national trust places to visit in suffolk

All the stunning Suffolk spots you can visit for free with a National Trust card

There's some on this list you may never have heard of!

• 15:03, 3 JAN 2022

Here at SuffolkLive we can't get enough of all these incredible spots around the county offering a unique insight into our history.

There are 11 locations under the National Trust here including a former atomic bomb testing site and a family home with a link to a famous children's author.

If you have a National Trust membership, you can visit all of these spots for free! To help you make the most of them, we've put a list together for you.

Read more: The idyllic Dunwich woodland walk with a pub stop halfway round

How many have you been to?

Lavenham Guildhall

This complex of beautiful timber-framed buildings tells the story of 500 years of village history.

The Guildhall has been a workhouse, a family home and even a nightclub during its long life. It's also been used as a film set.

The streets of Lavenham were used as a background for the scenes in Godric's Hollow in the film 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1'.

Dunwich Heath and Beach, Saxmundham

Dunwich is a nature lovers paradise! It's home to an abundance of wildlife, including rare birds such as nightjars and the Dartford warbler.

The site has been in the care of the National Trust for more than 50 years and is in the middle of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

There is an elaborate network of footpaths leading you through everything from heather and heathland to shingle beach.

Flatford, East Bergholt

Flatford lies at the heart of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and inspired from of John Constable's most famous paintings.

The beautiful little hamlet is home to an exhibition giving visitors an insight into the artist's life and career.

There are also plenty of picturesque walks around the countryside nearby.

Melford Hall, Sudbury

Melford Hall near Sudbury is a family home with special links to adored children's author Beatrix Potter.

It's a hall that's seen many generations call it home and that has endured everything from fire to being ransacked during the Civil War.

It is their stories that made this such a fascinating place to visit.

Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, Woodbridge

This stunning piece of Suffolk coastline is only accessible by National Trust ferry.

It's an eerily beautiful location which contains the ruined remnants of a disturbing past.

Once, Orford Ness was the site of weapon and atomic bomb testing, now it's home to rare and protected wildlife and is ranked among the most important shingle features in the world.

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge

In 1939, a discovery was made in sleepy Suffolk that would change history.

Hidden deep within a burial mound was the imprint of a 27-metre-long ship, with its timbers long since rotted away.

Further investigation led archaeologists to discover it was the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king, who was laid to rest with a gold and silver treasure trove.

While many of the findings are now in place at the British Museum in London, at the original site in Sutton Hoo sits a full size ship sculpture, brilliant replicas and the royal burial ground itself.

The story of the discovery was recently made into a film by Netflix called 'The Dig'.

Also on the list of National Trust spots are:

• Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds - The last surviving Regency playhouse in Britain
• Pin Mill, Chelmondiston - A woodland and heathland restoration site.
• Ickworth, Bury St Edmunds - An Italianate rotunda sitting in the heart of an ancient deer park
• Kyson Hill, Woodbridge - Walk and relax among the grassy slopes and trees
• Darrow Wood, Harleston - A small hedge-enclosed wooded and pasture field containing earthworks and the remains of a compact motte-and-bailey castle

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• Things to do in Suffolk
• Most Recent

The 10 best things to do in Suffolk

D iversity is the watchword in Suffolk , with a surprisingly wide array of attractions and experiences within its diminutive borders – everything from boating in the most southerly reaches of the Broads National Park to visiting an icon of the Industrial revolution (situated, incidentally, not far from one of the country’s largest nuclear reactors). In between, you can choose between nature at Minsmere, culture in Aldeburgh, and booze in Southwold.

For further inspiration, discover our guide to Suffolk and the best hotels , restaurants and nightlife in the area. 

Find things to do by area

Inland suffolk, suffolk coast, take to the water in beccles.

Beccles is a handsome Georgian town high above the river on the Suffolk-Norfolk border, and worth a visit for just that. But it’s also the most southerly navigable point of the Broads National Park , and thus a perfect place to pick up a day boat or a canoe and get out on the water. You can do just that at the family-run  Hippersons Boatyard  in town, or at Rowan Craft or Three Rivers , both in nearby Geldeston. The latter has its own floating wood-fired sauna if you’re after something different afterwards.

Insider’s tip:  If you’d rather let someone else do the driving, take the Big Dog Ferry to the excellent Locks Inn for a pint or two.

Swing through the trees in Thetford Forest

Right on the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, Thetford Forest was made for the zipwires and rope bridges of Go Ape, and obligingly there’s a branch of the tree-top adventure park on hand. Bring the family and enjoy a forest adventure – not just at Go Ape but on multiple footpaths and cycling trails through the woods. Book in advance, and check first whether your children are old enough (and tall enough) for the main Tree Top Adventure.

