The story of Suffolk
After exploring the historic towns, villages and coastline of Suffolk, Alex Middleton brings you a selection of what the region can offer your group.
With medieval towns, ancient villages, thriving seaside resorts and a history stretching back millennia, the East Anglian county of Suffolk is full of attractions and activities to tempt your group.
An invitation to Ipswich
Exploring Suffolk’s county town, your group will discover the recently gentrified town centre – once the setting for witch burnings and martyrdom but now dominated by waterfront bars and cafes.
For the cultural tour group, the town offers a range of free-entry museums and galleries of both local and national interest. Eccentrically dominated by a huge stuffed giraffe in its main gallery, Ipswich Museum features collections exploring everything from the region’s archaeology to its history and botany. Not far from here, art lovers can head to the Town Hall Galleries, which feature a range of temporary exhibitions, or visit Christchurch Mansion, housing a contemporary art gallery as well as collections of works by Thomas Gainsborough and John Constable.
To explore the area’s local heritage, you can head to the Ipswich Transport Museum, which offers group discounts and houses exhibits such as early horse-drawn trams, or you can book a guided tour of the town’s Clifford Road Air Raid Shelter, preserved as it was when constructed in 1939. On the edge of the town, Martlesham Heath Aviation Society and Control Tower Museum is free to enter and will give your group a fascinating insight into the region’s involvement in the history of flight.
Amongst the town’s other attractions and places of interest, your group can visit the free-entry 14th century Pykenhams Gatehouse and the 19th century Corn Exchange, which has been converted into an arts centre. Nearby, the Unitarian Meeting House is also free to enter and retains the original 18th century interior which was described by Daniel Defoe as one of the finest in England. To explore the town’s historic religious architecture further, your group can visit a range of churches such as the medieval St Mary at the Quay, now used as a gallery space.
For shopping and dining, groups visiting Ipswich will find the town centre and docks area packed with stores, restaurants and cafes. The docks are also the starting point for numerous river and coastal cruises run by companies such as Orwell Lady River Cruises and Waverley Excursions, which operates two historic steam yachts. Tickets for both companies are available from Ipswich TIC.
The bustle of Bury St Edmunds
Situated to the west of the county is the historic market town of Bury St Edmunds.
The town is named after Saint Edmund, the Saxon king of the East Angles who was killed by the Vikings in 869. After his death, a shrine was created, which later evolved into Bury St Edmunds Abbey, the ruins of which can be seen in the town’s Abbey Gardens. Adjoining the Gardens, your group can also visit Bury St Edmunds Cathedral, which offers groups guided tours of its medieval interior and the treasury. Not far from here, your group will also find the medieval St Mary’s Church, the final resting place of Mary Tudor. All are free to enter.
A short walk from St Mary’s, overlooking the Market Place with its numerous stalls selling local organic food and drink, you will find Moyses Hall Museum. Housed in a 12th century building, the Museum features an eclectic range of local artefacts such as antique time-pieces. Nearby, the Market Cross building, designed in the 17th century by Robert Adam, is home to the Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery. Featuring a changing programme of exhibitions, the Gallery is also home to a local craft shop.
Staying in the town centre, your group can take a guided tour of the Theatre Royal. Recently restored to its 1819 condition, the theatre is one of the last Regency playhouses in the country and features an annual programme focusing heavily on Georgian productions. Your group could also head to the nearby Greene King Brewery, offering guided tours and beer tasting sessions.
Just outside Bury St Edmunds is West Stow Country Park and Anglo Saxon Village. The Park is based around the archaeological excavations of a 5th century village and features an exhibition displaying artefacts found at the site as well as reconstructed buildings based on the nearby findings. Nearby, Ickworth House features a large Italianate rotunda spanned by two wings housing a large art collection that includes pieces by Velasquez, Titian and Gainsborough. The property is also home to Ickworth Vineyard, which produces English sparkling wines and offers groups pre-booked talks and wine tastings. Discounts for groups and guided tours are available at both sites.Make tracks to Newmarket
Just to the west of Bury St Edmunds, your group will find the the race-course town of Newmarket.
At the town’s National Horseracing Museum, your group can explore all aspects of the history of the sport including its associated art. In addition to group discounts, it offers a range of pre-booked guided tours which include a behind the scenes visit to the stable-yard at nearby Newmarket Racecourse.
At the Racecourse itself, groups are offered a variety of discounts and hospitality options ranging from pre-booked meals in the restaurants to champagne hospitality in a private box. The course is home to nine of the UK’s leading flat races including the 1,000 Guineas every April or May. It also stages regular evening meets during the week.
