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.

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View of the Rotunda in July from a distance with the new roof at Ickworth, Suffolk

Place

Ickworth Estate

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

Tranmer House photographed on top of the hill at Sutton Hoo with bright yellow gorse flowering in the foreground

Place

Sutton Hoo

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

A woman in a hat holding hands with a young girl as they walk through parkland in summer with Melford Hall in the background.

Place

Melford Hall

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

Place

Lavenham Guildhall

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

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

Place

Flatford

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

Footpath through heather at Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk

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.

Rotating Wireless Beacon, known simply as the Black Beacon at Orford Ness National Reserve, Suffolk

Place

Orford Ness

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

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

Place

Theatre Royal

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

View of the Library at Melford Hall, Suffolk

House and buildings

Coast and Countryside

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

Walks

Two girls play giant Jenga in the Walled Garden at Ickworth

Family days out

Visitors walking a dog at Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk

Dog-friendly places

Visitors enjoying a drink on the terrace at Ickworth Estate

Places to eat

A parent photographs two children as they pose for a photograph while filling an empty picture frame

Summer of Play Events in Suffolk

Ready for a fun-filled summer? Take part in the Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank, and create memories with the whole family. However you choose to play, your adventure starts today.

Two young girls hugging a brown cockerpoo dog whilst sitting on the grass. Deckchairs can be seen in the background

Family-friendly places in Suffolk

Get ready for a summer bursting with adventure, imagination and unforgettable family moments in Suffolk. From playcations, archery, creative zones, nature trails and family sports, take part in a Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank.

Carey Mulligan as Edith Pretty and Ralph Fiennes as Basil Brown

Article

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.

Ickworth on the World Stage is written in big letters

Article

Ickworth on the World Stage

This year at Ickworth follow the unconventional adventures of the Hervey family. Discover the impact they had on the world and how their time abroad is reflect in the Ickworth we know today.

Yellow horned poppy at Orford Ness with Black Beacon in background

Research Art Lab at Orford Ness

Research Art Lab is part of Power House, a long-term partnership between the National Trust and the University of Suffolk. Throughout the summer, 11 artists will take part in a thee-week residency at Orford Ness creating art inspired by the past and present of Orford Ness working with a variety of media including drawing, sculpture, painting, installation, film, photography, text and performance.

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

View of the path in the Albana Woods at Ickworth

Trail

Ickworth Estate | Albana Walk

Enjoy the cool shade of the ancient Albana Woodland at Ickworth Estate. Follow this short circular walk through tree lined avenues and you lookout for wildlife and listen for birds overhead. If you're feeling energic, why not have a go at the Trim Trail along the way.

A view of the River Deben from the River View walk at Sutton Hoo

Trail

River View walk at Sutton Hoo (green walk)

Explore the estate surrounding the Anglo-Saxon royal burial site at Sutton Hoo on the circular River View Walk, which runs through woodland and offers views across the River Deben.

Sheep in foreground with Melford Hall in background

Trail

Melford Hall estate park walk

Take in the splendour of the ancient former hunting park of Melford Hall, and the impressive 15th-century Holy Trinity church, on this scenic walk around the estate.

Purple heather on Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk

Trail

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.

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.

A crowd sits in front of a large cinema screen at Ickworth Estate

Events coming up in Suffolk

There's always lots going on at National Trust places near you, with a host of events and adventures that everyone can enjoy. See what's happening in Suffolk.

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

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.

Article

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.

Ranger planting at tree at Ickworth Estate

News

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.

Press release

Dunwich heather back in bloom after remarkable recovery

Dunwich Heath, a rare heathland habitat cared for by the National Trust on the Suffolk coast is showing signs of recovery, with its patchwork of pink and purple heather back in bloom after being severely impacted by extreme heat and drought in 2022.

Article

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.

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

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.

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

Article

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Article

Dog-friendly cottages in Suffolk

Article

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.

See all events

Event

Summer of Play- An Ickworth Playcation

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Endless possibilities to play await you at Ickworth Estate this summer. We're inviting you to transform the Walled Garden and reclaim it as a hub for families and friends to connect with nature and each other.

Event

Summer of Play at Lavenham Guildhall

Lavenham Guildhall, Sudbury, Suffolk

Step into the past and let imaginations run wild with Summer of Play at Lavenham Guildhall.

Event

Ickworth on the World Stage Garden Exhibition

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Discover the world in our new garden exhibition exploring the influence of the Hervey’s global travels on the Italianate garden at Ickworth.

Event

Festival of Archaeology: Wargaming the Age of the Anglo-Saxons

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Join us for an exciting weekend of Anglo-Saxon era war games with miniature model soldiers. Feeling creative? Paint your own miniature model Anglo-Saxon thegn to take home!

Event

Summer of Play at Dunwich Heath

Dunwich Heath and Beach, Dunwich, Suffolk

Join in with the Summer of Play at Dunwich Heath!

Event

Summer of Play at Sutton Hoo

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Enjoy a Summer of Play at Sutton Hoo. With activities indoors and outdoors there's something to entertain all ages, bring the whole family to enjoy a jam-packed summer of fun!

Event

HighTide's Ness: An Audio Landscape

Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, Orford, Suffolk

Step off the boat at Orford Ness, put on your headphones, wander through a world of sound. Adapted from the prose poem by Rob Macfarlane & Stanley Donwood Ness speaks gull, speaks wave, speaks bracken & lapwing, speaks bullet, ruin, gale, deception.

Event

Anglo-Saxon costume demonstration

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.

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A family playing on the lawn in summer at Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk

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

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Suffolk

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