Places to visit

This section summarises the many places to visit close to Saxmundham; all are reached in under 1 hour by car and most are nearer. Where possible, links are provided so you can get further details and opening times for each attraction. (Distances in miles and directions are from Saxmundham.)

English Heritage
National Trust
RSPB Minsmere
Wildlife, walking & conservation
Other places of interest & enjoyment
Other useful tourism links

English Heritage

The following attractions are owned by English Heritage and are near to Saxmundham: check the English Heritage (www.english-heritage.org.uk) web site for full details and opening times of each attraction.

• Framlingham Castle (8ml).
• Orford Castle (14ml).
• Leiston Abbey (4ml).
• Saxtead Green Post Mill (10.5ml).
• Landguard Fort, Felixstowe (25ml A12 south, A14).

National Trust

The following is a list of National Trust properties in the Eastern Region and near to Saxmundham: check the NT web site (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main) for full details and opening times of each property.

Dunwich Heath: Coastal Centre and Beach (10ml via A12 Yoxford, Westleton). A remnant of the once extensive Sandlings heaths and one of Suffolk's most important nature conservation areas. There are many excellent way-marked walks, including access to the neighbouring bird reserve of Minsmere, and an observation room in the converted Coastguard Cottages. Tel: 01728 648505.
Also Dunwich village should be explored incl. the Museum, Ship Inn, c13th ruins of Greyfriars Friary, and the Lepers' chapel adjoining parish church of St James.

Orford Ness National Nature Reserve (14ml, access from Orford Quay) (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/orfordness). The largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe, with variety of habitats including shingle, salt-marsh, mud-flat, brackish lagoons and grazing marsh; important location for large number of nationally rare species. The Ness was a secret military site from 1913 until the mid 1980s. 5ml walk involves walking on shingle. New for 2003 display relating to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment and their activities on Orford Ness 1953-1971. Tel: 01394 450900.

Sutton Hoo, nr Woodbridge (14ml via A12 south) (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/suttonhoo). The Anglo-Saxon royal burial site where the priceless Sutton Hoo treasure was discovered in a huge ship grave. Visitor centre & exhibition tells the story of the site - which has been described as 'page one of English history' - and displays some original objects as well a full-size reconstruction of ship burial chamber. New for 2003 additional treasures loaned from the British Museum. Tel: 01394 389700.
See also The Sutton Hoo Society (www.suttonhoo.org).

Ickworth house and garden, Horringer nr Bury St Edmunds (43ml via A12 Yoxford, A1120 west, A14 north). House with unique central rotunda and curved wings. Tel: 01284 735270.

Lavenham Guildhall (44ml, west of Ipswich). Early c16th timber-framed building overlooking market place. Tel: 01787 247646.

Melford Hall, Long Melford (48ml), Sudbury. Tel: 01787 880286.

RSPB Minsmere

Minsmere (10ml via A12 Yoxford, Westleton) is the RSPB's premier nature reserve, set on the beautiful Suffolk coast, which is itself a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Minsmere offers a days out for bird enthusiasts, families and lovers of the countryside. Nature trails take you through a variety of habitats on the reserve where there is a chance to see many rare and interesting birds and other wildlife.
The Reserve and Visitor centre are open all year round 9am till 9pm (or dusk). Closed Tuesdays. Tel: 01728 648281 for more information.
Also: North Warren (Aldeburgh), Tel: 01728 688481. Havergate Island (Orford).

Wildlife, Walking & Conservation

Suffolk Wildlife Trust (www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/suffolk), Tel: 01473 890089. Nearly 70 reserves in Suffolk including woodlands, coastline, marshes and flower meadows. Reserves close to Saxmundham include Darsham marshes, Dingle marshes (Dunwich), Sizewell Belts, The Haven (Thorpeness), Hazlewood Marshes (nr Aldeburgh) and Blaxhall Heath. Further afield are Wenhaston Common, Framlingham Mere, Fox Fritillary Meadow at Framsden (open day in April), Foxburrow Farm at Melton, nr Woodbridge (SWT owned farm, educational events, visitor centre). Use OS Landranger map 156 for reference.

