MARTLESHAM HEATH
Martlesham Heath Aviation Society Control Tower Museum
In 1916 the Armament Experimental Flight moved to the East Coast, along with the Wiltshire based Aircraft Testing Flight. Commissioned in January 1917 the new aerodrome commenced work as the Aircraft Testing Flight. After World War I both military and civil aircraft were tested there.
During World War II it played a major part in securing England’s East Coast and many famous pilots were stationed there including Douglas Bader. The Control tower has been refurbished by members of the Martlesham Heath Aviation Society.
Facilities: Free car parking. PLEASE NOTE: No provision for wheelchairs.
Note: Open Sundays Only – from the first Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October, 2pm-4.30pm.
Parker’s Place, Martlesham Heath. (On the A12 at the Tesco roundabut take Martlesham Heath exit onto Eagleway, 3rd turning on right into Parker’s Place). Tel: 01473 624510 or 435104.
Admission: FREE.

NEWMARKET
National Horseracing Museum
This is the story of horse-racing, the people, the events and even the scandals. See items associated with heroes of the sport including Red Rum, Frankie Dettori and Lester Piggott. You can even get hands-on with a chance to try out a horse simulator
Facilities: Licensed café, gift shop and garden.
99 High Street, Newmarket.
Tel: 01638 667333. Website.
Admission: CHARGE
.

PARHAM
Parham Airfield Museum
The 390th Bombardment Group Memorial Air Museum in an original World War II Control Tower. Recovered aircraft engines, parts of allied and axis aircraft, uniforms, photographs, combat records and memorabilia. Plus the Museum of the British Resistance organisation the only museum in the UK dedicated to the Auxiliary Units, an underground resistance network set up to counter the invasion threat in 1940.
Facilities: Souvenir shop, refreshments, picnic area, toilets.
Parham Airfield, Parham.
Tel: 01473 711275.
Admission: FREE
.

SHOTLEY
HMS Ganges Museum
Displays of artefacts and photographs from one of the most famous Royal Navy establishments. The mast from HMS Ganges has stood on the site as a famous landmark for over 70 years.
Facilities: Toilets, sales counter.
Shotley Marina, Shotley, Nr Ipswich.
Tel: 01473 684749.
Admission: FREE. Website.

SOUTHWOLD
Southwold Museum
Situated in a 17th Century cottage are displays on local history, archaeology and natural history. Also paintings and information on the Southwold.
Facilities: Items for sale and arrangements for groups.
9-11 Victoria Street, Southwold.
Tel: 0789 0300532.
Admission: FREE

SOUTHWOLD
Sailors’ Reading Room
Reading Room founded and built in 1864. displays includ model ships, figureheads and maritime history of Southwold from Nelson’s Navy to the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Southwold.
East Cliff, Southwold.
Admission: FREE

SOUTHWOLD
The Alfred Cory Museum
The Alfred Cory was Southwold’s most famous lifeboat. After her life as a lifeboat she was sold and converted to a yacht, after passing through several owners she ended up derelict and alone at Maldon in Essex. The boat is now back home in Southwold, housed and being renovated in the former Cromer Lifeboat Shed. The shed is an historic building in its own right, having once housed the Cromer lifeboat the 52 ton building was removed in 1997, cut in half, transported by barge to Southwold and rebuilt at it’s present location.
Facilities: Ample parking on school playground.
Note: Open to the public April to October every first weekend of the month, Saturdays 10am-2pm; sundays 1pm-5pm. Also open (from June) on Wednesday evenings from 7pm till 9pm following the weekend oenings. Other times by arrangement for groups of 10 or more.
Ferry Road Car Park, adjacent to Harbour entrance.
Admission: FREE – Donations welcome.

Open: Good Friday to October 31st, daily 10.30am-12 noon & 2pm-4pm; Weekends: 10am-5pm (Closed Wednesday).
November 1st to Good Friday: Bank Holidays and fine weekends only 10.30am-4pm.

SOUTHWOLD
The Amber Museum
If you are keen-eyed and patient as you walk along Southwold’s shoreline, you may just find a piece of amber – for Southwold is the home of amber in the United Kingdom. Therefore it is only fitting that the town should be home to the country’s only Amber Museum. Learn the facinating and mysterious history of this beautiful fossil gemstone.
Many of the items on display are from private collections, loaned to the Museum. Therefore you can visit over and over and always find something new.
Facilities: Ample free parking nearby. Allow up to an hour for your visit.
Rear of The Amber Shop, 15 Market Place.
Admission: FREE.

Open: Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm; Sunday 11am-4pm.


