Plan my visit
This information will help you plan how to get here and how to get around
Travel to the Heart of Suffolk
Travelling sustainably – such as using public transport and active travel – helps to look after the local environment. It can be more affordable and beneficial to your own health and well-being. It can allow you the time to enjoy the local landscapes and scenery, offering a more pleasant and relaxing journey.
The below information will help you plan how to get here and how to get around.
By Rail
The towns and villages of Sudbury, Stowmarket, Needham Market, Elmswell and Thurston are all easily accessible by train. There are regular services on lines to and from London, Essex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and beyond. For information on timetabling, ticket prices and purchasing, as well as accessibility and assisted travel information, please visit the Greater Anglia website.
By Road
If you do need to undertake your journey by motor vehicle, the Heart of Suffolk is served by a network of A roads, giving easy access to everywhere you may want to visit.
The A12 runs from London into the heart of Suffolk between the Shotley Peninsula and the Stour Valley, leading onto the A14 (which also links Stowmarket and other towns and villages of the Gipping Valley to Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and beyond) and A140 which gives access to the historic market town of Eye and its surroundings. The A134 connects Sudbury and it’s local Stour Valley landscapes and villages, and can be used to access the heart of Suffolk from the South via Essex or the north via Norfolk and Bury St Edmunds.
Do you drive an electric vehicle? Visit Zapmap to see a map of EV charging stations, allowing you to plan your journey.
For information about where to park when visiting the towns within the heart of Suffolk, please see the following information:
Travelling around the Heart of Suffolk
Bus Travel
Many destinations within the heart of Suffolk can be reached by local bus services or community transport provision. For information on routes, timetables and fayres, visit the Suffolk on Board or The Way To Go Suffolk websites.
Foot Ferries
A foot and bicycle ferry arriving into Shotley, at the tip of the Shotley Peninsula, operates from Harwich or Felixstowe from the end of March to the end October. For more information, including up to date availability, ticket and pricing information, visit the Harwich Harbour Ferry website.
On foot or by cycle
For more information about how to navigate the landscapes and settlements within the Heart of Suffolk, take a look at our dedicated cycling and walking page.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay during your visit, take a look at our partner website Visit Suffolk or Visit East of England for some inspiration.
