No bank holiday plans? Here are seven ideas for you and the family including Newmarket Soapbox Derby, Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Rugby Club's Fun Day, and the Red Rooster Festival
With the bank holiday approaching and the weather (fingers crossed) looking good, it is the perfect opportunity for some family time.
So here are seven family-friendly ideas for the weekend.
Abbey Gardens
Abbey Gardens and the Abbey Ruins in Bury St Edmunds was voted the fifth most visited free attraction in a survey by VisitEngland - the only attraction in the top five outside of London.
The site, set to celebrate 1,000 years in 2022, was founded by King Canute and was one of the richest and most important Benedictine abbey and monasteries in Medieval Europe attracting pilgrims from across the globe, including royalty.
Today, visitors are also drawn by the outstanding floral displays, as well as the aviary, bowling green, family play area, garden café and riverside walk.
Knuckle Busters at the Barns
Stonham Barns Park is hosting this hot rods, classics, American cars and bike event from Friday to Sunday with The Knuckle Busters UK Car Club.
This event is open to all ages interested in music and vehicles of all shapes and sizes.
A fabulous selection of cars and bikes will be on display as well as Rockabilly bands, DJs, a trader's area, food court and restaurant.
Weekend camping is available. For more information, go to www.stonhambarns.co.uk.
Ickworth House park and gardens
This National Trust site, with more than 1,800 acres of parkland, gardens and a new all-weather path is a great place to take the family back to nature.
With its formal gardens, rolling Suffolk landscape and woodlands there is plenty of space for gentle strolls, long walks, runs, bike rides and picnics.
There is also an adventure playground, with slides, swings, an obstacle course and zip wire.
Also inside the iconic Rotunda, there are exhibitions, cafés and shops.
For more detail, go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth
Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth Rugby Club's Fun Day
This free entry event is on from 1pm to 1pm on Sunday at Gunton Park in Lowestoft.
Hosted by the rugby club, activities will include music, face painting, tug of war competitions, a rodeo bull, food and drink stalls and much more.
For more information, go to www.lyrugby.club.
Newmarket Soapbox Derby
On Sunday, a different type of racing will be hitting Newmarket as the soapbox derby will be hurtling down Warren Hill.
The free event is organised by Newmarket Town Council and was first held on August 25, 2019.
It's 400 metre track and several obstacles to go over and around this year is sure to produce thrills and spills in equal measure.
Though this is a free event, you will need a ticket, so to register and to find out more, go to newmarketsoapboxderby.org.uk
Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival
Foodies will be flocking to Bury St Edmunds on Sunday and Monday as the town's food and drink festival returns.
The line-up of cooking demonstrations will include top celebrity chef Paul Rankin and newcomer to the event and former soap star Sean Wilson donning their chefs’ whites.
As well as that there will be chance for visitors to taste and purchase food and drink from more than 100 stalls and a popular farmer’s market - this is a foodie’s heaven.
The free-entry two-day event, organised by the town centre Business Improvement District (BID) organisation, Our Bury St Edmunds, will also have a family entertainment zone in the arc shopping centre, a helter skelter, a circus skills workshop and a visit from two Paw Patrol characters on both days.
To find out more, go to www.ourburystedmunds.com/foodanddrinkfestival.
Red Rooster Festival
If you want to celebrate the best in Cajun, Soul, Rock n Roll, Blues, Roots and Country music at a family-friendly event, then the Red Rooster Festival is for you.
Set in the beautiful setting of Euston Hall and its estate, the Friday to Monday event will host a plethora of acts as well as spoon carving workshops, den building, a dog obstacle course, vintage stores and 'Red Roaster's Barbecue Pit' arena - where experienced and exciting pitmasters will be cooking up a treat.
For more information and tickets, go to www.redrooster.org.uk
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