Suffolk Punch Trust
Suffolk Punch Trust
4.5
About
Come and join our gentle giant Suffolk Punch Heavy Horses for a fun family day out. Visit pets corner, meet our Suffolk lambs, see the horses being trained, explore the 120 acre farm. A beautiful drive through sandy forest, south-east from Woodbridge. Leave A12 Woodbridge bypass on A1152 to Melton and Hollesley. Cross traffic lights, level crossing and river bridge, bearing right at the mini roundabout. Pass Sutton Hoo on right and take next turning left. Cross an area of heathland, continuing for three miles and shortly after entering a wooded area bear left - signposted Butley, Boyton and Hollesley Bay Colony. At the crossroads with a water tower continue straight on into Woodbridge Walk and the entrance to the Suffolk Punch Trust is shortly on your right.
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- Georgie J2 contributionsLove these beautiful horsesWe're regulars with annual passes. An easy, peaceful place and safe for children to run about. Excellent for a dog walk. Good cafe with comfortable seating outside and under cover. The staff are friendly and informative. Most of all it is so good to know that these special horses are cared for and the breed is safe.Thank you so much for your fantastic review and for your continued support of us. We are so glad that you enjoyed your visit as the staff and volunteers work really hard at the charity.Written April 19, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 12, 2024
- Clare056Manchester, United Kingdom21 contributionsLovely visit - beautiful horses.Lovely place with real effort made to make sure children can get close to all the animals. Walk around fields a lovely opportunity to get close to these beautiful horses. Cafe very nice food and great service. Thanks for a lovely visit.Thank you so much for your wonderful review. We are so glad that you enjoyed your visit as the staff and volunteers work really hard at the charity.Written April 19, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 13, 2024
- Sarah norfolk15 contributionsA lovely dayLoved this place- Fun and informative tractor ride, watched a very interesting demonstration/ training session in the indoor school. The staff were kind and calm with a horse they were gradually training to wear a harness.Fascinating heritage museum with items from years gone by. Superb and reasonably priced lunch and lovely gift shop. We were able to meet the horses in the stables and the fields and spend time with the horse I am sponsoring which was very special as she was so gentle and friendly. We also saw the lovely Suffolk sheep with their spring lambs as well as donkeys, goats, cattle and Shetland ponies. We did the long walk around the site and saw the herd of deer. We didn’t have any children with us but there was a nice play area and a children’s trail around the site which would keep little ones engaged. We would definitely recommend visiting this charity as it was an interesting day out and helps to keep this wonderful rare breed going.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 26, 2024
- GrahamP1106Sudbury, United Kingdom67 contributionsA Great Day outFirst impressions were that there was not a great deal here, but we had a good day seeing the horses in the stables and out in the paddocks. Couple of demonstrations and a tractor ride tour. Very informative and interesting with the grooms who were extemely knowledgeable and gave an excellent explanation. The horse mad girls with us enjoyed the experience.Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 12, 2024
- Wendz11Birmingham, United Kingdom145 contributionsBeautiful horsesWell worth a visit to the trust to see these wonderful horses. They also have a few other animals but the horses are the main attraction. They are so majestic with their glossy coats and height. We had a trailer ride around the paddocks to see all horses outside. They live outside all year round as they are quite a tough animal. There is also a café and shop on site. I bought a lovely picture of the Suffolk Punch, to remind me of my lovely visitVisited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 15, 2024
- Cheesey1000Caister-on-Sea, United Kingdom241 contributionsDay outEnjoyed the museum and cart shed. It was a shame couldn't get yo see horses up close as stable out of action so horses in fields. Also ordered scone with chutney no chutney, but apart from that had a good day well worthwhile visit and to support a the Suffolk PunchVisited October 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 13, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Emma_N68
Market Bosworth, UK2,418 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We visited yesterday with my Mum and Aunt both for different reasons have mobility issues so I booked a mobility buggy ride (that seats 3). The whole team there was amazing so helpful, knowledgeable and friendly.
The lady who took us around was so kind with my Aunt who has had a severe stroke and so takes time to get from her chair into the buggy. Her knowledge was amazing.
We watched the demonstration and the gentleman who took it was clearly so engaged with the horse it was wonderful to see.
We had lunch and the kitchen team were fabulous we all enjoyed lunch and great value for money.
The shop there is full of lovely items 🙂
My Aunt commented "That was the best day ever" ❤
A massive thank you to all involved we will certainly come back!
The lady who took us around was so kind with my Aunt who has had a severe stroke and so takes time to get from her chair into the buggy. Her knowledge was amazing.
