Things to do in Suffolk
Things to Do in 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, right through to musical events, shops and eating out venues to suit everyone's tastes.
For action packed, adventure Days Out for Children click on Days Out, and Kids' Days Out in Suffolk
For events happening during the school holidays click on
Half Term Activities and Summer Holiday Activities.
For walking in Suffolk please see
Walking in Suffolk, for fishing please see
Fishing in Suffolk, and for lots of other ideas and suggestions for other things to do in Suffolk please see all the links at the bottom of the article - there's lots to do!
Food and Eating Out
What with all the activities to be found in Suffolk, not to mention the vast and breath-taking countryside, you are bound to work up an enormous appetite when holiday here!
Food Safari is an absolute must for all you foodies out there! Here you will have the unique opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at some of Suffolk's food and drinks producers. Foof Safari runs various workshops and special events such as cookery demonstrations, farm walks, guided tours, hands-on workshops (including plucking a pheasant, smoking fish or making sausages), and talks from producers.
Some of the special, day-long events include: Beer Safari; Smokehouse Tour; Cheese in a Day; Free Range Pig in a Day; Hands-on Vineyard Tour; Organic Farming Experience, plus many more. At the end of each day, guests are treated to a delicious Fabulous Feast provided by Sophie Dorber, who leads the cookery demonstations. Please click on the link above for more information, including event details, dates of events and booking information.
The Suffolk Food Hall, just a mile south of Ipswich, is a showcase for high quality, local food. Within the Food Hall there is an impressive deli section, an extensive variety of local and British-grown vegetables (both fresh and frozen), a selection of cheeses, fine wines, freshly baked cakes and biscuits, marinades, specialist oils and other gourmet goodies. There is also a cafe and restaurant for those of you too hungry to wait until you’ve unpacked your shopping! The Food Hall also hosts a number of special events.
If your taste buds favour the hot and spicy then The Chilli Company in Stowmarket is the place for you. The Chilli Farm grows over 150 varieties of chillies which you are invited to observe and purchase from the Chilli Store or Pablano’s Deli, and you can enjoy a meal in the New Mexican Restaurant, the Firecracker Grill or the outdoor Tapas & BBQ Restaurant.
To enjoy a meal out with a unique twist, dine aboard the Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant in Orford. Sailing all year round, The Lady Florence cruises the tranquil waters of the rivers Alde and Ore, whilst serving the ultimate in fine dining. From the quiet serenity of winter to the activity of summer, the rivers offer outstanding scenery to accompany your meal. Every cruise includes an informative commentary on both the intriguing history that made this area, and the wildlife which now inhabits it.
For more information please see Eating Out in Suffolk
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. See Sutton Hoo
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. (see Orford Castle)
Click Here For Accommodation in the area
If you're coming to Suffolk from Essex then a visit to Castle Hedingham to 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. See Colne Valley Railway
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! Bressingham Steam and Gardens
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 (The Theatre Royal )
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! Pakenham Water Mill
For more information on Bury St Edmunds, please see Guide to Bury St Edmunds, Accommodation in Bury St Edmunds, Eating Out in Bury St Edmunds and Activities in Bury St Edmunds
Southwold is home to the wonderful Amber Shop and Museum. The Museum follows the fascinating story of amber, and features a number of beautiful amber carvings and artefacts from around the world. After becoming familiar with the history of this beautiful gem, visitors may choose from an extensive range of jewellery and carvings in the Amber Shop to take away with them.
For more in Southwold, please see:
A Guide to the town of Southwold, Accommodation in Southwold, Eating Out in Southwold, Attractions in Southwold and Shopping in Southwold
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. (see Long Melford for more information on this picturesque village, one of the prettiest in Suffolk)
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's 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! For more information on Gainsborough see Gainsborough
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 Tha National Trust in Suffolk
Music
For those of you with a musical ear, the concert hall of Snape Maltings is of great interest. This old converted malt house accommodates a large audience for many classical music events held by Aldeburgh Music, especially the year-round Aldeburgh Music Festival, featuring a wide range of musical genres.
For a guide to all musical events happening in Suffolk, please see Suffolk Festivals and Music in Suffolk
For further information on the great town of Aldeburgh, please see
Guide to Aldeburgh, Accommodation in Aldeburgh, Attractions in Aldeburgh and Eating Out in Aldeburgh
For other Things to do in Suffolk please check out the following links -
Days Out in Suffolk and Suffolk Tourist Attractions - guides to both action-packed activities and subdued, relaxing attractions in Suffolk
What's On Suffolk
Suffolk Attractions
Beaches in Suffolk
Shopping in Suffolk and Shoppers' Guide to Suffolk
Walking in Suffolk
Suffolk Museums
Farm shops and Farmers Markets
Cycling in Suffolk
Art Galleries
and Current Art Exhibitions
Courses in Suffolk
Horse Riding in Suffolk
RSPB in 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, right through to musical events, shops and eating out venues to suit everyone's tastes.
