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Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.
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
Place
Ickworth Estate
Ickworth with its classical Rotunda forms the centrepiece of this estate, which is Suffolk's very own little Italy.
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.
Place
Flatford
Walk into a masterpiece. This charming hamlet was the inspiration for some of John Constable's most famous paintings.
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.
Place
Orford Ness
Uncover some of Britain's top secret military history when you visit this internationally important nature reserve on the Suffolk coast.
Place
Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal is one of Britain's most significant theatre buildings and the only surviving Regency playhouse in the country.
Top things to do in Suffolk
Looking ahead to Christmas
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Christmas on the Continent at Ickworth Estate
This winter, Ickworth Estate invites you on a Grand Tour of Europe. Follow in the footsteps of the Earl Bishop and his family as you travel through the Ruins of Rome, a bustling Bavarian cabin and a colourful Venetian Carnival. Experience winter traditions from far and wide as you discover Ickworth in all its wintry charm.
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Christmas at Flatford
Celebrate the festive season at Flatford this year with decorations, winter treats and Christmas crafts. Enjoy a winter walk in the Suffolk countryside with your loved ones, or join one of our Christmas events. There's also a seasonal menu in our cosy tea-room and a chance to pick up the perfect stocking filler from the shop.
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Yule at Sutton Hoo
Discover the origins of Christmas at Sutton Hoo this year with a Yule celebration that's fit for a king.
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Meet Father Christmas at Dunwich Heath
Head to the coast for a festive celebration at Dunwich Heath. Meet Father Christmas in the cosy second-hand bookshop where every child will receive a gift. Follow the reindeer trail or get creative in with crafts in the barn and make your very own reindeer to take home.
Top walks in Suffolk this autumn
Get out into nature this autumn with these top walks in Suffolk
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gardens to visit
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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.
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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
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
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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
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.
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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
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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
Wool Spinning Demonstrations
Lavenham Guildhall, Sudbury, SuffolkWatch our volunteer spinners in action at Lavenham Guildhall.
Event
A Life Below Stairs Tour
Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, SuffolkHear the stories of the servants who lived and worked at Ickworth as you discover the hustle and bustle that went on below stairs.
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Christmas Voice Tour
Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, SuffolkGet into the Christmas spirit this November on our Christmas Voices Tour.
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Dunwich Heath reindeer trail
Dunwich Heath and Beach, Dunwich, SuffolkFind the reindeer on the loose at Dunwich Heath!
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Family-friendly Winter Trail
Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, SuffolkA fun, family-friendly winter trail winds its way through the Albana woodland, with things to spot and activities to do.
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Christmas at Valley Farm
Flatford, East Bergholt, SuffolkStep into a traditional country Christmas at Valley Farm. The main hall of this ancient building will be decorated with greenery and there will be a cosy log fire to warm your hands. Mince pies and mulled wine will be on sale and our...
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Flatford Christmas Craft Fayre
Flatford, East Bergholt, SuffolkThe Bourne Valley Crafters bring their festive Christmas fayre to Flatford. They have invited a talented group of local crafters and designers to bring their wares, so you will be able to browse from a beautiful range of crafts, including...
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Yule at Sutton Hoo
Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, SuffolkDiscover 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.
Explore an area nearby