We watched the demonstration and the gentleman who took it was clearly so engaged with the horse it was wonderful to see.
We had lunch and the kitchen team were fabulous we all enjoyed lunch and great value for money.
The shop there is full of lovely items 🙂
My Aunt commented "That was the best day ever" ❤
A massive thank you to all involved we will certainly come back!
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for spending 'the best day ever' with us. We are so glad that you both had a lovely day - I really enjoyed taking you and your Aunt around. The staff and volunteers really appreciate your feedback and thank you for supporting us.
Written April 19, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Zoe
11 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Wear boots if you’re heading there when it’s been raining, thankfully we took wellies. We enjoyed a slow stroll around the longest routes and were lucky enough for several horses to choose to come and say hello for a head scratch. They are absolutely magical. The entrance fee is quite high but I think this supports the work they do. The petting area could use some improvement as the chickens look vey sad. If you like horses it’s worth a visit for a couple of hours to see the history of horses in the museum area and the horses out on the field. There are also a few inside the stable area which allows you to see them up close if you haven’t been able to in the fields.
Written September 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks for your wonderful review. We try hard to keep our admission costs as low as possible and all proceeds go towards supporting our charity. The pets paddock is currently under development so if you visit us again you will see the significant improvement.
Thanks you again for supporting us.
Written April 19, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wendy C
11 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
We have had a lovely repeat visit to the Suffolk Punch Trust. We would highly recommend the tractor ride and the lunch was reasonably priced with a massive pot of tea. The centre was very busy with families enjoying the Halloween activities. The Suffolk heritage garden is well tended and worth a stroll around. Keep up the good work for a worthwhile cause.
Written October 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SheWolf79
Essex, UK51 contributions
Aug 2021
The Suffolk Punch Trust is a breeding centre for this rare breed, and also houses some other farm animals and a small museum.
The entrance fee was reasonable and the horses beautiful, but they are in large paddocks, meaning you can only interact with them if they happen to come close to the fence. Happily, many of them did come over and seemed to enjoy people’s attention, but the stables, where you are apparently guaranteed a close-up view, were closed (I assume due to Covid). In addition to Suffolk Punches and a couple of other horses, we saw donkeys, goats, chickens and guinea pigs, but there was no sign of the cattle, sheep and pigs that were supposed to be on show. I was very surprised (and disappointed) that the gift shop did not stock a single horse ornament or cuddly toy, though there were mugs, photos and so on.
In conclusion, this is a nice place to go if you like horses (and the weather is good), but don’t expect to spend more than a couple of hours here, and be aware that you may not see or get to stroke some of the animals.
The entrance fee was reasonable and the horses beautiful, but they are in large paddocks, meaning you can only interact with them if they happen to come close to the fence. Happily, many of them did come over and seemed to enjoy people’s attention, but the stables, where you are apparently guaranteed a close-up view, were closed (I assume due to Covid). In addition to Suffolk Punches and a couple of other horses, we saw donkeys, goats, chickens and guinea pigs, but there was no sign of the cattle, sheep and pigs that were supposed to be on show. I was very surprised (and disappointed) that the gift shop did not stock a single horse ornament or cuddly toy, though there were mugs, photos and so on.
In conclusion, this is a nice place to go if you like horses (and the weather is good), but don’t expect to spend more than a couple of hours here, and be aware that you may not see or get to stroke some of the animals.
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and it is a shame that you were not able to interact as much as you would have liked. We will be (hopefully) back to normal next year and are planning demonstrations and the stable will be open.
Written October 1, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Julie R
Northampton, UK74 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We based a weeks holiday nearby so that I could visit my adopted horse Edith. There is no free visit for adopters and as we also bought lunch it became a very expensive trip. Even a discount for a wet weather visit would have been welcome? The entry and cafe were nice, some lovely large photos. We were fortunate to catch the covered tractor ride around the farm to see the mares, foals and stallions with a guide explaining and answering questions, thanks. We liked the wagon barn and museum displays. Too wet for the petting section and the horses were very sleepy so not as much interaction as I would have hoped. Due to the weather we stayed less time than I would have liked. Thanks for allowing dogs to visit.
Written May 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heidi M
12 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Having lived 10 minutes down the road from the Colony for 23 years we decided to that we would visit 18/8/23. I took my Mum and 5 year old daughter plus our little dog. We had the best time, we did the long walk initially to see all the animals in the field and then had a look in the stable where the Shetland ponies and Donkeys were. We watched the gorgeous Wren having some refresher training for an upcoming event….these horses are well loved and the whole colony is well kept. The staff are so very knowledgable and will answer all questions. We went on the tractor ride and saw everyone again, when we got back we finished watching Wren having his training. Then on to the cafe for lunch which was lovely too. My daughter then had great fun with the activity book which includes many activities for children to do. The heritage garden is beautiful and it’s lovely to see old varieties of Suffolk plants.
