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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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Map of Visit East of England

Stories & Inspirations From The Heart of Suffolk

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Posted: 12th Mar 2026

The East of England features strongly in The Personal History of David Copperfield, the Armando…

1920 900 Bury St Edmunds The Personal History of David Copperfield 1 JPEG
Arts + Culture

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…

1920 900 Cotmans Storm on a Yarmouth beach
Arts + Culture

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…

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Wellness + Health

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

002 helmingham hall gardens

Welcome to Helmingham Hall Gardens. Find out about visiting the spectacular Grade 1 Listed Gardens,…

002 helmingham hall gardens
Attractions

Helmingham Hall Gardens

Welcome to Helmingham Hall Gardens. Find out about visiting the spectacular Grade 1 Listed Gardens,…

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Attractions

Food Museum

The Food Museum connects people with where our food comes from, past, present and future.

001 food museum stowmarket
Attractions

Food Museum

The Food Museum connects people with where our food comes from, past, present and future.

001 jimmys farm wildlife park

Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park is an award winning wildlife park, rare breeds farm, restaurant and…

001 jimmys farm wildlife park
Attractions

Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park

Jimmy's Farm & Wildlife Park is an award winning wildlife park, rare breeds farm, restaurant and…

001 Ipswich Town Football Club Stadium Tours Suffolk

Go behind the scenes at Portman Road Stadium, see areas usually off limits to the public and get…

001 Ipswich Town Football Club Stadium Tours Suffolk
Attractions

Ipswich Town Football Club Stadium Tours

Go behind the scenes at Portman Road Stadium, see areas usually off limits to the public and get…

Featured Events In The Heart of Suffolk

website image - 020 The Kings Head Letteringsett

Date: 31st Oct - 1st Nov 2026

Make your own juice from locally grown apples using our hand-cranked press!

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Family

Apple Pressing Sessions

Date: 31st Oct - 1st Nov 2026

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Fairs + Markets

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!

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Fairs + Markets

Festival of Food

Date: 3rd Oct - 3rd Oct 2026

website image - 020 The Kings Head Letteringsett

Date: 26th Sept - 26th Sept 2026

Get ready for a sizzling day of family fun as Newmarket Sausage Festival returns to Market Square

website image - 020 The Kings Head Letteringsett
Fairs + Markets

Newmarket Sausage Festival

Date: 26th Sept - 26th Sept 2026

Farm Trail - Hollow Trees Farm.Picture: Stephen Waller

Date: 18th Jul - 31st Aug 2026

Visit us from Saturday 18th July to Monday 31st August 2026 for a summer on the Farm Trail.

Farm Trail - Hollow Trees Farm.Picture: Stephen Waller
Family

Summer holidays

Date: 18th Jul - 31st Aug 2026

Featured Businesses In The Heart of Suffolk

001 ringshall grange stowmarket suffolk
Attractions

Ringshall Grange

Luxury moated Suffolk manor on 13.5 acres, hosting up to 23 guests with family-friendly,…

001 ringshall grange stowmarket suffolk
Attractions

Ringshall Grange

Luxury moated Suffolk manor on 13.5 acres, hosting up to 23 guests with family-friendly,…

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Accommodation

Suffolk Secrets

Self-Catering Suffolk Holiday Cottages from Suffolk Secrets.

001 suffolk secrets
Accommodation

Suffolk Secrets

Self-Catering Suffolk Holiday Cottages from Suffolk Secrets.

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Attractions

Africa Alive

Suffolk's Wildest Day Out!

001 africa alive kessingland suffolk
Attractions

Africa Alive

Suffolk's Wildest Day Out!

GUILDENACRE 3
Attractions

Guildenacre

Guildenacre is a brand new immersive woodland adventure playground set within the ancient grounds…

GUILDENACRE 3
Attractions

Guildenacre

Guildenacre is a brand new immersive woodland adventure playground set within the ancient grounds…

Featured Itineraries In The Heart of Suffolk

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Itineraries

3 nights in the Heart of Suffolk

Avg Duration: 3 nights

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