The Cross Keys

Vintage buses, lorries and bicycles fill the halls of the Ipswich Transport Museum, where the kids can also climb inside restored period fire engines. Meanwhile, the Christchurch Mansion, on the edge of leafy Christchurch Park, houses collections of decorative objects and paintings by John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough. The seaside town of Felixstowe (half an hour’s drive) has a retro vibe, with rides at the seafront Ocean Boulevard Fun Park and amusement arcades. Grab some fish and chips or an ice cream to eat on the beach, then visit Felixstowe Pier, where an entertainment centre includes bowling and arcade games. Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape (half an hour) is a vast nature reserve with habitats ranging from beaches to heathland. Birdwatchers might head to Sandlings Forest (35 minutes) to see woodlarks, or to RSPB Boyton and Hollesley Marshes (40 minutes) to spot herons and egrets.