Abbey Gardens family 1500x390

Discover

Fun-Filled Family Days Out

The Evidence Room

Evidence Room 965x540

Creative thinking, problem solving and battling against the clock, are you ready to take on the escape room challenge with family at The Evidence Room?

With three escape rooms on offer, each designed to test your logic, teamwork and patience, you’ll need to have your wits about you as nothing is quite as it seems at The Evidence Room! The Future Room is an intense immersion in an 80s vision of years to come.

Intrigue and mystery await in The Gedding Room, home to a notorious 1960s gangster. Meanwhile, sacrifice is imminent in The Aztec Room, unless you find a way to appease the gods.

The Evidence Room is Bury St Edmunds’s first permanent and independent escape room. Since opening in 2018, they have been challenging teams up and down the country to uncover hidden clues, decipher coded messages and tackle cunning puzzles in their immersive escape rooms.

Let's Go To The Movies!

Abbeygate Cinema Box Office Uniquely Emily Fae 965x540

Bury St Edmunds has three cinema, each with their unique offering, so you are spolt for choice when it comes to taking the family to the movies!

Abbeygate Cinema is a beautifully modernised yet perfectly original 1920's cinema showing everything from timeless classics to box office latest releases. The cinema boasts an impressive programme of Screen Arts and its Discover Cinema strand offers vintage classics, art-house gems and riveting documentaries.

Boasting a stylish Box Office area and a spectacular 180 stadium seated Premier Screen with a full-size 4k laser screen and state-of-the art projector, this three-screen cinema is packed full of comfortable reclining seats and cosy sofas and parents can also enjoy a glass of wine or beer from the bar whilst watching the film.

At Cineworld, you can enjoy the latest Hollywood blockbusters and with their 'Movies for Juniors' every Saturday at 10am, with tickets for just £2 on selected kids movies, it's perfect for families.

Everyman Cinema, is the latest addition to the movie-going town centre in Bury St Edmunds. Everyman is redefining cinema. Bringing an innovative lifestyle approach to our venues, where you swap your soft drink for a nice glass of red wine and a slice of freshly made pizza served to your seat. With a wide array of mainstream, independent and classic films, special events, launches and a diverse calendar of live satellite broadcasts, there is something for everyone at Everyman.

Shuffle Board Cafe

Shuffle Board Cafe Family Play 965x540

Play games at Shuffle Board Cafe

You cannot beat a traditional board game for some quality time with family.

Shuffle Board Cafe in Bury St Edmunds is a fun place to hang out with family and play amazing board games in a friendly, café environment.

They have a huge library of 450 board games that customers can enjoy so something for everyone.

Their knowledgeable staff can tailor your experience with board game suggestions for your group, and even teach you the rules! Enjoy paninis, coffee, cake, along with a licensed bar: the perfect menu to accompany your new favourite game.

Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

Rapunzel 965x540 1

Panto at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds

Bury St Edmunds offers a unique opportunity to give young people a real theatre experience.

The oldest regency theatre in the country, the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds boasts a jam-packed programme of theatrical productions throughout the year for all the fam,ily including their award-winning and popular annual pantomime.

Keep an eye on the Theatre's website for the latest news and announcements on fantastic family theatre to enjoy this year.

For what's on visit the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds website.

VR Sphere

VR Sphere Family Play 965x540

Play virtual reality games at VR Sphere

Get ready to take part in larger than life adventures, immerse yourself in virtual reality and prepare to explore worlds unseen, action unrivalled and fun in a new reality.

VR Sphere in Bury St Edmunds Town Centre is where you can have amazing family experiences in virtual reality.

Choose from escape rooms, arcade games, and many more adventures. You can play individually in one of our pods, or as a group in our large multiplayer rooms.

Suitable for ages 8 years and up.

CurveMotion

Curve Motion Tom Soper 965x540

Roller skating at CurveMotion

Steeped in history, home to award-winning attractions and surrounded by miles of countryside to explore, Bury St Edmunds & Beyond is the perfect place to head for a day out that the whole family can enjoy...

There's so much to do at CurveMotion, with something to suit all ages and interests. The roller skating rink is popular amongst families, with weekend sessions including the Saturday night roller disco, and after school 'time-out' on weekdays.

Curve Motion is also home to East Anglia's largest play-frame in their soft play area; with tunnels, obstacles, slides and a 6ft vertical drop slide for thrill seeking youngsters! Whilst there, you can also treat kids to lunch or dinner in the Curve Bistro. Serving a range of homemade meals and snacks smoothies, milkshakes and Paddy & Scott's coffee for the grown ups!

