May Bank Holiday Suffolk - Top 10 Things To Do

Have anything planned for the early May bank holiday weekend?  If you’re looking for some inspiration or are searching for a last minute bank holiday getaway, there’s lots of wonderful things to see and do in Suffolk.

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Our top 10 things to do see and do over the bank holiday weekend are as follows:-

1. Tudor May Day CelebrationsSaturday 3rd - Monday 5th May 2014, 11am - 5pmKentwell Hall, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9BA, Tel: 01787 310 207Come and celebrate May Day Tudor-style with lots of spring merriment, pageantry, music, plays and May pole dancing. Tudors loved to celebrate May Day and Kentwell’s wonderful re-enactment of this period will feature costumed Tudors as they go about their business preparing for this spring festival. Watch Kentwell Hall’s domestic staff carry out their duties including dressmaking, cooking, baking and tending to the dairy.A visit to Kentwell is a fantastic day out of all ages and children can learn to make spring time garlands to wear for joining in with the May day processions, and to make posies, dress the May Tree and make paper boats to sail on the washer-women’s pond. 
2. Tip Toe Thru The BluebellsThe early May bank holiday is probably the last weekend in the year in which to see Suffolk’s beautiful bluebell woods at their best. From Captain’s Wood in Sudbourne near Orford to Haughley Park in Stowmarket, don’t miss out on the opportunity to truly uplift the spirits by walking through ancient woodlands with carpets of bluebells. For details on our top places to see bluebells this weekend, click here. 
3. Knights Tournament at Framlingham CastleSunday 4th - Monday 5th May 2014, 10am - 5pmChurch Street, Framlingham, Suffolk, IP13 9BPSituated in the heart of Suffolk, Framlingham Castle’s majestic Tudor castle offers a fascinating day out for all the family at any time of year. However, if you visit this weekend you can join in the excitement as the armour-clad Knights battle it out in the ultimate medieval tournament.In between the battle-rounds, witness the Knights’ traditional way of life in their medieval encampment and soak up the atmosphere as they go about their daily business. 
4. Suffolk Horse Society Breed ShowMonday 5th May 2014, 8.30amTrinity Park (Suffolk Show ground), Felixstowe Road, Ipswich, IP3 8UHDating back to 1871, The Woodbridge Horse Show is one of the oldest horse shows in Suffolk and is offers a fantastic day out for all the family. There will be 11 rings featuring over 117 classes covering a comprehensive range of events including dressage, young handlers, show jumping, side saddle and driving classes. There will also be a farrier's area with a horse shoeing competition and a dog agility class. Tickets cost £5 for adults and free for children. Ample free car parking on site. 
5. Dragon Quest at Sutton Hoo3rd – 5th May 2014, 11am – 4pmSutton Hoo, Tranmer House, Woodbridge, IP12 3DJSutton Hoo is home to an incredible site of an ancient ship burial belonging to Raewald – a former Anglo-Saxon King of East Anglia. If you visit over the bank holiday weekend all younger visitors can join in an exciting Dragon Quest.  Together with “Ealdfaeder the Anglo-Saxon”, join in the battle of good over evil knocking out goblins, giants and trolls in your quest! On Sunday 4th May there will also be a birds of prey display with owls, falcons and eagles. Free event but normal admission charges apply. 
6. Bawdsey Radar ExhibitionSunday 4th and Monday 5th May 2014, 12:30pm - 4.30pmBawdsey Radar Transmitter Block, Bawdsey Manor, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3AZBawdsey Radar played an incredible part in Britain’s military history during the last century, and in 1937, became the world’s very first radar station.The interactive exhibition tells the story of Bawdsey Radar and reveals how a group of engineers and scientists came together in the 1930s to prove that radio waves could locate ships, aeroplanes and other targets. Discover how the world’s very first radar station played a pivotal role in the 1940 Battle of Britain. For more information phone: 07821 162879. Self-catering cottages are available at Bawdsey and Alderton. 
7. Magic of Minsmere Walk at RSPB MinsmereSunday 4th May at 9.30amMinsmere near Saxmundham, IP17 3BY, map reference: TM473672For wildlife enthusiasts and budding twitches, why not join an RSPB Magic of Minsmere walk on Sunday 4th May at 9.30am. Learn all about the birds and animals that are currently visiting the reserve and see the last clusters of beautiful bluebells on the Woodland Walk.  If you’re a really early bird, RSPB Minsmere’s Dawn Chorus Walk at 4am on Saturday 3 May may be just the thing to kick start your weekend. Bookings essential by phoning: 01728 648281. 
8. Beccles Antique Fair (8am – 4pm) and May Day celebrations at Geldeston Locks (from 1pm)Sunday 4th May 2014Beccles Market Square, NR34 and Geldeston Locks, Locks Lane, Geldeston, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 0HSThe popular Beccles Antiques Fair returns to the Market Place in this attractive riverside, market town. Browse through a fantastic choice of vintage ephemera, furniture, Victoriana, collectables, retro crockery, furniture, vintage tea cups, fabric, jewellery and paintings.Then head to the riverside inn at Geldeston Locks to enjoy some May Day festivities with live bands, may-pole dancing and to welcome in the May Day Queen. 
9. Ickworth House and Park - Climbing Wall and Bungee TrampoliningSunday 4th May 2014, 11am - 4pmThe Rotunda, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QEWith its beautiful parkland with colourful displays of flowers and bluebells, Ickworth Park is a beautiful place to visit during the spring. This National Trust managed attraction also has some fantastic activities planned for younger guests over the May bank holiday weekend including installing a 26 foot climbing wall (with professional instructors and harnesses) and a bungee trampoline. For more information contact the Ickworth Estate on tel: 01284 735270. 
10. May Farmers' Market at Snape MaltingsSaturday 3rd May 2014, 9:30am-1pmBridge Road, Snape, Suffolk, IP17 1SR, tel: 01728 688 303Come and enjoy some of the freshest, seasonal produce Suffolk has to offer in the beautiful surrounding of Snape Maltings. After you've enjoyed and savoured some mouth-watering, artisan products, enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Snape Maltings which is located within a designated area of natural beauty (AONB). Explore this natural environment with a meander along the Sailors' Path Walk from Snape to Aldeburgh or a stroll on the other side of the River Alde to the beautiful church at Iken. Snape Maltings also offers several places for a cuppa and cake, a fabulous home and kitchen store, and an exhibition which currently features oil paintings by Delia Tournay-Godfrey and beautiful mixed-media paintings of Suffolk by Christine Lester.