Adventures in Suffolk

Coastal Voyager

Launching from Southwold Harbour, the Coastal Voyager offers an exhilarating ride around Sole Bay, perfect for the adrenalin seeker!

The high speed journey out to sea is one of the most popular trips in which the 400hp Coastal Voyager is put through its formidable paces in a 30 min tour of Solebay.

If you prefer something a little more tranquil, the 30 minute River Blyth cruise passes through a protected area, which includes many important birds including Marsh Harriers, Heron, cormorants, and Osprey. If you are really lucky our resident seal 'Dorothy' may be sunbathing on her island but due to her busy schedule we can't promise that!

The trip includes a stop at the Blythburgh White Hart pub, enough time for a meal on our lunch or evening cruise, the moonlit evening cruises are quite breathtaking! (Meal not included in cruise price).

For more details and bookings tel: 07887 525 082

Discover Suffolk - Cycle and Walking Tracks

Whether you wish to explore the Suffolk Heritage Coast, the Brecks, the forests at Rendlesham or Dunwich, or go further inland to Constable Country, there is an extensive range of cycle and walking tracks to be found in this rich and diverse county. With over 5,000km of waymarked paths, two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, long distance footpaths and national cycle routes, Suffolk offers a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.

The Discover Suffolk website features a number of interactive maps, helping you to plan your route, whether on foot, bicycle or even horseback! Their website also has details of the annual Suffolk Walking Festival - taking place from 29th May - 10th June 2012.

Nearer to the coast, the Sandlings area offers a stunning 60-mile walk between the eastern fringes of Ipswich and Southwold, linking the remaining fragments of the beautiful Sandlings Heath, and journeying through the Suffolk Coast and Heath's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Sandlings walk and maps are broken up into smaller stages, travelling through Martlesham, Rendelsham, Dunwich, Walberswick and Southwold.

If you are planning to stay in the area, Suffolk Secrets has plenty of holiday accommodation in the Sandlings area. There are also options to hire bikes and canoes nearby.

Enchantress - Waveney River Tours

The Enchantress departs from the quay at Snape Maltings - the very same quay where generations of seafarers have plied their trade. Heading out onto the inland estuary of the River Alde, meander through the Withies to the medieval church at Iken. Along the way, you could spot Curlews and Marsh Harriers or the occasional harbour seal. Departures are dependant on tides so please phone Waveney River Tours for further information on tel: 07910 657903.

Suffolk Secrets has holiday cottages in the area at Snape and Iken.

Go Ape! Suffolk

Go Ape! situated in Brandon near Thetford, was Winner of the Suffolk Tourism Award for Best Tourism Experience 2011. Set in the heart of Britain's largest lowland pine forest, the course is centred around 30 miles of bike and walking trails from which to explore 50,000 acres of forest..

2012 brings about some exciting changes to including a new Tarzan Swing and an Alpine zip.  Don't forget the adventure does not need to stop there. You can get off the beaten track and enjoy our forest adventure with Go Ape! Forest Segway - an epic new experience with a down to earth twist.

For opening hours and further information, visit the website.

Iken Canoe & The River Alde

Iken Canoe is a small and friendly kayak and canoe hire centre based on the picturesque upper reaches of the Alde estuary, between Snape and Aldeburgh. Canoe and kayak hire trips can be booked for 2 hours, a half day, or full day, suitable for all skill levels.

Why not explore the River Alde, a rich, natural environment which is teeming with wildlife, and situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The River Alde itself begins as an inland freshwater stream, however the tidal section of the river commences at Snape Maltings, renowned home of Snape Maltings and the annual Aldeburgh music festival.

One mile downstream of Snape Maltings is one of the most stunning locations in East Angliia: Iken Cliff, where Iken Canoe is based. Despite its remote location, historically, Iken Cliff had many trade routes. As well as being an important fishing village, sailing barges used to transport corn from Iken Cliff to London between 1780 and 1868. On its 18 mile journey down to the sea from Snape Bridge, the river passes some of the most significant coastal marshland sites for birds in the country including marsh harrier, avocet and curlew. Other wildlife can also be spotted, such including and seals basking on the mud banks.