We will be back. Thank you for a great day!
Ps….dogs are welcome on leads around the whole site.
We will be back. Thank you for a great day!
Ps….dogs are welcome on leads around the whole site.
Written August 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your fantastic review and for your support of us. We are so glad that you enjoyed your visit as the staff and volunteers work really hard at the charity.
Written April 19, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eva V
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
The area was nicely laid out. Unfortunately there were not many animals for little ones to see. My grandson loved the tractor ride and that was the only was to see all the horses. He loved feeding the goats and stroking a few Shetland ponies. That's as far as it goes. The demonstration was a bit disappointing and not suitable for young children as they get bored easily and don't really understand. Plus it was very difficult to understand the person narrating, it would have been better for her to have a microphone. I thought we would be getting some outdoor demonstration like pulling some sort of cart etc. Okay for adults who are interested in horses but not enough for children in view of the price as well.
Written August 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew P
Norwich, UK14 contributions
Oct 2021
Arrived minutes after opening to be greeted by a lovely Suffolk accent and a swift check of my name after booking online. We visited the indoor exhibition a history of seed drills and farming equipment and the way of life related to Horses. This widened my knowledge from living locally as a child when such things were of little importance The toilets in the centre are excellent smell free and Covid measures installed.
We walked around the Pet area before meeting Horses as we walked the grounds . We accompanied other people and a guide on the Tractor ride this is a covered Trailer with padded but hard bench chairs , showing their sheep who are descendants of the Herd when it was HM Prison. Retired Race Horses and Stud Stallions and Foals and Mare explaining the naming and age of some of them.
In addition there are Horse propelled Carts Rakes and Ploughs so you could see the patented Seed Drill in an industrial Shed as well other buildings
Improvements are coming with Perspex information point outside the paddocks which will give details of the Horses within as a addition to the talk by the guide Emily who despite being a newer employee knew her information/facts
The Café served a competitive Americano and Cappuccino and Chocolate Cake
The shop had a variety of Horse related items and local produce with nothing tacky ,however do your maths if you are buying more than 3 jams/conserves
Rain was short and the outside seating has covered areas ,the outside toilets were also good
We walked around the Pet area before meeting Horses as we walked the grounds . We accompanied other people and a guide on the Tractor ride this is a covered Trailer with padded but hard bench chairs , showing their sheep who are descendants of the Herd when it was HM Prison. Retired Race Horses and Stud Stallions and Foals and Mare explaining the naming and age of some of them.
In addition there are Horse propelled Carts Rakes and Ploughs so you could see the patented Seed Drill in an industrial Shed as well other buildings
Improvements are coming with Perspex information point outside the paddocks which will give details of the Horses within as a addition to the talk by the guide Emily who despite being a newer employee knew her information/facts
The Café served a competitive Americano and Cappuccino and Chocolate Cake
The shop had a variety of Horse related items and local produce with nothing tacky ,however do your maths if you are buying more than 3 jams/conserves
Rain was short and the outside seating has covered areas ,the outside toilets were also good
Written October 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fionnuala O
Thessaloniki, Greece37 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
The gift shop and toilet were clean and nice and there was no difficulty with parking. The tour consisted of walking around the periphery of fields and seeing horses inc foals in the distance and hearing about who their parents were/are and stories about the local jail in the vicinity. There were no demonstrations and aside from being allowed to pet a goat it was all very hands off. I don’t mind paying to support a charity for a rare horse breed but driving long distance just to look at them munching hay in a field is very disappointing and underwhelming, in particular when they are side by side with other horses and ponies and donkeys, also kept well away. Yes I understand about Covid restrictions with tours and the hazards posed by horses to general public but the tour as it currently stands definitely requires improvement.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex
Ipswich, UK195 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
The Suffolk Punch horses have been a part of Suffolk history for centuries and are now a dwindling breed. It is always lovely to visit them, they’re so docile and friendly. There is a lovely guided walk as well as being able to see other animals in the stables and a small petting zoo for children. There’s two different parts with other bits of farming history as well. It is most definitely worth a visit even if you are Suffolk born and bred!
Written August 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes they still have adoption programme there. You can get it up on there website
Written June 16, 2016
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