Suffolk woodland attraction draws 24,000 visitors in eight weeks

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 07:19 · Archive

Guildenacre, a new woodland play area at Helmingham Hall in Debenham, attracted 24,000 visitors in its first eight weeks.

Guildenacre is a new woodland adventure play area set within the grounds of Helmingham Hall, part of an ancient estate that has been home to the Tollemache family since the Tudor period. The attraction opened fully on 17 July following a soft launch over several weekends, and drew 24,000 visitors in its first eight weeks.

Edward Tollemache, who runs the estate, said the early visitor numbers exceeded expectations. 'We had 24,000 in eight weeks just for the playground. As a start I think it beat expectations,' he said. Some visitors spent considerable time at the attraction, with some staying for six or seven hours.

Before beginning the project, which started in November 2025 and finished at the end of June, Tollemache commissioned Leisure Development Partners to assess the financial viability of a new rural attraction. The study forecast approximately 70,000 visitors for the full season. The estate already operates two other visitor attractions: its gardens, which have been open to the public each summer since the 1980s, and an Illuminated Garden Trail that launched before Christmas 2018 and drew 36,000 visitors last year.

How it is being reported

• Suffolk woodland attraction draws 24,000 visitors in its first eight weeksGuildenacre - a new multi-million-pound Suffolk attraction - at Helmingham Hall, Debenham, attracted 24,000 visitors within weeks of opening.East Anglian Daily Times · 11 Oct, 06:00
• Suffolk woodland attraction draws 24,000 visitors in its first eight weeksGuildenacre - a new multi-million-pound Suffolk attraction - at Helmingham Hall, Debenham, attracted 24,000 visitors within weeks of opening.Ipswich Star · 11 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Guildenacre · Helmingham Hall · Debenham · Edward Tollemache · Sophie Tollemache · Celia Deeley · Tollemache family

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