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Bridge
Cottage, Flatford
(tel 01206 298260)
(open
daily Apr-Oct, Sat/Sun Jan-Feb, Wed-Sun Mar & Nov-15 Dec)
This 17th century cottage close to the mill was immortalised by
the famous painter Constable. Today there is a Constable exhibition,
a tea garden and shop. Guided walks set off from here throughout
the summer.
Christchurch
Mansion, Ipswich
(tel 01473 253246)
(open daily excl. Sun am, Mon)
Dating back to the 16th century, the house is furnished in period
style with a Victorian wing including the servants' quarters. The
Suffolk Artists' Gallery features a superb collection of paintings
by Gainsborough and Constable.
Country World,
Fritton
(tel 01493 488208)
(open daily Apr-Sep, Sat/Sun & half-term Oct)
A great day out for the family at this 250-acre centre with woodland
walks, adventure playground, children's farm, heavy horses, miniature
railway, fishing, falconry, rowing and boat trips.
Easton Farm
Park, Easton
(tel 01728 746475)
(open daily Jul-Aug, Tue-Sun Apr-Jun & Sep, Feb&Oct half-term)
Delightful working farm in a Victorian setting where children can
stroke and pet the animals. Free pony rides at weekends and holidays,
milking displays in the dairy, working blacksmith, play area and
face-painting.
Framlingham
Castle, Framlingham
(tel 01728 724189)
(open daily all year round excl. 24-26 Dec, 1 Jan)
The home of Mary Tudor, this 12th century Castle features curtain
walls, 13 towers, Tudor-brick chimneys and a wall walk. Good views.
Gainsborough's
House, Sudbury
(tel 01787 372958)
(open daily excl. Sun am & Mon)
Gainsborough was born in this elegant townhouse in 1727 and the
house features a superb collection of his paintings. Also period
furniture, china and temporary exhibitions.
Ickworth
House, Park and Gardens
(tel 01284 735270)
(open daily Mar-Oct excl. Mon &Thu, garden closed winter weekends,
park open all year)
Unusual oval stately home begun in 1795 featuring two curved corridors
filled with fine paintings including pictures by Gainsborough. Also,
a beautiful collection of Georgian silver. Lovely formal Italianate
gardens and 1800 acres of parkland with woodland walks and cycle
routes. Quizzes and trails for children, plus play area.
Kentwell
Hall, Long Melford
(tel 01787 8802286)
(open daily mid-Jul-Sep, 17-20 Apr, Sun pm Mar-Oct)
This beautiful Tudor mansion surrounded by a moat and parkland features
displays of Tudor costume, and award-winning recreations of Tudor
life at many weekends throughout the year. Visit the ancient Moat
House and rare breeds farm.
Lavenham
Guildhall of Corpus Christi
(tel 01787 247646)
(open daily Jun-Sep, Wed-Sun Oct & Apr-May, Sat/Sun Nov &
Mar)
Impressive 16th century timbered building in the delightful market
town of Lavenham. Originally the hall of Corpus Christi, but now
housing an interesting exhibition on the history of the local wool
trade.
Little Hall,
Lavenham
(tel 01787 248179)
(open BH & Wed-Sat afternoons 6 Apr - 27 Oct)
Charming 15th century house with a crown-post roof, housing the
Gayer-Anderson collection of furniture, ceramics, pictures and sculptures,
with pleasant garden.
Minsmere
Nature Reserve, RSPB
(tel 01728 648281)
(open daily all year excl. Tue)
This large RSPB reserve with heath, woods and marshland on the Suffolk
coast is home to lots of different species with bird-watching hides
and trails. Pleasant walks, visitor centre and tearoom.
Museum of
East Anglian Life, Stowmarket
(tel 01449 612229)
(open Apr-Oct)
Fascinating open-air museum set in 70 acres of Suffolk countryside.
Reconstructed buildings and room settings illustrating life in past
times, includng a watermill, chapel, smithy and wind pump. Adventure
playground and special events for visitors of all ages.
National
Horseracing Museum, Newmarket
(tel 01638 667333)
(open daily Apr-Oct, excl. Mon Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct)
Discover the extraordinary history of the people and horses involved
in racing in Britain. Meet retired jockeys and trainers in the gallery,
and ride the horse simulator, plus minibus tours to gallops, stables
and equine pool.
Orford Castle,
Orford
(tel 01394 450472)
(open daily Apr-Oct, Wed-Sun in winter)
Built by Henry 11 for coastal defence in the 12th century, the Castle
features a 90ft high keep with views across the River Alde to Orford
Ness.
Orford Ness
(tel 01394 450057) NT
(open Thu-Sat, Easter-Oct)
Boat trips run approx. every 15mins. from the quay at Orford to
this mysterious shingle spit, popular with wildlife enthusiasts.
Owned by the Ministry of Defence for many years, it is now in the
hands of the National Trust.
Saxtead Green
Post Mill, Saxtead Green
(tel 01728 685789)
(open daily Apr-Oct, cl. 1-2pm Sun, EH)
A traditional Suffolk postmill, this elegant white windmill dates
back to 1776 and is in full working order.
Snape Maltings
The converted 19th century maltings on the banks of the River Alde
are home to the renowned Aldeburgh Music Festival begun by Benjamin
Britten. Unusual shops and galleries plus river trips and restaurants.
Somerleyton
Hall and Gardens
(tel 01502 730224)
(open Thu, Sun, BH Mon Apr-Jun & Sep plus Tue/Wed Jul/Aug)
Very much lived-in Anglo-Italian style house with period furniture
and paintings, plus lovely gardens featuring azaleas and rhododendrons,
with a minature railway and maze.
Suffolk Wildlife
Park, Kessingland
(tel 01502 740291)
(open daily year round)
100-acre wildlife park featuring lots of African wildlife. Plus
play areas, bouncy castle, animal demonstrations and special events
during the summer holidays.
Sutton Hoo
Archaeological Site, Sutton Hoo
(open weekends Easter-Oct for tours, check times)
Group of low grassy burial mounds where the discovery in 1939 of
an Anglo-Saxon ship burial and burial of an early 7th century ruler
led to important revises in the history of the Dark Ages. Most of
these historically important finds are now in the British Museum,
but a new exhibition explains the site's significance.
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