20 Attractions to Explore Near National Trust - Dunwich Heath and Beach

RSPB Minsmere is a fantastic coastal nature reserve that's perfect for families. Discover nature together in our Wild Zone and Wild Wood Adventure area. Discover nature together on the beautiful Suffolk coast. Wander among the wetlands and woods, potter along the beach, and pause to watch some amazing wildlife. One of the iconic attraction in this area with outstanding natural beauty.

Dunwich Museum tells the town’s story and the dramatic tale of the 13th Century storm that blocked the harbour entrance and the inexorable erosion that reduced Dunwich to the to tiny village of today. On the first floor there are displays about more recent social history, the wildlife of the area, and a feature about smuggling.

Dunwich is a Shingle beach located near Southwold in Suffolk. The spectacular Dunwich stretch of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Beauty contains some of the most beautiful heathland and coastal scenes on the heritage coast. A beautiful beACH FOR aunbath and also its calm water allows you to have a swim and more.

Leiston Abbey is the impressive remains of a 14th-century Premonstratensian abbey, one of the best-preserved monastic sites in Suffolk. The abbey ruins include the thatched Lady Chapel, which is still sometimes used for worship. Founded in c. 1183 by Ranulf de Glanville , Chief Justiciar to King Henry II , it was originally built on a marshland isle near the sea, and was called "St Mary de Insula". Around 1363 the abbey suffered so much from flooding that a new site was chosen and it was rebuilt

The Long Shop Museum is an industrial museum in the town of Leiston in the English county of Suffolk. Discover 200 years of industrial innovation on the original site of the Richard Garrett Engineering Works, from the first production line to the first woman doctor. The museum preserves interprets objects that tell the stories of the Garrett Works and the people of Leiston who forged its success.

A beautiful sanduy beach located in the heart of the Walberswick. This lovely little sand dune backed beach is just across the River Blythe from Southwold, which is within easy walking distance. One of the iconic location which attracts a lot of tourists.

The House in the Clouds is one of the UK's/world's most famous follies! Set in 1 acre of private grounds, this iconic landmark overlooks Thorpeness Golf Course, Thorpeness Meare and the sea on the very beautiful Suffolk Heritage Coast. It was a water tower at Thorpeness, Suffolk, England. It was built in 1923 to receive water pumped from Thorpeness Windmill and was designed to improve the looks of the water tower, disguising its tank with the appearance of a weatherboarded building more in keep

The Denes beach at Southwold is a quiet shingle beach backed by sand dunes and marshes less busy than the main Southwold beach. The beach is between the mouth of the river Blyth and the historical seaside town of Southwold. One of the good location for a sunbath and also you can walk along the area and there are toilets, parking and summer lifeguards with more facilities just a short walk away at Southwold.

Southwold Lighthouse stands in the middle of the historic resort of Southwold, in the heart of the beautiful Suffolk Heritage Coast. The lighthouse, which is a prominent local landmark, was commissioned in 1890, and was automated and electrified in 1938. It survived a fire in its original oil-fired lamp just six days after commissioning and today operates a 180-watt main navigation lamp.

Southwold Pier is a pier in the coastal town of Southwold in the English county of Suffolk. It is on the northern edge of the town and extends 190 metres into the North Sea. Whilst many English seaside piers are in decline, Southwold Pier is enjoying renewed popularity. It includes a collection of modern coin-operated novelty machines designed and constructed by the inventor Tim Hunkin.

The Red House is the former home of composer Benjamin Britten and singer Peter Pears. The collections left by the two men richly document their lives as performers and creators who made this place their home for nearly twenty years. Their home in Aldeburgh offers a charming snapshot into the two men's lives. Lovingly preserved, the house and gardens are open for all to explore.

The Aldeburgh Museum is housed in one of the most important timber-framed public buildings in England. Dating from the first half of the 16th Century it originally contained six small shops on the ground floor and a spacious meeting chamber on the first floor. The Town Council still meets here today and it provides an attractive display area for the Museum.

Snape Maltings is a group of buildings including a famous concert hall in the village of Snape, Suffolk. Many concerts are given in the Maltings. Every year the Aldeburgh Festival has many of its concerts there. The composer Benjamin Britten used to live in Aldeburgh with the singer Peter Pears. They started a music school for young people. The Britten-Pears Foundation still continues today, with many concerts based in the Maltings.

Parham Airfield Museum is situated on an old World War II United States Air Force Station. The Museum actually consists of 2 separate Museums, which join together to show how this corner of rural Suffolk was affected by the War in two very different ways. It also plays tribute to other 8th US Army Air Force and allied airmen operating throughout East Anglia during the Second World War, and also the men of the British Resistance Organisation.

A majestic and beautiful zoo set in 100 acres of stunning Suffolk countryside, and features a range of walks and displays that will take you past some of Africa's most endangered species, whilst also offering keen eyed visitors the chance to spot a wide range of British wildlife. It is situated off the A12 at Kessingland 2 miles south of Lowestoft.

Orford Castle is a Grade I listed, 12th century keep on the east coast of England in the county of Suffolk, which was described by historian R. Allen Brown as “one of the most remarkable keeps in England” in his 1962 book on Orford Castle. The castle is remarkably intact allowing visitors to explore from the basement, through the lower and upper halls to the roof where there are magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness.

Bentwaters Cold War Museum is based in the United States Air Force (USAF) hardened command post on the former Bentwaters airbase. Its display include an English Electric Lightning, Hawker Hunter, BAC Jaguar, McDonnell Douglas Phantom & Harrier. Visitors can also see the fully restored War Operations Room and Battle Cabin, alongside the BT Telephone Exchange room.

Orford Ness is a cuspate foreland shingle spit on the Suffolk coast in Great Britain, linked to the mainland at Aldeburgh and stretching along the coast to Orford and down to North Weir Point, opposite Shingle Street. It is divided from the mainland by the River Alde, and was formed by longshore drift along the coast. The material of the spit comes from places further north, such as Dunwich.

Orford Ness is a cuspate foreland shingle spit on the Suffolk coast in Great Britain, linked to the mainland at Aldeburgh and stretching along the coast to Orford and down to North Weir Point, opposite Shingle Street. It is divided from the mainland by the River Alde, and was formed by longshore drift along the coast. In the name of the lighthouse (and the radio transmitting station – see below), 'Orfordness' is written as one word.

Framlingham Castle is a magnificent 12th century fortress with a long and colourful past which makes a fascinating family day out in Suffolk. It was once home to some of the most formidable names of Tudor England and it was behind these very walls that Mary Tudor was proclaimed Queen of England. The castle then transformed into an Elizabethan prison and later a workshouse in the 17th century.