Things to Do In Suffolk: A Guide to Activities and Events in the County of Suffolk

Suffolk offers a great range of activities and attractions to suit everyone’s taste and pocket. We offer all sorts of things to do in Suffolk from discovering historic churches and timber framed Guildhalls, to tours of one of only 8 Grade 1 listed theatres in the UK, skiing (dry slope!), through to the most up-to-date and thrilling adventure rides at Pleasurewood Hills.

Historic Sites and Buildings

Sites don’t get much more Historic than Sutton Hoo, the burial ground of Anglo Saxon Kings. There are plenty of Things to do in Suffolk at Sutton Hoo, which is run by the National Trust and includes an exhibition hall with video and a full size reconstruction of the ship’s burial chamber. There are Guided Tours and special events during the summer season.

Staying with the Anglo Saxons, West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village is a unique reconstruction of an Anglo Saxon Village built on an original archaeological site. Costumes bring the Village to life during the holidays, and a visitor centre displays finds from the site. Tel 01284 728718 for details.

Suffolk has a few well preserved and impressive CASTLES including
Framlingham Castle above (see Framlingham Castle), and Orford Castle, below, which are both run by English Heritage. Orford was the great keep of Henry 11. You can visit the castle today and explore the maze of rooms and passageways with a free audio tour. You can also enjoy spectacular views over the beautiful Orford Ness in this lovely area of Suffolk.

Hedingham Castle, below, is on the Suffolk/Essex border and is a great place to spend the day. Hedingham has the finest Norman Keep, at 110 feet high, was built c.1140 by Aubrey de Vere and is still owned by one of his descendants, The Honourable Thomas Lindsay and his wife Virginia. There are four floors to explore, including a magnificent Banqueting Hall spanned by a remarkable 28 foot arch, one of the largest Norman arches in England. A visit to the castle and its beautiful grounds is ideal for a family outing, and during the summer there are a variety of special events which bring its colourful history alive. Come and enjoy an exciting Jousting Tournaments or other entertainment at Hedingham Castle.

If you’re in the Castle Hedingham area then a visit to Colne Valley Steam Railway is a must — it is always rated one of the top Visitor Attractions in Essex. Colne Valley is a really pretty line, currently one mile long, with relocated station buildings, signal boxes and bridges all lovingly restored and rebuilt. There’s a lot to see including the Garden Railway, Travelling Post Office Exhibition… Thomas the Tank Days and during the Summer you can ramble through the Farm Park and enjoy the 30 acres of peaceful, natural countryside by the River Colne. Apart from the wealth of traditional farm animals, some regular sightings have included: Moorhens, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, Herons and Dragonflies.

If you like Steam Railways but you’re visiting the northern part of Suffolk, check out Bressingham Steam Railway — whether you choose to explore one of Europe’s leading steam collections, take a ride on Bressingham’s famous Victorian ‘Gallopers’, journey over five miles of narrow-gauge steam railway, wander through beautiful gardens, or visit the only official «Dad’s Army» exhibition in existence, you’ll find something for everyone when you arrive at Bressingham!

For more cultural Things to do in Suffolk, the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds is one of only 8 Grade 1 listed theatres in the country, and is the third oldest working theatre in the UK. Recently reopened after a two year refurbishment, this Regency playhouse offers a full repertoire, as well as guided tours of the theatre.

Also in Bury are the Greene King Brewery and Museum : Ickworth House, Park and Gardens is another National Trust property and is unusual in that it contains a rotunda and Italian Gardens (see Ickworth House:) and the last working water mill in Suffolk!

Historic Houses
Suffolk retains many fine examples of Medieval, Tudor, Georgian and Victorian architecture, sometimes within walking distance. For example, Kentwell Hall in Long Melford is a stunning example of a Tudor House, situated close to Melford Hall, another Tudor Manor house but in a very different style. Holy Trinity Church nearby is Medieval, and there are several lovely private residences in Long Melford dating from the Georgian and Victorian times.

Guildhalls reflect Suffolk’s trading history and fine examples can be found in Lavenham and Hadleigh. These are superb timber framed buildings containing exhibitions on local history and the history of the cloth industry which was an important contributor to Suffolk’s wealth creation. Also in Lavenham is the Little Hall – a 14C house restored in the 1930s and now a museum.

Euston Hall is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Grafton but it is open to the public to view their unique collection of paintings of the Court of Charles 11, including works by Van Dyck and Lely. (tel 01842 766366).

For a fascinating history of local lad Gainsborough’s life, Gainsborough House in Sudbury is the place to be. This is probably the only museum dedicated to an artist who actually once resided in the same house!

Benjamin Britten lived in The Red House, Aldeburgh with the tenor Peter Pears, and the house has been preserved much as it was at Britten’s death. Tours take place from May-Sept (tel 01728 451700).

Otley Hall is a beautiful Grade 1 listed moated hall and gardens, formerly the home of the Gosnold family. In 1607 Bartholomew Gosnold founded Jamestown, the first English speaking community in the USA. The Hall has formal gardens, including a medieval herb and knot garden, and holds several Open Days during the year (tel 01473 890264).

Somerleyton Hall and Gardens is an early Victorian ‘Anglo-Italian’ house, home to the Crossley family. You can take a guided tour of the Hall and enjoy 12 acres of beautiful gardens, which include a famous yew hedge maze dating back to 1846. (tel 0871 2224244).

South Elmham Hall and Minster – this is a medieval manor house built by the Bishop of Norwich ca. 1270 with walks through peaceful parkland. Discover the ancient and mysterious ruined Minster, and enjoy delicious food in a barn conversion set in landscaped gardens. (tel 01986 782526).

The National Trust have many sites in Suffolk ranging from the glorious Ickworth Park and Gardens, the historic Guildhall in Lavenham, Dunwich Heath with its magnificent heather and beach…..and lots more. For a full description see The National Trust in Suffolk.
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Will Averill is a writer for the Suffolk Tourist Guide. The Suffolk Tourist Guide is the Guide for all your tourist information needs and Suffolk days out including Suffolk Hotels, bed and breakfasts, shops, attractions, restaurants, pubs. Check out What’s On in Suffolk.