The country parks across Suffolk provide an opportunity to experience the countryside and the heritage of the county. These sites are ideal for a family day out with information or visitor centres, parking, toilet facilities and often a picnic or play area.

As well as the chance to enjoy some fresh air and find out more about nature, a number of the parks also offer a chance to get a glimpse into Suffolk's history and with a thorough programme of events over the year there is always something to do.

Brandon Country Park

Originally the park to a country house this site is located in the Brecks and surrounded by Thetford Forest. The visitor centre is open throughout the year with a brand new tearoom offering refreshments, free parking and public toilets with disabled facilities. The walled garden includes a sensory garden for all to enjoy while the rest of the park offers a number of walks and access to the forest.

View Website >

Clare Castle Country Park

Just outside the town centre this is the location of the remains of the 13th Century stone castle on a motte overlooking the town and the old Clare railway station and goods yard. There is a visitors centre and play area, the toilet facilities include disabled access. Trails in the park focus on the nature and long history of the site, there is also the opportunity to access longer walks into the wider countryside.

View Website >

Knettishall Heath Country Park

The park is open all year and offers the chance to experience the Breckland landscape. Thousands of years of management have created the heathland, the Exmoor ponies and Hebridean sheep at the park help to maintain the valuable habitat; these have recently been joined by two Jersey calves.

Parking is available at the site along with toilet facilities, including disabled access. There are walks throughout the park with an easy access trail and concessionary horse route. For walking enthusiasts this is the hub of long distance paths in the region with access to the ancient Icknield Way, Peddars Way and Angles Way.

View Website >

West Stow Country Park

The park includes woodland, heathland, a river and a lake to enjoy along with a nature trail and bird hides. There are walks throughout the park and across the road in Thetford Forest. This is also the location of the reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village and displays in the Anglo-Saxon Centre.
Parking is free at the site; there is also a play area, toilets, café and shop.

View Website >

Thornham Walks

The 12 miles of waymarked footpaths within the Thornham Estate wind through beautiful countryside taking visitors into ancient parkland, woodland, farmland and water meadows. The Walks also include a surfaced path suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs which leads for half a mile to the Victorian Walled Garden, passing on the way a renovated hermitage and pets cemetery.

Thornham Walks is signposted from the A140. For details on public transport please contact the Public Transport Helpline on 0870 6082608.

View Website >