Go Wild in the Stour Valley

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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 2024 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 2024

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: 28th May

Cost: Free, £5 parking for non-National Trust members

BioBlitz at Flatford

The Field Study Council are hosting a free BioBlitz event for people of all ages.

Where: Flatford Mill, East Bergholt, CO7 6UL

When: 29th May

Cost: Free

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: 31st May

Cost: Free

June 2024

BioBlitz at Tiger Hill

Tiger Hill Local Nature Reserve between Bures St Mary & Leavenheath is holding a BioBlitz event on Saturday 1st June.


Discover animals & plants in the heaths, fens & woodland of this wonderful site. Learn how to identify and record discoveries, and join their wildlife hunt.

Where: Tiger Hill Nature Reserve, Bures, CO8 5BW

When: 1st June

Cost: Free

July 2024

Wildflowers

National Meadows Day 

A family-friendly event celebrating our meadows at Foxearth Meadows Nature Reserve!

There will be lots going on including craft activities, bug hunts, stalls, a quiz trail and dragonfly spotting, plus a chance to experience Gainsborough House’s camera obscura

Where: Foxearth, Sudbury, CO10 7HY

When: 6th July

Cost: Free

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: 30th July

Cost: Free, £5 parking for non-National Trust members

August 2024

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: 20th August

Cost: Free, £5 parking for non-National Trust members

October 2024

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: 29th October

Cost: Free, £5 parking for non-National Trust members