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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A family in the garden outside the rotunda at Ickworth, Suffolk

Place

Ickworth Estate

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

The replica helmet on display in the High Hall at Sutton Hoo

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.

The half-timbered exterior of Lavenham Guildhall, in Lavenham village, Suffolk

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.

Family walking on a footpath through the heather on Dunwich Heath, Suffolk

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.

View across the salt-marsh at Orford Ness National Nature 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.

House and buildings

View of the Rotunda in July from a distance with the new roof at Ickworth, Suffolk

Coast and Countryside

Visitors in the distance exploring the 'Island' at Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, Suffolk

Walks

Family days out

Close-up view of a brown and white dog, held on a lead, with fallen leaves on the ground, at Clent Hills, Worcestershire

Dog-friendly places

Visitors enjoying a drink on the terrace at Ickworth Estate

Places to eat

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

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.

A soldier standing in front of the coastal gun battery at Dunwich Heath during the Second World war

Trail

Dunwich Heath wartime trail

Follow the three mile orange walk at Dunwich and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of spring. Listen out for the murmuring of birds, the hum of bees and see the willows bloom their catkins and the gorse come out in flower.

View of the path in the Albana Woods at Ickworth

Trail

Ickworth Estate | Albana Walk

A short circular walk through some of the woodlands around Ickworth. If you have the energy when you walk along the Trim Trail try your hand on various fitness objects, ranging from pole climbing to ladder walks and leap frog.

Pin Mill, Suffolk Coast, East of England

Trail

Pin Mill nature walk

Enjoy a peaceful walk through woodland and heathland and discover spectacular views of the River Orwell on this tranquil walk at Pin Mill, near Ipswich.

The rotunda sits in the middle of the picture with a path leading towards the bottom with round bushes lined up either side. there are tall green trees on the far left and right of the image with a blue sky overhead

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.

Pink roses in the garden at Melford Hall

Article

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.

Come along with friends and family for an evening of outdoor entertainment in Suffolk. From Shakespearean classics to family favourites and tribute bands, there's something for everyone.

Poster for A Midsummer's Night's Dream presented by Red Rose Chain at Sutton Hoo

Theatre in the Forest: A Midsummer's Night's Dream presented by Red Rose Chain Theatre Company

Wed 24 Jul - Sat 24 Aug. Suffolk’s biggest and outdoor theatre event, Theatre in the Forest returns to Sutton Hoo this summer for its big 25th anniversary! What better play to celebrate than with one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream! It’s a story with something for everyone - from small children to Shakespeare fans. With fairies, magic, and whole lot of hilarious mischief, it makes for the most enchanting midsummer nights at Sutton Hoo

Lots of people sat outside on picnic and camping chairs facing towards an outdoor stage with actors on. the backdrop is the ickworth rotunda and some trees

The Wind in the Willows, Ickworth: Thu 25 Jul

Join Boxtree Productions Events for their fantastic musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's classic story, 'The Wind In The Willows' against the beautiful backdrop of Ickworth House

Shades of Simon band members pose for a promotional photograph

Shades of Simon at Flatford: Sat 20 Jul

The UK's number one Paul Simon Tribute band return to Flatford after last year's sell out performance. Once again they will trace the Paul Simon story from Simon & Garfunkel to Graceland in the beautiful surroundings of the Dedham Vale.

Two visitors cycle side by side through a winding path leading through parkland on the Ickworth Estate. They're wrapped up in rain coats and the weather appears hazy.

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.

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.

Colony of grey seals on the shingle at the Orford Ness National Nature Reserve in Suffolk

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.

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

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.

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Event

Mobiloo at Ickworth Estate

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Mobiloo, the world’s first mobile accessible toilet and changing place for those requiring use of a hoist and/or changing bed when using the bathroom, will be at Ickworth Estate.

Event

Anglo-Saxon costume demonstration

Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Suffolk

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

A Conservation Tour

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Take a step behind closed doors in the Rotunda to see Ickworth through the eyes of our Collections Team.

Event

Ickworth - A Design Masterpiece

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Explore Ickworth as a masterpiece of design in our new celebration for 2024. From the iconic Rotunda with its innovative Italianate gardens to the estate's structured parkland, Ickworth is a dream of Rome within the heart of Suffolk.