Heathside Caravans

History enthusiasts with love staying at Heathside Caravans - the ideal base for getting around the towns and villages of Halesworth, which is less than a 15-minute drive away, and Aldeburgh, Snape and Beccles which are all about half an hour away (in their respective directions). Dating back to Anglo-Saxon times and dotted along the River Alde, each of their quiet streets is great for gently brushing up on your English history and heritage knowledge and swanning in and out of antique shops. We think they’re pretty attractive for tucking into a coffee and slice of cake too. Framlingham Castle, just 30 mins from the campsite, will also keep young Horrible Histories fans entertained - and grown-up ones too. The twelfth century fortress was once the refuge of Mary Tudor and you can explore over 800 years of life at the castle at the ‘From Powerhouse to Poorhouse’ exhibition. The themed trails and audio tour explain the castle’s colourful past making a royally good day out.

Suffolk is Constable country, so enjoy some time taking a few snaps or trying your own sketches of the countryside, harbours and coastal views that scatter the area. The Snape Maltings is home to an impressive arts complex on the banks on the River Alde and bursting with events and activities, check out the concert hall for evening entertainment. Arts and music fans - the annual Latitude festival takes place just four miles away too. Southwold’s pier with it’s very English multi-coloured beach huts, and Aldeburgh’s beach, are perfect for an ice cream or fish and chips (or both) and reminding you just how much you do like to be beside the seaside. Lowestoft, 30 mins north, is slighter bigger with traditional seaside amusements and Pleasurewood Hills, a nifty tucked-away theme park complete with rollercoasters and attractions for all. With family-friendly activities all over, the littlest (and often hardest-to-please) family member, right up to the eldest, will be taken with the charm of the Suffolk coast.

The harbour at Old Felixtowe, which is about an hour’s drive from Heathside, runs boat trips to the nature reserves on Bawdley Island. With wildlife popping up every which way, the things to spot are endless. If you fancy a slightly more adventurous nature scout, Southwold’s African Adventure is a walking safari set in 100 acres with giraffes, chimps and cheetahs - not your average Suffolk sights. Children can get really hands-on as they grab their nets and get rockpooling at Walberswick beach (around a 15-minute drive from Heathside) - a spot popular for crabbing. Twitchers should visit the RSPB reserve at Minsmere to catch sight of a variety of rare birds. The woodland, wetland and coastline here are impressive too - we’re told you may even glimpse a shy otter.

If you’re staying at Heathside for a little while, set off early and spend the whole day on the Norfolk Broads (approx 1h 15m north) or drive south for around an hour and a half to the villages of Long Melford and Lavenham with their beautifully preserved, medieval timber-framed houses. If you’re feeling really wild, Go Ape! in Thetford Forest (1h 30mins west) will have you swinging (and shaking) between the treetops - don’t look down and you’ll be just fine.