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.
Features animals
Learn more about animal welfare in tourismSuggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
4 within 3 miles
Attractions
21 within 6 miles
See what other travelers are saying
- Wendy C7 contributionsThoroughly enjoyable visitWe 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.Visited October 2021Traveled as a coupleWritten October 28, 2021
- camdenladyLondon, United Kingdom7 contributionsInteresting day out meeting these gentle giantsI was very happy that the Centre reopened (after Covid lockdown) while I was on holiday in the area. The guided tour took me around the fields where the various horses and foals were. The volunteer doing the guiding was friendly and very informative (without being pushy or know-it-all) which really enhanced the visit. Very good and reasonably priced coffee, with outdoor but sheltered and roofed area. Lovely heritage garden worth a visit too. Museum not officially open, but looks interesting with a lot of farm implements etc. Well equipped playground is a good addition for families.Visited May 2021Written May 3, 2021
- Julie RNorthampton, United Kingdom54 contributionsRainy Day VisitWe 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.Visited May 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten May 24, 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.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
238 reviews
Excellent
150
Very good
55
Average
11
Poor
12
Terrible
10
SheWolf79
Essex, UK50 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.
Fionnuala O
Thessaloniki, Greece23 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.
Andrew P
Norwich, UK22 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.
Helen L
Lincoln, UK48 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
What a disappointment. I am a horse owner and lover and was really looking forward to visiting this stud. I know we are still in the grip of covid and they have cancelled their demonstrations and you cannot go in the stables, but the website says there will be plenty to see and do. There wasn’t. We were there a maximum of 20 mins. The museum was interesting with lots of artefacts. But out in the fields there were only 3 suffolk punch horses and one of them was in a far paddock with a couple of other horses which weren’t suffolk punches. There were a couple of donkeys and a couple of miniature horses and that was it! We had already had lunch so didn’t use the cafe. The heritage garden was just a mess of nettles and thistles. Bearing in mind not everyone was wearing masks or distancing they should really restart their demonstrations and tours.
Written August 13, 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 we are sorry you did not manage to see the 19 Suffolk Punch horses we have on site, including our 3 foals that were born this year. They are all in paddocks around the short walk and have been since we opened this season. As this walk takes around 30 minutes we can only assume that you chose not to do this.
Our garden is wonderful so we can only assume you did not actually enter the garden but got as far as our pond. This is full of nettles and wild shrubs at the moment as we are working with Native Gardens to encourage wildlife to return to our pond. The Heritage garden is full of roses at the moment with not a nettle in sight,
Written October 1, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emma_N68
Market Bosworth, UK2,423 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.
woodlet7
leics145 contributions
Sep 2020
We arrived a little late for our timed visit, not realising that this was actually a tour of the farm. However, the girls were very helpful and got us into a tour that was already going round. We saw numerous horses, and had the breeding of them explained. It’s lovely to know that the breed stock is growing, including 7 mares in foal ready for next year.
We used the cafe, and thoroughly enjoyed the cakes and coffee we had. We didn’t get to the garden, tractor ride or the heritage garden unfortunately but bought plants from the shop.
Well worth a visit, I would have preferred a pre-Covid visit, when I preserve we would have been able to wander round at our own speed.
We used the cafe, and thoroughly enjoyed the cakes and coffee we had. We didn’t get to the garden, tractor ride or the heritage garden unfortunately but bought plants from the shop.
Well worth a visit, I would have preferred a pre-Covid visit, when I preserve we would have been able to wander round at our own speed.
Written September 27, 2020
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.
S S
2 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Have visited twice this summer and had a nice time on both occasions. The walking tour was very informative, the museum has loads of exhibits, pretty little garden, friendly and helpful staff, nice cafe and seating area. All in all a lovely day out.
Written October 3, 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.
Zoe
6 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.
Alex
Ipswich, UK126 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.
Andrew F
Needham Market, UK66 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
We had a great visit today, 10 out of 10 :-)
There are some mixed reviews, don’t expect all the horses to be hanging over the fence waiting for you, why would they, some did, some didn’t… they live in fields, fields are big spaces!
The 7 day old foul chasing around the field was adorable, and great to see considering this breed is so few in number. After talking with a member of staff after the demo, you realise each new arrival is what makes this trust important.
The baby goats just 1 day old, I’ll never forget. Make sure you visit the stable, this is the best way to see the horses up close. I would have liked to see more done with pets corner and this felt like a missed opportunity, I also think it would satisfy lots of the reviews - but its just a suggestion and didn’t detract from my personal visit . The café was greats and the facilities were excellent. A very worthwhile cause, keep up the good work x
There are some mixed reviews, don’t expect all the horses to be hanging over the fence waiting for you, why would they, some did, some didn’t… they live in fields, fields are big spaces!
The 7 day old foul chasing around the field was adorable, and great to see considering this breed is so few in number. After talking with a member of staff after the demo, you realise each new arrival is what makes this trust important.
The baby goats just 1 day old, I’ll never forget. Make sure you visit the stable, this is the best way to see the horses up close. I would have liked to see more done with pets corner and this felt like a missed opportunity, I also think it would satisfy lots of the reviews - but its just a suggestion and didn’t detract from my personal visit . The café was greats and the facilities were excellent. A very worthwhile cause, keep up the good work x
Written April 11, 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.
Do u still have the horse adoption program
Beckie-Jayne F
Greenhithe5 contributions
Yes they still have adoption programme there. You can get it up on there website
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingSuffolk Punch Trust - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Suffolk Punch Trust
- Hotels near Suffolk Punch Trust:
- (0.59 mi) Richmond Hill Bed & Breakfast
- (1.18 mi) Run Cottage Touring Park
- (7.22 mi) Suffolk Yurt Holidays
- (4.50 mi) The Crown & Castle
- (8.28 mi) Secret Meadows Glamping
- Restaurants near Suffolk Punch Trust:
- (0.82 mi) Shepherd and Dog Inn
- (6.02 mi) The Green Man Inn
- (7.75 mi) Blue Naan
- (6.24 mi) The Galley
- (2.72 mi) The Sorrel Horse
Suffolk Punch Trust Information
Excellent Reviews | 150 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 55 |
Suffolk Punch Trust Photos | 115 |