Accessible route to the Royal Burial Ground (orange circular walk)
This hauntingly beautiful estate, with far-reaching views over the River Deben, is home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Walk around the ancient burial ground and discover the incredible story of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his treasured possessions.
Suitable for active families. Suitable for buggies and wheelchairs to edge of burial ground but we recommend borrowing one of our personal mobility vehicles.
Start:
Sutton Hoo reception and car park, grid ref: TM290493
1
After going through the Visitor Welcome building for your admission, walk through the courtyard and head towards Tranmer House, following the signposts to the Royal Burial Ground/Tranmer House.
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 “Walk in the footsteps of Anglo-Saxon Royalty”. Head through the metal gate. Sheep graze in this field so please make sure to close the gate behind you. Where the path divides take the left route which takes you near to the Gar Seat.
3
Pause at the circular benches and admire the view over Rabbit Field and the Deben River valley on your right.
Deben Valley and Rabbit Field
Just ahead of you, you'll come across the Deben valley on your right. This old river valley is known as the Rabbit Field, as its been home to rabbits for many years. They ransacked a lot of the burial mounds before Basil Brown (at that time employed at Ipswich Museum) arrived in 1938, at the request of Mrs Edith Pretty, to excavate the mounds on her property at Sutton Hoo. Mrs Pretty agreed to pay him at his usual weekly rate at the museum of £1.12.6d.
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 the gates are closed behind you.
5
You are now in the Royal Burial Ground. Look for the markers, which will direct you on a route through the mounds and take you to Mound 1, the site of the famous ship burial.
Anglo-Saxon Burial Mounds
Mound 1 was excavated in the early summer of 1939, initially by Basil Brown from the Ipswich Museum. He uncovered the remains of a 90ft-long, clinker-built wooden ship of the seventh century, outlined by its iron rivets in the sand. Further excavations in the following years up to 1971 led the excavators to believe that this was the burial site of Raedwald, leader of the Wuffing dynasty of the East Angles, dating to c.625 AD. To find out more, why not join one of our guided tours whilst you’re here at Sutton Hoo.
6
At the far end of the burial ground you will be able to see the site of the 17 metre Viewing Tower which is currently being built. Head back around the edge of the roped area, pausing to look at the view towards Tranmer House before reaching the gate.
7
Head back through the Royal Burial Ground, pausing to look at the view towards Tranmer House before reaching the gate. Note that the route will differ slightly on occasion as some areas may be roped off to allow the grass to recover where it’s suffered from many feet passing over.
8
Carefully cross back over the sandy track, through the gate, and head back towards the courtyard or Tranmer House. Rest for a while at the Gar Seat and enjoy views across Rabbit Field.
Gar Seat
Look out for the Gar seat before the end of the walk. Cleverly crafted to link in with the Royal Ship Burial, the carvings on the seat echo the beautiful Anglo-Saxon designs found in the Great Ship Burial.
9
Time for a cuppa and a treat! Turn left for Keepers' Café (opening times vary) or straight ahead for King's River Café and the Courtyard.
End:
Sutton Hoo reception and car park, grid ref: TM290493