Insider’s tip: Before or after enjoy a meal at the Elveden Inn or excellent Courtyard Restaurant – both part of the extensive Elveden Estate.

Contact :  goape.co.uk

Price :  ££

See the sights in Lavenham

Perhaps the most idyllic of the wool towns of central Suffolk – and certainly the best-known and most visited – Lavenham is the jewel in the crown of inland Suffolk: a small town with more creaky, leaning timbered houses than you can shake a stick at. The main market square is at the centre of it all and home to the town’s National Trust-run Guildhall , where you can view an exhibit of the town’s history. You should also visit the church of St Peter & St Paul up the hill – as good a testament as any to the wealth and piety of 16th-century Lavenham.

Insider’s tip:  Among Lavenham’s many good choices, a good place for lunch is the brasserie in the historic Swan Hotel , which serves an excellent two-course set lunch for £22.50.

Explore one of the best places to live in Britain

Regularly voted one of the best places to live in Britain, Framlingham’s major sight is its castle, home to Mary Tudor in the 1550s, dominating the town from the top of its hill and referenced in kind by local boy done good, Ed Sheeran. You can walk right around the 12th-century defensive walls, still topped with their Tudor-style chimneys, and enjoy fine views of the surrounding countryside.

Insider's tip:  Be sure to visit the impressive medieval church of St Michael next door – worth a look for a collection of  the world's finest sepulchral monuments.

Contact :  english-heritage.org.uk

Try your hand at gin-making

These days it’s not often you come across a working brewery in a town centre but that’s exactly what you find in Southwold, which despite its genteel reputation is still wafted by beery fumes from the long-established local Adnams brewery every day. Tours are regular and very popular, and they take about an hour to see the brewery’s main features and taste an ale or two. They have also started distilling gin so you can tour the distillery too.

Insider’s tip:  Keep an eye on the website as on certain days, you can make our own gin.

Contact : adnams.co.uk

Go Twitching in Minsmere

It's hard to believe now but the sleepy coastal backwater of Dunwich was a large and important medieval seaport before the sea swept it away. You might enjoy visiting the ruins of a monastery, taking in the local museum or even exploring some undersea ruins offshore, but the real draw of this little town is the wonderful RSPB bird reserve at nearby Minsmere, where visitors can walk the lagoons, watch the birds and perhaps spy the odd otter amongst the reeds.

Insider’s tip:  If you get hungry you can also enjoy the excellent fish and chips at  Flora Tea Rooms in Dunwich, or pop into the cosy Ship Inn for a pint or a bite to eat.

Contact :  rspb.org.uk

Price :  £

Discover one of England’s most famous composers

Situated on the outskirts of town, the Red House was once the home of Benjamin Britten and is now home to a museum chock-full of artefacts relating to England’s most famous 20th-century composer. Among various outbuildings you can also see the library, still filled with Britten’s and Pears’ collection of furniture, books and paintings, and the studio where he composed 'War Requiem' and other late works. 

Insider’s tip:  Try to coincide your visit with one of the tours of the house, which is filled with Pears’ and Britten’s substantial collection of 20th-century art.

Contact : brittenpearsarts.org

Dig into Anglo-Saxon history

Sutton Hoo is perhaps the most important Anglo-Saxon archeological site in the country – the burial ground of a warrior king who was interred in a forty-oar ship with a treasure trove of possessions in the early seventh century. You can see the main burial mound along with several others, a mock-up of the ship and a short film, and sadly only a handful of the main finds as most are in the British Museum.

Insider’s tip:  Tranmer House is a late 1940s bubble used by the women’s Land Army during the war and still with the graffiti to prove it.

Contact : nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo

Experience Suffolk's industrial revolution

The workaday town of Leiston is not generally considered among Suffolk’s top places to visit. Which is a pity, because the Long Shop Museum hosts an authentic and atmospheric icon of the 19th-century, the Leiston Works, which produced steam-driven machinery and exported its products all over the world. Not only that but the founder's daughters, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Millicent Fawcett, became two of the most famous and influential women of their age.

Insider's tip: Stroll down to Sizewell and enjoy a hot drink in the shadows of the nuclear power station at Sizewell Tea , a proper beach café with decent food too.

Contact: longshopmuseum.co.uk

Visit a town forgotten by time

On a peaceful corner of the Suffolk Coast, protected by the long land-spit of Orford Ness, Orford is one those places where the road appears to run out – a sleepy village-cum-small town split between the market square and 12th-century castle keep and a quayside area where you can take trips across to both the  Orford Ness National Nature Reserve  and the RSPB reserve on nearby  Halvergate Island .

