For many families, a day at the seaside is one of those simple pleasures that makes the school holidays feel special. A train ride, a bucket and spade, sand between your toes and perhaps an ice cream before heading home.
But getting to the coast isn’t always as easy or affordable as it sounds.
For families without access to a car, public transport costs can quickly add up, particularly when you’re travelling with several children. And during the long school holidays, when parents and carers are looking for ways to keep children active, entertained and enjoying themselves, affordable days out can be hard to come by.
That’s why, this summer, IP17 Good Neighbour Scheme organised not one, but two Bucket & Spade train trips from Saxmundham to Lowestoft.
A simple idea with a big purpose
The idea behind the trips was straightforward: give local families the opportunity to enjoy a healthy, outdoor day out together, explore somewhere different and make some summer memories — without having to worry about the cost or logistics of getting there.
A trip to the seaside ticks a lot of boxes. It gets families outdoors and active, gives children space to run around and play, and offers a welcome change of scenery during the long summer break. Just as importantly, it’s an opportunity for parents, carers and children to spend quality time together away from the usual routines.
For some families, however, these kinds of days out simply aren’t accessible.
By organising the trips from Saxmundham, IP17GNS was able to make the journey part of the adventure while removing some of the barriers that can make a family day at the coast difficult.
The adventure starts at Saxmundham station
The first Bucket & Spade trip got off to a suitably exciting start at Saxmundham station.
Families were greeted by Thalia, who handed out stickers and gave each child a choice of a red or blue bucket and spade — essential seaside equipment, of course! 🪣
Once everyone was aboard the train, there were colouring books and crayons to keep the children entertained during the journey, including a windmill picture to colour.
And the best bit? The whole family trip cost just £5 per family, with IP17GNS also providing a picnic for the day.
It meant families could simply turn up, climb aboard and enjoy the experience.
A day by the sea
Once in Lowestoft, families were free to enjoy everything a seaside day has to offer.
There was time to explore, play, eat the picnic, enjoy the fresh air and, inevitably, get a little bit wet! The children made the most of the water fountains, adding another splash of fun to the day.
Four IP17GNS volunteers also joined the first trip, helping everything run smoothly and making sure families had support throughout the day.
It was exactly what we’d hoped the Bucket & Spade trips would be: a fun, affordable family day out, with plenty of fresh air, activity and time together.
And, of course, the journey home gave everyone the chance to relax after a busy day at the seaside
And then we did it all again!
The response to the first trip was fantastic, with places filling very quickly. So, during the summer holidays, IP17GNS organised a second Bucket & Spade train trip to give even more local families the chance to enjoy a day at the coast.
It’s been wonderful to see how much enthusiasm there has been for the idea.
The popularity of both trips has reinforced something we already know: affordable, accessible opportunities for families to spend time together really matter.
You don’t need an expensive attraction, a long journey or a packed itinerary to create a memorable day. Sometimes a train ticket, a picnic, a bucket and spade and a few hours beside the sea are more than enough.
More than just a day out
At IP17GNS, our work is about supporting our local community in lots of different ways. Sometimes that means practical help with food and household costs. Sometimes it’s about creating opportunities for people to meet, socialise and feel less isolated.
And sometimes it’s about helping families enjoy a day together that might otherwise be out of reach.
The Bucket & Spade trips bring all of those things together. They provide an opportunity for families to get outdoors, be active, spend quality time together and experience a change of scenery. They also create opportunities for families to meet other local people and share an experience.
Most importantly, they’re fun.
And fun matters too.
Thank you to everyone who made it happen
Neither of these trips could have happened without the support of the people and organisations who help IP17GNS do what we do.
We’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers, supporters and everyone who has contributed to making these family days out possible. We’re also grateful to everyone who came along and helped make the trips such a success.
We could not have made it happen without East Suffolk Lines, the Community Rail Partnership who organised the trips with us, offering affordable train tickets and lots of special touches to create a truly special day out.
From the first stickers and buckets and spades at Saxmundham station to the colouring books on the train, the picnic, the splash in the fountains and the journey home, it’s been wonderful to see local families enjoying a traditional seaside day together.
Here’s to more Bucket & Spade adventures — and plenty more summer memories — in the future. 🪣🏖️