Snape Maltings

Red brick buildings sprawl across the Suffolk countryside near Saxmundham, their industrial scale at odds with the rural flatness around them. Snape Maltings is exactly what the name suggests - a Victorian-era malting plant where barley was processed for breweries, now converted into something far more civilised: a cultural venue and shopping destination. The complex hosts a concert hall (the Benjamin Britten Concert Hall, if you care about such things), galleries, shops selling everything from art to homewares, and several places to eat. It's genuinely worth the detour if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Wantisden, Brick Kiln Farm, or Carlton Meres are all under five miles away. The walk around the site itself takes about an hour if you're leisurely; the riverside setting is pleasant enough, though the Suffolk landscape won't knock your socks off. Families with teenagers who tolerate a bit of culture will do fine here. Younger children might find it a touch dull unless there's a specific exhibition on. The real draw is the calendar of events - live music, theatre, comedy - so check what's on before you visit. Parking is straightforward and free. Admission to wander the grounds and shops costs nothing; it's only ticketed events that require payment. Late spring through early autumn is when it feels most alive, when the riverside gardens are actually worth sitting in and the concert programme hits stride. It pairs well with a coastal break - you're only twenty minutes from Aldeburgh if you fancy fish and chips by the sea.