Insider’s tip:  Be sure to come hungry – the main square boasts a number of foodie destinations, or you could stop off for some seafood to take home at  Pinney’s  by the harbour.

How we choose

Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.

Sign up to the Front Page newsletter for free: Your essential guide to the day's agenda from The Telegraph - direct to your inbox seven days a week.

Home » Travel Guides » United Kingdom » England » 15 Best Places to Visit in Suffolk (England)

15 Best Places to Visit in Suffolk (England)

Without a city to speak of, the County of Suffolk is scattered with rural towns, and many of these are as divine as any you’ll see in England.

In the south the idyllic countryside of water meadows and mills by the River Stour was immortalised by the 19th-century painter John Constable.

Further west are the Wool Towns, medieval communities that time forgot and whose half-timbered houses have set the scene for movies like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

And last but not least is the coast, with towns that are authentic and low-key like the rest of the county, all the more appealing for it.

Lets explore the best places to visit in Suffolk :

1. Bury St Edmunds

Proud host of the only cathedral in Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds may well be the most beautiful town in the county.

There’s history from all sorts of different periods, and many buildings in the town are even older than they look because the old timber-framing was bricked over in the 1700s, as was the Georgian fashion.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral should be on your agenda, as should the ruined Bury St Edmunds Abbey, standing in serene gardens that you enter via a stunning Norman gateway.

More recent but no less fabulous is the Theatre Royal, the only surviving regency theatre in England, newly restored to its pre-Victorian glory.

The Greene King brewery is also in Bury St Edmunds, brewing ale for more than 200 years and welcoming you for tours.

On the Orwell Estuary, Ipswich is a town that vies for the title of the oldest in England.

Its history goes back to the 600s when a Saxon settlement took shape around the docks.

All the way through the middle ages, Ipswich was a key port for trade with Europe.

This legacy is recognised during the Ipswich Maritime Festival in August when there are street markets, historical re-enactments and old sailboats visit the town.

As it was in the past, the waterside area is the most engaging part of Ipswich, where old warehouses are now apartments, restaurants and galleries, and the University of Suffolk injects some youthful energy.

In the Buttermarket area, see the Ancient House, a fine 14th-century merchant’s house embellished with the “pargeting”, decorative plasterwork, that East Anglia is known for.

3. Southwold

Suffolk has a speciality in charming, understated seaside towns, and Southwold is one of the best.

Take the pier for instance, which instead of tacky amusements has a restaurant, cute little cafes and vintage-style coin-operated machines that have helped win it “Pier of Year”. Further down the coast, the oldest part of Southwold is a knot of painted old houses and maritime inns, all commanded by the Southwold Lighthouse, commissioned in 1890 and still working today, guiding vessels into the harbour and sending a warning signal 24 miles out to sea.

Call in for a look around and to climb the 92 steps to the platform at the top.

4. Newmarket

In the far west of the county, the name of this fabled market town is practically a byword of horseracing.

Newmarket is the birthplace of the sport, with races recorded as far back as the 12th century.

It is also the centre for horse-breeding and training in England, and the Jockey Club is headquartered right in the town.

To illustrate its status, nine of Britain’s 32 prestigious Group 1 races are run at the Newmarket Racecourse, which also has the National Horseracing Museum, indispensable for anyone interested in the sport.

5. Lavenham

The Suffolk Wool Towns are considered among the best-preserved medieval settlements in England.

These got rich from the wool trade in the middle ages, when nearly all of their landmarks were built.

Lavenham, now a village, was once one of the wealthiest towns in England and now has some 340 listed buildings.

One of these is the Church of St Peter and St Paul, completed in 1525 and seen as a masterwork of Late Perpendicular Gothic design, crammed with wondrous decoration, like the 14th-century painted rood screen.

There’s loads more to see, like the 16th-century timber Guildhall, which recounts Lavenham’s history perfectly as it was a hub for business in the 1500s, but by Victorian times was a workhouse once the wool trade had died off.

Lavenham’s architecture appeared in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts I and II.

6. Long Melford

A fine complement to Lavenham, Long Melford is also a Wool Town and has lots of sumptuous architecture from the time when it was booming.

Kentwell Hall is the grandest of all, with a facade in the gothic style from the mid-1500s, but interiors that go back to the 11th century.

You can have a good look around inside, but there are also wondrous gardens and a rare breeds farm for kids.

The Holy Trinity Church was financed by wool merchants, which explains its extravagance and scale, and its often rated among the most beautiful in the country.

