Fun Places to Stay for Families

Listed by The Guardian as one of the best glamping sites in the UK and set within a woodland copse just outside Bury St Edmunds, West Stow Pods are a popular choice with families. The Mega Pods sleep 4 and come with a double bed, double sofa bed wet-room with shower, kitchenette and TV with DVD player. You will need to take your own bedding and towels (as if you were camping) but the pods are heated and so you can enjoy a night under the stars whatever the season!

Alternatively, book the Woodland Lodge which features a double bed and bunk beds, en-suite shower room, kitchenette and dining table and chairs or why not try one of the new Pod Hollows, a glamping pod set within the ground, think a Hobbit hole in The Shire!

To book, visit West Stow Pods website.

The Angel is the perfect location to being to explore not only the town but also the wider area in Suffolk. With a variety of bedrooms, the hotel is able to offer larger rooms with sofa beds or extra beds without feeling you’re all squeezed into a small space. The children’s menu also caters for all tastes from offering sausages or pasta, even an afternoon tea tailored to your little ones!

To book, visit The Angel Hotel website.

Escape to the Suffolk countryside with a stay at Rum Bridge Glamping and Fishing Resort, just a short walk from the historic market town of Clare. With a range of quirky accommodation including woodland retreats, lakeside glamping pods and unique stays overlooking the fishing lakes, it's a great choice for families looking for something a little different.

Spend your days exploring nearby walking and cycling routes, watching for wildlife, enjoying a spot of fishing or simply relaxing by the lake before gathering around the firepit as the sun goes down. With plenty of space to roam and nature right on your doorstep, Rum Bridge is the perfect base for a fun-filled family adventure in Suffolk.

To book, visit the Rum Bridge Glamping and Fishing Resort website.

Fresh from a full refurbishment, The Ickworth Hotel is ready to welcome families for a memorable countryside escape. Set within the stunning National Trust Ickworth Estate, the hotel combines grand historic surroundings with thoughtful family-friendly facilities. Spend your days exploring the estate's walking and cycling trails, making a splash in the swimming pool, or joining in with the hotel's fun activities for all ages before relaxing over a delicious family meal.

Little ones are well looked after too, thanks to the Ofsted-registered Four Bears Den Kids Club while parents can make the most of the spa and wellness facilities. With plenty of attractions nearby, from nature trails and wildlife parks to museums and galleries, The Ickworth Hotel makes a fantastic base for a Suffolk family adventure.

To book, visit The Ickworth Hotel website.

Enjoy a family getaway surrounded by nature with a stay in one of the National Trust Ickworth Estate's charming holiday cottages. Sleeping between four and 12 guests, these beautifully restored cottages are perfect for everything from a weekend escape to a larger family gathering. Each has its own character and history, with comfortable interiors and easy access to the estate's stunning parkland.

Spend your days exploring miles of walking and cycling trails, discovering the impressive Rotunda and its art collections, letting little ones run free in the gardens, or stopping for a treat in one of the cafés. Just a short drive from Bury St Edmunds, the cottages provide a peaceful base for making lasting family memories while exploring the best of Suffolk.

To book, visit the National Trust Ickworth Holiday Cottages website.

Kettles Farm Glamping pods sit in a tranquil location surrounded by grass and farmland overlooking a fishing lake on the outskirts of the Suffolk village of Rattlesden - perfect for families looking to get away from it all this summer. The site is a great base for walking, cycling, fishing and visiting Bury St Edmunds and the wool towns of Lavenham, Long Melford and Clare. 

Each pod is fully equipped and insulated and the 3 larger pods also have their own toilet and wash basin (there's a spacious toilet and shower block on site too).

To book, visit Kettles Farm website.

Enjoy a relaxing family escape at The Abbey Cottage, a beautiful 17th-century thatched retreat nestled in the peaceful village of Windsor Green, between Bury St Edmunds and Lavenham. Sleeping up to eight guests, this characterful cottage blends original features, including wonky floors and exposed beams, with all the modern comforts needed for a memorable stay.

With almost an acre of gardens to explore, children will love the playhouse and open space to run around, while adults can unwind in the hot tub, conservatory or summerhouse. There's also a games room, shepherd's hut and plenty of room for family meals, making The Abbey Cottage an ideal base for bringing generations together and discovering the best of Suffolk.

To book, visit The Abbey Cottage website.

Escape to nature at The Hide Suffolk, a cosy woodland cabin tucked away on private farmland beside The King's Forest, just 15 minutes from Bury St Edmunds. Sleeping up to two adults and two children, it's the perfect place to slow down, switch off and enjoy quality family time surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Suffolk countryside.

Step straight from your door onto miles of forest walking and cycling trails, keep an eye out for local wildlife, or simply relax on the private decking with a family barbecue. Inside, you'll find everything you need for a comfortable stay, while thoughtful touches, board games and local tea and coffee make it easy to settle in after a day of outdoor adventures.

To book, visit The Hide Suffolk website.

Enjoy a touch of luxury under canvas at The Four Bells Glamping, just south of Bury St Edmunds. Combining the charm of camping with all the comforts of home, it's an ideal spot for families looking to reconnect with nature without giving up a good night's sleep. Spend your evenings toasting marshmallows around the campfire, watching the sunset or relaxing beneath Suffolk's star-filled skies.

Perfectly placed for exploring Bury St Edmunds and the surrounding countryside, you'll be within easy reach of family attractions, picturesque villages and plenty of places to eat and explore. After a day of adventure, retreat to your cosy glamping accommodation for a peaceful countryside escape.

To book, visit The Four Bells Glamping website.

If you decide to stay in Bury St Edmunds itself, you’ll have a wealth of family-friendly activities on your doorstep. Younger children will enjoy spotting wildlife and playing in the park in the Abbey Gardens and if your children are interested in arts, culture and horrible histories, you could pay a visit to Moyse’s Hall Museum. If the weather isn't too good, you can watch a family classic at Abbeygate Cinema or visit East Anglia's biggest playframe and enjoy a spin around the roller rink at CurveMotion - there's plenty of fun on offer for all ages including family skating sessions, roller discos, basketball and football, plus a cafe serving snacks, hot drinks and meals.

If there’s one thing that pretty much all kids love, it’s Harry Potter. And in fact, some of the scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I were filmed in Lavenham. The village’s Tudor houses, half-timbered cottages and 15th-century church were the inspiration for Harry's birthplace, Godric's Hollow and so made the perfect backdrop for the boy wizard’s adventures and still make a great location for a bit of exploration and discovery today.

Whatever the weather, Suffolk is a great place to explore as a family. Get out and have some fun as a family with a trip to Clare Castle Country Park and explore the remains of its 13th-century castle, which is set at the top of a 70ft-moat overlooking the town. Or take part in a range of activities including archery, pottery, spinning and flint axe polishing at West Stow Anglo Saxon Village and follow the Beowulf and Grendell Adventure Trail at West Stow Country Park; a wonderful interpretive trail at West Stow Country Park has been inspired by the ancient saga of Beowulf and Grendel and takes you on a journey through parts of the unique Breckland landscape including, heathland - where you will meet the sleeping dragon - woodlands and lake settings.

Visit our Places to Stay Directory.