Nearby Attractions

RSPB Minsmere is a fantastic, accessible, coastal nature reserve that’s perfect for families. Start your adventure at the visitor centre to find out about the latest activities and events, plot your route and get an idea of what wildlife to look out for at this stunning spot on the Suffolk coast. From marsh harriers to avocet and even booming bitterns, take your binoculars and keep a look and listen out across the site at the many bird hides. Don’t miss the flocks of overwintering birds or starling murmurations in autumn.

Built on the orders of King Henry II in 1165, Orford Castle retains its most unusual polygonal tower keep – the best local spot for stunning views across Orford’s village, creeks and the haunting shingle spit, Orford Ness towards the North Sea. Visit the castle on every level – from the basement, through the lower and upper halls with their many side chambers and passageways, to the rooftop. Home to Orford Museum Trust’s exhibition of local finds. 

Located on a World War II United States Air Force Station and occupying the control tower and Nissen Huts on the former RAF Framlingham airfield , the site consists of two separate museums. The 390th Bombardment Group Memorial Air Museum pays tribute to the 740 servicemen killed or ‘Missing in Action’ from this airfield and the further 754 who were taken as Prisoners of War. The Museum of the British Resistance Organisation includes a unique replica undergrond bunker and provides an insight into ‘Britain’s Secret Army’. Together, the museums give a vivid picture of how the area around Framlingham was affected by the War in two very different ways.

Site currently closed for conservation – please see website for details.

These mainly 14th century remains of an abbey of Premonstratensian canons are among Suffolk’s most impressive monastic ruins, with some spectacular architectural features. Highlights include the 16th century gatehouse, the day stairs to the refectory and the remains of the abbey church. The restored and now thatched Lady Chapel is a venue for concerts, together with the modern Pro Corda building, a music education charity.

Anglo-saxon royal burial site, with the ship burial believed to be of Wuffinga warrior king, Raedwald – hailed as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Learn about the history of the site, its people, its excavators and their finds in the exhibition hall. Wander through timeless landscapes to the burial mounds and enjoy woodland and heathland walks with stunning views of the River Deben and the market town of Woodbridge.

A rare and precious habitat right on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, Dunwich Heath (National Trust) is a dramatic landscape rich in wartime history that is home to special bird species such as the Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark, plus a great array of wildlife from deer to ant-lion, adders and much more. From July to September, the Heath is bright with pink and purple heathers and coconut-scented yellow gorse – an unmissable experience.

Suffolk’s very own mobile app for walking, cycling and more is free to download and free to use. A handy tool for any walker, cyclist or horse rider enjoying East Suffolk’s countryside and coast, it provides free-of-charge access to high-quality Ordnance Survey mapping and digital compass as well as a growing library of trails including some within East Suffolk.

Just a short car ride from Framlingham, this museum is based in the former USAAF hardened command post on the former Bentwaters airfield and covers the history of operations  at RAF Bentwaters from WWII until closure in 1993.

Haunting yet beautiful, Orford Ness in Suffolk is a National Nature Reserve – a vegetated shingle spit accessed only by boat across the River Ore. The site, managed by the National Trust is an internationally important coastal nature reserve with a fascinating 20th century military history as an atomic weapons testing area. Walking trails lead through coastal grazing marshes to the vegetated shingle. Home to wetland and wading birds, Chinese water deer and hares.

Home to the world-renowned Snape Maltings concert hall, a captivating complex of galleries, eateries and relaxed, retail opportunities, boat trips and riverside walks – Snape Maltings has something for everyone to explore and enjoy. Check out the extensive programme of events presented by the Britten Pears Arts organisation and annual must-sees like the Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival.

Just a short car journey from Framlingham, and part of the Suffolk & Essex National Landscape, Rendlesham Forest is a wonderful, extensive mainly coniferous, birdlife-rich plantation, with paths, ideal for easy exploring and forest adventures for all ages. Family-friendly children’s play areas/ equipment, waymarked walking and cycling trails, and plenty of places to picnic. A place to enjoy for a day and even see where UFOs were allegedly sighted! There is also a large camping and caravanning site near the visitor centre area.

Located just on the outskirts of Framlingham, Shawsgate Vineyard is a family owned, English Wine Estate covering 20 acres and is one of East Anglia’s oldest commercial vineyards. It produces a range of white, red and rosé wines as well as quality English sparkling wines. Ask for a map and enjoy a ‘DIY’ tour of the vines, or book a tasting or event session. The vineyard has a shop and a play area.

A 220 acre (90 hectare) area of relatively young woodland, interspersed with pockets of ancient woodland at Great Glemham, just a short drive or cycle ride from Framlingham. Explore wide woodland rides, wildflower meadows, wet woodland and follow the undulating paths to enjoy some brilliant views of the Suffolk countryside. Spring blossom time and autumn visits show Pound Farm at its most colourful.

From Felixstowe all the way up to Lowestoft, the Suffolk coast is dotted with fascinating resorts and villages, cliffs, heaths and beaches – a coast of many colours, packed with stories from its über-rich history. Don’t miss the fresh fish and chips and seafood on offer at refined resort favourites Aldeburgh and Southwold, Lowestoft’s super-sandy beaches and the haunting cliff top ruins at Dunwich and Covehithe.

Just a short drive from Framlingham, Aldeburgh is a hugely historic and quintessentially English, refined and relaxed heritage town on the coast. Not only a go-to for seafront walks along the promenade to Edwardian Thorpeness (home of another mere!), but for music, arts and culture treats, seaside fine dining or fish and chips, and the chance to buy locally caught, fresh and smoked direct from the fishermen in their sheds on the beach itself.

Spectacular Grade I Listed Gardens set around a moated manor house, where the Tollemache family have lived for over 500 years. The stunning gardens – known for their amazing herbaceous borders and many rare roses – were redesigned by Chelsea Gold medalist, Lady Tollemache, and are set in a 400 acre deer park. A real treat in summer, but don’t miss the winter time illuminated garden trail for a magical experience that will be loved by all the family.

A rare and picturesque example of a four-sailed corn-grinding post mill – a mill whose entire white, weatherboarded body turns – propelled by wind on its fantail – on its roundhouse base. This is the third iteration of a post mill on this site since 1796 and is now one of only a handful of fully operational mills remaining in Suffolk. Displays in the roundhouse. External staircase access only to main mill section.

A fun and educational family day out full of farm animals and exciting little adventures for all ages – but especially for the little ones. Resident animals include cows /calves, goats, sheep /lambs, horses and ponies, plus small furry friends and there are oodles of play and explore options both indoor and out (and about!).  Look out for fun day themed events. On-site camping and accommodation also available. Home of the 3 day July Maverick Music Festival.

Explore not only one of England’s first tide mill sites, but one of a handful in the world still regularly producing flour. See the great English oak waterwheel, plus all the impressive cogs in this family-friendly living museum. Find out how power from the tides is transferred to the milling stones. Don’t miss the chance to watch the Miller in action on milling days.

Set in and around the UK’s first ever assembly line building – ‘The Long Shop’. This was the heart of Garrett & Sons agricultural engineering works (est. 1778), which manufactured mighty steam traction engines and agricultural machinery. It is a a world class industrial heritage site with Suffolk’s deepest well too, and the museum is packed full of fascinating exhibits. Don’t miss the events programme which includes steam days.