Suffolk UK Olympics 2012
Get Set for the Games!
If you've been successful in the ticket ballot then now is a good time to start planning your break. Suffolk is just an hour away from the Olympic Stadium at Stratford and with a direct train line straight to the Stadium all the way up to Lowestoft, you can base yourself here and get into the Games easily and quickly.
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games will take place from 27th July to 12th August 2012, followed by the 2012 Paralympic Games from 29th August to 9th September in Stratford, East London. This will be the third time London has hosted the Games, having previously done so in 1908 and 1948. Most of the Olympic events will take place in Stratford, Newham, which is only an hour's journey from Suffolk by train or car.
See below for the Olympic torch route through Suffolk before the Games
Suffolk is a fun and fascinating place to visit if you're coming to London for the UK Olympics 2012, either as a participant taking a break from training, a journalist covering the event, or a spectator visiting with family or friends. In Suffolk you will find plenty of great days out and things to do, attractions, events such as music concerts, festivals, art exhibitions and plays, as well as beautiful rolling countryside, sunny beaches and English Heritage. But better book your accommodation quickly as we're expecting a rush! Please see Suffolk Hotel Accommodation for the 2012 Olympics and Suffolk Accommodation for listings of places to stay in Suffolk.
On the Suffolk/Essex border and situated only 55 minutes from the Olympic Village; The Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf And Spa provides a convenient yet tranquil place for you to stay during the 2012 Games. In fact, with such amazing facilities on offer, this welcoming family-owned hotel is a destination in itself.
Travelling from London to Suffolk is very easy - drivers can hire a car (see Hertz car hire) and simply jump on the A12 and expect to arrive in Suffolk in no time. Catching the train direct from Stratford to Ipswich also couldn’t be easier, and takes about an hour. From Ipswich you can then easily travel by train to Felixstowe, or up to Lowestoft via Halesworth. Train and coach travel are quick and cost effective options. Loads of great deals and bargains can be had when booking train or coach tickets in advance and especially during the School Summer Holidays, and there are often Group Saver discounts on offer too - please see TRAINLINE for full details.
August is a glorious month to visit Suffolk as it is one of the sunniest places in the whole of the UK! We have a microclimate here so it'#s a great base for your UK holiday - see Sunny Suffolk for all the facts!
If you do arrive on one of the rare wet weather days, there are still more than enough Rainy Day Activities in Suffolk to keep everyone entertained!
Ipswich is a great place to base yourself for the Olympics - you'll find accommodation is much cheaper here than in central London, and travel to and from the Olympics site will probably be quicker than trying to negotiate through London's busy traffic! Ipswich is Suffolk’s county town and proudly boasts many historic and fascinating buildings, whilst also being modern and dynamic.
For families, a day out to Jimmy's Farm, Ipswich is fun for all. You will get to meet the farm animals, kids can have fun on the Nature Trail and Jimmy's Adventure Playground, and there are regular Farmers’ Markets and event throughout the year.
For adventurous families there is Anglia Indoor Karting, Ipswich, a premier Indoor Karting track that is sure to get everyone’s pulse racing! There is ‘Kubz Karting’ for under 8’s.
Equally exciting and sporty is Suffolk Leisure Park, Ipswich. Here you will find a variety of facilities including 3 dry ski slopes, tobogganing slope, climbing wall and high ropes course, plus the Lodge Restaurant & Bar.
For all foodies you'll be delighted to find lots of fresh. seasonal, local Suffolk produce at the Suffolk Food Hall, Ipswich brings together the best offerings of local food & drink. Here you will find a butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer, baker, wine merchant, and a beer cellar, so are sure to go home with something tasty!
For refreshment, Quayside, Ipswich is a fresh and modern all-day cafe, restaurant and bar on the Ipswich Waterfront.
For a unique meal out, enjoy some fine French cuisine at Mariners Restaurant, Ipswich, a popular French Brassierie on a 110 year old Dutch boat at Ipswich Marina.
There is so much to see and do in Ipswich (not to mention other nearby towns & villages such as Woodbridge, Aldeburgh, Lavenham, Felixstowe and Sudbury, not to mention the rest of Suffolk!) that you'll want to spend a lot of time here in between your sessions watching the events at the Olympics!
Staying at the Hintlesham Hall Hotel, Ipswich is the ultimate way to indulge as this grand hotel with spectacular grounds provides luxurious rooms, attentive staff and fine dining. There are also Health & Beauty treatments available, and a fully equipped gym complete with swimming pool – this is sure to please the athletes amongst you who want to take a break whilst still staying in shape.
Also of interest to those with combining sport and leisure is the adjacent Hintlesham Golf Club, Ipswich.
