£1.8million National Lottery grant awarded to Sutton Hoo

Our plans to transform the experience at Sutton Hoo have taken a dramatic step forward after we learnt we have been awarded a £1.8million National Lottery grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Sutton Hoo is one of the UK’s most significant historical sites and we’re planning to take it into the future with ambitious new approaches to the way we tell the story of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.

Home to the burial ground of the Anglo-Saxon King Raedwald, Sutton Hoo has been fascinating visitors from around the world ever since its hoard of treasure and royal secrets were discovered by a local archaeologist in 1939.

Looking to the future

Now, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we can move ahead with our plans to transform the experience of visiting and discovering more about the people who settled here and those who went on to lead the archaeological digs that uncovered the world famous finds, including the Sutton Hoo helmet.

The news of the successful grant bid follows two years of planning and the funds will go towards the total project cost of £4million.

Our plans

Our plans include building a 17 metre observation tower to give views over the entire burial ground and to the River Deben beyond, revealing the fascinating story of this evocative landscape. It was from the River Deben that an Anglo-Saxon ship was hauled up the valley before it formed the burial chamber found in Mound One, where the famous treasure was discovered by Suffolk archaeologist Basil Brown.

A new route around the site will allow visitors to walk in the steps of the Anglo-Saxons.  

Tranmer House, the former home of Edith Pretty who instigated the dig that would lead to the discoveries, will be transformed with a new exhibition exploring a timeline of multiple discoveries and the ongoing research at this and other archaeological sites.

Enhanced guided tours, thought-provoking activities and installations, innovative interpretation and creative programming will all sit alongside a schools education programme. 

In addition, partnership working with archaeological bodies, the British Museum and the local community will all help to help bring both the landscape and Exhibition Hall to life.

We’ll also be completing some great improvements to the welcome centre and car park.

Releasing the Sutton Hoo Story

The project, called ‘Releasing the Sutton Hoo Story’, will enable us to create an experience that helps visitors discover more about this internationally significant site and how its stories have captured the imaginations of people the world over.

Allison Girling, Property Operations Manager at Sutton Hoo said: “We welcome visitors with a wide range of interests and knowledge to Sutton Hoo and these plans are all about sharing more about the history of this special place, helping visitors delve deeper into the lives of the Anglo-Saxons who settled here, the people who discovered them and to learn more about what it is that makes Sutton Hoo so fascinating.

“From why the Anglo-Saxons chose to bury their king here and how their lives and traditions have influenced English culture for generations, to how the determination of one remarkable woman led to the discoveries in the first place, there are so many stories to tell at Sutton Hoo and thanks to National Lottery players who make these grants possible, we’ll be able to move forward with our plans. 

Allison added: “We’ve been working with Sutton Hoo’s teams of staff and volunteers, regular visitors and supporters, the local community and the National Lottery to shape the future for Sutton Hoo and together we want to create an experience that really brings history to life whether you’re visiting for a family day out, to discover what’s on your doorstep or to support academic research.”

The £4million project is being made possible thanks in part to support provided by members and visitors and the National Trust is aiming to raise a further £560,000 in order to complete the project.