Great Days out by Bus
Essex and Suffolk are full to the brim with places to visit and activities to enjoy. From the historic and cultural Colchester, Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds to the seaside fun of Clacton and beyond, there is so many places for everyone to explore! And the best thing is that you can visit it all by bus! Not only can you travel in a more environmentally friendly way, but you never have to worry about finding a pesky parking spot.
Plan your Great Day Out buy Bus with the Hedingham and Chambers App
Family Day Trips out By Bus
Hop aboard our buses with the kids for a fantastic day out without the traffic or parking fees! You and the kids (or grandchildren) can ditch the car and relax onboard with Hedingham & Chambers.
Find some of the best day trips for the family in Essex and Suffolk, easily accessible through the Hedingham & Chambers Network.
Top Attractions by bus
There are so many gems around Suffolk and Essex that you can get to with Hedingham & Chambers buses, just find your stop and be on your way!
Hobby Historians, you can get to Hedingham Castle by bus, and admire the Norman keep and its impressive preservation. Over 900 years old, this historic fortress has lots to offer. Climb the great tower and roam its ancient landscape. Be sure to check their calendar for their exciting events.
Railway enthusiasts, head to Colne Valley Railway and the East Anglian Railway Museum (where you can get a discount with your Hedingham & Chambers bus ticket: discover rewards). Check out the collection of vintage trains, and maybe even hop aboard one! It's more than just a train ride with its host of interactive activities, models, educational walks and trails.
Harry Potter fans in Suffolk, you’re closer than you think to an iconic filming location from the franchise! The quaint and picturesque village of Lavenham in Suffolk is seeped in history and a must-see for all wizarding enthusiasts who want to discover the real Godric’s Hollow as featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. While you’re there, visit Lavenham Guildhall and marvel at the historical architecture.
Jam lovers, why not go to the Tiptree Jam Museum? This classic preserve is local to the Essex village, and you can learn about jam-making over the years, and even shop or enjoy an afternoon tea with the tasty conserves. Enjoy a discount at a Tiptree Tearoom as part of our reward partners scheme.
Visit Colchester by bus
The historical ‘oldest city’, Colchester is a great place to fill the day with fun, food, and fresh air. Visit the Natural History Museum and the Hollytrees Museum for a taste of local history and to learn something new! A wonderful educational offering in the heart of Colchester, the Natural History Museum displays artefacts of local interest, interactive wildlife activities and even has a gift shop for souvenirs! The Hollytrees Museum is a beautiful Georgian Townhouse, home to a collection of displays reflecting the social history of the town from years gone by. Discover what life was like for rich and poor alike through clocks, costumes, toys and much more.
The first Roman capital of Britain, Colchester is packed full of history, art and culture. Explore Colchester Castle, its museum, and its Roman walls, stroll around the Castle Park and enjoy a game of Pitch and Putt on the Green. Marvel at the landscape which once captured Gainsborough’s attention or enjoy a spot of shopping at Lion’s Walk and Culver Square.
When visiting Colchester it’s worth checking out the Mercury Theatre and Firstsite Gallery to enjoy both local and national talent, from comedy shows to free exhibitions.
One of the top attractions in Colchester is the impressive zoo. Colchester Zoo is a great place to spend the day with the kids, with huge play areas and exotic animals to gaze at, it is easy to spend a full day here! Plus, the gift shop is packed with fluffy little versions of the zoo's residents.
A trip to Colchester is best completed with a shopping trip, with popular high street stores from Primark to TKMaxx to tickle your fancy. With plenty of boutiques ideal for finding clothes, jewellery and gifts!
Visit Clacton by bus
The iconic Essex seaside town Clacton is well worth the visit, and you can get there with a view and the wind in your hair on our handy Clacton Breeze service!
Stroll the seafront, wander the floral oasis of the Remembrance Gardens, and enjoy the excitement of the arcades.
Make the most of Clacton Pier, with bowling, go karting, rides, adventure golf, a ferris wheel, and the recent addition of the Jurassic Pier. Ideal for taking the kids, they can walk amongst dinosaurs and enjoy a 4D experience too!
Wander around the Clacton Shopping village if you love a bargain. With plenty of outlets and big-name stores to shop in, it is easy to find what you’re looking for.
Our fantastic open top bus runs from the late May Bank Holiday Weekend through to the end of August, 7 days a week. Enjoy the summer sun and views as the bus takes you from Pier Avenue to Holland on Sea, stopping off at top attractions across Clacton. Buy a family day ticket for just £7, or enjoy a day of travelling solo for just £4.70 for adults, or £3.80 for 16-19s.
Visit Clacton on the Clacton Breeze!
Visit Bury St Edmunds by bus
The market town of Bury St Edmunds makes for a great day trip by bus!
Enjoy the plentiful shops, from Next to New Look, and Pandora to a (brand new!) Primark. Jewellery stores, sporting goods, gifting, and art supplies can all be found in the town centre.
Pop to the Cineworld to munch on popcorn and enjoy the newest releases, and with later buses running from the 26th May, you don’t have to rush to get home!
Bury St Edmunds has an impressive market, offering up local produce, crafts, flowers, and more! Mosey the market and maybe you can bag yourself a bargain.
The Abbey Gardens are a beautiful collection of parks, flowerbeds, gardens, historical ruins, and even an aviary. A must visit when the weather is nice, you can pack a picnic, or enjoy an ice cream in the Gardens while admiring the beautiful greenspace.
Plan your journey with Hedingham & Chambers
Visit the seaside by bus
There are a range of seaside visits that you can do with Hedingham & Chambers, with routes going to the picturesque West Mersea and the fossil-filled Walton on the Naze, with the Martello Tower walk from Clacton making for an idyllic way to get your steps in!
Mersea Island is a treasure of Essex, with the sandy beach, colourful beach huts, fresh fish, a brewery, and plenty of other hot spots across the East and West island, like Cudmore Grove country park in East Mersea.
Why not take the kids to Curve Aqua Park and take advantage of our reward partners scheme? The inflatable obstacle course is the perfect summer activity! Other seaside towns that you can visit with Hedingham & Chambers include Harwich, the port town with plenty of history and a town centre that is lovely to stroll around.
Jump aboard our friendly bus services to feel the sand between your toes and hear the waves crashing in your ears. Make it a proper seaside visit with Fish and Chips and an ice cream!
Visit Sudbury by Bus
Home to the famous water meadows, the lovely market town of Sudbury provided inspiration for famous painter Thomas Gainsborough. You can visit the Gainsborough House and even do an art class there! Gainsborough House is one of our reward partners, so why wouldn't you hop on a bus and visit them?
Browse the shops from designer fashion in Javelin to the bookworms’ paradise, the new Waterstones store.
Make the most of the Boat Tours on the River Stour, and see Sudbury like never before! Or, do the leg work and hire out a canoe - you can even stop off at the Henny Swan for a delicious lunch and refreshing pint!
Soak up the landscape that inspired Gainsborough at the Water Meadows or take the kids to Belle Vue Park, which has a range of play areas and a skate park to keep children of all ages entertained. You don’t have to look far to get some fresh air and exercise in Sudbury!
Click here to download our Great Days Out By Bus leaflet