Suffolk
Places in Suffolk
Places of Interest
Sutton Hoo
Sutton Hoo is an archaeological site near Woodbridge in Suffolk. Visitors can explore burial mounds and see a full-scale sculpture of an Anglo-Saxon ship. The site features a viewing tower overlooking the riverside scenery and an exhibition displaying original finds, including weaponry, silverware and an iconic ornate helmet.
Perched above the River Deben near Woodbridge in Suffolk, Sutton Hoo is one of Britain's most significant archaeological sites, now managed by the National Trust. In 1939, landowner Edith Pretty ordered the excavation of several mysterious mounds, which uncovered the incredible undisturbed burial of an Anglo-Saxon ship. This 27-metre vessel had been hauled from the water to serve as the final resting place for a powerful warrior king, likely Rædwald of East Anglia, back in the early 7th century.
The discovery of the iconic ornate helmet, alongside gold and garnet jewellery, weaponry, and silverware, completely changed how we view the Dark Ages. Today, visitors can wander through the burial mounds, see a full-scale sculpture of the ship, and explore an exhibition filled with replicas and original finds. There is also a viewing tower that offers a great perspective of the royal cemetery and the surrounding riverside scenery.
Image Attribution
- Suffolk — (Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash )
- East Bergholt — (Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash )
- Flatford — (Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash )
- Lavenham — (Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash )
- Lowestoft — (Photo by David Tip on Unsplash )