Historic Houses and Estates of Suffolk

Enjoy the treasures within Ickworth, the Georgian silver, Regency furniture, Old Masters and family portraits by famous artists such as Gainsborough and Hogarth. Explore the Servants’ quarters in the basement under the Rotunda which have been restored to what they were like in the 1930s and discover the stories below the stairs. Stroll around the earliest Italianate Gardens in the UK which includes a Mediterranean Temple Garden and a magical Victorian Stumpery. Wander down to the Walled Garden dating to Tudor times.

This hauntingly beautiful 255 acre estate, with far-reaching views over the River Deben is home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Sutton Hoo is where you will find stories of kings, mysterious mounds and buried treasure. It is the site of an Anglo-Saxon royal burial site dating back 1300 years. In 1939 on the eve of the Second World War, archaeologists made a remarkable discovery as they opened the largest burial mound and found an undisturbed Anglo-Saxon ship burial. Explore the site to find out all about the Anglo-Saxon community and this historic discovery whilst having the opportunity to view replicas of some of its treasure, including the iconic Sutton Hoo helmet.

It’s fair to say that Melford Hall has had its share of trials and tribulations, but it’s thanks to many generations from medieval monks to the Hyde Parker family who still live here, that this home still stands. Around every corner there’s a new twist in the story – from Beatrix Potter sketches to collections of naval paintings and Chinese porcelain – everything tells a story and everyone has left their mark. Devastated by fire in 1942, it was nurtured back to life by the Hyde Parker family and it remains their much loved family home to this day. It is their stories of family life at Melford – from visits by their cousin Beatrix Potter through to our visitors today that make this house more than bricks and mortar.

Lavenham Guildhall is a Grade I listed timber-framed municipal building in Suffolk. One of the most spectacular timber framed buildings of medieval England at the heart of village life. Lavenham is one of the United Kingdom’s best-kept medieval villages with over three hundred listed buildings, many of which are protected by the excellent work of our country’s trusts and charities and most of the buildings today date from the 15th century.  Many of these were never altered due to the fall of the weaving industry. Consequently, the town is still very much on the same scale as it must have been in the 15th century. The town was famed for its fabulous wools and it even has its own official colour, the famous Lavenham Blue.          

There is plenty for all to enjoy on a visit to Flatford. Take a self-guided trail through the Dedham Vale countryside or join one of the Constable tours to discover the Hay Wain view as well as the locations of other major paintings by John Constable. Flatford Mill was once owned by John Constable's father and Constable made the Mill and the surrounding area the subject of many of his works of art, which are now world famous. The hamlet of Flatford and the landscape of the Stour Valley dominated his paintings from the early 1800s. After he left school Constable went to work at his father’s windmill in East Bergholt and in his spare time he used to sketch the landscapes.