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Suffolk

Discover the best things to do in Suffolk, in East Anglia, from its much-loved coastline to its historic houses and medieval wool towns. Constable Country is also still very much as landscape artist, John Constable, painted it.

Places to visit

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Top places to visit in Suffolk

Trees in full autumn colour at Ickworth Estate surrounding the Rotunda and Church
Place
Place

Ickworth Estate 

Ickworth with its classical Rotunda forms the centrepiece of this estate, which is Suffolk's very own little Italy.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Partially open today
The replica helmet on display in the High Hall at Sutton Hoo
Place
Place

Sutton Hoo 

Home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time, an awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon royal ship burial.

Woodbridge, Suffolk

Partially open today
A man and a woman with rucksacks walk through the gardens at Melford Hall with the Banqueting House in the background.
Place
Place

Melford Hall 

An eclectic home, with stories of naval history and links to Beatrix Potter, set in picturesque gardens.

Sudbury, Suffolk

Closed now
The half-timbered exterior of Lavenham Guildhall, in Lavenham village, Suffolk
Place
Place

Lavenham Guildhall 

At the heart of village life, Lavenham Guildhall is one of the most spectacular timber framed buildings of medieval England.

Sudbury, Suffolk

Closed now
Autumnal view of Bridge Cottage and the River Stour at Flatford, Suffolk
Place
Place

Flatford 

Walk into a masterpiece. This charming hamlet was the inspiration for some of John Constable's most famous paintings.

East Bergholt, Suffolk

Partially open today
Bench with sea view at Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk
Place
Place

Dunwich Heath 

Tucked away on the Suffolk coast, Dunwich Heath and beach offers you peace and quiet and a true sense of being at one with nature.

Dunwich, Suffolk

Partially open today
View across the salt-marsh at Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, Suffolk
Place
Place

Orford Ness 

Uncover some of Britain's top secret military history when you visit this internationally important nature reserve on the Suffolk coast.

Orford, Suffolk

Closed now
View towards the stage and safety curtain at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Place
Place

Theatre Royal 

The Theatre Royal is one of Britain's most significant theatre buildings and the only surviving Regency playhouse in the country.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Christmas in Suffolk

A case with clothes and a wrapped Christmas present sit in the corridor at Ickworth
Article
Article

Christmas on the Continent at Ickworth Estate 

This winter, Ickworth Estate invites you on a Grand Tour of Europe. Follow in the footsteps of the Earl Bishop and his family as you travel through the Ruins of Rome, a bustling Bavarian cabin and a colourful Venetian Carnival. Experience winter traditions from far and wide as you discover Ickworth in all its wintry charm.

The feasting table decorated with drinking horns and food all positioned under a sculpture of the famous Sutton Hoo helmet
Article
Article

Yule at Sutton Hoo 

Discover the origins of Christmas at Sutton Hoo this year with a Yule celebration that's fit for a king.

Father Christmas sat down next to a fire and Christmas tree waving at the camera
Article
Article

Meet Father Christmas at Dunwich Heath 

Head to the coast for a festive celebration at Dunwich Heath. Meet Father Christmas in the cosy second-hand bookshop where every child will receive a gift. Follow the reindeer trail or get creative in with crafts in the barn and make your very own reindeer to take home.

Top winter walks in Suffolk

Get out into nature this winter with these top walks in Suffolk

Exterior view of Rotunda across the North Lawn at Ickworth Estate, Suffolk
Trail
Trail

Ickworth Estate | Albana Walk 

A short circular walk through some of the woodlands around Ickworth. If you have the energy when you walk along the Trim Trail try your hand on various fitness objects, ranging from pole climbing to ladder walks and leap frog.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.9 (km: 3.04)
View of the burial mounds in early light at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
Trail
Trail

Sutton Hoo woodland walk 

Discover the Anglo-Saxon burial site, where a 7th-century ship was uncovered, as well as the woodland wildlife that surrounds the ancient site on the circular Sutton Hoo woodland walk.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)
Bench with sea view at Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk
Trail
Trail

