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. Pick up a free family trail to enjoy along the way.
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. Head into the Sitting Room to see how this compared with what Christmas was like for archaeologists working at Sutton Hoo during the 1980s. Enjoy decorations created by our Busy Bees volunteer sewing team, inspired by objects discovered at Sutton Hoo. Pick up a free family activity sheet when you arrive to see what decorations you can spot and head into the Discovery Room for other free Yule themed family activities.
Out in the landscape, pick up a free family Yule Feast Quest family trail to help a young Anglo-Saxon warrior gather everything needed for a Yule feast.
Times
Prices
Event ticket prices
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
Check admission pricesThe basics
- Suitability
Suitable for all ages.
- Accessibility
High Hall exhibition and Tranmer House are wheelchair accessible.
Upcoming events
Winter Solstice Anglo-Saxon Myth and Magic Tour
Soak up the atmosphere of the Anglo-Saxon Royal Burial Ground in midwinter and discover more about the how the people who were laid to rest at Sutton Hoo may have celebrated at the special time of Yule.
Yule Craft Activities at Sutton Hoo
As we celebrate Yule at Sutton Hoo have a go at our Anglo-Saxon themed craft activities.
Gruesome Graves
Take our free family tour to discover gruesome stories we've had to leave out of our 'normal' tours ...
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.