So allow us to make a few recommendations to ensure your holiday cottage break in Suffolk is as memorable and timeless as the region itself.
Suffolk secrets to whet your appetite…
The Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket is one of the best ways to brush up on your history of Suffolk. With thousands of years of history spread across 75 acres of woodland and riverside nature trails, learning about the region becomes a relaxing pleasure. There is a range of historic buildings, trade equipment and over 40,000 objects to look at, but perhaps the biggest attraction is the natural beauty of the surrounding land. But if you're hungry then you may be attracted by the food hall, which sells a range of homemade and locally produced foods, including meats and cheeses.
In fact the local produce of Suffolk is of such a high standard that the local farmers decided to make sure that everyone had the opportunity to sample it and so began their own market. The Suffolk Food Hall just south of Ipswich brings together fresh fish from Lowestoft, delicious cheeses from Framlington, fine wines from Stoke by Nayland, not to mention locally produced breads, biscuits, vegetables and oils. You can sample the produce on-site at a restaurant, alternatively you could always load up and bring some back to your holiday cottage.
After exploring Suffolk's food and drink, you'll probably be grateful for its low-lying landscape while exploring its countryside. If you choose a holiday cottage near the Stour Valley area you'll be able to explore the region known as 'Constable Country', for John Constable's dedication to capturing the beauty of the area on canvas. In fact, wherever you explore in Suffolk you're almost guaranteed a view worthy of framing. From the ancient woodland, shingle beaches and heathland of the coast, to the lush green expanses inland, the region contains some of the most amazing natural beauty in the UK. But not all of Suffolk's attractions are native to the area.
At Africa Alive in Lowestoft, you'll be able to see lions, giraffes, rhinos and more roaming the plains of Suffolk as they would in Africa. With feeding talks, interactive exhibits, a chance to meet the lemurs and an activity centre, it's the perfect place to keep your own herd entertained. And if that isn't enough wildlife for you then the zoo at Banham has a number of outside and undercover attractions, including leopards, tigers, primates, reptiles and one of the largest bird of prey displays in the UK. But if you prefer homegrown wildlife, then the open farm at Baynham House, just north of Ipswich, is well worth a visit. As well as meeting rare breeds of goats, sheep and pigs, visitors can go on lakeside and woodland walks, and visit nearby Roman remains.