EASTANGLIA24 – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The watermill at MEAL

STOWMARKET
Museum of East Anglian Life
Situated on 70 acres of farmland, the museum has several historic buildings including a chapel, watermill, wind pump, blacksmith’s forge and part of a timber-framed farmhouse. You can discover domestic life, agriculture, industry and travellers. There are also a number of traditional East Anglian livestock, including two Suffolk Punch horses and regular demonstrations of traditional farming methods and crafts.
Facilities: Cafe, shop and toilets.
Stowmarket town centre.
Tel: 01449 612229.
Admission: CHARGE. Website.


STOWMARKET
Mechanical Music Museum & Bygones
Unique collection of gramophones, polyphon, barrel organs, music boxes, fair organs, Wurlitzer theatre organ with the chance to hear the instruments being played.
Facilities: Sales table and toilets.
Blacksmith Road (off B1113), Cotton, near Stowmarket. Tel: 01449 613876.
Admission: CHARGE
.

SUDBURY
Gainsborough’s House
Containing larger collection of works by the 18th Century artist, Thomas Gainsborough, than most museums and all contained in the house that he was born in. Paintings can be viewed throughout the year whereas light-sensitive drawings are only on view in March and April.
Facilities: Shop, toilets, lectures and courses.
46 Gainsborough Street, Sudbury.
Tel: 01787 372958. Website.
Admission: CHARGE
.

SUDBURY
Sue Ryder Foundation Museum
Museum clebration the life and times of Lady Ryder. Displays concerning World War II which include original exhibts from Nazi concentration camps.
Facilities: Gift and coffee shop and toilets.
Cavendish, near Sudbury. Tel: 01787 282591..
Admission:CHARGE
.

SUDBURY (Clare)
Ancient House Museum
Unusual and interesting 15th Century, Grade 1 listed building containing exhibition of local history and photographs of Clare. Computer access to local records such as census, rates reviews, people, wills etc.
26 High Street, Clare, near Sudbury. Tel: 01787 277662.
Admission:CHARGE
Website.

SUTTON HOO
Sutton Hoo Burial Ground
One of Britain’s most important archaelogical discoveries. The Anglo-Saxon burial ground of Pagan kings of East Anglia.
Facilities: Shop, restaurant, toilets, children’s play area.
Tranmer House, Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge.
Tel: 01394 389700. Website.
Admission: CHARGE
.


EASTANGLIA24 – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Anglo-Saxon village of West Stow

WEST STOW
(Near Bury St Edmunds)
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village
History is really brought to life by the reconstruction of this village on an original Anglo-Saxon site. Alongside the Anglo-Saxon artefacts are regular demonstrations of every-day life.
Make sure that you do not miss the exhibit which is housed under the visitor centre.
Facilities: Shop, cafe, toilets and special arrangements for groups.
Ickingham Road, West Stow, near Bury St Edmunds.
Tel: 01284 728718. Website.
Admission: CHARGE
. Village open daily 10am to 5pm; Park open daily 9am to 8pm (5pm winter).


WICKHAM MARKET
Easton Farm Park
See under Easton

WOODBRIDGE
Buttrum’s Mill
Built in 1836, Buttrum’s Mill is one of England’s finest tower windmills. The mill gets it’s name from the Buttrum family who ran it until 1928. It is now maintained and opened by Suffolk County Council.
Facilities: Car parking nearby.
Note: Open Sunday & Bank Holidays 27 March – 25 September and Saturdays 7 May – 27 august from 2-5.30pm.
From A12 Woodbridge bypass, turn off at Grundisburgh Road roundabout and the mill is visible. Tel: 01473 264755.
Admission: CHARGE
Website.

WOODBRIDGE
Suffolk Punch Heavy Horse Museum
Displays relating to the Suffolk Punch, the oldest breed of working horse in Great Britain. Paintinings and photographs illustrate the importance this fine animal has had in history.
Facilities: Shop, arrangements for groups, guided tours (by prior arrangement).
The Market Hill, Woodbridge.
Tel: 01394 380643. Website.
Admission: CHARGE
.

WOODBRIDGE
Woodbridge Museum
Telling the story of Woodbridge, from its Anglo-Saxon roots including the discoveries at Sutton Hoo right thru to the present day..
Facilities: Shop.
5A Market Hill, Woodbridge.
Tel: 01394 380502. Website.
Admission: CHARGE
.

WOOLPIT
Woolpit & District Museum
Housed in a 16th Century room that is part of the Woolpit Memorial Insitute you will find the displays on local history, the brickworks early 20th Century kitchen equipment and a museum that claims to be Suffolk’s smallest.
Facilities: Shop, arrangements for groups, guided tours (by prior arrangement).
Institute, Woolpit.
Tel: 01359 240822. Website.