Found near Woodbridge, Sutton Hoo is the site of two ancient
cemeteries where archaeologists unearthed significant finds dating back to the
Anglo Saxon era. Sutton Hoo can be visited for a fun and informative day out
with the family, with three main sections to visit on your day out: the Royal
Burial Mounds, an indoor exhibition and the 20th century built Tranmer
House.
Sutton Hoo is just a 30 minute drive from our luxury log
cabins. Here you can enjoy a day of exciting activities while learning about
the ancient history of England. You can round off your visit with a stroll
through the countryside following one of the National Trust’s designated
walking routes.
The Royal
Burial Mounds
This consists of eighteen burial mounds, many of which have
been eroded over the centuries. These early burials can be traced back to the
seventh century AD, although unfortunately there are no written records of the
people who were buried, so there is no way of knowing exactly who they were.
Many of the mounds were robbed in the Tudor period; however, two of the mounds
remain untouched and loom over the grounds spectacularly.
Mound One, one of the untouched mounds, is the richest burial
ever found in northern Europe, and was the grave of a king and his 90ft ship.
King Raedwald was said to be buried here, the great King of East Anglia who was
heavily criticised for establishing an altar for Christ and an altar for the
old gods next to each other. The actual 90ft boat no longer exists and has long
since disintegrated into the acidic soil, and now there is only an imprint of
where the majestic vessel once lay.
Found under Mound Seventeen was the double burial of a warrior
and his horse, surrounded by weapons and everyday items such as combs.
Exhibition
The Exhibition Hall at Sutton Hoo is the perfect place to
learn more about the burials and the history behind them. Here you will begin
by watching a short film about the era, followed by a tour around the
exhibition where you can learn more from information boards.
There is even a reconstruction of the burial chamber which
allows you to see how the ritual would have taken place as the king was laid to
rest. This also shows how the treasures would have been carefully placed around
the king in the ship. Also found in the exhibition are some of the artefacts
from Mound Seventeen, where the warrior and his horse were buried, including
gold harness pieces and weaponry.
Sutton Hoo hold ‘Out of the Case’ sessions once a month where
you can get a closer look at some of their replica treasures, made using the
very same skills and tools as the Anglo-Saxon craftsmen.
Tranmer
House
Originally named Sutton Hoo House, this beautiful Edwardian home
was built in 1910. Soon after it was brought by Edith Pretty, who owned the
house when the treasures were unearthed. This warm and aged house looks over
the River Deben and the town of Woodbridge, and is the ideal place to discover
the story behind the archaeological digs in the 1930s.
With wood panelled interiors, grand marble fireplaces and
views across the vast fields outside, you can sit back and enjoy Tranmer House
on your visit while history is brought to life around you. Play music on a
gramophone, or sit in a chaise lounge reading 1930s magazines to immerse
yourself in the past of Tranmer House.
Tranmer House was built with no garden as it was believed
that rabbits would destroy it, and part of the house was demolished later on to
save heating costs.
Luxury Log Cabins – Click
here to view our available log cabins for a short family break away.
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