Dunwich Heath orange trail 

Follow the orange trail if you want a bit of everything on your walk, from the swathes of heather making up the heath with the rare Dartford Warbler maybe making an appearance, to the statuesque woodland where you might spot a flash of red and black as a Greater Spotted Woodpecker wings by, and the open expanse of the grassland where Stone Curlews and Hares hide amongst the swaying fronds.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
Sundial in the garden at Melford Hall, Suffolk, in autumn
Trail
Trail

Melford Hall countryside walk 

Enjoy views of open fields, gently rolling hills, beautiful vistas, distant churches and clear running brooks on a walk through Suffolk countryside.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 6 (km: 9.6)

Gardens to visit

View of the rotunda at Ickworth, Suffolk
Article
Article

Visiting the garden at Ickworth 

Ickworth's garden was the first of its kind in the UK. Designed for privacy, space and freedom, it's a distillation of the gardens of classical Italy given an individual English touch.

Outdoor activities in Suffolk

Two visitors cycle side by side through a winding path leading through parkland on the Ickworth Estate. They're wrapped up in rain coats and the weather appears hazy.
Activity
Activity

Cycling at Ickworth Estate 

Find out more about cycling at Ickworth, including the cycle hire hub available in the car park. Pack a picnic and start your adventure.

Latest news and projects

Seal pup with off-white, slightly bloodied fur and deep black eyes on a ground of beige, brown and grey pebbles.
Press release
Press release

First grey seal pup of 2024 is born at Orford Ness 

The first grey seal pup of this winter has been born at Orford Ness in Suffolk, marking the fourth consecutive year of successful breeding at the coastal site.

A close up of the rare Neon pictus, a tiny brown and yellow jumping spider
Press release
Press release

Orford Ness ‘crawling’ with spiders as survey reveals new record of rare spider species for the wild and remote location 

As we approach Halloween, recent surveys by spider experts have revealed that the wild and remote Orford Ness, cared for by the National Trust, is ‘crawling’ with spiders. A total of 55 species of spider have been identified, including 12 believed to be nationally rare or scarce, and a first-time record for the Suffolk coast of the nationally rare Neon pictus, a tiny jumping spider.

Purple heather on Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk
Press release
Press release

Dunwich heather back in bloom after remarkable recovery 

Dunwich Heath, a rare heathland habitat cared for by the National Trust on the Suffolk coast is showing signs of recovery, with its patchwork of pink and purple heather back in bloom after being severely impacted by extreme heat and drought in 2022.

Tony Robinson and Helen Geake stood outside the gate to Garden Field at Sutton Hoo
Article
Article

Time Team at Sutton Hoo 

Missing pieces of a 6th century Byzantine bucket have been uncovered at Sutton Hoo, during a month-long archaeological excavation by Time Team at the site. Time Team has been documenting this unique investigation as it's unfolded and we look forward to sharing news about the special documentary, which is due out early next year.

Two Brown long-eared bats, Plecotus auritus, hanging upside down
News
News

Pillbox used in D-Day preparations is given new lease of life as a home for bats 

A Second World War pillbox at Dunwich Heath, which was used in preparations for the D-Day landings, has been transformed into a home for roosting bats.

Colony of grey seals on the shingle at the Orford Ness National Nature Reserve in Suffolk
Press release
Press release

Suffolk’s first breeding colony of grey seals recorded at Orford Ness 

National Trust rangers at Orford Ness National Nature Reserve in Suffolk are celebrating the birth of over 130 grey seal pups this winter; the third, consecutive year of successful breeding at the coastal site, which is now thought to be home to Suffolk’s first grey seal colony.

The wooden frame of the replica Anglo-Saxon ship in a boatyard in Woodbridge, Suffolk
News
News

Joinery apprentices help build full-size replica of famous Sutton Hoo ship  

Three of our joinery apprentices are honing their heritage craft skills in a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ project. They'll be working on building a full-size replica of the famous Anglo-Saxon ship unearthed at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk.

