Diwali Festival, Ipswich
Heart of Suffolk
Countryside + Market towns
The Heart of Suffolk
The Heart of Suffolk has a gentle pace of life, with characterful market towns of antique shops and boutiques, charming rural pubs, quaint, quiet villages of thatched cottages and farms coloured Suffolk Pink. In county town Ipswich relax on the waterfront with its clanking halyards and soft swish of the River Orwell before exploring ancient mercantile streets. This is a great area for leisurely exploring, with destinations that reward curiosity. Food and drink are part of the pull too, from farmers’ markets, farm shops and cafés to vineyards and producers worth seeking out. Don’t miss Stowmarket’s Food Museum. The Heart of Suffolk is a place to build a slow, relaxing itinerary with multiple stops across a rural patchwork of rolling countryside punctuated by destinations that will make you feel you’ve stepped back to a gentler time.
Plan your stay in The Heart of Suffolk
All your questions about The Heart of Suffolk answered, plus advice on how to plan your trip and things to do.
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Stories & Inspirations From Heart of Suffolk
Where to see David Copperfield film locations in…
Posted: 12th Mar 2026
The East of England features strongly in The Personal History of David Copperfield, the Armando… The East of England features strongly in The Personal History of David Copperfield, the…
Where to see David Copperfield film locations in East Anglia
Posted: 12th Mar 2026
The East of England features strongly in The Personal History of David Copperfield, the Armando…
Where to see great art in East Anglia
Posted: 11th Mar 2026
You don’t have to travel to London to see great art – there are fabulous galleries and exhibitions…
Why East Anglia is a 'must see' Lonely Planet location
Posted: 10th Mar 2026
It’s no surprise to us that Lonely Planet chose East Anglia, made up of Suffolk and Norfolk, as one…
Top Attractions in Heart of Suffolk
Fullers Mill Garden
An award-winning seven-acre garden that’s a tranquil, peaceful and enchanting waterside oasis near… An award-winning seven-acre garden that’s a tranquil, peaceful and enchanting waterside oasis…
Fullers Mill Garden
An award-winning seven-acre garden that’s a tranquil, peaceful and enchanting waterside oasis near…
Ickworth Estate – National Trust
An Italianate Palace in the heart of Suffolk. With over 1800 acres of parkland, gardens and brand… An Italianate Palace in the heart of Suffolk. With over 1800 acres of parkland, gardens and…
Ickworth Estate – National Trust
An Italianate Palace in the heart of Suffolk. With over 1800 acres of parkland, gardens and brand…
Cycle Breaks
Discover the very best of Suffolk and Norfolk on self-guided cycling and walking adventures from… Discover the very best of Suffolk and Norfolk on self-guided cycling and walking adventures…
Cycle Breaks
Discover the very best of Suffolk and Norfolk on self-guided cycling and walking adventures from…
Mid-Suffolk Light Railway
Suffolk's only standard gauge heritage railway Suffolk's only standard gauge heritage railway
Featured Events In Heart of Suffolk
Newmarket Sausage Festival
Date: 26th Sept - 26th Sept 2026
Get ready for a sizzling day of family fun as Newmarket Sausage Festival returns to Market Square Get ready for a sizzling day of family fun as Newmarket Sausage Festival returns to Market…
Apple Pressing Sessions
Date: 31st Oct - 1st Nov 2026
Make your own juice from locally grown apples using our hand-cranked press! Make your own juice from locally grown apples using our hand-cranked press!
Festival of Food
Date: 3rd Oct - 3rd Oct 2026
Spend the day at Hollow Tress Farm and indulge in a range of delicious local produce! Spend the day at Hollow Tress Farm and indulge in a range of delicious local produce!
Knights of Holloween
Date: 23rd Oct - 1st Nov 2026
Join us this October Half Tern for Knights of Holloween! Join us this October Half Tern for Knights of Holloween!
Featured Businesses In Heart of Suffolk
Hollow Trees Farm
Hollow Trees Farm, near Ipswich, is a fantastic day out with an exciting Farm Trail, wonderful Farm… Hollow Trees Farm, near Ipswich, is a fantastic day out with an exciting Farm Trail, wonderful…
Hollow Trees Farm
Hollow Trees Farm, near Ipswich, is a fantastic day out with an exciting Farm Trail, wonderful Farm…
Guildenacre
Guildenacre is a brand new immersive woodland adventure playground set within the ancient grounds… Guildenacre is a brand new immersive woodland adventure playground set within the ancient…
Guildenacre
Guildenacre is a brand new immersive woodland adventure playground set within the ancient grounds…
The Suffolk Escape
The family run Suffolk Escape offers luxury self catering holidays in our large Sheepyard Barn,… The family run Suffolk Escape offers luxury self catering holidays in our large Sheepyard…
The Suffolk Escape
The family run Suffolk Escape offers luxury self catering holidays in our large Sheepyard Barn,…
Retreat East
Retreat East is a luxury spa resort in the heart of Suffolk. It is home to 15 country chic barns,… Retreat East is a luxury spa resort in the heart of Suffolk. It is home to 15 country chic…
Retreat East
Retreat East is a luxury spa resort in the heart of Suffolk. It is home to 15 country chic barns,…
Featured Itineraries In Heart of Suffolk
The Heart of Suffolk provides quintessential English countryside studded with characterful market… The Heart of Suffolk provides quintessential English countryside studded with characterful…
Featured Trails In Heart of Suffolk
Follow a four-day food and drink journey through Norfolk and Suffolk, discovering local producers,… Follow a four-day food and drink journey through Norfolk and Suffolk, discovering local…
Trending Items
Date: 10th Oct - 10th Oct 2026
Learn the art of sourdough bread baking from the team at Acre Bakery, at our Cookery School in this… Learn the art of sourdough bread baking from the team at Acre Bakery, at our Cookery School in…
Sourdough Bread Baking Course
Date: 10th Oct - 10th Oct 2026
Expiry Date: 10th Oct 2026
Date: 26th Sept - 27th Sept 2026
The Great Feast is a brand-new food & drink festival at Euston Hall, bringing together incredible… The Great Feast is a brand-new food & drink festival at Euston Hall, bringing together…
Date: 12th Dec - 12th Dec 2026
Experience the exotic flavours and aromas of Thailand with Yui's new cooking course, where Yui will… Experience the exotic flavours and aromas of Thailand with Yui's new cooking course, where Yui…
Taste of Thailand Cooking Course with Yui Miles
Date: 12th Dec - 12th Dec 2026
Expiry Date: 12th Dec 2026
Fullers Mill Garden
An award-winning seven-acre garden that’s a tranquil, peaceful and enchanting waterside oasis near… An award-winning seven-acre garden that’s a tranquil, peaceful and enchanting waterside oasis…
Fullers Mill Garden
An award-winning seven-acre garden that’s a tranquil, peaceful and enchanting waterside oasis near…
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