Visiting Sutton Hoo: What you need to know

Parking and arrival

We've introduced advance booking to keep everyone safe and maintain social distancing. To avoid disappointment please book in advance, especially at busier times such as weekends and bank holidays. However, where space is available on weekdays, pre-booking may not always be necessary. Scroll to the end of this article for full booking details.
Tickets are released on a week by week basis with the following Monday to Sunday bookings released at midnight on Thursday - you are unable to book any further in advance. You will receive emailed confirmation of your booking, there is no need to print as we have your booking details. The team at Sutton Hoo are not able to book or cancel your tickets for you. If you have booked a space and no longer need it, please do cancel your ticket so that somebody else can enjoy visiting instead. It’s easy to do online, you can find instructions here

If you need help, please contact the bookings team on 0344 249 1895.

The gates are opened at 10.00am. Once you have parked your car, walk through the path in the centre of the car park, and past the sculpture of the Sutton Hoo helmet towards the Visitor Welcome building. We are limiting numbers inside the Visitor Welcome building to help keep everyone safe, so you may need to queue outside. In line with government guidelines face coverings are required inside the Visitor Welcome building so please bring one with you. Once you are inside our staff will then ask to see your tickets, take your last name to tick you off their list and ask to see any relevant membership cards. They will let you know what is open that day. Once you have arrived you are able to enjoy your day and stay until 5pm when the estate closes. Please be aware if you’re more than 10 minutes late for your arrival slot then entry will be at the discretion of the property team.

Staying safe

To help keep everyone safe, please follow social distancing and government guidance when you visit. And look out for signs while you’re here which will explain any changes to how you can access different parts of the site. If you’re showing any of the symptoms of coronavirus, or if you've been in contact with anyone that has the virus in the last 14 days, please don’t visit.

Facilities available 

All of our estate walks are open, including access to the Royal Burial Ground. Maps of the estate walks are available to view in the courtyard. Toilets are open next to the High Hall Exhibition and in Tranmer House. The King's River Café (next to the ship sculpture) is open from 10.00am – 4.00pm serving a takeaway range of hot and cold drinks and light snacks. A one-way system is in operation and, in line with government guidelines, you'll be required to wear a face covering whilst inside. Outdoor seating is available. Please be aware the King's River Café is accepting card payments only. Picnic sites are open as usual. A range of family trails can be downloaded here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo/features/family-and-learning-activities-to-try-from-home

Tranmer House and the High Hall exhibition

Tranmer House and the High Hall exhibition are open from 10:30am - 4.00pm with the last admission at 3.30pm. Both buildings will be closed on Thursdays and Fridays.

• We're limiting numbers in both buildings and asking everyone to give other visitors, and our team, plenty of space. Please note that you may have to queue before entering the house or hall. 
• Please wait before being called forward by a member of our team. We are following government guidance and supporting the NHS Test and Trace programme. We’ll ask you to leave brief contact details. It’s voluntary – but it’s very helpful to the NHS Test and Trace programme if you agree. Your details will be securely destroyed after 21 days and not used for any other purpose.
• In line with government guidelines, you'll be required to wear a face covering whilst inside both Tranmer House and the High Hall exhibition.
• For your safety, please avoid touching surfaces as much as you can. 
• One way systems are in operation in both buildings.

Gift shop

From Monday 24 August the gift shop will be re-opening. The shop will be open from 10.00am - 4.00pm. Please note the shop will be closed on Thursdays and Fridays. You will need a pre-booked ticket to visit the shop.

• Where necessary, we will limit the flow of people coming into our shops to ensure they don’t get too busy.
• Hand sanitiser will be available for customers and colleagues to use.
• In line with government guidelines, you'll be required to wear a face covering whilst inside the gift shop.
• Protective screens at till points.
• Where possible, we will create separate entrances and exits, so that it’s easier to keep a safe distance from other customers.
• Our staff and signs will reinforce these safety measures.

Second-hand bookshop

From Monday 21 September the second-hand bookshop will be re-opening and re-locating from the stables to the Court. The bookshop will be open from 10.30am - 4.00pm. Please note that the bookshop will be closed on Thursdays and Fridays.

• To help keep everyone safe we will be limiting the number of people inside the bookshop at any one time.
• Hand sanitiser will be available to use.
• Protective screens at till points.
• The bookshop has a separate entrance and exit, so that it’s easier to keep a safe distance from other customers.
• Every item that’s donated, we will quarantine for 72 hours before it goes out on the shelves.
• We will only be accepting card payment at this time.
• In line with government guidelines, you'll be required to wear a face covering whilst inside the bookshop
• We are currently unable to accept donations of items- this will be changing shortly so please check back here for updates.

Accessibility

Accessible parking is available in the main car park. Accessible toilets are available at the side of the High Hall Exhibition and in Tranmer House. Unfortunately, our personal mobility vehicles are not currently available to hire. You can download a full copy of our access statement below.

How to book

All visitors must book a ticket in advance, including members. Entry and parking is free for members, but please bring your membership card with you. Non-members will need to pay in advance.

• Please book one ticket per person, except for children aged 5 or under as they don’t need a ticket.
• You’ll need to choose a 30-minute arrival time for the day you want to visit.
• The timeslot is for your arrival time only 
• Tickets are for your use only and are not available for resale
• We'll send your booking confirmation by email. Please make sure you fill in your correct email address when you book to ensure you receive your confirmation email.

Every Friday we'll release new bookings for visits the following week. You can book up to 18 hours before a timeslot. 

Due to limited spaces, we’re asking that you only book once a week to allow others a chance to visit.