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Suffolk

England

Inspirational landscapes and Tudor treasures

Suffolk is a rural paradise filled with idyllic landscapes, Tudor towns, peaceful coastline and a fascinating selection of National Trust properties. The verdant Dedham Vale is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with scenery that remains mostly unchanged since the celebrated landscape painter John Constable lived and painted there. Beyond the charming cottages and scenic waterways, historic market towns burst with medieval charm and elegant and eclectic houses showcase the historic and cultural treasures of the region.

ART & LANDSCAPES OF SUFFOLK

Cultural treasures amongst a rural idyll

From £659 per person

based on two sharing in a twin/double room, with a minimum of 30 passengers travelling in a specific month

Best time to go

April, May, June, July, August, September, October

Suggested Hotel

Salthouse Harbour Hotel

  • Contemporary boutique hotel located on the stunning Ipswich waterfront
  • Individually designed bedrooms
  • Cosy public areas with vintage furniture and eclectic art
  • Award winning food and drink

Attractions:

Flatford (NT)

Flatford lies in the rural heart of Constable Country, in the beautiful Dedham Vale. Flatford, with its picturesque mill by the River Stour, was the subject of many of Constable’s best-loved paintings and remains much the same as it was in his day. You can also see exhibitions by contemporary artists here.

Aldeburgh

Oozing with charm and lined with pastel-coloured holiday villas, this delightful seaside town on the Suffolk Heritage Coast has a pretty pebble beach and was once the home of composer Benjamin Britten.

Southwold

The charming seaside town of Southwold is famous for its painted beach huts and lovely pier. Enjoy free time to explore the pier, stroll along the beach and wander through the town.

Helmingham Hall Gardens

Grand and dramatic, the approach to the moated Helmingham Hall is nothing short of spectacular. The immaculate, tranquil, Grade-I listed gardens are mellow and serene. The varied sections of the grounds combine effortlessly to create this extraordinarily beautiful estate.

Sudbury

Best known as the birthplace of the painter Thomas Gainsborough, this lovely market town is a cluster of Tudor houses and elegant church spires emerging from the verdant Stour Valley. A collection of works by Gainsborough is displayed in Gainsborough’s House, alongside a museum which presents the landscape artist’s life.

Melford Hall (NT)

Melford Hall is a fine turreted Tudor manor house with an impressive collection of maritime paintings and Chinese porcelain. The eclectic property has been altered and added to over its centuries of history, and today presents a magnificent and unique façade.

Bury St Edmunds

With an ancient ruined abbey sitting amongst lovely gardens and alongside fine Regency architecture, the ancient pilgrimage town of Bury St Edmunds is picturesque as well as rich with history. With local breweries and a foodie scene, it’s also a great place to sample local flavours.

Ickworth (NT)

Charmingly situated, this Georgian palace was commissioned to house the treasures collected by the 4th Earl of Bristol on his tours around Europe. The elegant Rotunda showcases an exquisite collection of artefacts accumulated by the Hervey family over 200 years, as well as portraits by Gainsborough, Hogarth and Reynolds. Within the tranquil grounds of the property is the earliest Italianate garden in England.

Ipswich

Ipswich is a town with many interesting attractions, including Christchurch Mansion, the Wolsley Art Gallery (with significant Constable and Gainsborough collections) and the Ipswich Museum and Gallery, which displays ancient relics, local Anglo-Saxon artefacts and a fascinating natural history exhibit.

Alternatives

Make this tour your own

Why not visit a vineyard specialising in English wine, such as New Hall Vineyard?

Museum of East Anglian Life

Situated in the rural heart of Suffolk, this collection of 17 historic buildings traces the history of agricultural life in the region, the importance of food production, and how this has shaped the local communities.

Lavenham Guildhall (NT)

Dating back to the 16th century, this striking timber-framed monument dominates the centre of pretty Lavenham. Its situation in the heart of the village is testament to the historic importance of this once wealthy wool town.

Kentwell Hall

This romantic, redbrick mansion dates back to Tudor times, and gives a grand impression with its fine walled gardens and tranquil moat. The grounds around the property combine ancient features and beautiful landscaping with more contemporary planting.

The Beth Chatto Gardens

These wonderful gardens were begun in 1960 by award-winning plantswoman Beth Chatto. What was once wasteland has been transformed into an inspirational space that works with nature to ensure that the plants there can thrive in the growing conditions.

Tiptree Jam Museum

This very British little museum documents the history of producing jam in the village of Tiptree, and demonstrates the art of preserve-making via its varied collection of objects relating to the industry.

The Munnings Museum

The Munnings Art Museum is housed at Castle House, the former home of artist Sir Alfred Munnings and his wife, Violet. Munnings lived and worked here for more than 40 years, until his death in 1959. Discover Munnings’ former home and studio, see furniture and personal items which remain in situ and explore the largest collection of his art works with over 200 paintings, drawings and sculpture on display.

Burnt House Vineyard

Established in 1925 and still family-run today, Burnt House Vineyard now focuses on four grape varieties to produce still and sparkling wines, mixing tradition with innovation in winemaking. The walking tour and tasting will bring it all to life, whatever your level of wine knowledge.

Ufford Park Hotel, Woodbridge

  • Located to the east of Ipswich, ideal for exploring Suffolk
  • Modern hotel situated in 120 acres of peaceful parkland
  • Contemporary bedrooms furnished to a high standard
  • A large bar, terrace and restaurant, all of which overlook the golf course
  • Excellent leisure facilities, including an indoor swimming pool

The Angel Hotel. Bury St Edmunds

  • 4 star hotel in the centre of Bury St Edmunds
  • Located opposite the Abbey Gardens
  • Charming character hotel
  • En suite facilities with tea/coffee making facilities
  • Elegant restaurant and bar

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Our office hours are 09:00 – 17:00 (UK time), Monday to Friday. If you are on tour and need to contact us outside of office hours, please call the 24hr on tour assistance number.

(If calling from abroad, please remember to add 0044 and drop the first 0 from the below numbers.)

Call: 01225 764205
Email: enquiries@successtours.com

24hr On Tour Assistance Number:
07957 838280