Six things to do in and around Suffolk this summer including Jimmy’s Farm in Ipswich, Go Ape in Thetford and Africa Alive in Lowestoft

With summer and the promise of warmer days just around the corner, you may be wondering how to fill your time, particularly if you have kids around.

Fortunately, Suffolk is full of weird, wonderful and quirky things to do and we’ve created this list of six places we think you should visit this year.

Jimmy’s Farm, Ipswich

This farm and wildlife park is open seven days a week and is complete with a restaurant, coffee shop and more an 100 species of animals from exotic birds and reptiles to rare breed farm animals.

Visitors can hand feed some animals and listen to special talks and activties every day.

There is also an adventure play area and a woodland walk with plenty to explore including den building.

Go Ape, Thetford

Go Ape is an adrenaline-filled high ropes course in Thetford Forest for adults and older children over 1.4m tall.

With several courses and challenges to take on, as well as all-terrain forest segways to hire, there is something for every ability here and it makes for a truly memorable day out.

Africa Alive Zoological Reserve, Lowestoft

This zoo, set in 100 acres of countryside, is home to thousands of animals from lions and rhinos to lemurs and meerkats.

Run by the Zoological Society of East Anglia, who also run Banham Zoo in Norfolk, the park has a spectacular ‘Plains of Africa’ centerpiece where some of the African savanna animals roam free together.

An all day ticket is £23 per adult and £17 per child.

Pennikkity Pots Ceramics Cafe, Ipswich

For a relaxed day of pottery painting with a side of home made cakes or toasties, Pennikkity Pots Ceramics Cafe in Tower Ramparts, Ipswich, is the place to visit.

Plates, mugs, decorative models and more can be painted here and it is great for a day out with children, even offering birthday parties for the little ones.

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge

Explore the Anglo-Saxon burial ground, home to one of greatest discoveries of all time, right on your doorstep at Sutton Hoo.

Visitors can walk around the exhibition hall and see stunning replicas and original objects found during the iconic 1939 dig, as well as explore Tranmer House, the former home of Edith Pretty who was responsible for the excavation of the Anglo-Saxon ship.

There are two cafes, a gift shop, woodland to walk in and Tranmer house is even home to apartments which can be rented for short stays.

Gainsborough’s House, Sudbury

Freshly renovated, Gainsborough’s House museum and gallery is a great place to spend a few hours, particularly for art lovers.

The museum and visitor shop are open from 10am until 5pm every day while the café is open from 9:30am until 5pm.

There are dozens of Thomas Gainsborough paintings on display, as well as many artifacts and objects from his personal collection.