10 unusual things to do in Suffolk
Suffolk is known for its beautiful countryside and stunning coastal scapes, but what if you’re looking for something to do somewhat outside of the norm? Well, Suffolk isn’t all nature walks and sea swims; our county also boasts rich history and unique experiences, all just waiting to be discovered.
If you’re looking for something different to do when visiting Suffolk, let us lend you a hand. Here are our top ten exciting and unusual things to do in Suffolk, sure to leave you wowed, educated, or with a deeper love for this county than ever before.
Greyfriars Monastery and Dunwich Museum
Visit the past and take a trip to Dunwich, a village recorded as over 1,000 years old.
The capital of the Kingdom of the East Angles in the Anglo-Saxon period, this once thriving town was, at its height, thought of as a similar international port size to 14th-century London. Due to a series of terrible storms across 1286 and 1287, and hundreds of years of coastal erosion, Dunwich today is a small, peaceful village, boasting some of the most incredible history Suffolk has to offer.
See the ruins of the Greyfriars Monastery and walk amongst stone walls that were built over 800 years ago. Learn about the town’s past by strolling through the splendour for yourself, then stop by Dunwich Museum for more interesting history lessons about this beautiful seaside village.
Where: Dunwich, around 20 miles south of Lowestoft by car
Opening times:
- Ruins – open 24/7
- Dunwich Museum – April through October, open 7 days a week | November through March, open weekends only
- Dunwich Museum – April – October, open 11:30am – 4:30pm | November – March, open 2pm – 4pm
Orford Ness
Beautiful yet eerie, Orford Ness is a stunning nature reserve on the Suffolk coast with an incredible history. From around 1913, Orford Ness was a military test site, with top secret experiments conducted here across both World Wars and a while after.
Today, you’ll come across old, ominous buildings, some of which are left untouched, that used to house operations such as atomic bomb testing, bomb flight recording, radar research and development, firing trials, and much more. Strolling through this incredible reserve feels almost post-apocalyptic, with abandoned military buildings overgrown by nature and wildlife that The National Trust now protects. Some buildings can be entered, where you’ll discover informational exhibits about the site.
Tickets must be booked in advance, which can be done easily online. You can only access the Ness via ferry, so when booking, there will be specific time slots to choose from.
Where: Orford, around 20 miles east of Ipswich by car
Opening times:
- Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from June through September (check their website if visiting during other months)
- Ferries to the Ness run every 15 minutes from 10am to 1pm
- Ferries from the Ness run regularly, with the last ferry back to Orford at 5pm
East Anglia Transport Museum
An open-air museum for vehicle lovers and history enthusiasts alike, the East Anglia Transport Museum is home to trams, trolleybuses, locomotives, and more, all waiting to be explored. Learn about transport development and take a ride on their vintage trams, buses, and the narrow guage railway to get a fantastic feel for the past. This is a great outdoor activity for people of all ages to enjoy, and a truly unique experience for those visiting Suffolk.
Where: Lowestoft, on the south-west outskirts of town
Opening times:
- Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and bank holiday Mondays from April through October (check their website for special event days)
- 11am – 4:30pm
Camel Park Oasis
Camels? In the middle of Suffolk? That’s right! You don’t need to head to the desert to visit camels – simply pop by Camel Park Oasis in Halesworth to get your fill of these very friendly, humpy animals. Not only will you see, pet, and even ride camels, but you can also visit the llamas, alpacas, donkeys, wallabies, goats, horses, ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, and many more wonderful critters.
Camel Park Oasis is also home to pedal go-karts, crazy golf, two outdoor play areas, an indoor play area, a giant jumping pillow, a mini maze, a land train ride around the park, and a museum. This truly is a fun and unique day out for the whole family, and highly recommended by visitors far and wide.
Where: Halesworth, around 16 miles east of Diss by car
Opening times:
- Open 7 days a week from April through October
- 10:30am – 5pm
Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
Experience a different variety of wildlife at the amazing Suffolk Owl Sanctuary. This nature centre is dedicated to the protection of owls and other birds of prey, and has a fantastic array of activities and experiences on offer. Flying displays, feeding sessions, and animal talks happen almost daily, plus there’s a discovery centre, indoor and outdoor play areas, a woodland walk, and a picnic area to enjoy your lunch.
The sanctuary is home to red squirrels, meerkats, ferrets, porcupines, armadillos, birds of prey, and many owls, giving you so much to discover and explore during your visit. It holds some rather exciting events, too, so make sure to check their website to see what’s happening.
