Boost for ancient king’s burial site

The National Trust has been given £1.8million to enhance the burial ground of the Anglo-saxon King Raedwald at Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge in Suffolk.

The site has drawn visitors since a hoard of treasure and royal secrets was discovered by an archaeologist in 1939. The lottery grant makes up nearly half the £4million required to transform and enhance the attraction to reveal more about the people who settled there and those who led the digs that uncovered artefacts, including the Sutton Hoo helmet, below.

Plans include a walkway and a 60ft observation tower with views over the burial ground and to the Deben river, from where an Anglo-saxon ship was hauled up the valley to form the king’s burial chamber.

Samantha Herbert