West Stow Pods

Walks, walks and more walks stretch off in every direction in this part of Suffolk, from the half-mile stroll to West Stow to the pine and oak-filled wanders on the north of the Lark Valley. Mildenhall, Little Saxham and Ickworth are among many mapped walks from two to ten miles in the countryside around Bury St Edmunds, and Suffolk County Council has also compiled 18 ‘easy access’ walks suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs (all start at a car park and most have facilities along the routes). Cyclists have several signed bike routes to pick from for both leisure and long-distance, and there are route maps around Bury St Edmunds, Beccles, Ipswich and Lowestoft as well as rides around the King’s Forest and Newmarket. More into mountain biking? Head out of Bury towards Thetford or Brandon Country Park for the best trails. This is also Anglo-Saxon land: West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village is close by, a recreation of an Anglo-Saxon village on the site of the real one discovered and excavated from the late 1950s; even reluctant youngsters should have a hoot exploring here, especially as they can dress up in period costume. Spend anything from a couple of hours to a day around the village: the site edges the West Stow Country Park, with woodland, country trails, bird hides and an adventure playground. Kings Forest is also a popular local option for families craving the great outdoors (look out for the fallow deer). If the kids have a history buzz on after the Anglo-Saxon Village, the excellent Moyse’s Hall Museum tells the tale of Suffolk through the ages, including a section on witchcraft for the more ghoulishly minded offspring. The ticket price can be combined with the Anglo-Saxon Village as a Heritage Ticket discount. If not, Suffolk yields a good hoard for picky travellers all within a half-hour drive: the rare breeds farm and maze at Kentwell Hall and Gardens; play centres and kart circuits, Go Ape! – including for juniors – in nearby Thetford Forest, and getting eagle-eyed at the inhabitants of bird of prey sanctuary and hospital The Raptor Foundation at Woodhurst.