Where: Stowmarket, around 8 miles east of the town centre by car
Opening times:
- Open 7 days a week
- 10am – 5pm
The Nutshell Pub
Britain’s smallest pub, The Nutshell, is a true delight and an iconic landmark in Bury St Edmunds, only 15ft by 7ft in size. What once was a fruit store, then a curiosity museum, The Nutshell is now a full-time tiny pub, boasting oddities and trinkets from its past. We must give you fair warning, because this includes what is thought to be a mummified cat hanging from the ceiling, apparently over 400 years old…
Stop by to view the incredibly strange array of decor across every inch of the walls and ceiling, and stay for the fantastic beer and welcoming atmosphere.
Where: Bury St Edmunds, in the town centre
Opening times:
- Open 7 days a week
- 12pm – 11pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays
- 11am – 11pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays
Bawdsey Radar
Another peek at Suffolk’s military past, Bawdsey Radar is a unique and incredibly interesting museum about the history of radar. Did you know that RAF Bawdsey was the first fully operational radar station in the world when it opened in 1937? Learn about the truly fascinating story of radar in this fun and interactive museum designed for all ages, with plenty of engaging activities to keep everyone entertained while learning.
Where: Bawdsey, around 19 miles east of Ipswich by car
Opening times:
- Open Thursdays, Sundays, and bank holiday Mondays
- 11am – 4pm (last admission 3pm)
The Food Museum
This fun and family-friendly museum is one of a kind, the only food museum in the UK that explores how our food is grown, made, and eaten. With 40,000 objects in their collection, including ration recipes and a full-size steam-powered mill engine, lots of happy farm animals, and 17 buildings to discover across their 84 acres, this is a fantastic museum with a twist to spend a day.
Make sure to check their website close to your visit and discover what events they’re hosting, as there’s always something exciting happening at The Food Museum!
Where: Stowmarket, in the town centre
Opening times:
- Open Tuesday to Sunday from April through October (check their website if visiting during other months)
- 10am – 5pm
Sutton Hoo
If you’re looking for something unusual to do in Suffolk, then make time for a day trip to Sutton Hoo. This Anglo-Saxon burial site is home to one of the world’s greatest archaeological discoveries: a king or great warrior buried with his 90-foot ship and surrounded by incredible treasures. This discovery changed the way historians understood the Anglo-Saxon period, which they believed was a dark age of decline until this monumental find.
Sutton Hoo has plenty to entertain the family for an entire day. Explore the Royal Burial Ground and its 17-metre high viewing tower, visit the High Hall exhibition and the beautiful Tranmer House, stroll along the many woodland walks, and check out any exciting and interesting events they may have on when you visit. You can check out their website to find out exactly what’s going on at Sutton Hoo during your Suffolk trip.
Where: Woodbridge, around 11 miles east of Ipswich by car
Opening times:
- Open 7 days a week until mid-November
- Estate walks and tower open 7 days a week from mid-November
- House, Hall, cafe, shop, and bookshop open weekends only from mid-November
- Check their website for opening hours, as these vary for all locations on-site and differ from season to season
National Horseracing Museum
Newmarket is famous for its horseracing, with its two race courses, rich horseracing history, and being the leading centre for equine research. It makes sense, then, that they boast a fantastic museum dedicated to horseracing! Explore the museum and learn about the sport’s history, view the inspiring British Sporting Art in the galleries, meet former racehorses in the yard, and take a stroll around the site to meet the other animals who call it home.
Make sure to check their website before you visit, as the museum hosts fun events throughout the year, from horseracing-themed board game mornings to creative, family-friendly workshops.
Where: Newmarket, around 15 miles west of Bury St Edmunds by car
Opening times:
- Open Tuesday to Sunday all year round
- April through October, 10am – 5pm
- November through March, 10am – 4pm
Where to stay in Suffolk
If you’re looking for somewhere to rest your head and relax after a day of exploring Suffolk’s unusual and unique attractions, look no further than one of our beautiful Suffolk holiday homes. We have a fantastic selection of stunning homes to choose from, whether you’re looking for a cosy one-bedroom in Bury St Edmunds or a large seafront house in Aldburgh. We have homes within walking, driving, and public transport distance of all of Suffolk’s most fantastic attractions, so take a look and find the one that suits you.
We’re here to make your trip to Suffolk as comfortable as possible. If you’re tired from a day of exploring Sutton Hoo or riding camels, check out our list of recommended spas to ease those aches. Are you travelling with your partner? Make time for a romantic break, and draw inspiration from our list of favourite scene-setting spots. For any other recommendations, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of Suffolk locals.
