If you’re looking for a children’s birthday party in Bury St Edmunds that’s different from the usual soft play or village hall affair, you’re in the right place! Last year we went for a Pizza Express party for our son’s birthday – this year, we booked a morning at Lackford Lakes, part of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. If your child loves outdoor adventures, it’s an option that’s well worth considering.
Booking and first impressions
The booking process was straightforward and well-managed. The dedicated party page on the Suffolk Wildlife Trust website provides information about birthday parties at Lackford Lakes and other SWT sites, as well as links to enquiry forms for each site.
Once Katy, Lackford Lakes’ Engagement Officer, had confirmed that our preferred date and time were available, we received a form to fill out to confirm timings, numbers and any mobility issues or learning needs so that activities could be adapted if needed. Payment (£180 for up to 20 children) was quick and easy.
From the very first email, Katy was friendly, responsive and helpful. She not only handled all the pre-party communication, but also ran the party on the day – it was nice that we’d already had that contact beforehand.
What’s included
The Lackford Lakes party package includes two activities of your choice from a list of six:
- Pond dipping
- Den building
- Minibeast hunting
- Scavenger hunts & natural art
- Muddy play
- Outdoor games
Some of these activities are age- and season-dependent, so double-check before booking.
The package also included exclusive use of the site’s Learning Room. A few birthday decorations were already in place, and the room came equipped with one main table and a couple of smaller tables (perfect for cake and party bags), covered with tablecloths, as well as plastic plates and cups plus a water jug for the kids. You bring your own food and drink, which gives you flexibility and keeps costs down.
We were also able to use a hot water urn and mugs, allowing us to bring hot drinks for parents – much-needed in January!
We were allowed to arrive 15 minutes early to set up, and a whiteboard by the entrance clearly directed guests where to go when they arrived.
The activities
Once everyone had arrived, Katy gave a clear safety briefing before leading us through a gate, past the sailing club and – much to the children’s delight – through a field of sheep on the way to the woodland area.
There, the children sat on a circle of logs while Katy explained the plan for the morning’s activities: den building, scavenger hunts and natural art.
The den building was a huge hit. Some trees already had the beginnings of dens propped up against them, and the children loved finding additional branches and (with adult help) making these dens even bigger and better. There was plenty of space to run, explore and play safely, with clear boundaries explained at the start.
Each child was also given a basket and a laminated scavenger hunt sheet so they could search for natural items (something spotty, five tiny twigs, for example), which they then used to create animal pictures on the ground.
The party room
After the activities, we returned to the party room for a picnic-style lunch and birthday cake. The room itself is a great size, and the real highlight is the large window overlooking a wildlife area with bird feeders and a pond.
During the party, the children spotted a variety of birds and even two muntjac deer grazing not far from where they stood. There was also the option to borrow binoculars, which added another layer of excitement.
Final thoughts
At £180 for up to 20 children (plus the cost of bringing your own food), our son’s party at Lackford Lakes felt like great value, particularly given the length of the party (2.5 hours), the expert supervision and the fun the children all had.
Most importantly, it offered something genuinely different from the usual party options. For children who enjoy the outdoors – and parents looking for a memorable celebration that burns off energy and offers a good amount of fresh air – a birthday party at Lackford Lakes is a brilliant choice.
Learn more about Suffolk Wildlife Trust outdoor birthday parties in Suffolk here.