The nave is the longest of any parish church in England and nearly all of the traceried windows contain their original medieval glass.

7. Felixstowe

There are two sides to Felixstowe, and the difference between them is night and day.

In the south is the largest container port in the UK, receiving 3,000 gigantic cargo ships a year on a headland guarding the Stour Estuary.

It’s an eye-opener to see such the port and its traffic in action.

Landguard Fort on the headland is run by English Heritage and was in use from the 16th century all the way up to the Second World War.

And then as you travel north, the docks give way to pebble beaches and an Edwardian coastal town.

Felixstowe Pier has the requisite amusement arcade and the foreshore is a sequence of pretty gardens landscaped at the turn of the 20th century.

8. East Bergholt

The south of Suffolk, around the Dedham Vale Area of Natural Beauty is marketed as Constable Country.

East Bergholt was the birthplace of John Constable, one of England’s most-celebrated artists who painted the local pastoral landscapes in his romantic style in the early-1800s.

Close by is Flatford Mill, an 18th-century watermill which was owned by Constable’s father and was the subject of many of his paintings, most famously Flatford Mill (Scene on a Navigable River), which is hanging at the Tate Britain in London.

The mill and its thatched cottage are now managed by the National Trust, and hold an exhibition about the artist.

9. Lowestoft

The UK’s easternmost settlement is a seaside town that makes for a fun day trip in summer, especially if you have children.

There are more than enough high-quality attractions to entertain littler holidaymakers for a day or two: Africa Alive! is a conservation-oriented zoo with giraffes, zebras, water buffalo and lemurs.

While the amusement park, Pleasurewood Hills, despite being on the small side, is always adding new attractions and rides.

The beach to the south of Claremont Pier is a perennial Blue Flag winner, with immaculate sands and long promenade behind.

For entertainment and culture there’s the Victorian Marina Theatre, where the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has a residency, or the Lowestoft Maritime Museum, which dips into the town’s seafaring past and former fishing industry.

10. Sudbury

East of the Dedham Vale, Sudbury is a historic market town on the River Stour.

Sudbury was the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough, England’s pre-eminent portrait painter of the mid-18th century.

Gainsborough’s beautiful house is preserved as a museum for the artist, with a number of his works and information about his early years in the town.

In the countryside the Stour is implausibly pretty, nourishing water meadows that you can reach along the Valley Walk, which is both a footpath and cycle route.

Boat trips on the Stour are a tranquil way to pass a sunny afternoon, taking you past banks with grazing cattle and the tower of Sudbury’s All Saints Church in the background.

11. Woodbridge

In 1939 at Sutton Hoo, archaeologists discovered the most important Saxon site in England.

It consisted of a 30-metre burial ship, most likely for the 7th-century King Rædwald, and treasures that changed people’s conceptions of Saxon workmanship.

The exhibition hall at Sutton Hoo has reconstructed the burial chamber and gives you fresh insights about the Saxons in East Anglia.

Of course there’s more to the lovely town of Woodbridge, which has been a maritime centre for hundreds of years and has a traditional harbour on the River Deben.

Here, clad with white weatherboarding, is the Woodbridge Tide Mill, which is 800 years old and continues to grind flour.

12. Framlingham

This market town often polls as one of the most liveable places in the county, but it also has huge historical importance: Framlingham Castle was constructed in the 1100s and was the seat of some of England’s most powerful families.

All kinds of political intrigue and plots have been hatched at this spot.

One momentous event was Mary Tudor retreating here in 1553 after the death of Henry VIII and summoning an army to march on London and take the throne.

The castle is in fantastic condition and you can walk along the battlements for inspiring views.

Spare some time for the Church of St Michael, recognised for its Thamar Organ, one of just a handful in England to survive the Civil War in the 17th century.

On the River Alde, which weaves through a coastal wetland region on the way to the north sea, Orford is a small town with a maritime character and a whiff of brine.

Orford Ness is protected as a nature reserve and adored by boaters, especially on clear days when the whole landscape glistens in the sun.

There’s a quaint old quay by the water, the sort of place that has a pub called “The Jolly Sailor”. You can catch a ferry across the river to the wetlands or go for crisp walks on the beach.

Orford Castle gazes out over the Ness and was ordered by Henry II in the 12th century to firm up the royal power base in the area.

The keep is in excellent condition and has a very unusual appearance, possibly inspired by medieval Byzantine architecture.

14. Aldeburgh

A coastal town with a blue flag pebble beach, Aldeburgh is oriented towards visitors, but it would be wrong to call this unspoiled place a seaside resort.

