8 amazing things to do in the local area this August
August is a lively month in the Dedham Vale. The sun is (almost) always shining, outdoor dining is pretty much a mandatory activity, and the festivities throughout the area are in full swing!
It’s a truly great time to be visiting the area with lots to do and see, and not only at weekends either. This month, there’s a variety of food and drink festivals, historic re-enactments, wildlife tours, outdoor cinema, and much more.
If you’re going to be in the local area this August, here is our round-up of the very best events we think you’ll love.
Bury St Edmunds’ Food and Drink Festival
26 – 27 August
Foodies should set their sights on Bury St Edmunds for the August Bank Holiday Weekend as this is when the annual Food and Drink festival takes place. With a line-up of cooking demonstrations from top celebrity chefs, the opportunity to purchase incredible food and drink from more than a 100 stalls and the festival’s popular farmer’s market, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
As an added bonus, the festival also includes lots to keep you occupied, including a constantly popular man-made beach for you to relax on, fairground rides, classic street entertainment, and a mini farm with cute animals to coo over. http://www.ourburystedmunds.com/foodanddrinkfestival
A Twistory Weekend at West Stow
11 – 12 August
Fact and fiction blur in this Twistory weekend at the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village. Experience a fun day out with members of the Dark Age group. Take part in knight training where you will learn how to fight (safely) in a special training area. Learn about magic and potions and create tea from wild herbs in the Apothecary’s house. Adventure out and go on a treasure hunt around the village. Visit the orc camp and see if you’re brave enough to fight them and enjoy tall tales of raiders, monsters, and battles that were won and lost. https://www.visitsuffolk.com/thedms.aspx?dms=12&campaign=0
Day passes are £6.00 for adults and £3.00 for children.
East Anglian Railway Museum Codebreaker Experience
Various Dates – August
Get a group of your friends and family together to enjoy a unique experience at the East Anglian Railway Museum. The EARM Codebreaker experience is the only escape room event that happens onboard a real train. Teams of four to eight players need to work together to help the intelligence agency secure a secret file called the Chappel Dossier. But can you find it in 60 minutes? Dates run from August to December with various times throughout the day. http://www.earm.co.uk/escape-room/
Tickets are £90.00 per team (between 4 – 8 players).
Ipswich Maritime Gin Festival
16 – 24 August
Hosted by specialist food and drink events company Beer&Co, the Ipswich Maritime Gin Festival will be an extravaganza of gin cocktails, river cruises and firework spectaculars. This inaugural festival will offer something special to every gin lover with unique tasting sessions across a variety of fantastic venues. The festival kicks off with a summer evening cruise on the river Orwell with local craft distiller, The Heart of Suffolk. This is followed by a variety of sessions over the next two days including gin brunches, lunches, and a massive party and celebration on the 18 August hosted at Jerwood Dancehouse on the Ipswich waterfront. https://beerandco.uk/events/
Sessions are booking out quickly, so make sure to grab your tickets now
Outdoor Cinema
Various locations and dates throughout August
Grab a cosy blanket, some cushions and movie snacks and enjoy a brilliant film under the setting sun at an outdoor cinema event this month.
There are a variety of film showings in locations across East Anglia for visitors to choose from. Some of the most popular include the screens in Castle Park, Colchester or the Abberton Reservoir. Why not enjoy Tom Hank’s breakout performance in the classic, Big on the big screen in Colchester’s Castle Park or Tom Cruise in Top Gun at the Abberton Reservoir while surrounded by nature.
Beth Chatto Gardens Wildlife Fair
21 – 22 August
The annual Wildlife Fair at Beth Chatto Gardens is a popular event during the summer holidays. Wildlife experts and societies come together for two days of fun out in the summer sun. Visitors can try a number of activities, such as pond dipping, taste local honey and go on a bee safari, and enjoy a whole host of demonstrations, crafts and games throughout the weekday event. http://www.bethchatto.co.uk/
Tickets are £8.45 for adults and just £1.50 for children (or free if you book in advance).
Dedham Vale Cider and Wine Festival
25 – 26 August
Over 40 ales, ciders, and English wines will be available to try at this year’s Dedham Vale Vineyard Festival. With great music from local bands, crafts and games (for kids and adults!) and delicious food stalls you can set up camp and enjoy a weekend of fun and frolics in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. https://www.facebook.com/events/479095932505721/
Tickets are just £12.50 in advance with camping included, or £7.50 in advance for just a day pass.
Theatre in the Forest – Jimmy’s Farm
1 – 26 August
What could be better than watching Shakespeare in the great outdoors?! Organised by the Red Rose Chain Theatre company and held in the woods at Jimmy’s Farm, this production of Much Ado About Nothing contains laugh out loud songs and slapstick gags that will have both adults and children feeling merry. With fighter pilots, jitterbugging and romance, it’s a fantastic day or evening event for all the family. https://redrosechain.com/theatre-in-the-forest
On select nights you can also book pre-theatre dinner at Jimmy’s Farm restaurant, so if you’re celebrating a special occasion you could make a full night of it!