Suffolk &amp; Cambs


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visit-a-gorgeous-local-garden">Visit a gorgeous local garden</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="532" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/11294-02.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-40153" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/11294-02.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/11294-02-400x266.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy nosying round some stunning gardens this weekend? Then check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/">National Open Garden Scheme</a>&nbsp;where hundreds of private and public gardens open their gates for you to walk around and admire. You can search for your nearest ones here. Some of our favourites this weekend include Wyken Hall (<strong>25 May</strong>), Acer House (<strong>26 May</strong>), and Island Hall (<strong>26 May</strong>).</p>



<p>The gardens at Helmingham Hall will also be open this bank holiday weekend  and are even more beautiful than ever with a new sculpture exhibition –<a href="https://www.helmingham.com/events/david-harber-sculpture-display/">&nbsp;<em>David Harber at Helmingham</em></a>, a curated collection of large-scale pieces in copper, bronze, stone and steel. David is one of the UK’s leading garden sculptors and each nature-inspired sculpture has been carefully selected by the team at David Harber in collaboration with the Tollemache family at Helmingham&nbsp;Hall to reflect and enhance specific areas of the gardens. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-take-a-trail-round-cambridge">Take a trail round Cambridge </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/giraffes-april.jpg" alt="giraffes in cambridge April 2024" class="wp-image-39377" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/giraffes-april.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/giraffes-april-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/giraffes-april-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/04/giraffes-april-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Look up if you take a trip in Cambridge this weekend because its your last chance to see the free sculpture trail Standing Tall that finishes on<strong> 2 June</strong>. Thirty-one painted giraffes are “hidden” in the city and you can download an app to help you find them all. The trail is organised by <a href="https://www.cambridgebid.co.uk/">Cambridge BID</a>, with <a href="https://wildinart.co.uk/">Wild in Art</a> and will be raising funds for <a href="https://www.break-charity.org/charity/">Break Charity</a> which supports young people in care, leaving care and on the edge of care across East Anglia.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enjoy-a-family-day-out">Enjoy a family day out</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="622" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/05/kentwell-hall.jpg" alt="kentwell hall bank holiday history festival " class="wp-image-26296" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/05/kentwell-hall.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/05/kentwell-hall-800x498.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/05/kentwell-hall-400x249.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/05/kentwell-hall-844x525.jpg 844w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ll have a brilliant family day out over the bank holiday weekend at the <a href="https://visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/events/bury-st-edmunds-spring-fayre-2024">Bury St Edmunds Spring Fair</a> on <strong>26 and 27 May</strong>. Pray for sun because there’ll be an Urban Beach, Punch and Judy shows, big dinosaurs with their babies in Charter Square, 70+ market stalls on Angel Hill and the Buttermarket, and free entertainment, including face painting, balloons, and magic tricks.</p>



<p>Want the kids to learn something this bank holiday weekend without them even realising? Head to Kentwell Hall&#8217;s <a href="https://www.kentwell.co.uk/events/historyfestival">History Festival</a> from <strong>25 – 27 May</strong>, which celebrates over 2000 years of history in one weekend, with over 200 actors playing everything from a Neolithic Hunting Band to 80s Punks, with the chance to see incredible sights like a Victorian Travelling Show followed by a 1920s Croquet Party and a 1960s Peace Camp. A whirlwind history lesson that kids will love.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-go-for-a-lovely-local-walk">Go for a lovely local walk</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/Suffolk-Walking-Festival-750x390-1.jpg-copy.jpg" alt="walking festival bank holiday weekend " class="wp-image-40155" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/Suffolk-Walking-Festival-750x390-1.jpg-copy.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/Suffolk-Walking-Festival-750x390-1.jpg-copy-800x420.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/Suffolk-Walking-Festival-750x390-1.jpg-copy-1000x525.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/Suffolk-Walking-Festival-750x390-1.jpg-copy-400x210.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk/">The Suffolk Walking Festival </a>finishes this weekend on the <strong>26 May</strong>, and there still around 10 gorgeous guided walks to choose from. It’s a wonderful way to discover parts of our green and pleasant county you might not know yet. You might want to invest in some walking boots, otherwise those stilettos are going to get extremely muddy! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-outdoors-in-nature">Get outdoors in nature</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="710" height="340" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2018/06/Bat-punting.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-8981" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2018/06/Bat-punting.jpg 710w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2018/06/Bat-punting-150x72.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2018/06/Bat-punting-300x144.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 710px) 100vw, 710px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bat punting on the River Cam</figcaption></figure>