Aldeburgh has little in common with classic English seaside destinations, and is instead more of a historic village by the sea.

In Tudor times Aldeburgh was a busy port and there are quite a few structures from this period.

See the 16th-century Moot Hall, a kind of town meeting hall which now houses Aldeburgh’s museum.

The Red House is another delightful period property, where the 20th-century composer Benjamin Britten lived.

Finally, Aldeburgh has a reputation for its fish and chips, claiming two of the best shops in the country.

Like the best of Suffolk’s Wool Towns, Clare is just a small settlement now, but its high status in former times lends it tons of personality.

Indeed, there are 133 listed buildings in the town, a large amount of which are from the 1500s or older.

Very evocative is the castle, which was constructed directly after the Norman Conquest and once belonged to Elizabeth de Clare, who wielded serious power in the 14th-century England.

Now it’s a picturesque ruin atop its earthen motte at the heart of a park.

Clare also has a large wool church, held as one of East Anglia’s finest and filled with interesting fittings, like the 17th-century choir stalls and a brass lectern dating to the 1400s.

15 Best Places to Visit in Suffolk (England):

• Bury St Edmunds
• Long Melford
• East Bergholt
• Framlingham

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7 great National Trust days out in Essex and Suffolk

There’s more to Essex and Suffolk than first meets the eye, with many hidden gems cared for by the National Trust. From charming country houses and picturesque towns with half-timbered buildings to a landscape made famous by John Constable and an ancient royal hunting forest – you really are spoilt for choice.

To help you find out more, we’ve put together seven great National Trust days out in Essex and Suffolk near our holiday cottages.

1. Ickworth

Bottom images L to R by  Martin Pettitt & John Fielding

Don’t miss:  The chance to discover what life was like above and below stairs. Details:  Once home to the eccentric, and sometimes infamous, Hervey family, the impressive Rotunda is a showcase of the priceless treasures the family collected, whilst life below stairs tells quite a different story. Outdoors, the extensive park and gardens provide a tranquil backdrop to a truly entertaining day out. Find out more:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth Stay at:  Vicarage House   /  Vicarage House & Pool House are 40 minutes’ drive from Ickworth. Our  Essex holiday lodges are a 50 minute drive.

2. Melford Hall

Top image: Andrew Rabbot ; bottom images L to R by  Maria  &  Marathon

Don’t miss:  Find out why Beatrix Potter was a regular visitor and see some of her work. Details:  Explore the family home of the Hyde Parkers, who lovingly restored this house following a devastating fire in 1942. Relax and enjoy the indoor comforts of this naval family’s home, or the outdoor pursuits including croquet and picnics on the lawn. Find out more:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/melfordhall Stay at:  Our  Essex holiday lodges are a 30 minute drive,  Vicarage House   /  Vicarage House & Pool House are a 50 minute drive.

3. Lavenham Guildhall

Top & bottom L image by Martin Pettitt ; Bottom R image by  Amanda Slater

Don’t miss:  The little upstairs room packed with memories on film. Details:  Lavenham is one of the best preserved medieval villages in England. Step inside one of the finest timber framed buildings in the village, the Guildhall of Corpus Christi, and follow the stories and changing fortunes of those who lived and worked here. Find out more:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lavenhamguildhall Stay at:  Our  Essex holiday lodges , 30 minutes’ drive away.

4. Flatford

Bottom left image by  Karen Roe

Don’t miss:  The towpath walk to Constable’s birthplace at Flatford Mill and Willy Lott’s Cottage. Details:  Nestled by the River Stour, the hamlet of Flatford is home to many of the iconic views that inspired some of John Constable’s most famous paintings. By far the best way to experience these scenes is on foot - simply step back in time and absorb the places Constable knew and loved. Why not hire a rowing boat and mess about on the water or enjoy a cream tea overlooking the river? Find out more:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/flatford Stay at:  Our  Essex holiday lodges , 25 minutes’ drive away.

5. Hatfield Forest

Top & bottom L image by  Jason Boldero , bottom R image by j.e.mcgowan

Don’t miss:  The herds of deer and cattle still roaming free.  Details:  Make tracks for Hatfield Forest, once one of the great hunting forests of English kings. With its miles of grassy pathways and ancient, worn oaks standing as craggy guardians, it’s a magical place for the children to run off steam or a place for quiet reflection. Perfect for family bike rides, building dens, and tranquil walks while soaking up the history. Or simply relax by the lake with a picnic and watch the world go by. Find out more:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatfieldforest Stay at:  Our  Essex holiday lodges , 40 minutes' drive away.