For more places to stay in Ipswich please see our guide to Ipswich Hotels.
Once you have reached Ipswich, should you want to explore what the rest of Suffolk has to offer (and there is a lot!), travel connections by road and rail are easily accessible across the county.
‘Variety’ is a key word when describing the towns and villages of Suffolk. Some are medieval, others are contemporary, many are peaceful and plenty are thriving – all are charming and accommodating, and promise a warm and friendly welcome to all.
Some delights of Suffolk you can discover includes the preserved medieval village of Bury St Edmunds; Britain's 7th most desirable village, Long Melford; areas on the Suffolk coast such as Lowestoft, and Southwold; home of horse racing, Newmarket; and the haven of peace and relaxation, Orford.
Bury St Edmunds will play host to members of both the Rwandan Olympic and Paralympic teams in the run up to the Games. The teams have signed an agreement to use facilities such as the West Suffolk Athletics Arena and Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre in their preparations for the Games. For more information on visiting Bury St Edmunds please click on the link above, and also see Days Out in Bury St Edmunds.
Find out more about what Suffolk has to offer those of you on a Day Trip from London to Suffolk and also those on a Short Break in Suffolk, and please also see the many other reasons why you should Visit Suffolk, a Top Tourist Destination.
You will be spoilt for choice when trying to decide how to spend your Days Out in Suffolk. There is a full selection of Things to Do in Suffolk, and also Great Value Days Out in Suffolk, so you will be able to find something to suit all interests, ages and budgets.
To keep the children happy and entertained there are fantastic Kids' Days Out in Suffolk, and the chances are you will be lucky enough to catch one of the many Suffolk Festivals that occur yearly.
Suffolk is the birthplace of Constable and Gainsborough so you can expect to find a number of excellent Art Galleries showing both modern and tradional art, and you might like to check out current Art Exhibitions on the dates that you're staying in Suffolk.
In the evenings you can treat yourselves to dinner at one of the great many Suffolk Restaurants that serve every possible type of cuisine, from local, home-cooked fare to first-class fine dining - and everything in between! A lovely way to spend a night is to Eat Out in Suffolk and then take in a Music Concert.
There is always something happening in Suffolk - for a full guide to events happening across Suffolk throughout the year please see What's On Suffolk.
As you have seen, Suffolk makes for a great day out - so much so, in fact, that a number of people who visit Suffolk for the day often return for longer stays.
Old Hall Farm Cottages, are ideally situated for an Olympic Base. Travel by train from Halesworth directly to Stratford, the gateway to the Olympic Stadium. They have an indoor heated swimming pool, stables, and a separate Games Barn with table tennis, giant draughts, a pool table and an indoor astro-turf pitch for football, hockey or tennis so you will find there is plenty to keep you busy in between games.
For more details and booking, please see: Old Hall Farm Cottages
When staying overnight or longer, there is every type of hotel and accommodation that you can think of, including Suffolk Hotels - where a number of bargains, deals and Special Offers from Suffolk Hotels are waiting to be snatched up - plus Suffolk Bed & Breakfasts and Suffolk Inns & Pubs.
Please see Accommodation in Suffolk for a complete list of all your accommodation options.
We hope you have a great time when entering or watching the UK Olympics 2012, and look forward to seeing you in Suffolk soon!
The Torch Relay will travel through over 1000 UK communities before the Games and a different town or city will welcome the Olympic Flame every evening of the Torch Relay. The Torch will arrive in Suffolk on Thursday 5th July 2012 and will stay overnight in Ipswich before moving on to Essex and the nearby Olympic Stadium in Stratford. Don't miss it!
Thursday 5 July 2012
Norwich
Acle
Filby
Great Yarmouth
Lowestoft
Wrentham
Reydon
Southwold
Kelsale
Saxmundham
Aldeburgh
Wickham Market
Ufford
Melton
Woodbridge
Felixstowe
Ipswich (Evening celebration)
Friday 6 July
Ipswich
Colchester
Hatfield Peverel
Heybridge
Maldon
Rayleigh
Southend-on-Sea
Hadleigh
Basildon
Grays
Herongate
Brentwood
Chelmsford (Evening celebration)...
If you've been successful in the ticket ballot then now is a good time to start planning your break. Suffolk is just an hour away from the Olympic Stadium at Stratford and with a direct train line straight to the Stadium all the way up to Lowestoft, you can base yourself here and get into the Games easily and quickly.
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games will take place from 27th July to 12th August 2012, followed by the 2012 Paralympic Games from 29th August to 9th September in Stratford, East London. This will be the third time London has hosted the Games, having previously done so in 1908 and 1948. Most of the Olympic events will take place in Stratford, Newham, which is only an hour's journey from Suffolk by train or car.
