Go Wild in the Stour Valley
The Dedham Vale and Stour Valley on the Suffolk Essex border is a beautiful place to explore and discover the natural world and wonders of our past.
There are so many incredible places to visit and activities that you can do when you get there. So why not Go Wild in the Stour Valley!
Check out our Family Activity leaflet for more information or the Stour Valley Education Network (SVEN) discovery Factsheets, which are full of interesting facts, places to go and activities to do.
Calendar of 2025 Events
Some outdoor learning providers from the Stour Valley Education Network (SVEN) have created self-guided family trails at their sites which you can visit and do for free. You can also take part in a selection off fun nature based events for families and young people!
May 2025
Dawn Chorus Walk
Improve your bird identification skills with Sarah and reward yourself with coffee and a croissant.
Where: Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve, Foxearth, Sudbury, CO10 7HY
When: Sunday 4th May 2025 - 6:00am-8:00am
Cost: Free but places limited. Please book online in advance via Eventbrite.
Flatford Nature Day
There’ll be lots of fun, nature-based outdoor activities & crafts for you to try!
Collect a Nature Passport at the National Trust car park & collect stamps at each activity.
Where: Flatford Mill, East Bergholt, CO7 6UL
When: Tuesday 27th May 2025
Cost: Free, £5 parking for non-National Trust members
Wild in the Stour Valley
Go Wild in the Stour Valley is a free nature-based fun day for children and families in Sudbury. Activities include arts & crafts, mini beast hunts, quiz trail, camera obscura, pond dipping, canoeing and boat trips!
Where: Friars Meadow, Sudbury, CO10 2SS
When: Friday 30th May 2025
Cost: Free
June 2025
Old Roses Open Days
Over 150 varieties of roses across the grounds of Daws Hall. Hot & Cold drinks and homemade cakes. Parking on site. Route is not tarmac/paved, but uneven
ground. Sorry no dogs allowed on site.
Where: Daws Hall Nature Reserve, Henny Road, Lamarsh. CO8 5EX
When: Sunday 1st June, Sunday 8th June, Sunday 15th June 2025
Cost: Entry by donation. No booking required.
More details: dawshallnature.co.uk or phone 01787269766
Big Bug Day
This free family event celebrates National Insect Week, with activities for all ages. Come along and search for beetles, do a bug hunt, shake a bush and maybe even see moths up close. You may be surprised at the beauty of these ‘creepy crawlies! Please bring a picnic.
Where: Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve, Foxearth, Sudbury, CO10 7HY
When: Saturday 28th June 2025 - 10:00am-3:30pm
Cost: Free but places limited. Please book online in advance via Eventbrite.
July 2025
Flatford Nature Day
There’ll be lots of fun, nature-based outdoor activities & crafts for you to try!
Collect a Nature Passport at the National Trust car park & collect stamps at each activity.
Where: Flatford Mill, East Bergholt, CO7 6UL
When: Tuesday 29th July 2025
Cost: Free, £5 parking for non-National Trust members
Dragonfly & Damselfly Identification Walks
A guided walk with David Chandler, author of ‘Dragonfly’ and ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Dragonflies & Damselflies of Britain and Ireland’. Dragonflies and damselflies are a highlight species group for Foxearth Meadows. A 90-minute stroll will provide plenty of time for stopping, looking and learning.
Where: Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve, Foxearth, Sudbury, CO10 7HY
When: Saturday 26th July 2025 - 10.30am-12.15pm & 1.15pm-3.00pm
Cost: Free but places limited. Please book online in advance via Eventbrite.
August 2025
Flatford Nature Day
There’ll be lots of fun, nature-based outdoor activities & crafts for you to try!
Collect a Nature Passport at the National Trust car park & collect stamps at each activity.
Where: Flatford Mill, East Bergholt, CO7 6UL
When: Tuesday 19th August 2025
Cost: Free, £5 parking for non-National Trust members
October 2025
Bats about Moths!
Discover moths up close and hear hunting bats. Led by bat expert Graham Hart and Sarah on moths. Use bat detectors to find bats and learn about the moths we attract using a moth trap and light. Limited spaces. Please book in advance.
Where: Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve, Foxearth, Sudbury, CO10 7HY
When: Wednesday 1st October 2025 - 6.30pm-9.00pm
Cost: Free but places limited. Please book online in advance via Eventbrite.
Autumn Colours Open Days
Fiery Autumn treetops to see across the nature reserve and gardens. Hot & Cold drinks and homemade cakes. Parking on site. Route is not tarmac/paved, but uneven ground. Sorry no dogs allowed on site.
Where: Daws Hall Nature Reserve, Henny Road, Lamarsh. CO8 5EX
When: Sunday 26th October, Sunday 2nd November 2025
Cost: Entry by donation. No booking required.
More details: dawshallnature.co.uk or phone 01787269766
Flatford Nature Day
There’ll be lots of fun, nature-based outdoor activities & crafts for you to try!
Collect a Nature Passport at the National Trust car park & collect stamps at each activity.
Where: Flatford Mill, East Bergholt, CO7 6UL
When: Tuesday 28th October 2025
Cost: Free, £5 parking for non-National Trust members