6. Bourne Mill

Top image by  Stefan Czapski ; bottom images L to R by  David Smith & Ashley Dace

Don’t miss:  Experience the thrill of starting the water wheel and hearing the sound of the rushing water. Details:  Pretty as a picture, this charming folly was built for banquets and converted into a watermill in the 19th century. The tranquil grounds are perfect for picnics, while a boardwalk, pond dipping and garden games promise to keep children entertained. Find out more:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bournemill Stay at:  Our  Essex holiday lodges , 20 minutes' drive away.

7. Paycocke’s House and Grange Barn

Top image by Peter Kemp ; bottom images L to R by  Robyn Cox  &  Brian Snelson

Don’t miss:  A very rich and fascinating glimpse into the history of the area Details:  Enjoy a history-filled day in the pastel-washed village of Coggeshall, bristling with antique shops and packed with medieval and Tudor buildings including the ornate Paycocke’s merchant’s house and 13th century monastic Grange Barn. Find out more:  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/paycockes  and  www.nationaltrust.org.uk/grangebarn Stay at:  Our  Essex holiday lodges , 15 minutes' drive away.

Top:our  Essex holiday lodges;  Bottom: Vicarage House & Pool House

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, explore our selection of  Essex holiday cottages  and  Vicarage House   /  Vicarage House & Pool House , all near these National Trust days out in Essex and Suffolk.

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Published on Friday 1st June 2018 by Linnie Clements

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Places to Go and Places to Visit in Suffolk

There’s plenty to see and do in Suffolk, and here we’ve highlighted the top 10 places to go and places to visit in Suffolk. There are lots more, but for the sake of clarity and brevity, here are some of the highlights. At the bottom of this article, you can find other links for related features such as Days Out and Things to do in Suffolk , but for ‘Places to Go’ this is the ‘place to be’!

1) The National Trust has several properties in Suffolk including Ickworth House , near Bury St Edmunds. This impressive-looking neoclassical mansion with its famous ‘Rotunda’ is now a Hotel and wedding venue as well as an art gallery. The attractive, landscaped gardens, which were England’s earliest Italianate gardens and over 4 sq miles of 18C landscaped parklands with ancient oak trees, are also a key attraction. On display at Ickworth House are fine old masters including those from Suffolk’s famous son, Gainsborough , Hogarth, Reynolds, Titian, Velasquez and Zoffany. Ickworth also houses the second largest collection of silverware in the National Trust. The Italianate Gardens include box avenues, the Temple Garden, the Spring Garden with snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells plus the stumpery – a magical secret garden with the ferns and woodland plants for children to explore and enjoy. There is also a children’s adventure playground, woodland trim trail and family cycle routes, trails, crafts and events, plus several cafes and a large car park with trolleys for physically impaired visitors. Find out more about this spectacular building here – Ickworth House, National Trust, Suffolk.

2) Staying in the Bury St Edmunds area ( pictured above ), another unique Place to Visit in Suffolk is the Theatre Royal which was built in 1819 and is the oldest Regency playhouse in Britain.

Make a day out of it and perhaps have a look at Greene King Brewery Tour or the Pakenham Water Mill too?

Pakenham Water Mill is an 18th-century watermill located in Suffolk and the only one still in operation. Since the Domesday survey, millers have ground local wheat into stone-ground wholemeal flour using only water power. The Suffolk Building Preservation Trust maintains the tradition with a team of volunteers. Windmills are also present in the village, so anyone interested in mills should visit Pakenham.

3) Moving to the beautiful village of Long Melford , one of the most attractive in Suffolk, you must visit. Melford Hall

The turrets of Melford Hall have dominated the view for over 500 years. The Hall is the home of the Hyde Parker family but it is now leased to the National Trust so that visitors can tour the building and explore family life at Melford. Beatrix Potter was a relative of the owners and a regular visitor, so you can follow in her footsteps and discover what inspired her here.

The magnificent church and almshouses in Long Melford are also well worth a look while you’re in the area. Find out more about the village & what’s on at Visit Long Melford

4) Near Woodbridge, Sutton Hoo is an archaeological site that is a must-see. It is thought of as ‘the first page of English history’ as a result of its unique presence. In 1938, an Anglo-Saxon warrior king was buried at Sutton Hoo under a burial mound. The famous warrior’s shield, helmet, silver, and gold treasures were all discovered at Sutton Hoo , and in addition to an exhibit about our ancestors, the Anglo-Saxon warriors, their treasures are on display. There is also a 1300-year-old treasure and a burial chamber that has been recreated in its entirety.

The large estate is a popular site for bird watching and includes walks with estuary views, Suffolk Sandlings heathland and woodland trails.

