Things to do in Suffolk this Autumn

The summer months are almost behind us, but fear not, there are plenty of fun things to do throughout Suffolk this Autumn and this Guide can help you organise your calendar.

For the Nature Lovers…

There’s always a lot on at RSPB Minsmere near Saxmundham and this Autumn is no exception – here you’ll find birdwatching guided walks, talks & presentations and a number of events and activities for families and children. If you and your family are nature lovers just click on the link above for a full list of events and to make a booking.

One event to look out for in particular is The Annual Red Deer Rut. Listen to stags bellowing, watch their posturing and maybe see a clash of antlers. It’s not just deer either as on the Heath you may spot foxes stalking rabbits, green woodpeckers searching for ants and much more besides.

The RSPB is offering 4×4 Deer Safaris from Saturday 30th September to Sunday 22nd October 2017 to get even closer to the herds. Tours are available weekdays at 2.30pm and weekends at 9am, 11.30am or 2.30pm. Price: RSPB members £90, non members £155 for up to four people and must be pre-booked.

Enjoy the Autumn stone-curlew roost walk and see the annual migration at Cavenham Heath National Nature Reserve, Cavenham Heath, Tuddenham, IP28 6TB on Thursday 7 & Thursday 12 September
During late summer and autumn each year, stone-curlews gather in large numbers at Cavenham Heath before they migrate. Join the RSPB and Natural England for an evening walk to see these beautiful and elusive birds. 6pm – dark, free entry but booking is essential. Contact 01728 648281 or e-mail [email protected] for further information.

Suffolk Owl sanctuary, Stonham Barns

The Owl Sanctuary is a great day out for all the family all year round. It opens daily year round from 10am to late afternoon, 7 days a week. Flying demonstrations and talks take place throughout the day until the end of September. With Owls and other birds of prey, there are over 80 raptors at the Centre, plus a Raptor Hospital, a pretty woodland walk with wheelchair accessible bird hide, red squirrels, chipmunks, Meerkat Kastle, picnic areas and plenty of activities for children including play area and an indoor interactive Discovery Centre incase it rains! Plus a unique owlie Gift Shop. See Suffolk Owl Sanctuary for more information

History Buffs…

Suffolk Heritage Open Days Each year in September buildings of all ages and styles open their doors through the nationwide Heritage Open Days scheme. These buildings range from castles to factories & town halls to barns & churches. This is your chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities bringing to life Suffolk’s rich history and culture. This year the Open weekend is 9th-10th September 2017 and for details of which properties are open & where please see: Suffolk Heritage Open Days


If you are a fan of steam engines then the Steam Gala at Mid-Suffolk Light Railway is not to be missed. Taking place on Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 September at Brockford Station, Wetheringsett, there will be three resident engines in steam plus a very special guest loco. Running to a special timetable for an intensive day of operations, the four locomotives will be working passenger and demonstration goods trains up and down the line. There will be a variety of other attractions, including road engines on display around Brockford station. See Mid Suffolk Light Railway for more information.



Visit the Long Shop Museum in Leiston to discover 200 years of industrial innovation, open Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm (Sunday 11am-3pm) throughout September & October (closed on Mondays during October). There are regular events happening throughout the year.



Invitation to View offers a wonderful opportunity for the public to see some of Suffolk’s most famous and exclusive homes and halls not usually open to the public. Click on the link above to find property details and open dates.

Fantastic Festivals & Fairs…

Why not visit Helmingham Hall Gardens this September? Host to Walk with a Fork – Sunday 3rd September and the Autumn Plant Fair & Artisan Market – Sunday 17th September. both are fantastic and very popular events.


Or try the Long Melford Stately Home Car Boot Sale on Sunday 17 September 9am – 2pm. With over 150 stalls, marquee for collectors stalls and refreshments, this promises to be a great day out. Contact Melford Hall for details.


Or visit the equally popular Glemahall Hall with the East Coast Antique Fair – Sunday 10th September and Paws with a Cause – Charity Dog Walk – Sunday 15th October.

