Jimmy’s Farm itself is quite unlike anywhere else in the country. Alongside rare-breed livestock, it’s home to Europe’s largest polar bear reserve – a conservation project close to Jimmy’s heart – and, more recently, to Asiatic lions and an Amur tiger, part of the farm’s expanding wildlife work. It’s a place where education, conservation, and good food sit comfortably alongside one another, and where Suffolk’s rural traditions meet a forward-looking approach to farming and sustainability.
Beyond the farm, Jimmy is a passionate advocate for the county he calls home. Whether championing local producers on screen, welcoming visitors to the farm or even launching ventures like Crafted Conservation – his beer brand whose proceeds support wildlife projects – his focus remains firmly on celebrating the land, its people and the stories that connect them. So who better to guide us through the Suffolk spots he returns to time and again?
The third series of Jimmy and Shivi's Farmhouse Breakfast airs on ITV on Sunday mornings at 8.25am.
For someone who’s never been to Suffolk before: what’s the first place you’d take them to make them fall in love with it – and why?
I’d take them straight to the shingle strip at Thorpeness on a summer evening. There’s something completely magical about it – the light, the sea air, the big Suffolk skies. It’s peaceful, a bit wild and it shows you immediately what makes this county so special.
If you only see one thing in Suffolk, make it ___ because ___.
If you only see one thing in Suffolk, make it the train journey from Ipswich to London because where else can you be heading back to the city and still catch sight of polar bears on the way?
What’s your favourite place in Suffolk that most visitors don’t know about but absolutely should?
Nourish Café in Newbourne is a real hidden gem. It’s one of those places that feels like a local secret – wholesome food, a lovely atmosphere and the sort of spot you end up telling everyone about once you’ve been.
Describe your perfect Suffolk day from morning to night. Where are you, and what are you doing?
A perfect Suffolk day for me… It’s Sunday morning, cup of tea in hand and Sunday lunch prep on the go. Once that’s done, I’m going for a walk along the River Deben and stopping at the Maybush for a good pint. It’s all about slowing down, eating a good roast and enjoying those enormous skies right through to the evening.
What’s your favourite walk in Suffolk – and what makes it special at different times of year?
I love the coastal walks, but there’s something particularly special about a ramble around Sutton Hoo. You’ve got the beauty of the countryside mixed with this incredible sense of history. In spring it’s fresh and bright, in autumn it feels atmospheric.
Which three shops in Suffolk do you always find an excuse to visit – and what do you love about each?
Uniform Research is always worth a browse – it’s got great style and something a bit different. Clarkes of Walsham stock some great brands and, on a completely different note, the Thorpeness Emporium is just brilliant. You never quite know what treasure you’ll walk out with!
Where do you go when you want a really good, no-fuss lunch or coffee? What makes it special?
The Wood Yard in Woodbridge is my go-to for a no-fuss lunch. It’s relaxed and they do a cracking pizza.
And where do you go when you’re celebrating something or showing Suffolk off to friends?
The Suffolk in Aldeburgh is a great spot for a nice dinner. It feels like such a treat – brilliant food and a vibrant atmosphere.
Where do you go in Suffolk for a real culture fix – a gallery, museum, historic place, festival or event?
Snape Maltings is always inspiring. It’s such a unique cultural hub and the setting is stunning. The Regent in Ipswich is a proper classic – a beautiful theatre that reminds you Suffolk has a real creative heartbeat.
Is there a place in Suffolk that feels especially ‘yours’– somewhere you return to again and again?
Jimmy’s Farm, of course!! It’s home. It’s where everything I love about Suffolk comes together – the land, the animals, the people and that connection to nature.
What do you think people get wrong about Suffolk – and what’s the reality?
People sometimes think Suffolk is the middle of nowhere but the reality is we’re only an hour from London on the train. You can leave the city behind and suddenly you’re somewhere with open landscapes, coastline… and yes, even polar bears.
Complete this sentence: ‘If you really want to experience Suffolk properly, you should ___.’
If you really want to experience Suffolk properly, you should come for a long weekend. Stay at Farmstead Lodges, which are beautiful.
Take a trip to Aldeburgh for a Noon Tart, do a bit of shopping in Bury St Edmunds and give yourself time to really take in our spectacular coastline.
