If your holiday in Suffolk corresponds with one of the country fayres, you’re in luck as these offer a fun-filled day out for the whole family. Experience the sights and sounds of rural life with fascinating shows – such as motorbike stunt riding or equestrian acrobatics – pet the animals, win prizes or buy some delicious food and drink; locally produced cider, homemade fudge, butchers’ sausages, and honey or preserves are all available for sale.
For a day out to remember, here are some of the most popular country fayres within easy reach of Windmill Lodges luxury log cabins. Even if you have missed a rural event this year, you can make a date for your diary next year and book your stay to correspond with one of the shows below.
These appear in date order and we have included some 2015 shows too.
Rural Life and Horse Show – If you love all things equestrian, it is well worth heading along to Stonham Barns on September 28. It has five horse show rings where you can admire show jumping, see Suffolk heavy horses, and watch birds of prey. This year may also feature the Jive pony female equestrian team.
As well as the individual shows, there’s also traditional crafts, machinery, vehicles, garden products, gifts, and food and drink to sample. Soak up the atmosphere and mingle with the crowds!
Robin Hood Country Show – Visit the Suffolk Showground, Ipswich, on October 11 - 12 and you are in for a treat.
The Robin Hood Country Show is the biggest game and country show in Suffolk, so you can expect a huge crowd. See knights, archers, Vikings and falcons…not to mention four legged friends such as horses and dogs.
The show is enjoyable for all ages and, if you are visiting with children, the kids can have a go at archery or bungee trampolining, try their hand at the laser maze, pet animals and learn all about life in a medieval village. And, if you like shopping, you can browse the 200 or so trade stands.
Framlingham Country Show – The next Framlingham Country Show will be held in April 2015, although the exact date is still to be set. Again, it is set in picturesque surroundings against the backdrop of Framlingham College, which was built at the end of the 19th century in memory of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert.
Described as ‘quintessentially British’ the all-day event features locally sourced food and drink, cookery demonstrations, rural crafts, vintage shopping stands, archery, and ring displays – including sheep racing.
It offers the perfect opportunity to see rural life at its best and to buy some delicious local produce to take home.
Hadleigh Show – This show has a 175 year history and is set in beautiful surroundings in Holbecks Park. Last year visitors had the chance to view machinery, including tractors, take a ride on the Land Train, see amazing dancing sheep and watch a falcon display!
It’s not quite on the scale of the Suffolk show (see below) but attracts thousands of visitors and keeps getting bigger and better. Last year’s show had 150 stands, and there were various hands-on areas for children, including educational sections with the chance to mill wheat, make dough and see rural crafts.
Next year’s event is on May 16th and the show is a 45 minute drive from the Windmill Lodges.
Suffolk Show – We’ve saved the best until last! This is the county’s biggest and most celebrated country fayre, and takes place annually at the Suffolk Showground in Ipswich. The much anticipated event – which takes 12 months to plan – attracts around 90,000 visitors a year and will he held on May 27 and 28, 2015.
The importance of the show cannot be underestimated as it injects a massive £20-£30 million into the local economy. It’s visited by royalty with Prince Harry opening last year’s show.
The 800 or so trade stands and arenas cover 120 acres, so there’s plenty to see and do. Here you can give one of the 50 or so sport and dance classes a try, pet an animal at the agricultural corner, make sausages, watch sheep shows and equestrian displays, or find out about life during World War I.
Enjoy country life at Windmill Lodges in Saxtead – Click here to view our log cabins for your holiday in Suffolk
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