meadow and woodland, just 10 minutes outside Bury St Edmunds, are running three Easter Extravaganza events during the Easter holidays on 7, 8 and 15 April. A self-led trail around the reserve, alongside guided activity stations, will test your nest building skills, allow families to learn more about eggs in nature and offer a chance to create some egg-cellent Easter crafts.
The trail should take around 45 – 60 minutes with entry slots between 10am and 12pm. Its aimed at families with children aged 5+, although younger children are welcome. Tickets are priced at £8 per child and £3 for adults, babies in arms/pushchairs are welcome to attend for free when accompanying an older sibling and don’t require a ticket. All children must be accompanied by an adult with a ticket. To book visit www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events.
Easter egg hunt at Melford Hall 9 – 13 and 16-21 April
Surrounded by acres of gardens and parkland, 16th century Melford Hall, near Bury St Edmunds, has an outdoor family Easter trail with nature inspired activities for the whole family. There’s also a selection of games in the formal garden. The trail takes place between 9 -13 April and 16 -21 April, from 11am – 4.30pm, with last entry at 3.30pm Prices are £3.50 per trail which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and a dairy vegan or Free From* chocolate egg (*suitable for people with milk, egg,
gluten, peanut and tree nut allergies). For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/suffolk/melford-hall, Tel: 01787 379228.
Nowton Park’s Easter Egg Hunt 16 and 17 April
Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds is holding a family Easter egg hunt around its hornbeam maze on 16 and 17 April. Try not to get lost in the maze as you search high and low for the special eggs and collect a delicious chocolate treat when you find your way out. Easter Bunny will also be roaming about to greet families.
Meet at Nowton Park Café from where it’s a 1Km walk to the maze. If this is not practical for you or your child, please speak to a ranger on the day for alternative parking. All children must be supervised by an adult. The event will go ahead in all weather and the ground may be muddy underfoot, please wear suitable clothes and outdoor footwear. It’s essential to pre-book a time slot between 10am-11.30am, 12.30pm-2pm or 2.30pm-4pm, tickets priced at £5 per child. To book visit www.whatsonwestsuffolk.co.uk/whats-on or call The Apex Box Office on 01284 758000.
Eastertide weekend at Kentwell Hall 18 – 21 April
Kentwell will be brought to life over the Easter weekend (18 – 21 April) when the Hall’s Tudor living history characters can be seen going about their daily lives in the house and garden. The Eastertide weekend will also feature a range of family activities including an egg hunt, egg rolling, egg and spoon race and egg tossing as well as fun races and an I-Spy trail for younger children. Newborn lambs should be out gambolling on the new season’s grass and a mass of spring flowers blooming in the gardens. Gardens open 11am-5pm, house from 12pm -4pm. Prices £19.95 adults, £18.95 over 65s, £12 children 8-15, 3-7 years £7.50, under 3s free, family (2+2) £60. Tickets will also be available at the gate with a £2 supplement per person. For further information visit www.kentwell.co.uk, Tel: 01787 310207.
Easter weekend meet Wuffa at West Stow Anglo Saxon Village 19 – 21 April
This Easter weekend come and meet the Wuffa Viking and Saxon Re-Enactment Society as they occupy the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, near Bury St Edmunds bringing a mix of crafts and weaponry displays from 19 – 21 April.
Discover more about how people lived during the early medieval period, which was dominated by the ferocious ‘Vikings’ and brutal Saxons. Enjoy all parts of the dark age lifestyle including combat, day-to-day life such as cooking, blacksmithing, tailoring, music and much more. Tickets can be booked online or on arrival priced at £8 adults, £5 children, under 5s free, family £24. Parking £3 for the day. Open 10.30am-5pm. No dogs other than registered assistance dogs, children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult over 18. For details visit www.weststow.org/whats-on or call 01284 728718.
Note: One of England’s great archaeological sites, West Stow has extensive indoor galleries and a stunning recreation of an Anglo-Saxon village surrounded by unspoilt countryside. Its located within West Stow Country Park (free to enter), which features 125 acres of woods, heathlands, a river and a lake, plus nature trails, walks and an adventure playground.
For more details about things to see and do and where to stay in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk visit www.burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk.
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