Skip to content
Skip to content

Yule at Sutton Hoo

Discover what the festive period meant to the Anglo-Saxons living 1500 years ago and find out where many of our traditions came from as we celebrate Yule at Sutton Hoo.

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event (admission applies)

Mid-winter has been an important time of year long before Christmas was celebrated. Many Christmas traditions we follow today would still be recognisable to Anglo-Saxons including family gatherings, decorating and feasting.

Immerse yourself in the High Hall exhibition and find out how the people buried at Sutton Hoo’s Royal Burial Ground might have celebrated this time of year. Discover how the objects link with Yule traditions, explore the Yule feasting table and share your own traditions on the Yule tree.

Venture inside Tranmer House to discover what Christmas was like across the decades. Find out how Edith Pretty spent some of her Christmases with extracts from her travel diaries. Enjoy decorations created by our Busy Bees volunteer sewing team, inspired by objects discovered at Sutton Hoo. Make sure you head into the Discovery Room for some free Yule-themed craft activities.

Times

Prices

Event ticket prices

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

Check admission prices

The basics

Suitability

Suitable for all ages.

Accessibility

The High Hall exhibition and Tranmer House are wheelchair accessible.

Upcoming events

Birds of the River Deben Guided Walk 

Wrap up warm, strap on your walking boots and enjoy a guided walk down to the River Deben to discover more about the birds who call this special place their home.

Event summary

on
13 Sep 2025
at
10:30 to 12:30

Anglo-Saxon costume demonstration 

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
13 Sep to 1 Nov 2025
at
10:30 to 15:00
+ 12 other dates or times

The Dig: A Story Unearthed 

The Dig: A Story Unearthed is a new temporary exhibition sharing the stories of the real people that inspired the hit Netflix film, The Dig, and feature some of the original props and costumes from the film.

Event summary

on
13 Sep 2025 to 25 Jan 2026
at
10:30 to 16:30
+ 90 other dates or times

Gruesome Graves 

Take our free family tour to discover gruesome stories we've had to leave out of our 'normal' tours ...

Event summary

on
14 Sep to 28 Sep 2025
at
13:00 to 14:00
+ 3 other dates or times