Mellis Common

A sprawl of open heathland just outside Eye, Mellis Common is one of those places that creeps up on you. The first time I wandered across it, I wasn't expecting much - just a car park and a walk - but the space has a real pull to it. The common itself is a modest mix of gorse, heather, and grassland, the sort of Suffolk landscape that's quietly beautiful rather than showy. You get views across the countryside, nothing dramatic, but proper restful.

It's genuinely free to access, with decent paths that are flat enough for families with buggies, though it's muddy after rain so come prepared. Most people spend an hour here, maybe ninety minutes if you're the type who likes to dawdle. The common attracts walkers far more than sightseers - locals with dogs, ramblers following longer trails. Kids won't get bored straight away, especially if there's wildlife spotting to be done, though it's not a destination that'll keep under-tens entertained for half a day.

For a Suffolk holiday based around Hill Farm or elsewhere in the area, Mellis Common works as a morning walk rather than a full attraction. It breaks up the trip nicely between villages like Eye and the broader East Anglian landscape. Come early if you want some quiet, or midweek to avoid school groups. The light's best in late afternoon - worth timing your visit around that if you're after decent photos.