5) Suffolk is well known for its huge skies and magnificent light which have inspired artists through the generations, from Constable to Maggi Hambling. Thomas Gainsborough was born in Sudbury and his house is a museum with several of his paintings and etchings on display. They also run art classes at Gainsborough’s House , Sudbury , so find out what is on by clicking on the link above.

6) Framlingham Castle – the view from 12thC Framlingham Castle must be one of the most impressive sights in Suffolk (and there are many!). The Castle is a must-see for visitors to Suffolk. It has a curtain wall, towers, ramparts and several internal buildings from different periods in English history! So the 12thC frame houses several other buildings which are historical pieces in their own right. Take one of the audio tours on offer from English Heritage and get a full sense of this incredible battlement, scene of Mary Tudor’s rally cry to supporters in 1553! There are a variety of themed games and interactives for younger family members too.

7) Lavenham Guildhall of Corpus Christi A visit to the enchanting village of Lavenham is a must for any visitor to Suffolk, as it is the best preserved Medieval village in the UK & you can easily imagine yourself back in Tudor England! Lavenham Guildhall , an immense and extremely well-preserved early sixteenth-century timber-framed building in the centre of the village’s main square, is managed by the National Trust. You’ll find a historical museum and exhibitions about the cloth manufacturing industry, which was Lavenham’s key economy and the source of Suffolk’s wealth. There is also a landscaped garden with plants used for dyeing since the Middle Ages and play boxes for children, in addition to regular events, walks, talks, and exhibitions year-round. Find out more here – Lavenham Guildhall

8) Helmingham Hall Gardens – open from the beginning of May until the middle of September, Hemingham Hall is a Tudor Hall surrounded by a wide moat with a drawbridge. However, the attraction is not the Hall but the gardens, especially the walled garden which contains beds of vegetables, herbaceous borders and ancient fruit trees. Additionally, there is a hen and knot garden, and also a magnificent rose garden. Cream teas & snacks are served in the Coach House tearoom, and the grounds often host events during the year – classic car meetings, Suffolk Dog Day etc so keep an eye on What’s on Suffolk for details of those. This is THE place to be in the Spring! Find out more here – Helmingham Hall Gardens

9) The Suffolk Punch Trust is the place to be to see a living, working part of Suffolk’s history. Enjoy a visit to Hollesley to visit this rare breed of working horses, have a look around the stud and the museum or have a ride in a horse-drawn wagon. Check out Suffolk Punch Trust

10) Other great Places to Go –

The House in the Clouds, Thorpeness , is occasionally open for viewing during the Suffolk Open Days

Not many countries can offer you a Nuclear Power Station tour! Sizewell B Visitor Centre has opened recently and you can now take a guided tour of the Station and find out how nuclear power is generated. Find out more here – Sizewell B Visitor Centre, Leiston

Southwold Lighthouse is a fully functioning Lighthouse situated in the middle of the attractive Coastal town of Southwold. It was built in 1887, first lit in 1889, and is 31m high. There are occasional tours of the Lighthouse where you can admire the amazing stone spiral staircase that winds its way up the inside of the building (no handrails though so not for the faint-hearted! Believe me, I’ve done it! Below is a picture of me coming down the outside

Orford Ness is an important nature reserve as the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe in its own right, but it also has an amazing military history as you can see from the old air shelter pictured above. You have to take a short boat ride out from Orford Quay to this wild and remote shingle spit which adds to the appeal of this ‘secret’ and uninhabited island. You can see a variety of habitats as well as shingle flora and wildlife, including a large number of nationally rare species. Orford Ness was a secret military test site from 1913 until the mid-1980s, and visitors can still walk among its bizarre and interesting experiment sites and structures.

RSPB Suffolk – the RSPB has several large reserves in Suffolk, including the world-famous Minsmere, so get your binoculars out!

Ipswich Marina has recently been developed and is a buzzy, thriving area which is the base for UCS, Dance East as well as several great restaurants and cafes, so visit today!

Suffolk is famous for its racing history with Newmarket Races, Tattersalls Auctions, The Jockey Club and The National Stud, Newmarket is the only commercial stud farm in the UK that allows individuals to tour behind the scenes of a working thoroughbred stud farm. So find out all about this fascinating industry and maybe you’ll be the first to meet a future Frankel!

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Easter adventures with the National Trust in Suffolk

Bring the whole family together this Easter and treat your loved ones to a spring adventure with the National Trust.

Every single National Trust Easter trail is different and celebrates nature, history and beauty. Follow winding garden paths, crash along muddy woodland trails or time travel with adventures to castles, towers, and mansions.

