_National Trut properties in East Anglia

The National Trust was created in 1894 to conserve places of historic interest or natural beauty for the nation. In East Anglia the National Trust cares for a number of historic properties and areas of beautiful coast and countryside.

This guide to National Trust properties in East Anglia gives an overview on the range of landscapes and buildings found in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Historic National Trust landscapes in East Anglia

Blakeney Point, Norfolk Coast

Designated as Blakeney National Nature Reserve, this sand and shingle spit was caused by longshore drift across the mouth of the River Glaven. Close to the picturesque village of Blakeney, this stunning coastal area includes salt marshes, wetlands and sand dunes, providing a safe home for a variety of wildlife including breeding and migrating birds, and the British Isles’ largest seal colony.

Morston Quay, Norfolk Coast

Sheltered from the sea by Blakeney Point, Morston Quay is the location of the boats that take visitors to see the seal colony. There is a take-away café and toilets.

Brancaster Beach, Royal Norfolk

A huge expanse of golden sandy beach backed by dunes that’s perfect for summer lazing or winter wanders. There are toilets at the beach car park and at Brancaster Staithe harbour and a seasonal seaside kiosk not run by the National Trust.

Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk Coast

Within the Suffolk and Essex Coast and Heaths National Landscape, Dunwich Heath has lovely walks across boardwalk marshes to Warbleswick or on the low cliffs to RSPB Minsmere and the historic Coastguard Cottages which has a tearoom. There are toilets and café at the beach.

Dunwich Heath hosts events throughout the year, including observing night skies and walking with rangers.

Single street Dunwich village is all that remains of one of the medieval England’s biggest ports, now lost to the sea.

Orford Ness, Suffolk Coast

At the end of a shingle spit that begins at Aldeburgh, Orford Ness National Nature Reserve has saltmarshes, sea lavender beds and mudflats that are home to a variety of wildfowl and waders. There is a hiking trail across the spit that takes you past mysterious abandoned military buildings – pioneering radio work was done here until the second world war. The National Trust operates a seasonal ferry from Orford Quay.

Flatford, Constable Country, Dedham Vale and Stour Valley

Take in the River Stour and Dedham Vale views that John Constable painted more than 200 years ago – the landscape hasn’t changed a great deal since then. Flatford’s historic buildings include Willy Lott’s House, Flatford Mill and The Granary, and the thatched 17th century Bridge Cottage. Facilities include a tearoom.

Sheringham Park, Norfolk Coast

This 1000 acre coastal estate has the finest example of a Humphry Repton landscape, featuring rolling parkland, temple, ancient oak trees and a nationally important collection of rhododendrons in the wild garden. There are trails across the estate, but the undoubted highlight is the coastal view all the way down to Cley-next-the-Sea and Blakeney Point to be enjoyed from the top of the gazebo viewing tower. Facilities include café and toilets.

National Trust archaeological site in East Anglia

Sutton Hoo, Suffolk Coast

An Anglo-Saxon Royal burial site from the 6th to 7th centuries, Sutton Hoo made headlines in 1939 when self-taught archaeologist Basil Brown discovered the treasures of King Raedwald - a 27-metre long wooden funereal boat that had long since rotted but left iron bolts and a perfect impression in the earth, and a chamber containing treasures for the ‘next world’ that included a warrior's helmet, sword and Byzantine silverware.

There’s an excellent museum about Anglo-Saxon life, café and at Tranmer House, the former home of Edith Pretty who employed Brown, explore the archaeological work that has taken place at Sutton Hoo.

Historic National Trust buildings in East Anglia

Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk Wool Towns

In the heart of the characterful Wool Town of Lavenham, you’ll find one of the most spectacular timber framed buildings of medieval England. Inside the 16th-century timber framed property, explore the stories of those who have used the building over the last 500 years. The Guildhall has a tearoom and courtyard garden.

The exhibition 'Lavenham in the 16th Century' tells the story of when Lavenham was one of the 14th wealthiest places in England, contributing more in taxes than the cities of Lincoln and York.

Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Wool Towns

The only surviving Regency playhouse in Britain, this restored Grade I listed theatre provides an authentic 19th Century theatre-going experience.

Built in 1819 by William Wilkins, the Theatre Royal has many of its original features intact.

Horsey Windpump, Great Yarmouth

Fully restored and once again standing high over the Broads National Park landscape, Horsey Windpump is a complete working windpump with new cap and turning patent sails.

You can climb the 61 steps to the top for wonderful views of Horsey Mere and Heigham Holmes Nature Reserve. The site has a tea/food area and toilets.

St George’s Guildhall, King’s Lynn, Royal Norfolk

A rare complete medieval guildhall, dating back to 1445, in the historic maritime town of King’s Lynn, this is run as an entertainment venue but volunteer tours are available. Planning permission has been granted to restore this Grade I listed building and its surroundings to its historic magnificence. There is strong documentary evidence that on this site is the last theatre stage that William Shakespeare performed on in 1592 or 1593 when the plague shut theatres in London.

Elizabethan House, Great Yarmouth

Charming treasury of domestic history from the Tudors to Victorians on the historic quay at Great Yarmouth, the Elizabethan House shows you there's more to the seaside town than The Golden Mile.

Major National Trust stately homes and estates in East Anglia

Ickworth Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk Wool Towns

Set in more than 1800 acres of parkland, with the earliest Italianate gardens in the UK, Tudor Walled Garden and Mediterranean Temple Garden, Ickworth has trails and cycle routes through the estate.

Inside the Italianate palace and rotunda you’ll discover Georgian silver, Regency furniture, Old Masters and family portraits by famous artists such as Gainsborough and Hogarth. The Servants’ quarters in the basement have been restored to what they were like in the 1930s.

Melford Hall, Long Melford, Suffolk Wool Towns

An imposing red brick mansion with links back to medieval Benedictine monks, explore the history of Melford Hall and trace its evolution through the centuries, with naval and royal connections and visits by Beatrix Potter. There’s a tearoom and toilets.

Blickling Estate, Aylsham, Broads National Park

The ancestral home of Ann Boleyn, it was Sir Henry Hobart in the 1620s who transformed the house, creating the south front’s iconic Jacobean façade. Set off by ancient yew hedges, nobody forgets their first glimpse of Blickling.

The house is at the centre of a complete country estate including gardens, parkland and tenanted farms around beautiful River Bure meadows. With over 4,600 acres of gently undulating historic parkland to explore by foot or bike, look out for stunning views and wildlife – and a pyramid.

There’s a café, toilets, shop and pub, The Bucks Arms.

Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate near Cromer, Norfolk Coast

One of the most elegant houses in East Anglia, Felbrigg Hall was built in stages, beginning in Tudor times and completed centuries later. There are eclectic collections to discover in the house, and outside a magnificent walled garden and a rolling landscape of 520 acres, waymarked trails and lake. Facilities include café, toilets and plant and book shops.

Oxburgh Hall, Brecks

Home to the Bedingfeld family for 500 years, moated Oxburgh Hall in the village of Oxborough reveals one family's unshakable Catholic faith and story of endurance and a relationship with Mary Queen of Scots. There’s a fortified gatehouse for the crenelated hall, a priest hole, chapel and walled gardens. There’s a tearoom, shops and toilets.