Releasing the Story of Sutton Hoo

We've spent the last few years planning an exciting transformation of your visit to Sutton Hoo. Work on a wide range of developments is now underway and we can't wait to show you everything we've been doing.

With thanks to the £1.8million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and all the support from our visitors and supporters through our fundraising events, Sutton Hoo is undergoing major changes across the site, transforming the way we tell the story of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.

The project, called ‘Releasing the Sutton Hoo Story’, will enable the National Trust 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.

Plans include building a 17 metre high 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.

Work on the observation tower began in May and June 2018 with our archaeological excavation of the tower’s footprint marking the first physical work to take place on site. The excavation marked the first time a dig has taken place so close to the Royal Burial Ground in almost 30 years.

Led by a team of archaeologists from Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), the dig also saw Sutton Hoo staff and volunteers taking hands-on roles to work alongside the experts throughout the work.

Once the tower is complete in early 2020,  a new route around the site will let you walk in the footsteps of the Anglo-Saxons, tracing part of the route the ship may have taken up towards the Royal Burial Ground.

Tranmer House, the former home of Edith Pretty who instigated the dig that would lead to the discoveries, has been 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 all sit alongside a school education programme.

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

In total, £4million will be invested at Sutton Hoo thanks to the generosity and support of National Trust members and visitors. As well as the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant, the National Trust is aiming to raise a further £560,000 in order to complete the project.

With multiple elements to the new experience, we've been gradually revealing it to visitors in stages throughout the late spring and summer of 2019.

If you visit now you'll be able to explore the new experiences in the High Hall exhibition hall and Tranmer House, head on our new River View Walk and see the new sculpture in the courtyard, a full-size representation of the Anglo-Saxon burial ship.

You'll also be able to see constuction of the viewing tower taking place, ahead of it opening early in 2020.