Suffolk in April 2024

Suffolk in April 2024

Thursday 04 April 2024

Thursday 4th April – Monday 8th April 2024 – 5 days

This tour explores both our Anglo-Saxon past and Suffolk’s more recent rich heritage, visiting quaint villages, ancient churches, a picturesque towns, art and music. Tucked away in the far east of the country, Suffolk remains refreshingly unspoilt and offers a wonderful variety of scenic, historic and cultural interest.

This holiday is operated by Travel Editions Group Travel

To book please phone Travel Editions on 020 7251 0045

An initial deposit of £100 per person will be due by 1st December 2023.

 Travel Editions Group Limited, 3 Young’s Buildings, London EC1V 9DB

from *£799pp

* Single supplement £180

Further Details:

Cost per person: £799.00

Booking has now closed for this event.

Itinerary

Day 1 Thursday 4th April 2024 Travel to Ipswich via Gainsborough’s House at Sudbury. Depart Manchester by private coach and transfer to the market town of Sudbury to visit the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough (1727-88), one of England’s most renowned artists. Recently reopened after a major overhaul and construction of an excellent new museum, the collection includes a wonderful selection of Gainsborough paintings as well as a delightful garden and temporary exhibitions. We rejoin the coach late afternoon and transfer to our hotel for four nights, the Penta Hotel in the vibrant dock area of Ipswich.

Day 2 Friday 5th April 2024 Sutton Hoo and Aldeburgh. A day of marked contrasts today as first we visit one of the National Trust’s most important sites, Sutton Hoo, where in 1939 the famous burial ship with all its treasures was uncovered. The excellent visitor centre has informative displays and interpretation of the many finds. The recent film, “The Dig, starring Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan, retold the fascinating story of its discovery. From here, we head to the beautiful coastal town of Aldeburgh, renowned for its annual music festival and as the home of Benjamin Britten. Here we will have time for lunch and to see the curious “Scallop on the Beach” sculpture by Maggi Hambling, the Aldeburgh Museum, which tells the story of this historic town and Red House, Britten’s home from 1957 until his death in 1976.

Day 3 Saturday 6th April 2024 Medieval Churches and Kentwell Hall. Suffolk is full of ancient churches in charming, medieval villages and no visit to the county is complete without seeing one or two and this morning we visit two of the finest, St Mary’s at Thornham Parva and St Mary the Virgin at Troston. Then to Long Melford and historic Kentwell Hall, dating back to the early 16th century. A stunning, mellow redbrick house, surrounded by a broad moat, its appearance has changed little in more than 500 years. Its gardens which have evolved over five centuries include huge Cedar trees, a brick maze and extensive topiary. Time for lunch here, too, before heading to East Bergholt and Flatford Mill (NT), inspiration for John Constable’s “The Haywain”, perhaps the most archetypal “English” painting in history. Evening free.

Day 4 Sunday 7th April 2024 St Mary’s Wissington and Lavenham. Another lovely church, St Mary’s at Wissington, this morning, en-route to, arguably, the jewel in Suffolk’s Crown, Lavenham. It is one of the finest surviving wool villages in England and we will learn more about its history with visits to St Peter’s and Paul Church, the fascinating Guildhall and the Little Hall Museum. Time will also be allowed for a leisurely stroll around its picturesque streets and lunch. Evening free.

Day 5 Monday 8th April 2024 West Stow and return to Manchester. On the way, we will stop at the West Stow Anglo Saxon village for a specially arranged viewing of paintings by Sybil Andrews for the Friends of the Whitworth, with the Curator. Lunch will be included to assist us on our way. Return to Manchester late afternoon/early evening.