Visiting Sutton Hoo: What you need to know

Whether you're a regular visitor or it's your first time, we can't wait to welcome you to Sutton Hoo. Take a look at our handy guide on what you need to know to help plan your day, including how to book tickets if you are visiting from 2 April.

Sword pommel from the Staffordshire Hoard

Swords of Kingdoms- Booking

To see Swords of Kingdoms: The Staffordshire Hoard at Sutton Hoo (opening 19 May) you will need to book a free timed ticket to this special exhibition in addition to your admission ticket. Timed tickets to the exhibition will be available from Thursday 21 April for 19 - 22 May and can be booked at the same time you’re booking admission. Additional weeks will be made available every Thursday thereafter. Please note entry tickets for Swords of Kingdoms are limited daily due to the capacity of the Treasury where the exhibition is being displayed.

Booking your visit

Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee entry. By using a booking system we’re able to manage the number of visitors at any one time, ensuring that those visiting have a fantastic experience. 2021 saw record numbers of visitors at Sutton Hoo which often saw queues and our car park being full before midday. By managing the number of visitors, it helps us to look after this special place for future generations.

We'll be releasing tickets every Thursday on a rolling basis for four weeks ahead.

We are asking all visitors, including members, to book their visit in advance. There is no limit on length of visit. Tickets will be available on half hourly slots so, if you book a ticket for 10.30, you can arrive any time between 10.30 and 11.00.

On quieter days, if we're not fully booked, you may be able to access Sutton Hoo by booking on the day, up to 8am. However, to avoid disappointment, we recommend booking tickets in advance. Without a booking, we won't be able to guarantee entry.

We recommend making an account when booking, as you will be able to change the date or time of your booking up to 24 hours before your timeslot. Please note, you can only amend your booking if you have a DigiTickets account, which can only be created at the time of booking. To cancel your booking, please call our booking team on 0344 249 1895.

The helmet sculpture at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk

Book your tickets

If you are planning to visit Sutton Hoo from 2 April we recommend that you book in advance, or call 0344 249 1895 to book. Without a booking, we won't be able to guarantee entry.

What's open

High Hall exhibition and Tranmer House: Daily, 10.30am - 4.30pm

Shop and café: Daily, 10am - 5pm

Keepers' kiosk (takeaway food and drink): Weekends, 10.30am - 3pm

Second-hand bookshop: Tuesday - Thursday, 10.30am - 5pm, Monday and Friday, 1.30pm - 5pm.

Estate walks and playground: 10am – 5pm, daily. Dogs on short leads welcome.

Viewing tower: 10am – 4pm, daily.

Toilets: 10am – 5pm, daily. Located in the shop/café building, Tranmer House and at the side of the High Hall exhibition. Accessible toilets and baby changing available.

Accessibility

Parking: Blue badge parking available in the main car park.

Toilets: Accessible toilets are located in the shop/café building, Tranmer House and at the side of the High Hall exhibition.

Mobility scooter and wheelchair hire: Personal mobility vehicles and wheelchairs are available to hire at weekends, please pre-book by emailing suttonhoo@nationaltrust.org.uk or calling 01394 389714. If you have not pre-booked, we cannot guarantee availability on the day.

Click here to download a full copy of our access statement.

What's available to see?

Exhibition at Sutton Hoo

Step into the High Hall exhibition to discover more about the world of the Anglo-Saxons and the incredible objects unearthed at Sutton Hoo.

Tranmer House at Sutton Hoo

Venture into Tranmer House, the former home of Edith Pretty, to discover more about her fascinating life and the archaeological work that has taken place at Sutton Hoo.

Family walking in the woods at Sutton Hoo

Walking Trails at Sutton Hoo

Get out and into nature at Sutton Hoo. With 245 acres to explore, find the perfect walk for you.

Unique collections in the Sutton Hoo shop

Shopping at Sutton Hoo

For a special memento of your visit pop in to our gift shop and take a piece of history home with you. With a unique range of Anglo-Saxon inspired designs alongside seasonal National Trust ranges it’s the perfect place for some inspirational shopping.

Second-hand bookshop at Sutton Hoo

Our second-hand bookshop always has a wide variety of books available. It is through your purchases that we are able to continue looking after Sutton Hoo for everyone, for ever.

Sculpture trail at Sutton Hoo

Venture into the woods on the River View walk and discover our new sculpture trail, inspired by beasts depicted on objects discovered in the Great Ship Burial at Sutton Hoo. Click to discover more about how these sculptures were created and to download a guide to the sculptures and a family story trail.

Mound Two at Sutton Hoo against blue sky

Family and Learning Activities

We have made some of our learning and family activities available online for you to enjoy both at home and at Sutton Hoo.

A family photographing a mushroom at Sutton Hoo

Share your day

Take a few moments to share your day with those that can’t be there, using the hashtag #EveryoneNeedsNature. Whilst we stop and can’t chat to you about your visit, we’d love to see photos of your time with us and hear any feedback you might have via our social media channels.

Follow the Countryside Code

With more people than ever enjoying our coast and countryside places, we’re asking for your help in looking after them during your visit. Please help us protect wildlife and landscapes by following the Countryside Code, which includes taking any litter home with you and not lighting a barbecue or campfire.

Anglo-Saxon costume demonstration

Sat 21 May 2022

+ 18 other dates

10:30-15:00

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.

Lyre performance with Moro Music

Sat 21 May 2022

11:00-12:30

+ other times

Join Moro Music, experts in Anglo-Saxon instruments, as they fill the landscape of the Royal Burial Ground with the sound of the lyre. Performances at 11am and 3pm.

Gruesome Graves

Sun 22 May 2022

+ 32 other dates

13:00-14:00

Take our free family tour to discover gruesome stories we've had to leave out of our 'normal' tours ...

Thegns of Mercia: Anglo-Saxon re-enactment

Sat 28 May 2022

+ 4 other dates

10:00-17:00

Step back over 1000 years in time to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Anglo-Saxon life as we welcome Thegns of Mercia for a weekend full of living history.

Ramble with the Ranger

Fri 03 Jun 2022

+ 7 other dates

13:00-14:00

Take a ramble with our Ranger, Jonathan, and see Sutton Hoo from a different perspective, exploring the different wildlife that calls this special place home.

Forest Bathing at Sutton Hoo

Sun 12 Jun 2022

+ 3 other dates

08:00-10:00

Relax, unwind and immerse yourself in nature by joining one of our forest bathing sessions.