Weylands Farm

Dedham (15 minutes) is one of the main places to pootle through from the park. Poke your nose around the door of St Mary’s Church, a 15th-century structure with a 131-foot tall tower, then admire a clutch of colourful buildings awash in oranges and reds. Next, drop by the Munnings Art Museum, the old home of artist Alfred Munnings, making sure to linger awhile in the lush gardens. Continue from here to Flatford (40 minutes’ walk) for the RSPB wildlife garden before heading over to Willy Lott's Cottage (20 minutes’ drive) to survey the subject of Constable’s classic painting The Hay Wain. Another spot that looks like it could be immortalised in a work of art is Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens (25 minutes), a famed outdoor space created by the well-known plantswoman. Seeking indoor amusement after all those open-air pursuits? Amble around the East Anglian Railway Museum’s range of locomotives and rolling stock, a handful of which are completely restored (half an hour). Much to the sheer glee of tiddlers, three are converted into replicas of Thomas, Percy and Toby from Thomas the Tank Engine.