Rendlesham Forest Centre (Forest Enterprises) (9ml), nr Woodbridge, way-marked woodland walks, large children's adventure play area and giant bird play sculpture. Tel: 01394 450164.

Iken Cliff (9ml via Snape) picnic site, walks with views of the Alde estuary.

Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty.

Other places of interest & enjoyment

Aldeburgh (7ml) (www.aldeburgh-suffolk.info) including Moot Hall museum, historic Sea Front & 'Crag path', Lifeboat and modern-built lifeboat shed, Martello tower (owned by The Landmark Trust), Golf course, Aldeburgh Carnival and Lantern procession (in August), Suffolk Summer Theatre by Jill Freud & Company, and excellent Fish & Chip shops!

Snape Maltings (5ml) (www.snapemaltings.co.uk), Concert Hall home to the world famous Aldeburgh Festival (June), Snape Proms (August), Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme (music school). Also Snape Maltings Riverside Centre with shops, galleries, cafe, river trips, painting & craft courses.

Long Shop Museum, Leiston (4ml) (www.longshop.care4free.net), on the site of the 'Long Shop' built in 1852 by Richard Garrett as one of Great Britain's first production lines for steam engines: now home to the unique Garrett Steam Collection. Tel: 01728 832189.

Parham Airfield Museum (10 ml A12 south via Little Glemham) features the 390th Bombardment Group Memorial Air Museum in the original WWII control tower. Also Museum of the British Resistance organisation. Tel: 01473 711275.

Thorpeness (7ml via Leiston) (www.thorpeness.co.uk) unique 1920s holiday village including boating lake, windmill and 'House in the Clouds', Golf course and Country Club.

Blythburgh (www.blythweb.co.uk/blythburgh) (9.5ml A12 north via Yoxford and Darsham) village has magnificent medieval church with 'Angel' roof, overlooking the river Blyth estuary.

Southwold (www.southwold.info) (14ml A12 north, A1095 at Blythburgh) seaside town has award-winning new pier with unique water clock and unusual amusements, world-famous Amber Shop and Swan Hotel in the High Street, and Adnams brewery & several of their pubs.

Easton Farm Park, nr Wickham Market (www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk) (10ml A12 south via Wickham Market) a Victorian 'model' farm now the home of many farm and domestic animals. Tel: 01728 746475.

Kidz Kingdom, Martlesham (15ml A12 south), large in-door adventure play area with bouncy castles - great for rainy days. Tel: 01473 611333. Also Kingpin Bowling (www.kingpinbowling.co.uk).

Woodbridge Tide Mill (www.tidemill.org.uk) (14ml A12 south) and nearby Buttrum's Mill.

Suffolk Heritage Coast (www.britainexpress.com/countryside/coast/suffolk.htm).

Museum of East Anglian Life (www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/tourism/meal) (25ml B1119 west, via Framlingham, A1120 Stowmarket) provides a unique account of rural life, farming, traditional crafts, with many activity days and events throughout the year.

Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens, nr Diss (www.bressingham.co.uk) (29ml via Framlingham) world famous gardens created by Alan Bloom and steam museum.

Ipswich (www.ipswich.gov.uk/tourism) (21ml A12 south) including Ipswich Museum, Christchurch Mansion, Historic waterfront, Crown Pools, Suffolk Ski Centre, Orwell Country Park.

Somerleyton Hall and gardens, nr Lowestoft (www.somerleyton.co.uk) (28ml A12 north via Oulton Broad). Italianate house, beautiful gardens with famous maze.

Suffolk Wildlife Park, Kessingland nr Lowestoft (19ml A12 north) one of the UK's largest wildlife parks with rhino, giraffe, lion, buffalo, zebra and more.

New Pleasurewood Hills, Corton nr Lowestoft (26ml A12 north). Leisure and amusement park.

Felixstowe (www.felixstowe.gov.uk) (25ml A12 south, A14), seafront & amusements, Languard Fort, and the UK's largest container port with public viewing area.

Great Yarmouth (www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk) (35ml A12 north).

Kentwell Hall, nr Long Melford (www.kentwell.co.uk) (48ml) moated tudor hall with historic re-creations and many events throughout the year.