<p>Enjoy spring to the max this weekend when <a href="https://cambridgenaturenetwork.org/naturefestival/">Cambridge’s Nature Festival</a> starts on <strong>25 May – 30 June</strong>. Events over the bank holiday include guided walks, bat punting, trails, wildlife activities at Wimpole Hall, the festival launch event, pond dipping and talks from authors and wildlife experts. <a href="http://cambridgenaturenetwork.org/naturefestival/">View the full programme here.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat-and-drink-to-the-max">Eat and drink to the max</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/higgsys-burgers-800x1000.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-40151" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/higgsys-burgers-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/higgsys-burgers-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/higgsys-burgers-320x400.jpg 320w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/higgsys-burgers-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/higgsys-burgers.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Higgsy&#8217;s Burgers </figcaption></figure>



<p>Over near Stowmarket at the idyllic Burnt House Vineyard there’s a special foodie event on&nbsp;<strong>24 May</strong> &#8211; a gourmet collaboration between the vineyard and <a href="https://www.burnthousevineyard.co.uk/service-page/smoke-box-x-burnt-house-vineyard?referral=service_list_widget">Smoke Box</a>&nbsp;who cook locally sourced meat over fire. Think Bavette Steak with Chimichurri &amp; Lemon Mayo all washed down with a bottle of Burnt House wine. Yum!</p>



<p><a href="https://becclesfoodfestival.co.uk/">The Beccles Food and Drink</a>&nbsp;Festival takes place on&nbsp;<strong>25 May</strong>&nbsp;this year and you can expect the usual 50 or so stalls selling all manner of delightful local delicacies, as well as cookery demos, talks and entertainment for the kids.&nbsp;</p>



<p>And, in Cambridge don&#8217;t miss the pop-up outside The University Arms &#8211; a collaboration between <a href="https://parkerstavern.com/parkers-tavern-x-higgsys/">Parker&#8217;s Tavern and Higgsy&#8217;s</a> aka the makers of Cambridgeshire&#8217;s best burgers. Higgsy’s, who are usually based in a layby between Yaxley and the A1, will bring a touch of the American deep south to the city on <strong>26 and 27 May</strong> serving their amazing Redneck and Hillbilly Smash burgers alongside cold drinks and cocktails from the Parker&#8217;s Tavern team. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-head-to-a-local-festival">Head to a local festival </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/leestock.jpg" alt="lee stock festival bank holiday " class="wp-image-40163" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/leestock.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/leestock-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/leestock-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/leestock-400x267.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Over the bank holiday weekend from <strong>25 and 26 May</strong>, you can head to <a href="https://leestock.org/">Lee Stock Festival</a> at Kentwell Hall, a family-friendly music festival in the Park run by the family of the late Lee Stock to raise money for local charities. The line-up this year includes The Coral, Badly Drawn Boy, Lemar and Sandi Thom.</p>



<p>If you&#8217;re looking for a laugh this bank holiday weekend head to The Cambridge Fringe Festival on <strong>25 and 26 May</strong>. <a href="https://www.cambridgefringe.co.uk">Cambridge Fringe</a> is a comedy festival and a vibrant platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their creative talents. Taking place at cool venues including The Tivoli and Town &amp; Gown there&#8217;ll be stand-up as well as comedy clubs for kids and engaging talks. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-head-to-a-local-exhibition">Head to a local exhibition</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="800" height="512" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/mw116325.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-40166" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/mw116325.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/mw116325-400x256.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: <a><strong>©John Reardon</strong></a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Head over to The National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket this weekend to catch the brand new exhibition <a href="https://www.nhrm.co.uk/events/icons-the-photography-of-john-reardon/">ICONS – The Photography of John Reardon</a>. John was a former photographer at <em>The Observer</em> and <em>The Guardian</em> and the exhibition is an exploration of excellence through perseverance, reminiscent of Reardon’s own photographic process and covers everything from thoroughbreds through to Michelin-starred chefs.</p>


Out you go! What’s on locally this May bank holiday

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