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Here's 11 activities you can enjoy between Christmas and New Year in Suffolk




It's that weird time of the year when you've eaten too much cheese and Quality Street have become one of your five a day.

Yes, it's Betwixtmas – when no one knows what day of the week it is and there is an inevitable anti-climax after the festivities of Christmas Day.

Although it might be tempting to cosy up at home for Betwixtmas, we have put together a diverse list of 11 activities across Suffolk to liven up the period between Boxing Day and January 1, perfect for anyone who does wish to peel their rear off the sofa!

Owner Ben Cunningham at The Evidence Room - Bury's first permanent escape room
Owner Ben Cunningham at The Evidence Room - Bury's first permanent escape room

1. The Evidence Room, Bury St Edmunds

Perhaps as well as escaping your living room, you might wish to put your sleuthing skills to the test at Bury's escape room – The Evidence Room.

Since opening in 2018, The Evidence Room has been challenging teams to uncover hidden clues, decipher coded messages and tackle cunning puzzles in its immersive escape rooms.

The Gedding Room includes a treasure hunt-style game where participants hunt for evidence to convict a notorious 1960s mobster. The Aztec Room imprisons teams in the temple of a rival Aztec tribe, where they await sacrifice unless they can find a way to escape.

The Evidence Room is open every day except Christmas day. Book online at https://www.evidenceroom.co.uk/make-a-booking/

Framlingham Castle. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography
Framlingham Castle. Picture: Mark Bullimore Photography

2. Framlingham Castle Christmas Adventure Quest

From December 26 until January 2, Framlingham Castle is hosting a family-friendly adventure quest suitable for all ages.

Explore Framlingham Castle, follow the trail, find the clues and discover the castle's stories and secrets.

Open from 10am-5pm, the event is free for English Heritage members or £12.50 for adults, £7.50 for children aged five-17, £32.50 for a family ticket (two adults) or £20 (one adult).

More information and booking details are at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/framlingham-castle-christmas-adventure-quest-26-dec---2-jan-2021/

Go Ape
Go Ape

3. Go Ape treetop adventure, High Lodge, Brandon

Balance and strength will be put to the test at Thetford Go Ape's treetop adventure.

With Tarzan swings, stepping stones, zip wires, intricate crossings, wobbly bridges and devilish challenges, anyone looking for an incredible day out will feel right at home amongst the leafy canopy of Thetford Forest.

The treetop adventure is designed with the younger family in mind – suitable for children aged four and above, at least one metre tall – who can either harness up and join in or cheer on from the forest floor.

Tickets cost £20. For more information and to book, go to https://goape.co.uk/

National Trust Dunwich Heath
National Trust Dunwich Heath

4. Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail at Dunwich Heath and beach

This winter, treat little ones to a world of adventures at Dunwich Heath and beach on Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail.

The trail takes place at weekends from December 4-January 3 and daily the week commencing December 27.

The trail costs £2 and a prize is available at the end – but even better than a prize is the opportunity to explore the beautiful heathland and beach.

For more information, go to https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events/ac81507b-767b-4d15-9b14-0eb6010d7fd1/pages/details

Jimmy's Farm
Jimmy's Farm

5. Jimmy's Farm, Ipswich

Jimmy's Farm is open every day except Christmas and Boxing Day, with admissions from 10am to 3pm (the farm closes at 4pm).

Home to more than 80 species and breeds, the wildlife park hosts traditional, rare and exotic animals – from crocodiles, camels and capybara to pigs, skunks and guinea pigs, there is plenty to see at any time of the year.

In addition to the animals, WonderWood is a magical free-play area where youngsters can build their own unique den, visits can explore the land of the ancient dinosaurs that once roamed East Anglia, head to the Tropical House to meet some of the colder blooded species and friendly birds, or wander through the grounds to see the tapir, wallaby, coati and raccoons.

Tickets cost £12.50 for adults, £10 children, £9 concessions and under twos or carers free.

For more information and to book, go to https://jimmysfarm.com/

Rudolph's Christmas Trail at Southwold. Picture: Pixabay
Rudolph's Christmas Trail at Southwold. Picture: Pixabay

6. Rudolph's Christmas Trail at Southwold

Southwold's Christmas town trail returns for 2021 and this time, it is Rudolph themed.

With 24 red-nosed reindeers hiding in shop windows, children have to spot each word. Together, they form a secret Christmas poem they must state at the final stop to receive their prize.

Maps can be picked up from all participating retailers and extras will be kept at the Town Hall and High Tide (the starting point for the trail).

The trail runs until December 31.

For more information, go to www.southwoldevents.seatedly.com

You could enjoy a theatre show over the Betwixtmas period
You could enjoy a theatre show over the Betwixtmas period

7. From Rushmere with Love, in Ipswich

Eastern Angles is offering an alternative to panto at the Eastern Angles Centre's Sir John Mills Theatre, in Ipswich, this festive season.

In From Rushmere with Love, 'James Boond' is sent to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a famous nuclear scientist and amateur twitcher on the marshes at Minsmere.

The production is filled with original live music, action sequences and family fun.

Post-Christmas performances are on December 27, 28, 30, 31, January 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Tickets cost £20. To book and for more information, go to easternangles.co.uk/event/from-rushmere-with-love

Newmarket's Yellow Brick Road
Newmarket's Yellow Brick Road

8. The Yellow Brick Road Christmas Trail, Newmarket

From December 18 until January 9 (perfect for betwixtmas), you are invited to join Dorothy on Newmarket’s Yellow Brick Road for a Christmas adventure with a new interactive, family fun trail.

First, find the life-sized characters along a section of the Yellow Brick Road (the footpath stretching from Exeter Road to Noel Murless Drive) then use your smartphone to hover over the character’s QR code to hear a section from the Wizard of Oz story.

When you have located all 10 characters and pieced together the storyline you can download an e-book to find out how the story ends.

The trail is free and no booking is required.

Mid Suffolk Light Railway
Mid Suffolk Light Railway

9. Mid Suffolk Light Railway Steam and Light Festival

On January 1, start the new year at Suffolk’s only standard gauge preserved railway.

Visit Mid Suffolk Light Railway for your first steam train ride of 2022 and visit the Historical Lighting Association’s display of vintage oil lamps dating from the Mid-Victorian era, as seen everywhere from grand houses to workplaces.

Tickets – £10 adults, under 16s £5 (under threes free) and family tickets £25 – will go on sale mid December.

For more information, go to https://www.mslr.org.uk/visit-us/#event-14133

Brandon Country Park
Brandon Country Park

10. Wintering Wildlife prize trail, Brandon Country Park

From December 18 until January 2, you are invited to pick up a £1 puzzle sheet from Brandon Country Park's Copper Beech Café and then follow the trail – finding words along the way to help discover a special word – and then return to the visitor centre to collect a prize.

The trail – promoted by West Suffolk Council – is open 10am-3pm, no booking is necessary.

The Apex in Bury St Edmunds
The Apex in Bury St Edmunds

11. ELF The Musical, Bury St Edmunds

ELF The Musical is at The Apex from December 30-January 2, offering another alternative to the traditional pantomime.

The award-winning CTC (Children's Theatre Company) presents this musical based on the hit Will Ferrell movie ELF – the heart-warming story of how human Buddy (who was raised by Santa’s elves at the North Pole) travels to New York to find his real father, falls in love and brings Christmas happiness to everyone.

Suitable for ages three-plus, this production is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, 'the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear'.

Tickets are very limited and available at https://www.theapex.co.uk/whats-on/details.cfm?id=580947&ins=773390

*These are all subject to availability and were set to go ahead at time of writing