There is plenty to do at this wonderful
parkland site.
So where do you start?
New Visitor Centre & Tearoom
The new visitor centre is next to the main car park and is
manned 7 days a week
The gift shop area is well stocked for picking up that momento of
your trip to the Country Park
- We have a Tourist Information Point here with lots of
information about other local attractions
- There is new interactive interpretation for visitors of all
ages to learn about the history and wildlife of the Park
- A brand new tearoom serving good quality local food and
drink with picnic tables outside for those sunnier days!
- The visitor centre is open throughout the year:
- March to end of October 10am- 5pm weekdays and until 5:30pm
weekends
- November to the end of February 10-
4pm;
- All the public toilets, have the same opening hours as the
visitor centre., the disabled toilet has a RADAR key
Whatever
the weather, we're sure you will enjoy your visit to the park,
but the
weather
forecaster web pages may help you decide whether you need
to bring your waterproofs or your sun
lotion!
History and Wildlife
The Country
Park was originally a country house with extensive parkland.
It is not difficult to imagine Edwardian ladies and gentlemen
walking on the lawns by the lake.
It is now managed for wildlife. In spring, hundreds of toads breed
in the lake. Dragonflies and damselflies dart and skim across the
water in the summer sunlight. From the lake, you also get clear
views of the house, now a private nursing home.
The forest rides are ideal for gentle rambles and, if you are
quiet, you may spot some deer.
There's always a squirrel about the place.
The Park is home to a variety of different fungi - why not join a
fungi foray in the autumn?
Follow the link to the
events page to see what other family activites are planned for
the year.
The walled
garden used to be the vegetable garden for the country house.
It has been lovingly restored with ornamental plants, to
stimulate all the senses. There will be some
restoration work to the walls, thanks to funding from the
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
Under the apple and fruit blossom in the orchard is one ideal
location to have your lunch.
The old
mausoleum is surrounded by the tall trees of the forest, which
gives an eerie experience.
Brandon Country Park is managed as a partnership between Suffolk
County Council and Forest Heath District Council.