Suffolk

Discover the best things to do in Suffolk, in East Anglia, from its much-loved coastline to its historic houses and medieval wool towns. Constable Country is also still very much as landscape artist, John Constable, painted it.

Places to visit

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Top places to visit in Suffolk

Ickworth Estate

Ickworth with its classical Rotunda forms the centrepiece of this estate, which is Suffolk's very own little Italy.

View of the Rotunda from the path with newly restored roof at Ickworth, Suffolk

Sutton Hoo

Home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time, an awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon royal ship burial.

Melford Hall

An eclectic home, with stories of naval history and links to Beatrix Potter, set in picturesque gardens.

Lavenham Guildhall

At the heart of village life, Lavenham Guildhall is one of the most spectacular timber framed buildings of medieval England.

Flatford

Walk into a masterpiece. This charming hamlet was the inspiration for some of John Constable's most famous paintings.

Dunwich Heath

Tucked away on the Suffolk coast, Dunwich Heath and beach offers you peace and quiet and a true sense of being at one with nature.

Orford Ness

Uncover some of Britain's top secret military history when you visit this internationally important nature reserve on the Suffolk coast.

Theatre Royal

The Theatre Royal is one of Britain's most significant theatre buildings and the only surviving Regency playhouse in the country.

Top things to do in Suffolk

Oil painting on canvas, Self-portrait by Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, signed, bottom left: L. E. Vigée Le Brun/ Naples 1791, at Ickworth, Suffolk

House and buildings

Coast and Countryside

Family walking on a footpath through the heather on Dunwich Heath, Suffolk

Walks

Two girls play Jenga together in the Walled Garden at Ickworth

Family days out

Visitors relaxing with their dog at Porter's Lodge Café at Ickworth, Suffolk

Dog-friendly places

Visitors enjoying a drink on the terrace at Ickworth Estate

Places to eat

Special events and exhibitions in Suffolk

Celebrating 250th anniversary of John Constable's birthday

2026 marks 250 years since the birth of one of Britain's most famous landscape artist, John Constable. Flatford and the surrounding landscape was the inspiration for some of Constable's most well known paintings including The Hay Way and Boat Building. To celebrate this anniversary year, Flatford is holding a series of events and activities thorough the summer including an walks and talks, art exhibitions, a painting weekend and outdoor theatre and an art residency with local artists Tom Hobden and Phoebe Stapleton in partnership with the Essex Cultural Diversity Project.

The Bridge-Builder: Ickworth’s Irish Connection

Based on brand-new research, this new exhibition at Ickworth explores the Earl-Bishop’s life in Ireland in the 18th-century. Littered with turmoil and tension, this chapter left the Earl-Bishop with a surprisingly positive legacy in Ireland. Visit Ickworth Estate to find why.

Mussenden Temple on the Downhill Demesne, County Londonderry

The Dig: A Story Unearthed

The Dig is a film by Netflix which was released in 2021 - but did you know it was inspired by a true story? Read on to discover more.

Carey Mulligan as Edith Pretty and Ralph Fiennes as Basil Brown

Outdoor entertainment in Suffolk this summer

Join friends and family for a magical evening of outdoor entertainment this summer in Suffolk.

Sutton Hoo - Theatre in the Forest: Twelfth Night presented by Red Rose Chain Theatre Company

Wed 22 Jul - Sat 22 Aug Suffolk’s biggest outdoor theatre event, Theatre in the Forest returns to Sutton Hoo for another summer of Shakespeare with an unforgettable production of Twelfth Night!

Ickworth Estate - Bury St Edmunds Concert Band present Saturday Night at the Movies

Sat 20 June Experience the magic of the movies as Bury St Edmunds Concert Band performs a varied programme of iconic film music.

A concert band plays outside the Orangery in the Italianate Garden at Ickworth

Flatford - Shades of Simon: a tribute to Paul Simon

Sat 15 July Back by popular demand! The UK’s no.1 Paul Simon tribute band “Shades of Simon” will be bringing their highly acclaimed 2 hour show “The Paul Simon Story” to the Flatford for the 4th year running.

Shades of Simon band members pose for a promotional photograph

Ickworth Estate - Jellyfish Theatre present 'The Dragon Wagon'

Wed 19 Jul Meet the Dragon Whisperer and her magical dragons. A joyfully interactive family show set on a colourful retro caravan, packed with puppetry, music and laughter. All performances are relaxed. Integrated Sign Supported English

Audience members enjoying an open-air theatre performance in the garden at Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire

Ickworth Estate - The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz

Sun 23 Aug Step onto the Yellow Brick Road this summer with DOT Productions’ magical family theatre adventure.

An outdoor theatre performance taking place in the gardens

Ickworth Estate - Twelfth Night

The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company present their own brand of Shakespearean mayhem in the Bard’s comedy of fools, duels and dual identities.

