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The sun rises behind a clump of trees beyond the Royal Burial Ground, a grass-covered mound surrounded by a field of long grass, at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
Sunrise over the Royal Burial Ground at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk | © Justin Minns
Suffolk

Accessible route to the Royal Burial Ground, Sutton Hoo

This hauntingly beautiful estate, with far-reaching views over the River Deben, is home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Explore around the Royal Burial Ground and discover the incredible story of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his treasured possessions.

Remember your membership card

You'll need access to Sutton Hoo to enjoy this walk so you should either bring a National Trust membership card or pay for entry. Why not make the most of the your visit by visiting the Sutton Hoo exhibition?

Total steps: 7

Total steps: 7

Start point

Sutton Hoo reception and car park, grid ref: TM290493

Step 1

From the visitor centre, walk through the courtyard and head towards Tranmer House, following the signposts to the Royal Burial Ground/Tranmer House.

Step 2

When you arrive at the front of Tranmer House walk round to the right-hand side of the building. From here take the path with the inset stone marked 'Walk in the footsteps of Anglo-Saxon Royalty'. Head through the metal gate. Where the path divides, take the left route that takes you near to the Gar Seat.

Step 3

Pause at the circular benches and admire the view over Rabbit Field and the Deben River valley on your right.

Step 4

Continue through the woods until you reach a gate. Go through the gate and cross the sandy track to the opposite side (beware of any passing farm vehicles), and through another gate. Please ensure you close the gates behind you.

Step 5

You are now in the Royal Burial Ground. The burial mounds themselves are roped off to protect them from being eroded by footsteps. You can walk around the roped-off perimeter to your left and exit through the gate at the far end to explore the viewing tower.

With the glow of sunset in the sky, ribbons of mist lie over the grass-covered burial mounds at Sutton Hoo. Suffolk
Sunset over the burial mounds at Sutton Hoo. Suffolk | © National Trust Images/Justin Minns

Step 6

The viewing tower offers an elevated perspective of the Royal Burial Ground to give a better understanding of the landscape context of the site. The first level is accessible, via a ramp, and gives a commanding perspective over the top of Mound 1, which contained the Great Ship Burial. Interpretation panels give details of the different mounds, whether they have been excavated, and what they contained. There are 81 steps to the top of the tower.

The square viewing tower at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, standing beside trees, with a commanding view across the Royal Burial Ground.
The viewing tower at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, with a commanding view across the Royal Burial Ground. | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Step 7

Carefully cross back over the sandy track, through the gate, and head back towards the courtyard or rest for a while at the Gar Seat and enjoy views across Rabbit Field.

The intricately carved Gar Seat, with long wooden boughs coming together in a pointed arch above the sheltered seat, at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
The intricately carved Gar Seat at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk | © Josh Ward

End point

Sutton Hoo reception and car park, Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3DJ. Grid ref: TM290493.

Trail map

Sutton Hoo Royal Burial Ground accessible route map
Sutton Hoo Royal Burial Ground accessible route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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Tranmer House, Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 3DJ

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