The schools break up over the next few days and the Summer holidays are just around the corner. Ah six weeks school free, you might even manage to take off a little time off from work yourself. Then the realisation hits you...

6 weeks with the kids! What are we going to do?

Here are a few ideas to keep you out of trouble this Summer in Sudbury, Suffolk

• Take a picnic to the Water Meadows in Sudbury. It’s an obvious one, but it’s so beautiful. The swans, the flowers, the wildlife are all stunning. Don’t forget to take your rubbish away with you. Whilst you’re there, pop in and have a quick beer at the  The Legacy Mill Hotel , have a cuppa and take a look at the weird mummified cat buried in the wall?

• While on the riverbank, take a look at  Sudbury River Trips for boats between Sudbury, Great Cornard and Great Henny. 

• Pop over to Long Melford and journey back in time at Melford Hall or Kentwell Hall

• If history is your thing, the Lavenham Guild Hall has been given an overhall and now the people of Lavenham past bring the museum to life. Do pop in & take a look around

• Whilst in Lavenham, take your time to enjoy the quirky Tudor buildings and wonderful art galleries. And as way as a reward for all your walking, pop to the Swan for their wonderful cream teas. It can get quite busy, so it’s advisable to book. The newly refurbed Airman’s Bar is worth a visit too; crammed with WW2 history

• Get your camera out and take a photo of the church in the reflection of the Kersey splash, in the centre of Kersey village

• Children big and small will love Hollow Tree Farm Shop . The farm trail is great fun for all, plus there’s a great range of locally grown vegetables inside

• If it’s raining and your little ones are driving you up the wall, the soft-play centres around the region could help them run off their excess energy.  Rainbow Fun and Little Kingfishers in Sudbury usually do the trick!

• If the weather’s nice and you fancy a walk around a pretty village, get yourselves to Hartest. There are a couple of circular walks worth looking into. Don’t forget your camera to take pictures of this lovely village just 20 mins from Sudbury

• Why not visit the Quay Theatre in Sudbury? This intimate venue hosts some great theatre and stand-up comedy events, and all on your doorstep

• Get your  5-a-day at Sudbury Market, running every Thursday and Saturday. There are also excellent farmers markets in the area including the last Friday of every month in St Peter's Church, Sudbury, and Lavenham Farmers’ Market on the fourth Friday of every month 

• There's nothing like walking or cycling around some of our beautiful countryside. Locally we have some fantastic woods; Wolves Wood near Hadleigh and Arger Fen near Assington to name just two. For more walking routes around Sudbury and the surrounding area just ask  Discover Suffolk or the Suffolk Wildlife Trust 

• Gainsborough House  in Sudbury is a great museum and gallery, celebrating Sudbury artist Thomas Gainsborough. It offers some great courses, and Art Smart , classes for children aged between seven and 12 is particularly good, and great value

• The small but perfectly formed town of Clare is a great place to visit.  Clare Castle Country Park is delightful while the town itself has great tea rooms, boutique shops and galleries. You could walk from Clare to Long Melford along the disused railway track or climb to ruins of Clare Castle.

• Kersey Mill  lying between the villages of Kersey and Hadleigh, is not only is a lovely venue but is home to a lovely selection of shops and a yummy cafe

• Ever thought about keeping hens in your garden or learning to tell stories?  Assington Mill in the village of Assington offers some really interesting courses, from cider making to keeping pigs or bees

• Belle Vue Park Play Area  in Sudbury is a lovely place to take the children, have a picnic and let the little ones blow off some steam.

Got any more great ideas of what to do this Summer? Why not leave me a comment underneath.. (and thanks to Trevor Burch for the wonderful photo)