Otley Hall is a stunning Grade 1 listed, 16th Century moated hall. It has been voted one of the top 20 Historic Houses in the UK and is listed in “England’s Thousand Best Houses”. A Grade 1 listed building, the house is a perfect example of unspoiled late medieval architecture. Particularly impressive are the Great Hall and Linenfold Parlour, both of which look out onto the Rose Garden. According to Farrer (Old Suffolk Houses, Vol. 6), these two rooms are unequalled in Suffolk. A wealth of notable features includes a cross or screens passage, richly carved beams, superb Linenfold panelling, and 16th-century wall paintings celebrating the marriage in 1559 of Robert Gosnold III and Ursula Naunton. Outside, the lofty chimneys, herringbone brickwork and vineleaf pargetting, magnificent today, give a tantalising glimpse of an even more glorious past. The Gosnolds lived here for over 230 years from 1440 first as tenants, Read more…

Naturally fun for everyone – RSPB Minsmere is a fantastic 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. Discover and play There’s something to suit everyone at Minsmere. Visitors with little ones can enjoy shorter walks along our buggy-friendly paths, while older walkers can stride out along our longer, wilder trails or shell-speckled beach. Kids can let off steam in our Wild Zone natural play area: pretend to be a bittern in our brilliant child-sized nests, then climb through a giant sand martin tunnel before building a den in the woods! Wonderful wildlife Minsmere is home to a staggering variety of wildlife. Keep your voice to a whisper as you scan for secretive bitterns Read more…

Orford Castle Visit one of England’s most complete and unusual keeps (10 miles from Fram) Discover one of England’s most complete and unusual keeps at this fascinating visitor attraction in Suffolk. The unique polygonal tower keep of Orford Castle, stands beside the pretty town and former port which Henry II also developed here. The castle is remarkably intact allowing visitors to explore from the basement, through the lower and upper halls to the roof where there are magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness. Around the rooms is a maze of passages leading to the chapel, kitchen and other chambers in the turrets. Read more…

Easton Farm Park was built in the late 1800s and has been a Farm Park since 1974, the second farm park to be opened in the UK. It offers a unique mix of interactive farm fun within a set of listed historic buildings and countryside. Easton Farm Park is the ideal place for family visits, birthday parties, school trips and farm holidays. Animals The magic of the farm can be found by meeting our animals. They are the life and soul of the farm, and are real characters Summer on the farm is a lovely time with the baby animals all starting to grow and offers a fantastic place to run around and let off steam during the school holidays. Wet Weather If the weather turns against us, as it can suddenly do, take shelter in the indoor soft play barn, or visit the Barmy Barn Café for a cappuccino Read more…

St Michael’s is the parish church for Framlingham, and we have close links to All Saints Saxtead, an adjoining parish to the north west of our small historic market town.  The two parishes have historical links dating back to medieval times and have been a combined benefice under the patronage of Pembroke College, Cambridge since the college was given the lands and the patronage of the living by Sir Robert Hitcham in the 17th century. We are an open and welcoming community. The church is normally open from 8.30am until dusk.  There is a mix of services on Sundays: an 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion using the Book of Common Prayer, Eucharist services using Common Worship most Sundays and a Family Service with Communion on the first Sunday of the month. Morning Prayer is said daily at 8.30 a.m. (Services). There is a strong musical tradition at St Michael’s, with a trained Read more…

Find out about visiting the spectacular Grade 1 Listed Gardens, the Tollemache family and their 500 year history with Helmingham and about the exciting programme of events held on the Estate. A relaxing tour of the gardens makes for a perfect day out for everyone. Gardens redesigned by Lady Tollemache, Chelsea Gold medallist, and set in a 400 acre deer park. Includes herbaceous borders, kitchen garden and many rare roses.The Tollemaches have lived at Helmingham for 500 years. Open during the summer only including special events Read more…

Once a fearsome fortress, muster your courage and explore Framlingham Castle’s towering walls. It was behind these walls that Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England. Discover more of Framlingham’s stories in our exhibition, walk the ramparts of the castle to enjoy its breath-taking views or taste some Tudor inspired delights in our new café. Framlingham is a magnificent late 12th-century castle, its striking outline reflected in the nearby mere. Surrounded by parkland and estates, it was once at the centre of a vast network of power and influence. Its owners for over 400 years were the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk, the supreme magnates in East Anglia – rich, ambitious and influential both at home and abroad. PLAN YOUR VISIT •  OPENING TIMES & PRICING • EVENTS AT FRAMLINGHAM CASTLE Read more…

Saxtead Green Post Mill is a corn mill, whose whole body revolves on its base and is one of many built in Suffolk from the late 13th century. Though milling ceased in 1947, it is still in working order. Climb the stairs to various floors, which are full of fascinating mill machinery. Saxtead Green Post Mill makes an interesting addition to your day out in Suffolk and is easily combined with a visit to Framlingham Castle. PRICES & OPENING TIMES Read more…

