Family Holidays at Windmill Lodges at Half-Term
Half-term is coming up – and it’s the ideal opportunity for an autumn break with the whole family. Here Windmill Lodges, who offer family log cabins with hot tubs in the heart of Suffolk, look at some of the local attractions and events which you can enjoy later this month.
Framlingham Castle
Less than three miles away from our base in Saxtead, Framlingham Castle is hosting a series of Halloween events to coincide with half-term (in Suffolk, it’s from October 23rd – 27th). They’re promising spooky storytellers, mock witch trials and sword ‘schools’, as well as other magical goings-on!
These events will run from Saturday 21st October to Sunday 5th November, from 10am-4pm each day. Check out the castle’s page on the English Heritage site to book online (It’s free for EH members but you are advised to book regardless to ensure your space).
Southwold Library
You can go beachcombing in Southwold on the coast (20 miles to the east of us) – and you don’t even need to set foot on the beach if the weather’s bad!
That’s because Southwold Library (located on Field Stile Road) is offering free beachcombing activities on the afternoon of Tuesday, 24th October (from 3-5pm). There’ll be a table full of unusual items found on the shoreline (including a mammoth’s tooth) and a fun board game for the kids.
Easton Farm Park
The animal attraction near Woodbridge (around six miles to the south of us) has a range of new activities running from 22nd – 29th October.
These include a Harry Potter-themed pantomime, the chance to decorate your own pumpkin, plus a spooky maze and other animal-related activities. Again, you are advised to book in advance during half-term week in order to ensure your place.
At the farm park, you can also get up close to many of the farm animals, including rabbits, chickens, piglets, lambs, foals and ducklings during your visit – which makes this an excellent choice for a family of animal lovers!
Sutton Hoo
If your family has a head for history, there’s still time to visit the Rendlesham Revealed exhibition at Sutton Hoo, which is soon coming to an end on 29th October. Suffolk County Council’s archaeological department has brought together more than 1,400 artefacts detailing the Anglo-Saxon royal settlement in the region – including gold and silver items as well as more everyday pieces dating back more than 1,500 years ago.
And, because it’s at Sutton Hoo, you can see all the other historic collections as well – and you don’t have to pay any extra to see the temporary exhibition, making Sutton Hoo an excellent day out for any families interested in Anglo-Saxon history.
The Permanent Attractions
There’s still plenty of family attractions to enjoy all year round – not just the beaches at Aldeburgh and Southwold, but all the walks and treks you can enjoy throughout the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The nearby RSPB Minsmere has plenty of birds to see, even if they are just passing through as migration is in full swing; and you may be able to see some deer rutting if you are lucky!
Africa Alive! which you can reach by heading north up the coast to Lowestoft, has plenty of reptiles, birds and mammals to see and is open until the end of October.
For more information about the local area, follow this link.
Family Cabins with Hot Tubs in Suffolk at Windmill Lodges
If you’re staying at Windmill Lodges, there’s plenty to do on-site as well – we have a library with board games, jigsaws and books you can borrow and take back to your lodge to enjoy.
Don’t forget, your pet is more than welcome too – two of our dog friendly lodges in East Anglia, Woodpecker and Wagtail, are suitable for your canine companion; and the advantage of staying in October is that there shouldn’t be any restrictions on them going on any of Suffolk’s beaches.
All our lodges are fully equipped with – as well as its own private hot tub – a fully equipped kitchen, fully furnished living room, with TVs and DVD or CD players, and a shower room or bathroom. To check on availability for any of our lodges over the half-term week, follow this link.