Carey Mulligan as Edith Pretty and Ralph Fiennes as Basil Brown
Article
Article

Digging the dirt at Sutton Hoo: The true story behind The Dig 

The Dig is a film by Netflix, released in 2021, based on the novel of the same title by John Preston. But do you know the true story of the excavation of the Great Ship Burial at Sutton Hoo? Read on to discover more.

Get involved

A volunteer room guide speaking with visitors at Melford Hall, Suffolk

Volunteering in Suffolk 

Making new friends, working in amazing places, and knowing that you're helping a cause you care about – just three great reasons to volunteer with the National Trust in Suffolk.

A ranger and volunteer working on the heathland at Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk
Article
Article

Supporter groups in Suffolk 

Find out what you could gain by joining a National Trust supporter group in Suffolk. Volunteer at local properties, attend talks and socialise with likeminded individuals.

Places to stay

Landscapes beautiful enough to inspire a great artist and a coastline worthy of an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ status; our holiday cottages in Suffolk and along the Suffolk coast offer an inspiring place to stay.

Visiting National Trust places in Suffolk without a car

Family on a bike ride in autumnal woods, looking at a map
Article
Article

Sustainable travel in Suffolk 

There are a number of sustainable options for travelling to and from the places in our care in Suffolk, whether you’re looking to travel by train, bus, bike or foot. Here’s a little more information that can help you plan your visit.

Upcoming events

Event

Family-friendly Winter Trail 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

A fun, family-friendly winter trail winds its way through the Albana woodland, with things to spot and activities to do.

Event summary

on
3 Dec 2024 to 5 Jan 2025
at
09:00 to 16:00
+ 33 other dates or times
Event

Christmas on the Continent - House entry (before Christmas holidays) 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

The house is decked out to follow the journey of the Earl-Bishop and his family as they toured around Europe. Experience different modes of transport and immersive room decorations as the house is decorated to represent different wintry scenes.

Event summary

on
3 Dec to 20 Dec 2024
at
14:45 to 15:00
+ 290 other dates or times
Event

Adapting Ickworth: A Sustainable Journey 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

A tour with our Facilities Manager to explore and understand how Ickworth is facing into Climate Change and the measures taken historically and today to ensure Ickworth adapts to its future.

Event summary

on
4 Dec 2024
at
11:00 to 11:45
Event

Wool Spinning Demonstrations 

Lavenham Guildhall, Sudbury, Suffolk

Watch our volunteer spinners in action at Lavenham Guildhall.

Event summary

on
5 Dec to 26 Dec 2024
at
11:00 to 15:00
+ 3 other dates or times
Event

K.D Theatre presents an Ickworth Santa Show (Friday Performances) 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Get ready to embark on a magical adventure with Father Christmas and Jingleberry the Elf as they prepare for the most wonderful time of the year. But wait—there's a hitch! Santa's sleigh is in trouble!

Event summary

on
6 Dec to 13 Dec 2024
at
14:30 to 15:30
+ 3 other dates or times
Event

Ickworth Late Night Christmas Shopping 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Join us in the West Wing at Ickworth for late night shopping opportunity. A chance for you to visit us in the late afternoon and early evening to get all your last minute Christmas shopping done!

Event summary

on
6 Dec to 15 Dec 2024
at
16:15 to 19:30
+ 5 other dates or times
Event

Riddlequest: Escape Game 

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Can you return a mysterious object to its rightful place in our escape game experience? Complete challenges along the way, including solving real early medieval riddles to unlock the secrets of the past.

Event summary

on
6 Dec to 7 Dec 2024
at
18:00 to 19:00
+ 3 other dates or times
Event

Dunwich Heath reindeer trail 

Dunwich Heath and Beach, Dunwich, Suffolk

Find the reindeer on the loose at Dunwich Heath!

Event summary

on
7 Dec to 23 Dec 2024
at
09:00 to 15:00
+ 6 other dates or times
Two visitors laughing at each other whilst admiring the Dining Room at Christmas at Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.