Suffolk is an historic English county featuring ancient archaeology, medieval castles, cultural festivals, and scenic coastline with strong literary and music ties.
7 Oct–15 Nov, 21–22 Nov…
This temporary exhibition explores the real people behind the film The Dig and the 1939 excavation of the Great Ship Burial. Visitors can see original film costumes, jewellery and props, read personal histories, and hear contemporary interviews connected to the site.
Sutton Hoo is a historic estate featuring the Anglo-Saxon Royal Burial Ground with a viewing tower, Tranmer House museum, and the High Hall exhibition. Visitors can explore woodland trails, enjoy on-site food and shopping, and participate in family-friendly activities including an adventure playground.
14 Oct, 21 Oct…
A guided tour behind the scenes at Ickworth’s Rotunda, where the Collections Team explains how they care for the house’s objects and what happens when it is closed to visitors.
13 Oct, 27 Oct…
A relaxed, group social walk around the grounds and woodland routes at Ickworth Estate, covering 2–3 miles in about an hour. A walking lead guides the group at a comfortable pace, with breaks to enjoy the views.
10–11 Oct, 13 Oct…
Join the Ickworth team for a tour exploring the Hervey family, their collection and the work involved in caring for the estate’s treasures.
17 Oct (next Saturday)
Two volunteers bring to life the story of Countess Rivers and the events leading up to the sacking of Melford Hall during the Civil War, presenting the events from different perspectives.
Ickworth House is a notable neoclassical country house near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, set in extensive parkland with historic ancient trees. Visitors can explore the house's art collections, Regency furniture, and architectural features, as well as the nearby Ickworth Church and parkland. The house also hosts events in its renovated West Wing.
17 Oct–15 Nov
A seasonal family event at Sutton Hoo with autumn-themed play activities indoors and outdoors, including races, imaginative play, crafts and Anglo-Saxon dress-up activities.
Sutton Hoo is a historic archaeological site of two 6th to 7th century Anglo-Saxon cemeteries near Woodbridge, Suffolk, with an impressive ship burial containing regalia, weaponry and treasures. The site offers both outdoor exploration of burial mounds and an indoor visitor centre showcasing original artefacts, replicas and exhibitions. It is a landmark for Anglo-Saxon history, art and archaeology.
10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)
Explore the Hervey family’s collection at Ickworth, including historic objects such as Marie Antoinette’s fan, works by Italian masters and centuries-old books. The exhibition also looks at the collectors and the stories behind the objects.
The Abbey of Bury St Edmunds is the ruins of a once wealthy Benedictine monastery in Suffolk, England, known for its historical importance, large medieval gatehouses, and surrounding Abbey Gardens. Visitors can explore the outdoor remains and gardens, reflecting its rich history as a pilgrimage site and monastic center.
7 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
Visitors can take part in mindful drawing and sketching in the Discovery Room, contribute chalk artwork on the site’s walks, or borrow a sketching bag to use while exploring Sutton Hoo.
Kyson Hill in Woodbridge, Suffolk, offers grassy slopes, specimen trees, and views of the estuary, ideal for walking and relaxation in an outdoor natural setting. It features walking trails through woodland, mudflats, and estuarine ecosystems and allows dogs on leads. The site is accessible via footpath from Woodbridge Railway Station and has benches for resting, but the terrain is uneven and not wheelchair accessible.
18 Oct (next Sunday)
A 30-minute specialist talk about the wreck of the Phoenix, captained by Admiral Hyde-Parker II, and the seafaring adventures of the Hyde Parker family.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
A locally curated exhibition marking 75 years since Lavenham Guildhall passed into National Trust care. It explores the Guildhall’s history, the local community’s role in shaping its development, and its appearances in cinema and television.
8 Oct, 15 Oct…
A gentle guided walk around the park, offering time to move, enjoy the fresh air and connect with nature at your own pace.
Kentwell Hall is a moated Tudor country house in Suffolk featuring extensive formal gardens and grounds, a rare breeds farm, and a variety of historical exhibitions and events. Visitors can explore the house interiors as well as outdoor gardens, with facilities supporting accessibility and on-site dining.
7 Oct, 10 Oct…
Historic costume volunteers demonstrate Anglo-Saxon clothing and accessory-making skills, including spinning, dyeing, leatherwork, basket making and weaving.
13 Oct–8 Nov (next week)
Visitors use the Stranger Folk app to follow the Crone’s guidance on a folklore-themed Halloween adventure at Ickworth Estate, helping close gaps between the world of folklore and the real world.
17–18 Oct, 21–25 Oct…
Stranger Folk is a Halloween adventure game inspired by British folklore, set at Melford Hall. Families use one mobile phone to follow a story and take part in physical play, for a short session or a longer adventure.
12 Oct, 16 Oct…
A guided tour taking visitors back to 1935 to hear stories about the servants who lived and worked at Ickworth, and learn about life and activity in the house’s basement.
15 Oct (next Thursday)
Visitors can view selected historic books from Ickworth’s collection and speak with conservation staff and volunteers about how the books are cared for. Staff will turn the pages of books on display, which visitors cannot touch.
9 Oct, 16 Oct…
A volunteer-led guided walk around Lavenham explores the village’s medieval history and iconic timber-framed buildings. The walk covers approximately one mile and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
10 Oct, 15 Oct…
An informal outdoor art workshop at Sutton Hoo, where participants try quick-sketch activities inspired by the landscape and their responses to it. Arts and Crafts volunteers lead the session, with materials provided.
14 Oct, 19 Oct
Artists from Quayside Artists and Ipswich Art Society create artwork inspired by Sutton Hoo’s historic and natural features. Visitors can watch them work and discuss their art and inspiration.
7 Oct–8 Nov (another 30 days)
Visitors can explore 30 Pikachu cards illustrated by different artists, learn facts about the character and design their own Pokémon trading card.
Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds is a historic Regency theatre, Grade I listed and restored to its original 1819 condition. It offers a diverse program of drama, music and comedy and is operated by the National Trust as a working theatre with a historic Georgian atmosphere.
8 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Join a guided outdoor tour around Flatford to learn about John Constable’s life and work and see the views that inspired paintings including The Hay Wain and Flatford Mill.
Bridge Cottage is a 16th-century thatched cottage in Flatford, Suffolk, part of the National Trust properties, featuring an exhibition on John Constable and access to scenic River Stour walks.
17–18 Oct, 21–25 Oct…
Visitors can follow an autumn activity trail through Melford Hall, finding woolly pumpkins and rearranging hidden letters, then search for pumpkins and play garden bingo outdoors.
Melford Hall is a historic Grade I listed stately home in Suffolk with 16th-century origins and Tudor architecture. Owned by the National Trust and open to the public seasonally, it offers a blend of both indoor historic house tours and extensive outdoor grounds hosting events.