Travel
Things To Do In Suffolk by Sarah Quinlan
(Contd. from page 1...)
Hedingham Castle is on the Suffolk/Essex border and is a great place to spend the day. Hedingham has the finest Norman Keep, at 110 feet high, was built c.1140 by Aubrey de Vere and is still owned by one of his descendants, The Honourable Thomas Lindsay and his wife Virginia. There are four floors to explore, including a magnificent Banqueting Hall spanned by a remarkable 28 foot arch, one of the largest Norman arches in England. A visit to the castle and its beautiful grounds is ideal for a family outing, and during the summer there are a variety of special events which bring its colourful history alive.
If you're in the Castle Hedingham area then a visit to Colne Valley Steam Railway is a must - it is always rated one of the top Visitor Attractions in Essex. Colne Valley is a really pretty line, currently one mile long, with relocated station buildings, signal boxes and bridges all lovingly restored and rebuilt. There's a lot to see including the Garden Railway, Travelling Post Office Exhibition... Thomas the Tank Days and during the Summer you can ramble through the Farm Park and enjoy the 30 acres of peaceful, natural countryside by the River Colne. Apart from the wealth of traditional farm animals some regular sightings have included: Moorhens, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, Herons and Dragonflies.
If you like Steam Railways but you're visiting the northern part of Suffolk, check out Bressingham Steam Railway, whether you choose to explore one of Europe's leading steam collections, take a ride on Bressingham's famous Victorian 'Gallopers', journey over five miles of narrow-gauge steam railway, wander through beautiful gardens, or visit the only official "Dad's Army" exhibition in existence, you'll find something for everyone when you arrive at Bressingham!