Stepping Out at Stonham Barns Park!
Holiday park grounds are open for dog walks, family exercise and essential shopping
As we move towards the end of the third and hopefully final lockdown in Suffolk, we are again contemplating how to fill the time, and where to exercise and shop for essential supplies.
Stonham Barns Park has confirmed that its grounds are open for residents to visit to enjoy dog walks and family exercise, giving people the motivation to go outside to improve their overall wellbeing and mental health. From 1-8 March, recreation or exercise outdoors is possible with one household group or an individual with one other person. From 29 March up to six people can meet outdoors or two separate households. Golf will also restart, and organised outdoor sport will be allowed.
Over 140 acres of open spaces in the beautiful Suffolk countryside are available for daily exercise, as recommended by the Government during lockdown. Whether running, walking, or doing an outdoor fitness activity, people are advised to try to make the most of getting outside. Visitors are allowed to walk around the lakes, showground and open countryside as long as they respect social distancing rules and other official Government guidelines.
There are also some essential shops open at the holiday, retail and activities centre including the Bistro at the Barns which is offering coffees and other hot drinks, a takeaway and delivery service to cover burgers, pizzas and even Sunday lunches; Stonham Barn Post Office open six days a week, and Stonham Barns Bistro Farm Shop & Deli offering everything from fresh fruit and veg to local produce including jams; and from chillies and chutneys to bread and milk.
Stonham Barns Park’s Specialist Garden Centre is also open offering plants, pots, benches, garden sculpture and more to those who are looking to make changes to their gardens during the run up to the warmer Spring months. Award-winning plant and landscape specialist Nick Crosby is on hand at the centre to give advice and guidance on garden plans and renovations.
Explains owner Alan Forward, ‘We are a destination venue for those who want to holiday in the UK, and an all year-round park, retail and activity centre for people who live on our doorstep. We have supported our local community during the 2020 lockdowns, and we are keen to do continue until lockdown ends on 21 June. We are seeing an increase in the numbers of local visitors as people come here to access takeaways, food shopping and a whole range of products and accessories for the garden.’
‘We are happy to welcome locals to our park to enjoy its natural beauty. This is not only helping to give people something different to do, in their own locality, but helping them to exercise and gain the much-needed mental health benefits of being close to nature. We hope that life will soon be returning to normal – and then we will be happy to welcome all of our customers and visitors back to the park – but until then we hope we can help members of our local-community to keep happy and healthy!’
Stonham Barns Park will be coming back with its seasonal events programme once lockdown is eased again. One of the first events of the year will be the Bike Nights on Thursday evenings which attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex.
It is planned to start in April.
The retail outlets based at Stonham Barns Park will continue to sell products online. Shops include pre-loved children’s clothing Just Peachy, The Book Seller, Hot Tub Village, Molly Blog Olde Sweet Shoppe, Little Dance Barn for ballet and dance products, Stone Rose Crystals for crystals, rocks, minerals and gemstones, Boutique at the Barns for clothing and accessories, Carters of Suffolk for teapots, ceramics and gifts, Chinzy Lamp at Stonham Barns for pre-loved antiques, glass wear and vintage items, Grannies Attic pre-loved clothes and accessories, FuturePresentsNow and, newly-added, SUP Den for stand up paddle boards.
A day out for all the family to suit all ages, other activities at Stonham Barns Park include an indoor play barn, bouncy pillow and a golf centre featuring foot golf and adventure golf. These popular activities will re-open again to the public after lockdown ends.
Stonham Barns Park has been awarded the VisitEngland ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry charter mark which verifies that the attraction meets the Government and Public Health guidance on Covid-19. All the required health and safety processes are in place including hand sanitising stations, social distancing and NHS Track & Trace check-in.
For more information call Stonham Barns Park on 01449 711111 or visit www.stonhambarns.co.uk
