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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

A family in the garden outside the rotunda at Ickworth, Suffolk
Place
Place

Ickworth Estate 

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

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Partially open today
The replica helmet on display in the High Hall at Sutton Hoo
Place
Place

Sutton Hoo 

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

Woodbridge, Suffolk

Fully open today
View of the Library at Melford Hall, Suffolk
Place
Place

Melford Hall 

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

Sudbury, Suffolk

Closed now
The half-timbered exterior of Lavenham Guildhall, in Lavenham village, Suffolk
Place
Place

Lavenham Guildhall 

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

Sudbury, Suffolk

Closed now
A cottage next to a bridge over the River Stour at Flatford, Suffolk
Place
Place

Flatford 

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

East Bergholt, Suffolk

Partially open today
A family on the Smugglers trail at Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk
Place
Place

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.

Dunwich, Suffolk

Partially open today
View across the salt-marsh at Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, Suffolk
Place
Place

Orford Ness 

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

Orford, Suffolk

Closed now
View towards the stage and safety curtain at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Place
Place

Theatre Royal 

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

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Easter adventures in Suffolk

Easter is just a few weeks away and we've got plenty of Easter adventures across Suffolk. Find a trail near you and pick up your prize.

Top spring walks in Suffolk

Get out into nature with these top spring walks in Suffolk

Visitors walking down the valley with daffodils in the foreground at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
Trail
Trail

Valley walk at Sutton Hoo (red walk) 

Explore the Anglo-Saxon history of Sutton Hoo on this easy circular walk exploring the area where the ancient Great Ship Burial was discovered, as well as the surrounding woodland.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.26 (km: 2.02)
View of Dunwich Heath and Beach with a moody sky in the background
Trail
Trail

Dunwich Heath orange trail 

Follow the three mile orange walk at Dunwich and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of spring. Listen out for the murmuring of birds, the hum of bees and see the willows bloom their catkins and the gorse come out in flower.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
Ickworth Church and Summer House from Canal Lake
Trail
Trail

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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.8 (km: 2.88)
Cream-walled, red-tiled Willy Lott's House is reflected in the River Stour at Flatford, Suffolk, surrounded by trees showing autumn colour
Trail
Trail

Flatford and Constable country walk 

Explore the Stour Valley and Dedham Vale, captured on canvas by artist John Constable, on this relaxing walk with short and long options.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4) to miles: 7 (km: 11.2)

Gardens to visit

The rotunda sits in the middle of the picture with a path leading towards the bottom with round bushes lined up either side. there are tall green trees on the far left and right of the image with a blue sky overhead
Article
Article

Visiting the garden at Ickworth 

Ickworth's garden was the first of its kind in the UK. Designed for privacy, space and freedom, it's a distillation of the gardens of classical Italy given an individual English touch.

Outdoor activities in Suffolk

Two visitors cycle side by side through a winding path leading through parkland on the Ickworth Estate. They're wrapped up in rain coats and the weather appears hazy.
Activity
Activity

Cycling at Ickworth Estate 

Find out more about cycling at Ickworth, including the cycle hire hub available in the car park. Pack a picnic and start your adventure.

Latest news and projects

Tony Robinson and Helen Geake stood outside the gate to Garden Field at Sutton Hoo
News
News

Time Team spearheads two-year research project at Sutton Hoo 

The National Trust has joined forces with Time Team on a new two-year research project at Sutton Hoo.

Colony of grey seals on the shingle at the Orford Ness National Nature Reserve in Suffolk
Press release
Press release

Suffolk’s first breeding colony of grey seals recorded at Orford Ness 

National Trust rangers at Orford Ness National Nature Reserve in Suffolk are celebrating the birth of over 130 grey seal pups this winter; the third, consecutive year of successful breeding at the coastal site, which is now thought to be home to Suffolk’s first grey seal colony.

The wooden frame of the replica Anglo-Saxon ship in a boatyard in Woodbridge, Suffolk
News
News

Joinery apprentices help build full-size replica of famous Sutton Hoo ship  

Three of our joinery apprentices are honing their heritage craft skills in a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ project. They'll be working on building a full-size replica of the famous Anglo-Saxon ship unearthed at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk.

Carey Mulligan as Edith Pretty and Ralph Fiennes as Basil Brown
Article
Article

Digging the dirt at Sutton Hoo: The true story behind The Dig 

The Dig is a film by Netflix, released in 2021, based on the novel of the same title by John Preston. But do you know the true story of the excavation of the Great Ship Burial at Sutton Hoo? Read on to discover more.

Dunwich Heath with a view of the Sizewell B nuclear power station
Article
Article

Our response to Sizewell C 

Learn about our involvement in the consultation process and why we think the plans threaten this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for visitors, wildlife and the environment.

Get involved

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

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

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.

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.

Visiting National Trust places in Suffolk without a car

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

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.

Upcoming events

Event

An Introduction to Ickworth 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Join the team caring for Ickworth's treasures to discover more about the Hervey family and their collection.

Event summary

on
19 Mar to 31 Oct 2024
at
10:45 to 11:30
+ 129 other dates or times
Event

Anglo-Saxon costume making 

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Meet our historic costume volunteers as they demonstrate the craft skills of the Anglo-Saxons and how they created clothing and accessories using natural materials.

Event summary

on
20 Mar to 27 Mar 2024
at
10:30 to 14:00
+ 1 other date or time
Event

A Conservation Tour 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Take a step behind closed doors in the Rotunda to see Ickworth through the eyes of our Collections Team.

Event summary

on
20 Mar to 30 Oct 2024
at
10:45 to 11:30
+ 32 other dates or times
Event

Wool Spinning Demonstrations 

Lavenham Guildhall, Sudbury, Suffolk

Watch our volunteer spinners in action at Lavenham Guildhall.

Event summary

on
21 Mar to 25 Apr 2024
at
11:00 to 15:00
+ 5 other dates or times
Event

An Introduction to Ickworth - Friday 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Join the team caring for Ickworth's treasures to discover more about the Hervey family and their collection.

Event summary

on
22 Mar to 29 Mar 2024
at
10:45 to 11:30
+ 1 other date or time
Event

Walk with Us: Dunwich Heath 

Dunwich Heath and Beach, Dunwich, Suffolk

Rediscover nature and walk your way to better wellbeing on one of our volunteer-led group walks.

Event summary

on
23 Mar to 21 Dec 2024
at
10:00 to 11:30
+ 9 other dates or times
Event

Volunteer Recruitment Morning 

Flatford, East Bergholt, Suffolk

Join us at Flatford for our volunteer recruitment Morning, chat to the team and find out more about volunteering with us.

Event summary

on
23 Mar 2024
at
10:00 to 13:00
Event

Dogs and Nature residencies 

Dunwich Heath and Beach, Dunwich, Suffolk

Come along and talk to local organisations about all things dogs and wildlife

Event summary

on
23 Mar to 12 May 2024
at
10:00 to 16:00
+ 5 other dates or times
Visitors walking among daffodils at Dora's Field, Ambleside, Cumbria

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.