For more information or to book a canoe, please call 01728 688267 or 07747761197. Suffolk Secrets has holiday cottages in Aldeburgh, Iken and Snape.

Iken and the Alde Estuary

A Suffolk cottage self-catering break on the Alde Estuary is perfect for lovers of nature, country walks and history - with our Iken barns, Snape holiday homes, and Aldeburgh properties all nearby.

Set just off the A12, west of Aldeburgh, This beautiful area around the Alde Estuary has been settled since early Roman times and was believed to have been the tribal boundary between Boudicca's Iceni tribe and the Trinovantes. A Roman presence can be found at the end of this important estuary - a settlement was situated next to Stratford St Andrew and the ruins of a village have been found next to Farnham Parish church. Nearby Blaxhall, surrounded by picturesque mixed heathland and birch woods, is also the site of Roman bath ruins.

Saxons also settled in this area. Less well known than Sutton Hoo, a burial ship was found near Snape and the Saxon Chronicle mentioned that St Butolph built his minster at Iken when it was still an island in the estuary. Later in the 9th century The Vikings, who were raiding along the whole of the east coast, destroyed this ancient 7th century monastery.

Walkers will notice the seven 'Red Hills' on the north and south sides of the Alde at Iken. Interestingly these are actually slag heaps from the production of salt from sea water, and often date back to the Iron Age. Exploration of one of the hills has revealed many bits of Roman Pottery!

In more recent times the Alde Estuary was used by sailing barges to trade corn and coal between Snape, London and the east coast ports. Now, visitors will see the occasional pleasure boat whilst taking in the highly regarded wildlife habitat and the stunning estuary scenery. Views span from St Butolphs Church, standing on a promontory of higher ground, to the former maltings at Snape, which are now vibrant with the sounds of the famous concert hall. If you are staying at our Iken cottages you will even be able to take advantage of river trips on the owner's Thames Sailing Barge!

Beacon Rally Karts, Woodbridge

For an adrenaline-packed, fun filled day for all the family, why not visit Beacon Rally Karts in Martlesham near Woodbridge. The centre has 3 outdoor, off-road karting tracks available with four different kart sizes available: children aged 5-6, children aged 7-10, juniors aged 10-15 and adults. The racing is fast, powerful and exciting, no matter which track, or size of kart you're driving. For further details the website.

Suffolk Secrets has plenty of accommodation in and arround the Woodbridge area.

Virgin Balloon Flights

Virgin Balloon Flights offer fantastic views of Suffolk's countryside and coast - and what's more all the launch sites are within a short drive of our Suffolk cottages!

From Diss you can experience hot air balloon rides over the Norfolk and Suffolk countryside - offering views of the beautiful lakes, rivers and windmills of The Broads or even the rare cattle and Punch horses of Suffolk instead!

To the west of Ipswich another launch site is situated in the headquarters of international horse racing, with both Newmarket and Stowmarket a short distance away from the Elmsett Aerodrome. To the south is also the beautiful country setting for much of the works of Gainsborough and Constable set amongst picturesque English villages.

Just to the north of Ipswich is the launch site of the Fynn Valley Golf Club. Over Ipswich keep a look out for Christchurch Mansion, a stately home that contains a large collection of Gainsborough and Constable's works, and Ipswich Town's Portman Road Stadium. After the flight enjoy a round of golf or perhaps a drink in the clubhouse bar?

Finally, experience a balloon flight in the heart of rural Suffolk from the historic town of Stowmarket. This flight gives you the unique ability to see the many historic buildings and surrounding villages of this beautiful area of the county. After Stowmarket you may drift towards Bury St Edmunds to the west or the beautiful Suffolk Coast and Heaths to the east - whichever way you go, this is a Suffolk adventure you won't forget!