Things to do in Suffolk this Autumn

There’s still time to catch a variety of other Fetes and Fairs this Autumn, see: Fetes and Fairs in Suffolk for full details

The 2017 Hightide Festival is on 12th-17th September in Aldeburgh. There will be an extraordinary line up of world premieres, talks with world-class artists, play readings, comedy, cabaret, live music and much more. Find out more about this festival by clicking on the link above.

Head to Newmarket on the 16 & 17 September for the Newmarket Food & Drink Festival
10am – 16.30pm each day at the Newmarket Town Centre, Palace Street and The Guineas Shopping Centre, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 8EP. Enjoy a traditional food and drink fayre, with a truly modern offering. Featuring celebrity chefs, including Theo Randall and Sophie Grigson, on hand for demonstrations, alongside top local chefs! On top of that, see top wine writer, Oz Clarke helping visitors to distinguish plonk from pinot.



Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival on 23-24th September A hugely popular event celebrating Suffolk’s thriving food & drink scene, taking place at Snape Maltings. The Festival features over 100 food and drink producers from Suffolk, selling a huge variety of locally produced fayre. There are also 2 cookery demonstration stages hosting visiting and local chefs and activities for children, under 15’s get in free.

Things to do in Suffolk this Autumn

Friday 29 September to Sunday 1 October – The Woodbridge Shuck Shellfish Festival
The Tide Mill, Woodbridge, IP12 1AA

Following on from the huge success of previous years, the annual Woodbridge Shuck Shellfish Festival is back. This Festival is a real treat for foodies. See Suffolk Festivals for full information.





Halesworth Arts Festival at the Cut Arts Centre is on 7th-22nd October. 16 days of almost 20 events, illustrated talks, live music, opera, films, comedy to name but a few.

For a list of all Festivals talking place in Suffolk this year, please see Suffolk Festivals

Art Appreciation & Musical Treats

Saturday 9 September to Sunday 1 October 2017 – Artworks 18th Annual Exhibition at Blackthorpe Barn
Contemporary and traditional work by 30 East Anglian artists. There is an Artworks cafe and shop selling small works and cards and different artists-in-residence will be giving daily demonstrations.

For more Art Exhibitions this Autumn please see: Art Exhibitions in Suffolk


Fleece Jazz at Stoke by Nayland
Fleece Jazz presents the best improvised music every Friday at 7.30pm throughout September at the wonderful
Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa. Featuring the best modern (jazz) musicians in Britain and from around the world! The premier jazz venue in East Anglia rivals Ronnie Scotts in the calibre of artists presented and has been awarded the prestigious Parliamentary Jazz Venue Award.

Learn something new

Suffolk offers a great many interesting courses throughout the year from food to photography to thatching, so check out our advertisers such as Assington Mill who provide Courses in Suffolk & maybe learn a new skill this Autumn?

Things to do in Suffolk this Autumn

If you are good with your hands then why not try a 2 or 3 day glass fusing workshop this Autumn at
Hart Glass in Cavendish.

These introductory courses aim to give you a taste of a wide variety of glass fusing techniques and a clear understanding of the processes including; The glass studio environment, Cutting, cold-working & design, Planning firing schedules and Kiln forming techniques.

Running weekends throughout Autumn, click the link above for dates and booking info.

Autumn Suffolk Wedding Fairs

If you’re planning a wedding then you’re in the right place to attend some wedding fairs as there are so many great Wedding Fairs on in Autumn – just click on the link for full details

Half Term Activities in Suffolk this Autumn

Please see Autumn Half-Term Things to do in Suffolk for days out that kids will love, and should the weather turn against us please see Rainy Day Activities in Suffolk and Children’s Rainy Day Things to Do in Suffolk

Plan your Christmas Events in Suffolk this Autumn

Christmas & New Year in Suffolk is fast approaching so book ahead for your Christmas & New Year Breaks in Suffolk, your Christmas Parties and New Year’s Eve Celebrations, and, of course, you will need to decide which Christmas Presents from Suffolk you want to get!

What do you like doing in the Autumn in Suffolk? Please write a review and then Send us an Email so that we can include it here to give other people inspiration!

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