Plan your visit at the CurveMotion website.

Moyse's Hall Museum

Mum and Daughter Moyses Hall Museum 965x540

Moyse's Hall Museum

Moyse's Hall Museum's ground floor not only features six Terrible Tales by Terry Deary, best-selling author and creator of the hugely popular Horrible Histories books, but also some grisly and gruesome interactive displays for children and adults.

Start off at the Gibbet Cage which held John Nichols, who was executed in 1794 alongside his son Nathan for the murder of his daughter Sarah, if you're brave enough, you can even step inside yourself!

Then make your way to the display containing a lock of hair from Mary Tudor, Queen of France! Mary was originally buried in the Abbey of St Edmund and her funeral was one of the last events held at the Abbey. When the Abbey was dissolved, her remains were reburied at St Mary's Church.

Book tickets at the Moyse's Hall Museum website.

Abbey Gardens

Family in the Abbey Gardens Emily Fae 965x540

A great place for kids to let off some steam, the Abbey Gardens are the ideal spot for a picnic and ice cream on a sunny day. Take a step back in time and discover the town's fascinating past with a wander through the Abbey Ruins before heading to the children's play area.

After lunch, head to the wildlife feeding area to up close to some of Suffolk's native birds and animals.

West Stow Country Park and Anglo Saxon Village

West Stow Anglo Saxon Village kids running West Suffolk Council 965x540

Spanning 125 acre, West Stow Country Park is home to heathlands, a river, a lake, nature trails and an adventure playground. The park is also one of one of England's great archaeological sites; the Anglo-Saxon Village is a fascinating recreation where you can explore history and nature; dress up as an Anglo-Saxon, meet the rare breed pigs and chickens and watch films to discover Suffolk's intriguing story which spans the past 1000 years.

For an extra-special and unique experience, visit during the annual Ring Quest weekend and be transported to J.R.Tolkien's mythical lands, where you can meet a Hobbit or Gandalf himself!

Why not turn your day out into a weekend away and book at stay at West Stow Pods; the glamping pods are ideal for families, and the new Pod Hollow; a halfling-inspired subterranean dwelling!

Plan your visit at the West Stow Anglo Saxon Village website.

Rougham Control Tower Aviation Museum

Rougham Control Tower Aviation Museum open days 965x540

Uncover the history of the men and women who served at Rougham Control Tower Aviation Museum.

This award-winning Museum, dedicated to preserving the memory of all who served with the 8th USAAF at RAF Bury St Edmunds during WWII, housed in the original control tower and other period buildings. Uncover the history of the men and women who served here and how they fit into the story of The Mighty Eighth told in the 9-part Apple TV+ series Masters of The Air, starring Austin Butler.

Bury St Edmunds was home for thousands of American airmen and women during WWII and a visit to Rougham Control Tower Aviation Museum is like taking a trip back in time. Full of artefacts, maps, photo's, aircraft relics and memorabilia. Friendly guided tours and a welcoming Vintage Tea Room with home made cakes and refreshments.

Nowton Park

Panda Nowton Park 965x540

With over 200 acres of landscaped gardens to explore, Nowton Park is the ideal place to take the family on a dry day. Children will love getting lost in the maze, shaped like a giant oak tree made up of 2,500 hornbeam trees that make up over two miles of hedging, maintained at a height of around two metres. The centre of the maze is marked by a fastigiate oak (with upright branches), so if you can't find your way out, it's a good place to meet!

Children will love searching for the wooden panda sculpture which sits in the China section of the arboretum surrounded by his favourite food, bamboo. The Panda pictured is a brand new version of the panda and has replaced the older version now in retirement, it was carved out of Douglas fir by Luke Chapman

There is also a large play area, plus two football pitches and a picnic area, alternatively, pay a visit to the cafe which serves a range of delicious meals, snacks and ice creams.

Suffolk Regiment Museum

Suffolk Regiment Museum exterior 965x540

Discover the history of the Suffolk Regiment through medals, uniforms, photographs, weapons, equipment and personal memorabilia. This rare survivor is one of the finest regimental collections to be seen anywhere in the country.

At Suffolk Regiment Museum see the surviving Roubaix Drum, buried in France at Dunkirk and retrieved safely after D –Day; the Regimental Brooch presented by the Regiment to its Colonel-in-Chief HRH The Princess Margaret; a superb research collection of badges and insignia; the nameplate of the LNER railway engine, ‘the Suffolk Regiment’; the Imperial German flag, taken down from the German Governor's Building in Togoland on 5th August 1914 - almost certainly the first to be captured during The Great War.