For action packed, adventure Days Out for Children click on Days Out, and Kids' Days Out in Suffolk
For events happening during the school holidays click on
Half Term Activities and Summer Holiday Activities.
For walking in Suffolk please see
Walking in Suffolk, for fishing please see
Fishing in Suffolk, and for lots of other ideas and suggestions for other things to do in Suffolk please see all the links at the bottom of the article - there's lots to do!
Food and Eating Out
What with all the activities to be found in Suffolk, not to mention the vast and breath-taking countryside, you are bound to work up an enormous appetite when holiday here!
Food Safari is an absolute must for all you foodies out there! Here you will have the unique opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at some of Suffolk's food and drinks producers. Foof Safari runs various workshops and special events such as cookery demonstrations, farm walks, guided tours, hands-on workshops (including plucking a pheasant, smoking fish or making sausages), and talks from producers.
Some of the special, day-long events include: Beer Safari; Smokehouse Tour; Cheese in a Day; Free Range Pig in a Day; Hands-on Vineyard Tour; Organic Farming Experience, plus many more. At the end of each day, guests are treated to a delicious Fabulous Feast provided by Sophie Dorber, who leads the cookery demonstations. Please click on the link above for more information, including event details, dates of events and booking information.
The Suffolk Food Hall, just a mile south of Ipswich, is a showcase for high quality, local food. Within the Food Hall there is an impressive deli section, an extensive variety of local and British-grown vegetables (both fresh and frozen), a selection of cheeses, fine wines, freshly baked cakes and biscuits, marinades, specialist oils and other gourmet goodies. There is also a cafe and restaurant for those of you too hungry to wait until you’ve unpacked your shopping! The Food Hall also hosts a number of special events.
If your taste buds favour the hot and spicy then The Chilli Company in Stowmarket is the place for you. The Chilli Farm grows over 150 varieties of chillies which you are invited to observe and purchase from the Chilli Store or Pablano’s Deli, and you can enjoy a meal in the New Mexican Restaurant, the Firecracker Grill or the outdoor Tapas & BBQ Restaurant.
To enjoy a meal out with a unique twist, dine aboard the Lady Florence River Cruise Restaurant in Orford. Sailing all year round, The Lady Florence cruises the tranquil waters of the rivers Alde and Ore, whilst serving the ultimate in fine dining. From the quiet serenity of winter to the activity of summer, the rivers offer outstanding scenery to accompany your meal. Every cruise includes an informative commentary on both the intriguing history that made this area, and the wildlife which now inhabits it.
For more information please see Eating Out in Suffolk
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. See Sutton Hoo
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. (see Orford Castle)
Click Here For Accommodation in the area
If you're coming to Suffolk from Essex then a visit to Castle Hedingham to 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. See Colne Valley Railway
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! Bressingham Steam and Gardens
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 (The Theatre Royal )
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! Pakenham Water Mill
For more information on Bury St Edmunds, please see Guide to Bury St Edmunds, Accommodation in Bury St Edmunds, Eating Out in Bury St Edmunds and Activities in Bury St Edmunds
Southwold is home to the wonderful Amber Shop and Museum. The Museum follows the fascinating story of amber, and features a number of beautiful amber carvings and artefacts from around the world. After becoming familiar with the history of this beautiful gem, visitors may choose from an extensive range of jewellery and carvings in the Amber Shop to take away with them.
For more in Southwold, please see:
A Guide to the town of Southwold, Accommodation in Southwold, Eating Out in Southwold, Attractions in Southwold and Shopping in Southwold
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. (see Long Melford for more information on this picturesque village, one of the prettiest in Suffolk)
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's 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! For more information on Gainsborough see Gainsborough
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 Tha National Trust in Suffolk
Music
For those of you with a musical ear, the concert hall of Snape Maltings is of great interest. This old converted malt house accommodates a large audience for many classical music events held by Aldeburgh Music, especially the year-round Aldeburgh Music Festival, featuring a wide range of musical genres.
For a guide to all musical events happening in Suffolk, please see Suffolk Festivals and Music in Suffolk
For further information on the great town of Aldeburgh, please see
Guide to Aldeburgh, Accommodation in Aldeburgh, Attractions in Aldeburgh and Eating Out in Aldeburgh
For other Things to do in Suffolk please check out the following links -
Days Out in Suffolk and Suffolk Tourist Attractions - guides to both action-packed activities and subdued, relaxing attractions in Suffolk
What's On Suffolk
Suffolk Attractions
Beaches in Suffolk
Shopping in Suffolk and Shoppers' Guide to Suffolk
Walking in Suffolk
Suffolk Museums
Farm shops and Farmers Markets
Cycling in Suffolk
Art Galleries
and Current Art Exhibitions
Courses in Suffolk
Horse Riding in Suffolk
RSPB in Suffolk