Newmarket is also home to the National Stud, the showcase for British thoroughbred breeding. Founded during WWI to provide high-quality horses for the British cavalry, increasing mechanisation of the armed forces led to its focus shifting to breeding racehorses. Groups are offered discounts on tours of the Stud, where you can see the resident breeding stallions as well as the Foaling and Nursery yards.
In addition to horseracing, the town’s streets are full of everything from independent boutiques and small designer shops to upmarket restaurants and bars for your group to explore.
Medieval towns and villages
During the late middle ages, the country towns and villages of Suffolk boomed with money made from the profitable wool trade. Centuries later, your group can still explore these historic destinations.
To the north of Ipswich, the historic town of Woodbridge has many old pubs and restaurants and offers groups several options. On the banks of the river, the town’s 18th century Tide Mill has been fully restored and offers groups guided tours and, nearby, you can book private guided tours of the Suffolk Horse Society Museum, which explores the history of working horses in the area. Not far away, Woodbridge Museum explores the area’s Anglo-Saxon past and, just outside the town,is Sutton Hoo, the ancient burial site of the Kings of East Anglia. Discovered in 1939, the site features a reconstruction of one of the largest ship burial tombs found here.
A little further north, the medieval town of Framlingham is dominated by the Church of St Michael, where your group can pre-book to watch a performance on the 17th century organ. On the edge of the town is the 11th century Framlingham Castle, which has been both a fortress, prison and poor house over the years. Groups can pre-book guided tours. Just outside the town, groups can also take a guided tour of Shawgate Vineyard. The tours are free and include a tutored wine tasting session.
Moving further inland, Stowmarket is home to the Museum of East Anglian Life. This houses buildings including agricultural workshops where traditional crafts are practiced and taught. Groups receive discounts.
Westward, the medieval town of Lavenham is home to over 300 listed medieval buildings. Amongst these you will find the 16th century Guildhall of Corpus Christi where groups can pre-book guided tours. Not far from here you can also explore the elaborate Church of St Peter and St Paul.
A little south of Lavenham, the medieval village of Long Melford is famous for its large number of antiques shops. The town is overlooked by Holy Trinity Church, a remnant of the village’s days of prosperity during the ‘wool boom’. The town’s former wealth is also evident in its two stately homes; the Elizabethan Melford Hall and Kentwell Hall, a restored Tudor mansion. Both offer groups a discount on admission.
In Sudbury, meanwhile, which is located a few miles south, your group will find the former home of Thomas Gainsborough, Gainsborough House. Groups receive a discount on entry.
Following the coast
Stretching from Felixstowe in the south to Lowestoft in the north, the towns and beaches of Suffolk’s ‘Sunrise Coast’ will give your groups a chance to enjoy everything from bathing to exploring ancient forts.
At the southern end of the county’s coastline, the seafront at Felixstowe is dominated by a promenade that runs for the full length of the town and features numerous restaurants and independent shops. To explore the area’s history, your group can head to the Felixstowe Museum, which has a special focus on the Battle of Britain, a large part of which took place in the skies above the town. To explore the history of warfare in the region further, groups can also take a guided tour of the town’s Landguard Fort, constructed by Henry VIII. The Fort offers group discounts and is also home to a nature reserve and bird observatory.
Moving northwards, you will find the seaside town of Aldeburgh. Home to Benjamin Britten and his partner Peter Pears until the latter’s death in 1986, the town has preserved their former home, the Red House, as a memorial to the couple and to act as a workshop and venue for year-round operatic productions. The town is also home to the Aldeburgh Festival, established by Britten and Pears in 1948 and producing a lively opera programme each June.
A little further north, the seaside resort of Southwold features a waterfront dominated by the Victorian Southwold Pier. Groups can also book a high speed boat ride around the bay with local boat operator, Coastal Voyager.
In Lowestoft, meanwhile, groups will find historic lanes known as scores leading from the old town down to the seafront with its impressive Claremont Pier. Groups looking for thrills can head to the town’s Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park or visit the nearby Africa Alive Safari Park. Offering group discounts, the Park is home to a range of exotic creatures ranging from cheetahs to lemur. Groups looking to delve into the area’s history can also visit the Lowestoft Maritime Museum or take a tour of the Mincarlo Sidewinder Trawler, permanently moored in the harbour. Just outside the town, you can also visit the Jacobean manor of Somerleyton Hall.
Our thanks to Suffolk Tourism Partnership and the Swan Hotel in Lavenham for their hospitality to Alex Middleton during his visit.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Suffolk Tourism Partnership
Felaw Maltings
Felaw Street
Ipswich
IP2 8SQ
Telephone: 0844 980 8509
Fax: +44 (0)1473 406709
Email: scott@sda.org.uk
Web: www.choosesuffolk.com