Kayak and Boat Hire

The stretch of water near Sudbury has become the go-to spot for anyone wanting to mess about on a boat without the faff of owning one. You can hire kayaks or larger vessels depending on what you're after, and honestly, it's a proper way to see the Suffolk countryside from a different angle. The river here meanders through genuinely pleasant landscape - the sort of thing that makes you understand why Constable painted this area so much. It's peaceful, especially if you go early, though weekends can get a bit busier with families making the most of school holidays.

The experience suits people who enjoy being on water but don't want to navigate anything too demanding. Kids tend to love it, and it breaks up a park holiday nicely - you're looking at a couple of hours if you want a leisurely paddle, more if you hire something bigger. Worth checking ahead for specific hire rates and whether they do season passes if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots like Lake View Lodges or Woodchests for a week.

If you're based at any of the holiday parks around here - Cranfield Retreat or The Huts at Woodthorpes are within five miles - this is a genuine escape from the lodge without driving far. The water's calm enough that you don't need experience, but the paddle is rewarding enough to keep adults engaged. Summer's the obvious time, though spring and autumn can be equally nice and less crowded.