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.

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Families on the north lawn at Ickworth in spring.

Place

Ickworth Estate

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

Tranmer House photographed on top of the hill at Sutton Hoo with bright yellow gorse flowering in the foreground

Place

Sutton Hoo

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

Place

Melford Hall

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

Place

Lavenham Guildhall

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

A cottage next to a bridge over the River Stour at Flatford, Suffolk

Place

Flatford

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

The sunsetting over Dunwich Heath looking towards Coastguards Cottages

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.

Rotating Wireless Beacon, known simply as the Black Beacon at Orford Ness National Reserve, Suffolk

Place

Orford Ness

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

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

Place

Theatre Royal

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

A long path lined with clipped yew balls leads the eye to a huge, round stone mansion

House and buildings

Coast and Countryside

Visitors walking down the valley with daffodils in the foreground at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk

Walks

Family having fun in the play area at Dunwich Heath

Family days out

Visitors walking a dog at Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk

Dog-friendly places

Visitors in the tearoom at Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk

Places to eat

Plan a family friendly day out this spring with Easter trails at these places near you.

A young girl in wellies pushing a wheelbarrow next to colourful bunting

Article

Easter adventures at Ickworth Estate

Pick up your trail sheet from the Welcome Point and let the Easter adventures begin. Make your way through the Albana Woodland joining in the nature-inspired activities as you go. Don't forget to collect your chocolate egg. The Easter fun continues in the West Wing Gallery with spring crafts with all the supplies you need to let your imagination fly.

Two boys wearing rabbit ears sit on a log on a woodland Easter trail at Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire

Article

Easter adventures at Sutton Hoo

Travel back in time this Easter at Sutton Hoo. Pick up an Easter trail sheet, put on your bunny ears and get creative as you discover what like was like centuries ago and what might link and Anglo-Saxon goddess to the Easter bunny!

Child fills in their Easter activity trail at Osterley Park and House, West London

Article

Easter adventures at Dunwich Heath and Beach

Join Bunny and Chick for an Easter adventure at Dunwich Heath and Beach. Follow the trail and look for chicks hidden in the trees or challenge your family to a game of pin the tail on the bunny.

A young boy dressed in bunny ears looking at an Easter trail map

Article

Easter adventures at Melford Hall

Treat the whole family to an Easter adventure at Melford Hall with fun activities for everyone. Enjoy a selection of fun and creative activities in the parkland as well as a selection games in the formal garden

An adult and two children look out while doing an Easter trail at Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire

Article

Easter adventures at Flatford

This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Flatford on an Easter trail and pick up a chocolate egg to take home.

A carpet of white snowdrops with a path and trees seen behind

Article

Visiting the garden at Ickworth

Visit Ickworth Estate for impressive swathes of snowdrops. Beautiful displays can be seen in the Albana Woodland and Geraldine's Walk as well as out in the wider parkland.

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

Ickworth Church and Summer House from Canal Lake

Trail

Ickworth Estate | Walled Garden and Canal Walk

A circular walk taking you to the Walled Garden, and Canal lake, which is a haven for wildlife. There is a great view of the Walled Garden from the far side of the Canal lake, with St. Mary’s church, and the Rotunda behind.

Trail

Pinewood Walk at Sutton Hoo (blue walk)

Explore the estate of Sutton Hoo on the Pinewood Walk, an easy circular woodland walk that takes in views across the River Deben.

Yellow gorse at Dunwich Heath at spring with coastguards cottages in the background

Trail

Dunwich Heath grey trail

Follow the grey trail for views of the heath, patches of woodland, and Docwra's Ditch. Perfect for birdwatchers who are looking for woodland birds or reed dwelling birds such as Woodlarks or Reed Buntings, or for those who are after a gentle stroll in a peaceful place, with the wind sighing through the trees and the birds singing.

The Rotunda and Italianate Garden, looking towards the west wing at Ickworth House, Suffolk.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

The exterior of The Round House, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

Article

Dog-friendly cottages in Suffolk

Article

Large holiday cottages and group getaways in Suffolk

See all events

Event

World Book Day pop-up bookshop

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Suffolk Libraries hosts pop-up book shop to celebrate World Book Day!

Event

Stumpery Stories for parents and babies

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Enchanting storytelling sessions to celebrate World Book Day!

Event

A Life Below Stairs Tour

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Hear the stories of the servants who lived and worked at Ickworth as you discover the hustle and bustle that went on below stairs.

Event

Ickworth on the World Stage

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Follow one family's unconventional adventures as Ickworth sets sail with the Herveys in 2025.

Event

Night sky observing at Dunwich Heath

Dunwich Heath and Beach, Dunwich, Suffolk

Wrap up warm and join us for an evening under the stars at Dunwich Heath.

Event

Stumpery Stories for families and children over 5

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Enchanting storytelling sessions to celebrate World Book Day!

Event

Wellbeing Walks 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

Tranmer House Holiday Apartments Open Weekend

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Explore the holiday apartments in Tranmer House during this special open weekend. There are stunning views and a chance to explore rooms used by Edith Pretty.

Explore an area nearby

A family in the garden in spring surrounded by daffodils at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire

Where will you visit next?

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

Plan a visit