History & Heritage

Discovering the history and heritage in Suffolk reveals thousands of years of fascinating stories, from the lives of individuals to the fate of whole populations.

Churches are integral to history and heritage in Suffolk. The grandest of all the churches in Suffolk are found in the Suffolk Wool Towns, however, there are hundreds of others with just as much charm. Also worth a visit is Suffolk’s only cathedral, St Edmundsbury, and the historic abbey and gardens beside it. On foot, by bike or by car, exploring the churches in Suffolk makes for a great day out.

So does visiting the stately homes in Suffolk. Don’t miss the Italianate gardens of Ickworth House, Tudor re-enactments at Kentwell Hall, mementos of Beatrix Potter at Melford Hall, the Victorian splendour of the Somerleyton Estate, or Helmingham Hall’s enchanting moat and gardens.

Framlingham Castle, with its fearsome battlements, is an iconic symbol of history and heritage in Suffolk. Imposing Landguard Fort is also among the most popular historical places to visit, especially for families.

There are outstanding museums in Suffolk, such as 1,000-year-old Moyse’s Hall, and the 14th century Little Hall Museum in Lavenham. The East Anglia Transport Museum, Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, and Leiston Long Shop Museum exhibit machines and contraptions of the past, while the Museum of East Anglian Life tells of Suffolk’s agricultural history. For a glimpse at Suffolk’s Anglo-Saxon history, visit Sutton Hoo or West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village.

Horseracing plays a large part in the history and heritage in Suffolk, and the new National Horse Racing Museum which opened in Newmarket late 2016, shows this history in vivid colour.