A Saxon Winter at Sutton Hoo
The wild and ancient landscape at Sutton Hoo is the perfect place to explore the dramatic beauty of winter, and to escape the cold with a hot bowl of soup or a nice cup of tea.
For the Anglo-Saxons, January was called Aefterra Geola - 'After Yule' or 'Later Yule'. It marked the time that followed the passing of the shortest day of the year and the coming of spring – the rebirth of the year, the reawakening of the world.
This was a time of great feasting and celebration, shutting out the cold and the elements, and being together as a community, snug and warm, with fires and food and the telling of tales.
Winter reveals the stark Anglo-Saxon landscape of Sutton Hoo. Views of the River Deben are unveiled through the leafless branches of the trees, and the winter breeze up the valley conjures the lost Germanic world of the Anglo-Saxon settlers.
At Sutton Hoo we have 255 acres of beautiful countryside to walk and enjoy.
From 9 January, our new family trail – Saxon Winter – explores the Scandinavian origins of our English ancestors, and tells you about sites in Northern Europe that have a strong connection to Sutton Hoo.
February was called Solmonath, which Bede tells us means ‘Cake month’, referring to the cakes given as religious offerings. Well, here at the National Trust we can certainly appreciate Cake Month and will baking a series of new amazing cakes for you to enjoy.
If you like your winter to be bright, crisp and wonderful, and just a little bit wild, then Sutton Hoo is the place to visit.