Walberswick Camping

First stop for nature-lovers might be the Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve (five minutes’ drive), where heathland, marshes, dunes and woodland meet the coast. The area is criss-crossed with walking trails – look out for muntjac and Chinese water deer as you stroll. You can also be on Walberswick beach in 15 minutes’ amble, or wander for miles along the Blythe or Dunwich rivers. Wherever you stroll, try to end up at Old Hall Southwold Café (15 minutes) for a warming hot chocolate. Cross the River Blythe to Southwold (20 minutes) to tour the artisan brewery, hike along the beach to the landmark Water Clock or eat fish and chips on the pier. Further south along the coast is Aldeburgh (half an hour), where you can often catch concerts at Snape Maltings. Take the kids to float mini-yachts on Southwold Boating Lake (20 minutes), or test their ingenuity at Southwold Maize Maze (15 minutes and seasonal). Most youngsters will love the idea of camel rides at the Camel Park Oasis (half an hour, also seasonal), and you can easily prevent boredom setting in on any rainy days by working through puzzles at the Suffolk Escape Room (25 minutes).