It is shaping up to be a busy year in Clare Castle Country Park. Our National Lottery Heritage Fund project is well underway with a new circular bench being installed to stand proudly at the top of our motte [pictured below], our play train being a new family favourite stopping point and Visitor Centre being designed to open just in time for Summer.

As these fantastic changes happen around us, we have also put together a jam-packed programme of events that taps into nature, history, heritage and general good family fun. Looking to spring we have an Easter model railway exhibition (10-13 April) in The Old Goods Shed. Working with the East Anglian Railway Museum and Sudbury District Model Railway Club we will be filling The Old Goods Shed with artefacts from our lost railway line and displaying wonderful models throughout the weekend. Open 10-4 Friday-Monday we expect this will be a great day out for all of the family.
We also have a brilliant programme of wood carving events thanks to The Woodland Haberdasher. You might be carving a teaspoon one day, whittling a butter knife the next and playing around with natural dyes the week after. Tickets are on sale for these events with some being specially hosted for families and others for grown ups looking to try out a new skill.
With a nod to our heritage, this May we’ve got a one-day special of longbow classes. Alan of Arnor Archery will be turning participants into Norman Knights for the day, shooting targets in the outer bailey where numerous flint arrowheads have been found in previous years’ archaeological excavations.
There is plenty more happening too such as our community bioblitz, regular kids craft mornings, community den building, art exhibitions and more. There is something for everyone in Suffolk’s most diverse country park so make sure you keep up to date by checking our website (www.clarecastlecountrypark.co.uk) and social media.
We are also always on the lookout for volunteers so please get in touch if you’d like to find out more about how you can get involved with the Trust. We look forward to welcoming you in the coming months.