Enjoy the very best of summer with a walk in Suffolk

Get out into nature this summer with these top walks in Suffolk

Ickworth Estate | Walled Garden and Canal Walk

A circular walk taking you to the Walled Garden, and Canal lake, which is a haven for wildlife. There is a great view of the Walled Garden from the far side of the Canal lake, with St. Mary’s church, and the Rotunda behind.

Ickworth Church and Summer House from Canal Lake

Sutton Hoo woodland walk

Discover the Anglo-Saxon burial site, where a 7th-century ship was uncovered, as well as the woodland wildlife that surrounds the ancient site on the circular Sutton Hoo woodland walk.

Sutton Hoo landscape in the misty morning

Dunwich Heath pink trail

Follow the pink trail to take in the best views of the heath, with the main body of the heather flowering between late July and September. Along the trail keep an eye out for our main bird species, the Dartford Warbler, or Red deer roaming the heath, and look to the skies for the musical Skylark singing overhead.

A woman walking through the heather at Dunwich Heath, with the heather in bloom

Outdoor activities in Suffolk

Getting Active at Ickworth Estate

Getting active and out and about on your bike, or with a walk or run, is the perfect way to explore the parkland, woods and views of Ickworth Estate. Accessible routes and woodland paths cover over 26 miles of beautiful trails, offering routes for all ages and abilities to enjoy.

Family walking in the park at Ickworth, Suffolk, in summer

Visiting National Trust places in Suffolk without a car

Sustainable travel in Suffolk

There are a number of sustainable options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Suffolk, whether you’re looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot. Here’s a little more information that can help you plan your visit.

Family on a bike ride in autumnal woods, looking at a map

Latest news and projects

Ickworth Estate stars in Series 4 of BBC Two's Hidden Treasures of the National Trust

Ickworth Estate in Suffolk has taken centre stage as one of a handful of properties appearing in the new series of BBC Two’s Hidden Treasures programme as it returns for another look behind the scenes at some of the country's most beautiful and historic houses.

An image of a lady with blonde hair holding a tiny rotunda and dusting it with a paint brush. The text over the image says Hidden Treasures of the National Trust

National Trust plans to take on RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden

The National Trust is planning to take on the ownership and management of the RSPB's Wildlife Garden at Flatford.

Two men standing on a path in the wildlife garden at Flatford

Heathland species increase as Dunwich heather continues recovery

Despite continued hot weather, the heather at National Trust Dunwich Heath is continuing to recover, just three years after being severely damaged by drought.

A close up of the pink flowers of the heather at Dunwich Heath

The Dig: A Story Unearthed

The Dig: A Story Unearthed is a new exhibition coming to Sutton Hoo this May. It tells the untold stories of the real people featured in The Dig, a film by Netflix that explores the story of the excavation of the Great Ship Burial at Sutton Hoo in 1939.

1300 trees planted at Ickworth Estate to tackle ash dieback and secure next generation of ancient trees

Rangers at the Ickworth Estate have planted 1,300 trees this winter, to restore a landscape devastated by ash dieback, and support the growth of the next generation of ancient and veteran trees.

Ranger planting at tree at Ickworth Estate

Time Team at Sutton Hoo

Missing pieces of a 6th century Byzantine bucket have been uncovered at Sutton Hoo, during a month-long archaeological excavation by Time Team at the site. Time Team has been documenting this unique investigation as it's unfolded and we look forward to sharing news about the special documentary, which is due out early next year.

Rare spider species is recorded at Orford Ness

A rare species of jumping spider has been identified at Orford Ness in Suffolk.

Vegetated shingle looking out towards the pagodas

Sizewell C: Impact on Dunwich Heath

Get the latest news on the development of Sizewell C and our commitment to protecting nearby Dunwich Heath and Beach.

Sizewell C, with a giant white dome, seen on the horizon from Dunwich Heath

Get involved

Volunteering in Suffolk

Making new friends, working in amazing places, and knowing that you're helping a cause you care about – just three great reasons to volunteer with the National Trust in Suffolk.

A volunteer room guide speaking with visitors at Melford Hall, Suffolk

Supporter groups in Suffolk

Find out what you could gain by joining a National Trust supporter group in Suffolk. Volunteer at local properties, attend talks and socialise with likeminded individuals.

A ranger and volunteer working on the heathland at Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk

Places to stay

Landscapes beautiful enough to inspire a great artist and a coastline worthy of an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ status; our holiday cottages in Suffolk and along the Suffolk coast offer an inspiring place to stay.

Dog-friendly cottages in Suffolk

The exterior of The Round House, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

Large holiday cottages and group getaways in Suffolk

Looking for group accommodation for your next large family holiday or a celebration cottage for your friends? In Suffolk, we have large cottages and groups of smaller cottages next door or nearby, offering close proximity to your group but with some added privacy.