SUFFOLK’S NORMAN HERITAGE
From mighty castles to exquisite flintbuilt churches, the 1066 Norman invasion transformed Suffolk’s landscape, leaving an enduring architectural legacy that’s still visible today.
WHY IT’S SPECIAL
At the time of William the Conqueror’s defeat of Harold II at the Battle of Hastings, Suffolk was one of the wealthiest regions in the country, and the new Norman occupiers were quick to build fortifications to defend their newly acquired lands. Best preserved are Framlingham Castle, near Wickham Market, and Orford’s tall castle keep, while the overgrown ruins at Bungay and Eye have an atmospherically tumbledown romance. The impressively high motte of Clare Castle, near Sudbury, forms part of a grassy park, popular for picnics on sunny days.
This scenic touring county of quiet lanes and flower-filled villages also contains age-old churches, notably the round tower of St Nicholas’s Church in Little Saxham, ancient brick arches at St
Mary’s in Polstead and round-arch doorways decorated with elaborately carved stonework at All Saints’ Church at Wordwell near Bury St Edmunds.
YOU’LL NEVER FORGET… Wandering through the romantically overgrown ruins of the castle at Bungay, near Beccles, with its crumbling, seven-metre thick curtain wall and two circular gatehouse towers.
INSIDER TIP Framlingham Castle with its yearround programme of events and activities is the best pick for a family day out (english-heritage.org.uk).
HOW TO DO IT
For information about the area, take a look at visitsuffolk.com and discoversuffolk.org.uk. The latter has suggestions for walking and cycling routes along heritage trails.
Good bases include the Northgate in Bury St Edmunds (thenorthgate. com; rooms from £130), the Crown at Woodbridge (thecrownatwoodbridge.co.uk; rooms from £100) and Salthouse Harbour Hotel in Ipswich (salthouseharbour.co.uk; rooms from £150).