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Diwali Festival, Ipswich

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Towns + Tranquillity

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.

960 640 Eye parish church St Peter and St Paul church and centre
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 Suffolk

Top Attractions in Heart of Suffolk

003 anglia indoor karting

If you've got a budding Button or Hamilton in your family, then a trip to Anglia Indoor Kart Racing…

003 anglia indoor karting
Attractions

Anglia Indoor Karting

If you've got a budding Button or Hamilton in your family, then a trip to Anglia Indoor Kart Racing…

001 fullers mill gardens

An award-winning seven-acre garden that’s a tranquil, peaceful and enchanting waterside oasis near…

001 fullers mill gardens
Attractions

Fullers Mill Garden

An award-winning seven-acre garden that’s a tranquil, peaceful and enchanting waterside oasis near…

001 Cycle Breaks
Attractions

Cycle Breaks

Discover the very best of Suffolk on two wheels with this immersive, self-guided cycling adventure…

001 Cycle Breaks
Attractions

Cycle Breaks

Discover the very best of Suffolk on two wheels with this immersive, self-guided cycling adventure…

001 food museum stowmarket
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.

Businesses in Heart of Suffolk

001 food museum stowmarket
Attractions

Food Museum

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

001 suffolk secrets
Accommodation

Suffolk Secrets

Self-Catering Suffolk Holiday Cottages from Suffolk Secrets.

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…

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 the suffolk owl sanctuary
Attractions

Suffolk Owl Sanctuary

A wonderful experience with an outdoor flying arena featuring frequent demonstrations of birds of…

001 ickworth house and gardens
Attractions

Ickworth Estate – National Trust

An Italianate Palace in the heart of Suffolk. With over 1800 acres of parkland, gardens and brand…

003 anglia indoor karting
Attractions

Anglia Indoor Karting

If you've got a budding Button or Hamilton in your family, then a trip to Anglia Indoor Kart Racing…

001 Cycle Breaks
Attractions

Cycle Breaks

Discover the very best of Suffolk on two wheels with this immersive, self-guided cycling adventure…

Retreat east hemingstone 1
Food & Drink

Retreat East

Retreat East is a luxury spa resort in the heart of Suffolk. It is home to 15 country chic barns,…

Stories & Inspiration from Heart of Suffolk

1920 900 St Edmund statue Bury St Edmunds

Posted: 14th May 2026

On April 23 each year we celebrate Patron Saint St George. But until 1348 it was King Edmund of…

1920 900 St Edmund statue Bury St Edmunds
History + Heritage

Who was King Edmund, England’s first patron saint

Posted: 14th May 2026

On April 23 each year we celebrate Patron Saint St George. But until 1348 it was King Edmund of…

1920 900 Bury St Edmunds Abbey gate
Outdoors + Adventure

Which is the nicest part of Suffolk

Posted: 15th Mar 2026

Which is the nicest part of Suffolk? There's something for all tastes, including the Broads…

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

Where are movie and TV film locations in Suffolk

Posted: 10th Mar 2026

Suffolk has hosted its fair share of dramas, films and tv programmes over the years, not least…

Events in Heart of Suffolk

Start Date

End Date

Botanical casting workshop
Nature & Wildlife

Botanical Casting Workshop

Date: 4th Jun - 4th Jun 2026

Spring Plant Fair Helmingham Estate Suffolk
Arts & Crafts

Spring Plant Fair With Artisan Market

Date: 24th May - 25th May 2026

Music in the gardens v band
Gardens

Music in the Gardens: The Jackson Line

Date: 23rd Aug - 23rd Aug 2026

Bat walk
Nature & Wildlife

Bat Walk

Date: 8th May - 9th May 2026

Euston hall open day
Gardens

Open Day

Date: 25th Aug - 31st Aug 2026

Life below stairs tour
History & Heritage

A Life Below Stairs Tour

Date: 26th Jun - 26th Jun 2026

Suffolk Day
Culture & Arts

Suffolk Day Book Fair

Date: 21st Jun - 21st Jun 2026

Outdoor cinema adventure
Film & Cinema

Adventure Cinema

Date: 3rd Jul - 5th Jul 2026

Festivals in Heart of Suffolk

James no text middle

Date: 19th Jun - 21st Jun 2026

Join us for fantastic books, authors, storytelling, poetry, children's events and more!

James no text middle
Culture & Arts

Foreword Book Festival

Date: 19th Jun - 21st Jun 2026

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