The mainly 14th-century remains of an abbey of Premonstratensian canons. Among Suffolk’s most impressive monastic ruins, with some spectacular architectural features. Lying in peaceful open fields these striking ruins represent parts of the abbey church and the fairly extensive remains of the buildings around the cloister.  The site is entered through the 16th century gatehouse, with its octagonal brick turret, which incorporates the cellarer’s range – used for storage – on its northern side. The cloister comes next, with traces of the canon’s wash-place or lavatory against the wall of the south range. At the east end of this southern range are the remains of the day stairs that led up to the refectory or frater. The modern steps in their place afford a good view across the unusually well-preserved remains of the refectory and its basement, or undercroft, which has an outstanding pointed window. In the east range are Read more…

Snape Maltings is a place of energy and inspiration – one of the world’s leading centres of music and a visitor destination of outstanding natural beauty. The creative campus is home to a year-round programme with a unique artistic model. Having grown out of the Aldeburgh Festival, it has realised founder Benjamin Britten’s vision for an international centre of music whose performance programme makes its mark on the world’s stage and which has artist development, learning and community inclusion as its creative engine. Snape Maltings’s programme ranges from development opportunities for musicians at all career stages to work that explores music’s ability to have a positive impact on people’s lives when they need it most. For visitors, Snape Maltings brings together outstanding concerts and events, distinctive independent shops, cafés, galleries, walks, all set against a breathtaking expanse of reeds, water and sky. Read more…

Parham Airfield Museum is situated on an old World War II United States Air Force Station. The Museum actually consists of 2 separate Museums, which join together to show how this corner of rural Suffolk was affected by the War in two very different ways. The 390th Bomb 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 provides an insight into The Museum of the British Resistance Organisation (B.R.O.) provides an insight into ‘Britain’s Secret Army’, with contemporary artefacts housed in the Nissen Huts and a unique replica secret underground bunker. The Museum aims to shed light on “Britain’s best kept war secret“. The two Museums are operated under one Management Committee. Parham Airfield Museum’s continued existence relies on volunteer support & donations to help with Read more…

Museum covering the history of RAF Bentwaters (A short car ride from Fram) The museum is based in the former USAAF hardened command post on the former Bentwaters airfield and covers the history of operations there from WW11 until closure in 1993.  It is open from Easter to October on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month from 10am – 4pm.  There is a shop and snack bar.  Full info on website. Read more…

Awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon royal burial site This hauntingly beautiful 255 acre estate, with far-reaching views over the river Deben, is home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Walk around the ancient burial mounds and discover the incredible story of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his treasured possessions. Come face to face with your ancestors and explore our award-winning exhibition, the full-size reconstruction of the burial chamber, stunning replica treasures and original finds from one of the mounds, including a prince’s sword. Look inside the Edwardian house or enjoy the beautiful seasonal colours on our estate walks. Read more…

A precious landscape on the Suffolk coast. Tucked away on the Suffolk coast, Dunwich Heath offers you peace and quiet and a true sense of being at one with nature. A rare and precious habitat, the Heath is home to special species such as the Dartford warbler, nightjar, woodlark, ant-lion, adders and much more. Quiet and serene, wild and dramatic, this is an inspiring visit, whatever the time of year. From July to September, the Heath is alive with colour; a patchwork of pink and purple heather and coconut-scented yellow gorse is an unmissable experience. Read more…

Large area of woodland for walking & cycling (A short car ride from Fram) At the Rendlesham Forest Centre facilities include  play equipment, cycle park, a picnic area and parking. Immediately next door there is a privately run camping and caravanning site.  Rendlesham Forest is also famous for UFO sightings during the Cold War! Read more…

Fully working tide mill in Woodbridge on the River Deben (A short car ride from Fram) The Tide Mill has a wonderful position on the Woodbridge Waterfront set as it is in an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). There’s lots to see both inside and outside the Tide Mill for visitors of all ages. You can also admire the simplicity and ingenuity of the machinery that has stood the test of time. Experience the sights, sounds and drama of the mill as wheels and stones turn, grinding the grain as they have done for many hundreds of years. Obviously the mill can only be working when the tide is in so check the website for turning times. Read more…

DISCOVER INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION SUFFOLK Just minutes from Snape, Aldeburgh and RSPB Minsmere The Long Shop Museum offers fun for families, inspiring stories and feats of engineering, gorgeous designs and the Long Shop itself – a true icon of industrial revolution Britain. You can spend a super half-day visit here. Add to this one of the many other great local attractions, and make up a really lovely day out in Suffolk. The Long shop Museum tells an inspiring story of enterprise and endeavour in this small Suffolk town and its remarkable factory. Displays are housed in a cluster of original grade II listed buildings. Amongst them is the Long Shop itself – named by workers ‘The Cathedral’. Explore our atmospheric galleries and you’ll find fantastic collections and great hands-on activities. OPENING TIMES & PRICES Read more…