See below for the Olympic torch route through Suffolk before the Games
Suffolk UK Olympics 2012 - Day Trips and Short Breaks in Suffolk
Suffolk is a fun and fascinating place to visit if you're coming to London for the UK Olympics 2012, either as a participant taking a break from training, a journalist covering the event, or a spectator visiting with family or friends. In Suffolk you will find plenty of great days out and things to do, attractions, events such as music concerts, festivals, art exhibitions and plays, as well as beautiful rolling countryside, sunny beaches and English Heritage. But better book your accommodation quickly as we're expecting a rush! Please see Suffolk Hotel Accommodation for the 2012 Olympics and Suffolk Accommodation for listings of places to stay in Suffolk.
On the Suffolk/Essex border and situated only 55 minutes from the Olympic Village; The Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf And Spa provides a convenient yet tranquil place for you to stay during the 2012 Games. In fact, with such amazing facilities on offer, this welcoming family-owned hotel is a destination in itself.
Suffolk UK Olympics 2012 - Travelling from London to Ipswich, Suffolk
Travelling from London to Suffolk is very easy - drivers can hire a car (see Hertz car hire) and simply jump on the A12 and expect to arrive in Suffolk in no time. Catching the train direct from Stratford to Ipswich also couldn’t be easier, and takes about an hour. From Ipswich you can then easily travel by train to Felixstowe, or up to Lowestoft via Halesworth. Train and coach travel are quick and cost effective options. Loads of great deals and bargains can be had when booking train or coach tickets in advance and especially during the School Summer Holidays, and there are often Group Saver discounts on offer too - please see TRAINLINE for full details.
August is a glorious month to visit Suffolk as it is one of the sunniest places in the whole of the UK! We have a microclimate here so it'#s a great base for your UK holiday - see Sunny Suffolk for all the facts!
Nomad Living
2012 Olympics
Tickets for an event or two?
Wondering what to do with your time between events? Why not make the most of East Anglia while you are here and hire an original 1970s VW camper van? We will help you find camp sites that meets your requirements and are not too far from a mainline station to the games in Stratford. Everything will be on board for you so you can travel light. For more details and booking, please see: Nomad Living
Tickets for an event or two?
Wondering what to do with your time between events? Why not make the most of East Anglia while you are here and hire an original 1970s VW camper van? We will help you find camp sites that meets your requirements and are not too far from a mainline station to the games in Stratford. Everything will be on board for you so you can travel light. For more details and booking, please see: Nomad Living
If you do arrive on one of the rare wet weather days, there are still more than enough Rainy Day Activities in Suffolk to keep everyone entertained!
Ipswich is a great place to base yourself for the Olympics - you'll find accommodation is much cheaper here than in central London, and travel to and from the Olympics site will probably be quicker than trying to negotiate through London's busy traffic! Ipswich is Suffolk’s county town and proudly boasts many historic and fascinating buildings, whilst also being modern and dynamic.
For families, a day out to Jimmy's Farm, Ipswich is fun for all. You will get to meet the farm animals, kids can have fun on the Nature Trail and Jimmy's Adventure Playground, and there are regular Farmers’ Markets and event throughout the year.
For adventurous families there is Anglia Indoor Karting, Ipswich, a premier Indoor Karting track that is sure to get everyone’s pulse racing! There is ‘Kubz Karting’ for under 8’s.
Equally exciting and sporty is Suffolk Leisure Park, Ipswich. Here you will find a variety of facilities including 3 dry ski slopes, tobogganing slope, climbing wall and high ropes course, plus the Lodge Restaurant & Bar.
For all foodies you'll be delighted to find lots of fresh. seasonal, local Suffolk produce at the Suffolk Food Hall, Ipswich brings together the best offerings of local food & drink. Here you will find a butcher, fishmonger, greengrocer, baker, wine merchant, and a beer cellar, so are sure to go home with something tasty!
For refreshment, Quayside, Ipswich is a fresh and modern all-day cafe, restaurant and bar on the Ipswich Waterfront.
For a unique meal out, enjoy some fine French cuisine at Mariners Restaurant, Ipswich, a popular French Brassierie on a 110 year old Dutch boat at Ipswich Marina.
There is so much to see and do in Ipswich (not to mention other nearby towns & villages such as Woodbridge, Aldeburgh, Lavenham, Felixstowe and Sudbury, not to mention the rest of Suffolk!) that you'll want to spend a lot of time here in between your sessions watching the events at the Olympics!