Designed with families in mind each National Trust Easter trail features activity stations, showcasing the cheery signs of spring, from bursting buds, daffodils in bloom to frolicking lambs and spring birdsong.

Every trail ends with a chocolate egg, or a vegan ‘Free-From’ chocolate egg, made here in the UK using cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

National Trust Easter egg trails cost £3 per child, plus normal National Trust admission/free admission for National Trust members.

Ickworth Estate

• Easter Egg Trail | Friday 29 March – Sunday 14 April | 9:30am – 3:30pm | £3 per trail • Easter Crafts | Friday 29 March – Monday 8 April | 10am – 3pm | Suggested donation £3 • March Hare Collective Spring Fair | Saturday 13 April – Sunday 14 April | 10am – 4pm | Free • Cycle Hub Open for cycle hire | Thursday 28 March – Sunday 14 April | 10am – 4pm (last hire 2pm) | From £4

Head to Ickworth Estate for an Easter adventure for the whole family. Discover our nature and spring-inspired Easter Egg trail that explores the Albana and Geraldine’s Walks and take part in ten different interactive activity stations before collecting your chocolate prize at the end. Can you guess the poo, spread your arms out wide and compare to the wing span of birds of prey, have a go at welly wanging, and more!

Head indoors to make your own Easter and Spring inspired crafts to take home, and discover what life was like for servants living and working at Ickworth in the hands on basement experience.

Bring your bike or hire one of ours and head out to explore what the wider parkland has to offer on our multi-use trail. Can you spot the Fairy Lake, the Monument and the canal? Take a picnic with you to enjoy whilst admiring the views back to the Rotunda, or treat yourself with tea and cake at one of our cafes.

Normal admission applies, free for National Trust members.

Orford Ness

Friday 29 March – Monday 1 April

Experience an Easter adventure on Suffolk’s secret coast! Record what you can see, smell and hear as you explore Orford Ness , a former top secret military site now left to nature. Help the rangers monitor the landscape by counting the hares and Chinese Water Deer and then identify whose poo is whose Find out more about the Ness’ resident sheep by spinning some wool and then head out towards the shingle and its mysterious, lunar-like landscape. Play ‘pin the ear tag on the sheep’ and measure your wingspan – are you a spoonbill, barn owl, avocet or magpie? Orford Ness is home to all these and more! Find out more about it as you build a tower, make a windmill and collect your chocolate egg* before returning back to the mainland by boat.

Dunwich Heath and Beach

Come along to Dunwich Heath and Beach this Easter and enjoy some time in the great outdoors.

Measure your wingspan to find out which of Dunwich’s resident birds you are most like, take part in a game of pin the tail on the bunny and decipher the facts from the fiction in our nature-themed trivia quiz. Race like a hare, make a pledge to nature and go WILD with our creative craft activities – then join us for a bit of welly wanging!

Friday 29 March – Sunday 14 April

Travel back in time this Easter with a family trip to Sutton Hoo , home to one of the most important archaeological discoveries of all time. Helped by local schools and community groups, we’ll have loads of fun activities to keep little explorers busy over the holidays as the estate awakens for spring.

Measure the ship sculpture in the courtyard with your footsteps, try on a warrior’s helmet for size and get creative as you make your very own Anglo-Saxon beast.

See if you can find the six hares hidden in Top Hat Wood and find out whether you’re more like a kestrel or a buzzard – two birds of prey that can often be spotted soaring in the sky above the Royal Burial Ground.

Learn more about Anglo-Saxon textiles, dynasties and swords, map your journey along the river and even build a den – but make sure it’s sturdy! Then collect your chocolate egg and finish the day at our adventure play area.

Easter adventures in nature trail | 16 March – 7 April (Weekends only in March)

Experience Easter at Flatford . Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Dedham Vale, take in the views across the countryside whilst you and the little ones enjoy quality family time in the outdoors surrounded by golden daffodils and blossom bursting from the hedgerows. When you’re finished, collect your chocolate egg before stopping by our riverside tea-room for a well-earned spot of lunch.

Car park admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate Rainforest Alliance Easter egg.

Melford Hall

Easter adventures in nature trail | 29 March – 7 April

Join us for an Easter Adventure at the historic Melford Hall . New for 2024, chose between a trail in the gardens or bring your four-legged friend with you on a trail in open parkland. Enjoy a selection of fun activities along the way while you spend time with the family in the great outdoors. When you’ve completed one (or both) of the trails make sure you pick up your chocolate egg before heading home. Normal admission plus £3 per trail, includes a chocolate Rainforest Alliance Easter egg.

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