Discover Sgt Arthur Saunders’ Victoria Cross; artefacts and photographs telling the harrowing story of those men captured by the Japanese; a National Serviceman's bed space gives a taste of life in the Regiment in the 1950s both at The Depot and on active service’ and much much more!

National Trust Ickworth House, Park & Gardens

National Trust Ickworth Family Play 965x540

Enjoy family fun at Ickworth

The walled garden and seasonal meadow at the National Trust’s Ickworth House, Park and Gardens are especially magical picnic spots during the Spring and Summer.

Afterwards wander at leisure across 1800 acres of parkland or head off on two wheels on one of the many trails in search of the sleeping dragon on her nest; She is well hidden so the first one who spots her definitely deserves a sticker! Or head to the Albana Woods to build a den and practice your bushcraft skills.

You're spoilt for choice when it comes to picnic spots, or you can head to the cafe for delicious lunches, snacks, cakes, drinks and ice creams.

Plan your visit at National Trust Ickworth website.

Nearby

Suffolk Adventure Golf

Suffolk Adventure Golf family playing 965x540

Suffolk Adventure Golf is a fantastic adventure golf course to challenge and thrill every level of adventurer in the family!

Complete with Suffolk-themed holes and vibrant designs, you are sure to find an exciting and family-friendly experience at Suffolk Adventure Golf. Look out for the Octopus and the bonus hole! Whatever your age, their course offers a wide range of fun challenges, interesting Suffolk facts and realistic animatronics, which includes a roaring dragon!

Each hole at the adventure golf course is unique in design and landscaping, adding to the diversity of play and ensuring a different experience on each hole. And when you are done putting, be sure to check out our other activities on the complex such as Foot Golf and use the Driving Range.

At Suffolk Adventure Golf, you can challenge yourself, take on friends and family, or just spend a peaceful day enjoying nature and the wonderful atmosphere of Suffolk.

If you love crazy golf, you'll love this!

Lavenham

De Vere House Lavenham Visit Suffolk 965x540

For Harry Potter fans, a visit to the medieval village of Lavenham is a must!

For it is here that was J.K Rowling's inspiration for Harry Potter's birthplace Godric's Hollow. In fact, you can see some of the crooked houses and winding streets in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, when Harry and Hermione pay a visit to his parents home and resting places.

After you've spent a couple of hours exploring, pay a visit to one of the cafes and tea rooms for lunch and an ice cream.

Kentwell Hall

Halloweenies Kentwell H All 2025 965x540

Year round family events at Kentwell Hall

With a host of exciting, family-friendly events, a day at Kentwell Hall will be enjoyed by all ages!

At events throughout the year, Kentwell's skilled living-history experts offering a fully interactive experience, spread throughout the buildings, gardens, farm and woodlands.

Throughout the season, the stunning gardens are open and the perfect spot for a summer's picnic.

Plan your visit at Kentwell Hall website.

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary 965x540

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary is home to over 90 resident owls and other birds of prey; falcons, hawks, eagles, vultures, caracaras and a huge variety of owls, both British native and exotic. There's plenty for families to see and do! Start with the Woodland Walk, which is home to the Meerkat Kastle, where the mob is fed at twice daily sessions with an informative talk by the keepers. The walk also includes ladybird houses, a bug hotel, butterfly feeders, a wildlife pond and the shy red squirrel colony.

The centre allows visitors to observe the owls in a variety of naturalistic environments,, and you are able to experience many of the birds in close proximity as they fly free in two wonderful demonstrations daily. After lunch in the picnic area, complete the S.O.S. Safari Trail, which leads you through the sanctuary’s highlights via wildlife-related quizzes and activities and each child will receive a prize on completion.

The Food Museum

The Food Museum 965 x 540 copy

The Food Museum in Stowmarket, which is a 40 minute drive from Bury St Edmunds, is set across 75 acres of glorious Suffolk countryside, with 17 fascinating historic buildings to explore and a collection of over 40,000 objects used to tell broad and inclusive stories.

See working demonstrations of milling inside mid-18th century Alton Water, visit our demonstration kitchen and sample the day’s offerings, or join us on a tour of the Dairy Cottages as part of your visit.

With an annual programme of events, exhibitions and activities, there’s plenty for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

For more information visit The Food Museum website.

Related Posts

Latest news

Bury St Edmunds Powered by DestinationCore