From tours of private houses, to lectures from leading historians and practical training sessions on how to care for historic buildings, our events offer something for everyone and all are welcome. Browse our previous events below, which give a sense of the variety available to members and non-members alike. Join as a member for advanced notice of all our events.
Bruisyard Hall, a talk by renowned historian, Edward Martin
On 3rd September 2025, we met host Robert Rous whose family has owned the magnificent Tudor Hall since 1611 and learnt about its 14th century origins.
We heard from both Robert and renowned local historian Edward Martin about its fascinating history, starting from when it was a collegiate chantry, transferred from Campsea Ash in 1354, and converted to a nunnery of Poor Clares in 1364.
We managed to dodge the monsoon like showers when the sun broke through, enabling us to walk through the beautiful gardens learning from Edward’s expert knowledge of the outside of the building. We closed the day with an excellent afternoon tea for members and guests in the barn.
The British Country House Revival, an evening with Ben Cowell OBE
On 1st July 2025, we joined expert Ben Cowell at Framlingham Castle for a talk on the remarkable revival of Britain’s country houses.
On a perfect summer’s evening members and guests began by enjoying drinks and canapes against the stunning backdrop of Framlingham Castle.
We then settled down to be thoroughly entertained by Ben Cowell OBE, Director General of Historic Houses, who spoke on the past, present and future of Britain’s great country houses.
Ben’s latest book, The British Country House Revival (Boydell Press, 2024), charts the extraordinary resurgence of Britain’s historic estates since the 1970s—a story of passion, perseverance and preservation.
Retro-Fit for the Future
On 12th November 2024, a one day workshop on upgrading building performance in traditional buildings, took place at Haughley Park, Stowmarket.
A full house of over 70 delegates was presented with an inspiring programme of speakers who looked broadly at retrofit, examining how to do it correctly, how to monitor completed retrofits and what can be shown to work over time.
We looked to history for how to live more comfortably in traditional buildings and delivered examples of cutting edge technological solutions and successful retrofit projects in different building types.
It was a fascinating day! We are grateful to the Alfred Williams Trust and Historic England for their support and of course to our fantastic speakers: Dr. Robyn Pender; Oliver Smith; Hannah Wooller; Marion Baeli.
A visit to the oldest house in England, Wenham Castle
On 5th September 2024, our visit was a rare opportunity to visit the very special manor house and church complex hidden deep in rural south Suffolk at Little Wenham.
Wenham Castle is one of the oldest houses in England dating from the 13th century and is probably the earliest English building constructed largely of brick. We also took the opportunity to visit the 13th century grade I listed St Lawrence’s Church (formerly known as All Saints Church) with its striking wall paintings of the Virgin and Child, St Margaret, St Catherine and St Mary Magdalene and St Christopher.
The visit was led by the renowned historian and archaeologist Edward Martin.
An evening with architectural historian, Jeremy Musson, to celebrate the SPS Heritage Champion Awards
On 18th July 2024, our summer event took place in the converted stables and courtyard at Heveningham Hall. Our speaker for the evening was renowned architectural historian, Jeremy Musson.
Jeremy is a regular contributor to Country Life and other journals, as well as a former National Trust curator. He is author and co-editor of numerous books on historic houses and wrote and presented the BBC TV series A Curious House Guest. He currently lectures in the department of architecture and history of art at the University of Cambridge.
Following his talk, Jeremy presented the award certificates to our 2024 Suffolk Heritage Champions.
13 awards were presented on the evening and we were pleased that almost all the recipients were able to attend the evening to receive their certificate and the appreciation of the county.
SPS President, Geoffrey Probert gave a brief introduction to the work and achievements of each winner.
Summer garden party and SPS AGM
On 14th June 2024, our annual garden party for SPS members took place in the gardens at Little Hall, our head office in Lavenham.
With perfect summer weather and refreshments, the garden party was a perfect opportunity to enjoy the Suffolk summer in the beautiful and historic setting of Lavenham.
The summer garden party is an annual event to which all members are encouraged to bring friends.
A walk and talk in the ancient woodlands of Staverton Park
On 8th May 2024, led by Gary Battell, Suffolk County Council Woodland Advisor, we were treated to a walk through this unique woodland which is of great historical and conservation interest.
Gary’s extensive knowledge and passion for the great oaks and their environment was clear as he explained the challenges faced by these ancient specimens in the face of climate change.
A light lunch was enjoyed at the Shepherds Cottage, which is located on the edge of the forest and part of the Staverton Estate.
Thanks to SPS Trustee, Nicholas Pearson OBE, who kindly sponsored the event, and to the Kemball family for allowing access to the forest.
