Suffolk Heritage Open Days

THE EAST OF ENGLAND’S HIDDEN TREASURES REVEALED
Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th September 2017



Heritage Open Days celebrates the fantastic & unusual architecture of England by offering free access to properties that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission. Every year on 4 days in September, buildings of every age, style and function throw open their doors, ranging from castles to factories & town halls to barns & churches. This is an annual chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities which bring to life Suffolk’s history and culture. Don’t miss this unique opportunity!

Heritage Open Days 2017 will take place on 7-10 September

Heritage Open Days in Suffolk is bigger than ever this year with over 100 venues taking part. There are events happening in and around: Aldeburgh, Beccles, Bungay, Bury St Edmunds, Felixstowe, Halesworth, Haverhill, Ipswich, Leiston, Lowestoft, Stoke by Nayland, Stowmarket, Sudbury, Thetford and Woodbridge so it’s easy to find a location near you. Plus more venues are being added all the time.

Here is a small selection to give you an idea of the events on offer…

Felixstowe Museum
– Felixstowe Museum, View Point Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 3TW

Enjoy a opportunity to visit Britain’s only remaining purpose-built Submarine Mining Establishment.
Within the 14 display areas you’ll learn about the military, aviation and naval history of the area as well as Felixstowe’s local social history. Younger visitors can enjoy following the Trewick Owl Trail.

Opening Times
• Sunday 10 September: 1000-1630

For contact details see: Felixstowe Museum

Gippeswyk Hall, (Red Rose Chain) The Avenue Theatre
– Red Rose Chain, Gippeswyk Hall, Gippeswyk Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 9AF

The Heritage Lottery Fund supported the Red Rose Chain in their quest for a new venue behind the Grade II* listed Tudor Gippeswyk Hall. Inspired by the sort of barn structure which might have once stood there, creating a new purpose as a leading inclusive arts and heritage venue. Tour of the buildings.

Opening Times
• Saturday 9 September: 1000-1600
• Sunday 10 September: 1000-1600

Contact Red Rose Chain

Haverhill History @ Haverhill Arts Centre
Haverhill Arts Centre, Haverhill, Suffolk, CB9 8AR


Haverhill & District Local History Group and Haverhill Arts Centre are teaming up to offer the chance to delve deeper into Haverhill’s rich history. There will be an exhibition of rarely seen artefacts plus a chance to tour the Town Hall, which houses Haverhill Arts Centre, from top to bottom.

Opening Times
• Saturday 9 September: 10:30- 15:30 Arts Centre tours at 11:00 & 13:00

Booking Details
Booking essential for tours, contact Haverhill Arts Centre

Melford Hall
– Melford Hall, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9AA


Melford Hall Has been the Hyde Parker family home for over 300 years and contains many treasures acculmulated over the years. A apart of this collection are some ornate Chinese silk costumes which were possibly created for important members of Chinese society and are over 100 years old. These beautiful garments form part of our stored collection and will be displayed only on 9 September.

Explore further as one of our naval experts with his ‘Tales from the High Seas’ will reveal the family’s naval exploits and our Courtyard talks will explain the history of the building. Head out into the garden to discover some garden history and view the way our beautiful grounds have evolved. Whilst there visit the Banqueting House where you can learn of Beatrix Potter’s connection to Melford Hall.

Opening Times
• Saturday 9 September: Open 1300 – 1630, Tours various

See Melford Hall for more information.

The Long Shop Museum, Leiston
– The Long Shop Museum, Main Street, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4ES


Tours, tea, and steam! See the Grade II listed Long Shop, the world’s first building for assembly line production, and enjoy guided tours throughout the day to discover more about this extraordinary site of engineering. Plus see the current exhibition about the enterprising Garrett family and the life of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Britain’s first female doctor and mayor. Delicious refreshments in the pop up tea room. Suitable for all ages. Tours running through the day, just turn up.

Opening Times
• Sunday 10 September: 1000-1700

For contact details see: Long Shop Museum

Malt Project at the Cut Arts Centre, Halesworth
– The New Cut Arts Centre, 8 New Cut, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 8BY

The Cut Arts Centre was converted out of the dilapidated old New Cut Maltings between 2000 and 2003 by an inspired local arts charity called New Cut Arts. The maltings had certainly been in existence since the early C19th although its present architectural appearance dates from the end of the Victorian era. The building has retained many of the original maltings features in its sympathetic restoration. These include the two Victorian ‘steeps’, maltings windows, cast-iron pillars, low ceilings, original doors, original maltings tiles, the remains of the original ‘fire-places’ and several maltings artefacts.
The Malt Project is housed at the Cut demonstrating the former function of the building.

Opening Times
• Saturday 9 September:
Building open: 1000 -1600 (Box office 0930 -1530)
MALT Project Talk and Screenings: (40 mins) 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400

• Sunday 10 September: Building open: 1000 -1600 (Box office 0930 -1530)
MALT Project Talk and Screenings: (40 mins) 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400

For contact info see: New Cut Arts Centre

For FULL DETAILS of all of the above Suffolk Heritage Open Days, including contact details, maps and pre-booking information, please visit Suffolk Heritage Open Day


For Visitor enquiries please call English Heritage Customer Services on 0870 333 1181.

You may also be interested in reading the following articles:

English Heritage in Suffolk

The National Trust in Suffolk

Invitation to view in Suffolk

Did you visit one of more of the above properties? We’d love to hear all about it! Please send all comments and reviews to [email protected].

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