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Italianate rotunda at Ickworth

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Family friendly in East Anglia

For families, the East of England makes days out and holidays feel simple to plan and easy to enjoy. There’s space to roam, plenty to do in every season and a mix of coast, countryside, waterways and culture that keeps different ages entertained without needing to travel far between places. Choose from hands-on attractions, outdoor adventures and wildlife experiences, then balance busy days with slower ones, like beach time, gentle cycling routes or a picnic in wide open landscapes. The region’s history is also easy to bring into family time, from castles and grand estates to stories shaped by the sea and the countryside, with plenty of sites that spark curiosity without feeling like hard work. When you want an evening plan, events, festivals and performances add colour, especially during school holidays. Food is family friendly here too, with markets, cafés, pubs and restaurants serving local produce alongside easy favourites. And wherever you base yourselves, there are welcoming places to stay, from self catering and holiday parks to hotels and camping, making it easier to shape a break around your family’s pace, budget and energy.

Family Friendly Stories & Inspiration

1920 900 The Lanes Norwich

Posted: 22nd Mar 2026

For all the reasons that Norwich has been crowned as the best place to live in the UK 2026 by The…

1920 900 The Lanes Norwich
Arts + Culture

Why Norwich is the best place to live… and stay

Posted: 22nd Mar 2026

For all the reasons that Norwich has been crowned as the best place to live in the UK 2026 by The…

1920 900 Great Yarmouth Golden Mile view 2
Family Friendly

Where are the best seaside towns on the East Coast UK

Posted: 10th Mar 2026

Explore the East Coast and discover the best seaside towns. East Anglia has a diverse coastline…

1920 900 Holkham Hall view cyclists 1
Family Friendly

Things not to miss in East Anglia

Posted: 10th Mar 2026

East Anglia has splendid beaches, beautiful stately homes and estates, some of the best wildlife…

Top Family Friendly Attractions

001 the english distillery roudham norfolk

Visit the home of the ‘World’s Best Single Malt Whisky’. This independent, family-owned distillery…

001 the english distillery roudham norfolk
Attractions

The English Distillery

Visit the home of the ‘World’s Best Single Malt Whisky’. This independent, family-owned distillery…

002 helmingham hall gardens

Welcome to Helmingham Hall Gardens. Find out about visiting the spectacular Grade 1 Listed Gardens,…

002 helmingham hall gardens
Attractions

Helmingham Hall Gardens

Welcome to Helmingham Hall Gardens. Find out about visiting the spectacular Grade 1 Listed Gardens,…

001 pleasurewood hills

For an award-winning family day in Suffolk, visit Pleasurewood Hills! With over 30 rides, shows,…

001 pleasurewood hills
Attractions

Pleasurewood Hills

For an award-winning family day in Suffolk, visit Pleasurewood Hills! With over 30 rides, shows,…

001 swt carlton marshes nature reserve visitor centre carlton colville suffolk

1,000 acres of wilderness in the Broads National Park, with floodplain marsh and lowland fen home…

001 swt carlton marshes nature reserve visitor centre carlton colville suffolk
Attractions

Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre

1,000 acres of wilderness in the Broads National Park, with floodplain marsh and lowland fen home…

Family Friendly Events

Festival express

Date: 27th Dec 2026 - 3rd Jan 2027

A Festive Steam Tradition

Festival express
Christmas

Mince Pie Special

Date: 27th Dec 2026 - 3rd Jan 2027

Festival express

Date: 19th Dec - 24th Dec 2026

Visit Santa at Bure Valley Railway

Festival express
Christmas

Festive Express

Date: 19th Dec - 24th Dec 2026

Forest School
Culture & Arts

Forest School

Date: 30th Jan - 19th Dec 2026

Forest School offers participants the opportunity to develop confidence, self-esteem and social…

Forest School
Culture & Arts

Forest School

Date: 30th Jan - 19th Dec 2026

Noel night christmas train bure

Date: 17th Dec - 18th Dec 2026

The Noel Night Train at Bure Valley Railway

Noel night christmas train bure
Christmas

The Noël Night Train

Date: 17th Dec - 18th Dec 2026

Family Friendly Businesses

4 old lion cottages thurne norfolk 1

Charming 2 bedroom, dog friendly holiday cottage to let in the village of Thurne in the heart of…

4 old lion cottages thurne norfolk 1
Attractions

4 Old Lion Cottages

Charming 2 bedroom, dog friendly holiday cottage to let in the village of Thurne in the heart of…

001 8 carpenters cottages holt

Cosy Traditional Brick and Flint Norfolk Holiday Cottage in Holt with Piano

001 8 carpenters cottages holt
Accommodation

8 Carpenters Cottages

Cosy Traditional Brick and Flint Norfolk Holiday Cottage in Holt with Piano

001 aldeburgh coastal cottages

With over 180 beautiful holiday cottages based in and around the stunning Suffolk Heritage Coast,…

001 aldeburgh coastal cottages
Accommodation

Aldeburgh Coastal Cottages

With over 180 beautiful holiday cottages based in and around the stunning Suffolk Heritage Coast,…

001 all seasons cottage breaks

Three 4* self-catering cottages in Saxmundham, near the Suffolk Heritage Coast. Full of character…

001 all seasons cottage breaks
Accommodation

All Seasons Cottage Breaks

Three 4* self-catering cottages in Saxmundham, near the Suffolk Heritage Coast. Full of character…

Top Family Friendly Itineraries

960 640 Norwich The Lanes
Arts + Culture

2 nights in 'trendy but kind' Norwich

Avg Duration: 48 hours

960 640 Aldeburgh James Crisp 112024 20
Arts + Culture

3 nights on the Suffolk Coast

Avg Duration: 3 nights

960 640 Aldeburgh James Crisp 112024 20
Arts + Culture

3 nights on the Suffolk Coast

Duration:3 nights

960 640 Bury St Edmunds Angel Hill 1
Eat + Drink

2 nights in Suffolk's Wool Towns

Avg Duration: 2 nights

Top Family Friendly Points Of Interest

Aldeburgh beach suffolk 1
Dog Friendly

Aldeburgh Beach

Aldeburgh Beach sits along the town's seafront on the Suffolk Coast. The shoreline is mainly…

Aldeburgh beach suffolk 1
Dog Friendly

Aldeburgh Beach

Aldeburgh Beach sits along the town's seafront on the Suffolk Coast. The shoreline is mainly…

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