Energy Efficiency and Old Buildings – A one day training event
On 22nd November 2023,we were delighted to welcome around 90 participants to the beautiful Haughley Park Barn in Stowmarket, for our ‘Energy Efficiency and Old Buildings’ training day.
SPS partnered with Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and Historic England to deliver the event.
The workshop was delivered by Roger Hunt and Marianne Suhr on behalf of SPAB, together as well as Dan McNaughton from Historic England and Simon Sturgis, Targeting Zero and SPS Trustee.
We also welcomed a number of stall holders who were able to display and discuss some of the materials and products required to maintain and improve our historic buildings.
The sell out audience of professionals, homeowners and community representatives demonstrated the growing interest and importance of this topic. A huge thanks to all who helped to make this event such a success.
This workshop was made possible thanks to the Suffolk Climate Action Community Match Fund, which was provided by Suffolk’s public sector organisations, as part of the wider work to address the climate emergency. Find our more about the Community Match Fund and the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan here: www.greensuffolk.org.
A summer evening at Cockfield Hall, Yoxford
On 22nd June 2023, by kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Jon Hunt, we were delighted to be able to hold our summer event in the grounds of Cockfield Hall.
We were joined by internationally renowned landscape architect, Kim Wilkie, who is leading the landscape restoration project at the Hall, and Laurence Edwards, the artist who created the fascinating Yoxman, a 26 foot sculpture at Cockfield.
SPS AGM and garden party
On 16th June 2023, our annual garden party took place on in the gardens at Little Hall.
All Members were welcome to join us in the beautiful garden of our head office in Lavenham, and as usual it was a great opportunity in which to socialise with friends and other members. A perfect Suffolk summer evening.
An afternoon at Ickworth House and gardens with tea at the Ickworth Hotel
On 15th May 2023, SPS members enjoyed exclusive access to Ickworth House and gardens.
The afternoon kicked off with short walk and talk from the National Trust manager who explored the history of the house and some of the challenges facing the estate including how to plan and adapt for climate change. We then split into two groups. One accompanied the head ranger on a guided walk of the wider estate while the second group accompanied the curator on a tour of the artwork collection in the house. We also had the chance to view the exquisite and extensive silver collection which is thought by many to be the finest in Europe.
Finally we were treated to a fabulous array of sandwiches and cakes at the Ickworth Hotel – the perfect venue to relax and chat with others over afternoon tea.
Many thanks to all those who came along and supported the Society. Special thanks also Reeman Dansie, Fine Art Auctioneers for kindly sponsoring this event and to the National Trust and the Ickworth Hotel who generously opened their doors to us.
Lowestoft – Heritage led regeneration in action
On 20th April 2023, a mixture of SPS members and new faces joined us for a fascinating day out in Lowestoft, which included a vintage bus tour and exclusive access to completed heritage projects.
We started the day at the East Anglian Transport Museum with a welcome from SPS Director, Fiona Cairns and an introduction to the projects and activities in the Lowestoft Heritage Action Zones from the East Suffolk HAZ project manager, Rebecca Styles.
Everyone then hopped onto a vintage bus for the trip into town entertained and informed by commentary from Ivan Bunn, well-known local historian. We were then treated to three owner-conducted tours of the interiors of fascinating historic houses on the east side of the High Street.
Safely transported back on the vintage bus, we all had the chance to stay on to have a look at the transport museum in the afternoon.
Sea Sagas of the North – Travels and Tales at Warming Waters
On 24th September 2022, SPS members Members gathered at the evocative Bawdsey Manor on the edge of the beautiful Suffolk coastline.
The listened to Jules Pretty, Professor of Environment and Society at the University of Essex, and Director of the Centre for Public and Policy Engagement, talk about his latest book concerning the refugees who fled Doggerland when the seas encroached.
The talk was followed by a guided tour of the gardens laid out by Sir William Cuthbert Quilter and a rare opportunity to view some of the principal rooms in the Manor, including the Billiard Room where Sir Winston Churchill played when he visited RAF Bawdsey during the Second World War.
Refreshments were enjoyed in the Manor to conclude an enjoyable afternoon.
The Tendring Hall Estate
On 11th July 2022, SPS members and friends enjoyed a fascinating walking tour of the parkland of the Tendring Hall Estate, where they explored its history and development.
Our host, Emily Holden talked about the history of the now lost country house and surviving parkland, Soane’s first country house and a Repton landscape. Robert Townshend led us through the programme of restoration of the parkland and its buildings.
The walk also included an opportunity to view the hedgerow restoration scheme, as part of the Stour Valley Farmer Cluster Hedgerow Heroes Project – for which SPS is proud to have sourced the funding.