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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

Fully 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

Fully 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

Fully open today
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

Fully open today
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

Fully 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

Fully open today
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

October half-term in Suffolk

Visitors in the garden at Ickworth, Suffolk

Discover half-term fun near you 

There's plenty going on this October half-term to keep the whole family entertained from indoor golf at Ickworth, Tales by Torchlight at Sutton Hoo or halloween crafts at Dunwich.

Young girl in a bright coloured patterned jacket pretending to fly on a Broomstick with her dad cheering her on

What's On in Suffolk this half-term 

Discover family friendly events across Suffolk this October half-term.

Top walks in Suffolk this autumn

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

A view of the Ickworth Monument
Trail
Trail

Ickworth Estate | Monument Trail 

This route forms the second ½ of the Multi-use track (The first half is the Linnet Valley trail). Taking you to the Monument at the southern end of the park, passing St Mary’s Church, The Walled garden and returning past the Fairy Lake. One of the highlights is the spectacular view across the Linnet Valley to the Rotunda.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.02 (km: 4.83)
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.

Sundial in the garden at Melford Hall, Suffolk, in autumn
Article
Article

Explore the garden and park at Melford Hall 

Explore Melford Hall and enjoy a gentle stroll around the garden or a brisk walk in the park. Then pause on the north lawn to enjoy the views of the wider estate and wildlife.

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

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

Outdoor Garden Exhibition 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

As part of our ‘A Design Masterpiece’ programme theme this year we have created an exhibition focused on the evolution of Ickworth’s outdoor spaces.

Event summary

on
12 Oct to 4 Nov 2024
at
09:00 to 17:00
+ 23 other dates or times
Event

Autumn Colour Spotter Activity 

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Escape into the Autumn landscape at Sutton Hoo. Pick-up an autumn colour spotter sheet for a fun activity along the way.

Event summary

on
12 Oct to 3 Nov 2024
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 22 other dates or times
Event

Tree-mendous Tree Trail 

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Escape into Autumn on our tree-mendous tree family trail.

Event summary

on
12 Oct to 3 Nov 2024
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 22 other dates or times
Event

Walk with Us at Sutton Hoo 

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Get out in the fresh air, re-connect with nature, stretch your legs and walk your way to better wellbeing on one of our volunteer-led group walks.

Event summary

on
12 Oct to 17 Oct 2024
at
10:30 to 12:00
+ 1 other date or time
Event

Discover Long Melford's Secrets 

Melford Hall, Sudbury, Suffolk

A 2 hour guided walk discovering some of the secrets of Long Melford village.

Event summary

on
12 Oct 2024
at
10:30 to 12:30
Event

Anglo-Saxon costume demonstration 

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Meet our historic costume volunteers as they demonstrate the craft skills of the Anglo-Saxons and how they created clothing and accessories using natural materials.

Event summary

on
12 Oct 2024 to 4 Jan 2025
at
10:30 to 15:00
+ 8 other dates or times
Event

An Introduction to Ickworth Tour 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Join the team caring for Ickworth's treasures to discover more about the Hervey family and their collection.

Event summary

on
12 Oct to 31 Oct 2024
at
10:45 to 11:30
+ 11 other dates or times
Event

Ickworth - A Design Masterpiece 

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Explore Ickworth as a masterpiece of design in our new celebration for 2024. From the iconic Rotunda with its innovative Italianate gardens to the estate's structured parkland, Ickworth is a dream of Rome within the heart of Suffolk.

Event summary

on
12 Oct to 31 Oct 2024
at
11:00 to 15:00
+ 19 other dates or times
A group of four women along a path, in the background, down a hill is a reservoir

Where will you visit next?

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