Days Out: Framlingham Castle, English Heritage, Suffolk

"Framlingham Castle is a magnificent 12th century fortress with a long and colourful past which makes a fascinating family day out in Suffolk. The castle was once the refuge of Mary Tudor before she became Queen in 1553 and visitors can now explore over 800 years of life at Framlingham Castle."

I have been to Framilingham many times, it's a wonderful old village with a beautiful church, lively pubs and a unique castle. The castle itself doesn't have rooms to explore. It's all about the wall-walk. As the wind whips past, you can meander the wall path, listening to the audio guide: nicely done with both child and adult versions, we listened to both! The wall-walk could take as little as 15 minutes. However, we were up there for an hour because it was a sunny day and the views are fantastic! The wall is lined with curious Tudor chimneys poking out here and there. Inside the walls there is a well kept lawn where seats are plentiful and there are games and activities for kids.

All along the wall-walk there is information about how the land has changed and how it was once used when part of the castle estate. If you venture outside the walls (the free bit), you can relax anywhere on the expansive grounds and consider another time and place, and where you can get ice-cream. There are great views of the surrounding landscape and also a track where you can follow a full circuit of the exterior castle. This is a fun and lively castle with good places to sit and ponder.

Days Out: Orford Castle, English Heritage, Suffolk

This is my favourite castle in the UK and I have visited many times. Orford Castle was built in 1165 and has a unique polygonal tower projecting power and wealth – a little intimidating! I love that it is unfurnished, allowing you to let your imagination go wild, visualising how it would look and smell, and conjuring up grand feasts and royal events. Maybe I read a little too much Philippa Gregory! For those wanting real information there is an amusing, but slightly irritating, audio guide with "authentic" music and oldy worlde accents. Worth a listen on your first visit.

You can venture pretty much anywhere you like from the basement to the roof. Go up and down higgledy-piggledy little staircases and discover hidden chambers, the chapel and lots of sinks! The roof has yet more little cubby holes to enjoy, and rewards your hike up the stairs with a magnificent view of Orford Ness and surrounding areas.

Orford also has Orford Ness, a short walk away, and discovered a great trek along the headlands. The track didn't seem to have an end or a circular nature to it though... I'm never thrilled when I have to retrace my steps!

Oh yes, and we had a delicious lunch at the Butley Orford Oysterage. My boyfriend tried his first ever oysters– after the first one, which he chewed, he swallowed the next doused in Tabasco! We had a great lunch here, good for a special treat.

If you're in Suffolk, visiting Orford is a must, wander around the little village and definitely go inside the castle and eat something that has been smoked!