Staying at the Hintlesham Hall Hotel, Ipswich is the ultimate way to indulge as this grand hotel with spectacular grounds provides luxurious rooms, attentive staff and fine dining. There are also Health & Beauty treatments available, and a fully equipped gym complete with swimming pool – this is sure to please the athletes amongst you who want to take a break whilst still staying in shape.
Also of interest to those with combining sport and leisure is the adjacent Hintlesham Golf Club, Ipswich.
For more places to stay in Ipswich please see our guide to Ipswich Hotels.
Suffolk UK Olympics 2012 - Visiting Suffolk
Once you have reached Ipswich, should you want to explore what the rest of Suffolk has to offer (and there is a lot!), travel connections by road and rail are easily accessible across the county.
‘Variety’ is a key word when describing the towns and villages of Suffolk. Some are medieval, others are contemporary, many are peaceful and plenty are thriving – all are charming and accommodating, and promise a warm and friendly welcome to all.
Some delights of Suffolk you can discover includes the preserved medieval village of Bury St Edmunds; Britain's 7th most desirable village, Long Melford; areas on the Suffolk coast such as Lowestoft, and Southwold; home of horse racing, Newmarket; and the haven of peace and relaxation, Orford.
Bury St Edmunds will play host to members of both the Rwandan Olympic and Paralympic teams in the run up to the Games. The teams have signed an agreement to use facilities such as the West Suffolk Athletics Arena and Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre in their preparations for the Games. For more information on visiting Bury St Edmunds please click on the link above, and also see Days Out in Bury St Edmunds.
Find out more about what Suffolk has to offer those of you on a Day Trip from London to Suffolk and also those on a Short Break in Suffolk, and please also see the many other reasons why you should Visit Suffolk, a Top Tourist Destination.
You will be spoilt for choice when trying to decide how to spend your Days Out in Suffolk. There is a full selection of Things to Do in Suffolk, and also Great Value Days Out in Suffolk, so you will be able to find something to suit all interests, ages and budgets.
To keep the children happy and entertained there are fantastic Kids' Days Out in Suffolk, and the chances are you will be lucky enough to catch one of the many Suffolk Festivals that occur yearly.
Suffolk is the birthplace of Constable and Gainsborough so you can expect to find a number of excellent Art Galleries showing both modern and tradional art, and you might like to check out current Art Exhibitions on the dates that you're staying in Suffolk.
In the evenings you can treat yourselves to dinner at one of the great many Suffolk Restaurants that serve every possible type of cuisine, from local, home-cooked fare to first-class fine dining - and everything in between! A lovely way to spend a night is to Eat Out in Suffolk and then take in a Music Concert.
There is always something happening in Suffolk - for a full guide to events happening across Suffolk throughout the year please see What's On Suffolk.
Suffolk UK Olympics 2012 - Staying in Suffolk
As you have seen, Suffolk makes for a great day out - so much so, in fact, that a number of people who visit Suffolk for the day often return for longer stays.
Old Hall Farm Cottages, are ideally situated for an Olympic Base. Travel by train from Halesworth directly to Stratford, the gateway to the Olympic Stadium. They have an indoor heated swimming pool, stables, and a separate Games Barn with table tennis, giant draughts, a pool table and an indoor astro-turf pitch for football, hockey or tennis so you will find there is plenty to keep you busy in between games.
For more details and booking, please see: Old Hall Farm Cottages
When staying overnight or longer, there is every type of hotel and accommodation that you can think of, including Suffolk Hotels - where a number of bargains, deals and Special Offers from Suffolk Hotels are waiting to be snatched up - plus Suffolk Bed & Breakfasts and Suffolk Inns & Pubs.
Please see Accommodation in Suffolk for a complete list of all your accommodation options.
We hope you have a great time when entering or watching the UK Olympics 2012, and look forward to seeing you in Suffolk soon!
Olympic torch route through Suffolk before the Games
The Torch Relay will travel through over 1000 UK communities before the Games and a different town or city will welcome the Olympic Flame every evening of the Torch Relay. The Torch will arrive in Suffolk on Thursday 5th July 2012 and will stay overnight in Ipswich before moving on to Essex and the nearby Olympic Stadium in Stratford. Don't miss it!
Thursday 5 July 2012
Norwich
Acle
Filby
Great Yarmouth
Lowestoft
Wrentham
Reydon
Southwold
Kelsale
Saxmundham
Aldeburgh
Wickham Market
Ufford
Melton
Woodbridge
Felixstowe
Ipswich (Evening celebration)
Friday 6 July
Ipswich
Colchester
Hatfield Peverel
Heybridge
Maldon
Rayleigh
Southend-on-Sea
Hadleigh
Basildon
Grays
Herongate
Brentwood
Chelmsford (Evening celebration)...
