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Eight of the best parks in Suffolk and north Essex - but which is your favourite?
Holywells Park in Ipswich has won its seventh Green Flag award. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN - Credit: Archant
When the sun finally comes out it is great to have a day in the park and there are plenty to choose from in Suffolk and north Essex. Here are eight of our favourites.
Why not visit Colchester Castle Park this weekend? Picture: RODGER TAMBLYN - Credit: Rodger Tamblyn
Castle Park, Colchester
The park has an area of 27 acres and is Grade II-listed in the English Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Importance.
A Roman wall runs through the park, dividing it into upper and lower park.
It is home to The Castle Museum, Hollytrees Museum, a play park and lots more.
The magnificent Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT - Credit: Archant
Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds
Abbey Gardens is in the centre of the historic Bury St Edmunds, it is known for its beautiful floral display and ancient settings.
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The park has lots to keep you busy with such as a bowling green, a tennis court, a play area and a section of river Lark.
Christchurch Park has made it into double figures. Picture: ARCHANT - Credit: Archant
Christchurch Park, Ipswich
The park is an impressive 70 acres with a variety of ponds to look at, gardens to stroll around, and a play park for the children.
It also has tennis courts, and bowling greens for you to enjoy as well as Christchurch Mansion which is open six days a week.
The Stunning Kentwell Hall in Long Melford. Picture: SU ANDERSON - Credit: Su Anderson
Kentwell Hall, Sudbury
Kentwell Hall is a stately home in Long Melford, it has stunning grounds, a rare breeds farm and gardens.
• It is packed with things to do as their map shows and a perfect location for a picnic.
The massive Hylands Park in Chelmsford. Picture: RICHARD SNASDELL
Hylands Park, Chelmsford
The park is a massive 574 acres and has Hylands House on its grounds. Hyland house is a Grade II neo-classical villa which has been there since 1730.
Give it a visit, learn about the history of the park and house while enjoying the sun.
Beth Chatto started work on the gorgeous gardens in 1960. Picture: CONTRIBUTED - Credit: Archant
The Beth Chatto Gardens, Colchester
Beth Chatto OBE, an award-winning plantswoman, took an overgrown wasteland of brambles and ditches and transformed it into the gorgeous gardens it is today.
The gardens are open to the public all year round, it has a four different gardens to enjoy as well as a tearoom.
Brandon Country Park has three route marked walks of various lengths and a number of cycle trails. Picture: ANDREW MUTIMER - Credit: citizenside.com
Brandon Country Park, Brandon
If you enjoy going for a walk this is the park for you.
Brandon Country park has three nature trails to explore, a beautiful historic walled garden as well as the ‘haunted’ mausoleum.
Holywells Park, Ipswich
This park has it all, a massive play area, wet play facilities, an ice cream hut and a café!
The park is 67 acres so if you are after a more peaceful picnic this park can accommodate that too.
