The National Trust’s Sutton Hoo has been awarded first prize for best large attraction in Suffolk, at last night’s Tourism in Suffolk Awards.

The announcement was made at an awards ceremony at Trinity Park near Ipswich last night and comes only two days after the National Trust’s Dunwich Heath Coastguard Cottage Tearoom scooped first prize for best tearoom, in the East Anglian Daily Times Suffolk Food and Drink Awards. Sutton Hoo was also a finalist for the sustainable tourism award.

The awe inspiring Anglo-Saxon royal burial site, near Woodbridge, welcomes over 80,000 visitors each year and fought off stiff competition from Africa Alive and Easton Farm Park to win the award.
Kate Sussams, Property Manager and Mary Skelcher, Visitor Services Manager at Sutton Hoo, were both at last night’s ceremony and are delighted by the result. As Kate explains “It has been a real team effort and it is great to have all of our hard work recognised”.

Over the last month judging took place by category sponsors Ensors chartered accountants, Choose Suffolk (Suffolk Tourism Partnership), the East Anglian Daily Times and the Evening Star.

After the awards were announced, Mary spoke to one of the judges who visited the National Trust site. “The judges were impressed with our warm, friendly and welcoming experience for visitors, as well as offering a varied and appealing events programme. The National Trust’s food policy whereby we use local, seasonal, British produce wherever possible was another deciding factor. These are all areas that we’ve worked hard on this year and this is wonderful recognition”.

Sutton Hoo is a truly inspiring place to visit, whatever your age or interests. Discover the site for yourself and walk in the footsteps of warriors, pagans and kings.

Sutton Hoo is open Wednesday to Sunday throughout October and daily during half- term holidays from 11am to 5pm.