West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village - one of the UK’s most important archaeological sites - is a stunning recreation of the Anglo-Saxon settlement that occupied the site between c.AD420-AD720. There is lots to see and do at West Stow throughout the year. Wander through the village and imagine what life would have been like for the Anglo-Saxons who lived here. Visit the Museum to see hundreds of fascinating finds excavated from beneath your feet. Dress up as an Anglo-Saxon, become an archaeologist in our 'Sands of Time' Mega-Dig and don't forget to meet our Iron Age pigs; Æppel & Æcern! After visiting the Village, make sure you explore the historic landscape of our 125 acre Country Park. A large area of the park has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as it is home to a variety of rare Breckland species. We run lots of exciting events from re-enactment weekends and workshops to our annual family extravaganza, Dragon Fest.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
6 within 3 miles
Attractions
34 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
370 reviews
Excellent
146
Very good
144
Average
44
Poor
21
Terrible
15
M W
12 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
I'm not into history or archaeology per say, but I must say this is really an interesting place to visit. Both indoor and outdoor things to see. Lovely walks around the park & lakes.
Can get very busy weekdays with school trips so you may have to time visiting the museum itself just so, reception will guide you on this.
Excellent value for money and much more to see than say Sutton Hoo.
Can get very busy weekdays with school trips so you may have to time visiting the museum itself just so, reception will guide you on this.
Excellent value for money and much more to see than say Sutton Hoo.
Written 11 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aaron
Winchester, UK6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Beautiful setting.
Makes you feel very at peach.
Parking is reasonably charged.
Can really feel connected to the past.
Makes you feel very at peach.
Parking is reasonably charged.
Can really feel connected to the past.
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen B
2 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We really enjoyed the angleo saxon part, the staff were friendly and helpful and even offered to chop my children heads off.
They had reinactment people in so we experience true angleo saxon times.
Unfortunately the cafe staff were incredibly rude, and the menu was very restricted.
They had reinactment people in so we experience true angleo saxon times.
Unfortunately the cafe staff were incredibly rude, and the menu was very restricted.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lizaa217
King's Lynn, UK96 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
First time to West Stow and found it a mixed bag. The visitor information was pretty standard. It is interesting to look at the various buildings but as someone with a general interest probably won't return. The museum seemed to have been upgraded recently and was quite good.It is set up to be of interest to all ages.
Going with someone with limited mobility I had checked accessibility. The visitor centre and cafe have good ramps though the doors could be tricky to open on your own. The "access for all" path to the village is in poor condition and ends abruptly with a wooden strut across it. Needs a rethink! It would also help to have a couple of log perches around the village as resting points.
The cafe is not as good as the website makes it seem. Sandwiches, paninis and toasties are bought in prepacked. You have to ask what the daily jacket potato fillings are; it's not actually shown anywhere. The day we went they were "tuna, beans,cheese " and I suspect this is the same everyday. Our jackets seemed like they had been cooked the day before and reheated. Disappointing.
All the staff we encountered were friendly.
Going with someone with limited mobility I had checked accessibility. The visitor centre and cafe have good ramps though the doors could be tricky to open on your own. The "access for all" path to the village is in poor condition and ends abruptly with a wooden strut across it. Needs a rethink! It would also help to have a couple of log perches around the village as resting points.
The cafe is not as good as the website makes it seem. Sandwiches, paninis and toasties are bought in prepacked. You have to ask what the daily jacket potato fillings are; it's not actually shown anywhere. The day we went they were "tuna, beans,cheese " and I suspect this is the same everyday. Our jackets seemed like they had been cooked the day before and reheated. Disappointing.
All the staff we encountered were friendly.
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael N
24 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
This informative museum and recreated Anglo Saxon village really transports you back in time. We had a fascinating few hours going in each of the reconstructed buildings and absorbing the history. Nicely priced too . Highly recommended.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your very favourable review. it's wonderful to hear that you felt transported back in time as that is exactly what we want our visitors to feel.
Written 28 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard K
1 contribution
Feb 2023 • Family
The Ring Quest half-term event was EPIC! My son and I had such an amazing time. Well organised, friendly staff, and lots of fun. Thank you!
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm so glad you enjoyed your visit to our Ring Quest which we have now been doing for over 20 years during February half term. It really is an excellent way for families to enjoy the Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park whilst having fun.
Written 14 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beth
1 contribution
Feb 2023
Fascinating and well put together little local museum. Brilliant to be able to go in houses and the experimental archaeology and construction techniques are all so well explained. Great collections and the museum is a little standout - well laid out and with excellent, informative panelling which contextualises everything you see and explains it in a wider context. Interesting and with an eye for accuracy and explanation.
Loved it!
Loved it!
Written 10 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a great review! Thank you for such a detailed description as it really helps other visitors know what they can expect to see when they come here.
Written 14 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
eagertraveller123
UK1,275 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Lovely little village museum, well kept and full of useful information. Nice cafe and museum. Definitely worth a look for kids and adults alike.
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your great review - much appreciated
Written 7 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carol B
Birmingham, UK6,039 contributions
Sep 2022
Friday 9th September 2022, we made a stop to visit West Stow Country Park, which surrounds an Anglo-Saxon Village and has 125 acres of unspoiled countryside with woodland trails, heath land and lakes, there is plenty to explore at West Stow Country Park.
For wildlife enthusiasts there are two bird hides and a bird feeding area as well as a lake and the River Lark with all the wildlife that this attracts.
When we arrived it was raining heavily, so we abandoned our idea of a nice woodland stroll through the woods and headed for the woodland cafe for refreshments.
Inside this timber-built cafe we found a nice table for three and indulged. Jackie had a pot of Earl Grey tea and had a scone with jam and cream. My husband had a pot of Assam tea and a hot pasty, and I had a latte coffee and a slice of Victoria sponge cake. We spend a nice hour here.
Due to heavy rain, we could not visit the Anglo-Saxon village, so we have put it on our bucket list to visit the next time we are in area.
For wildlife enthusiasts there are two bird hides and a bird feeding area as well as a lake and the River Lark with all the wildlife that this attracts.
When we arrived it was raining heavily, so we abandoned our idea of a nice woodland stroll through the woods and headed for the woodland cafe for refreshments.
Inside this timber-built cafe we found a nice table for three and indulged. Jackie had a pot of Earl Grey tea and had a scone with jam and cream. My husband had a pot of Assam tea and a hot pasty, and I had a latte coffee and a slice of Victoria sponge cake. We spend a nice hour here.
Due to heavy rain, we could not visit the Anglo-Saxon village, so we have put it on our bucket list to visit the next time we are in area.
Written 26 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for being generous in your praise despite the weather putting a dampener on your visit. We look forward to seeing you here again on a sunny day as the sun really shows the Village and the Country Park at its best.
Written 28 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hannah
Skipton, UK52 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
Highly recommended - I had a wonderful time visiting the Anglo-Saxon village. The museum and gallery were very well laid out with easy-to-read information boards. I particularly enjoyed the sections that show how the Old English language is similar to ours. The museum was much bigger than I was expecting and also very clean and tidy. The village itself has a helpful introductory video and I enjoyed learning old ‘board games’ with one of the re-enactment people. I also really liked following the Beowulf and Grendel Trail around the Country Park and looking for the sculptures.
Written 12 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your lovely review. I'm glad you enjoyed the re-enactment as that was the last one of the season. Keep an eye on our website for events we're putting on next year.
Written 13 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sidwell
Norwich, UK68 contributions
Admission prices
rhianrli
Bury St. Edmunds, UK44 contributions
It's free to go into the actual country park, but if you would to go into the actual Anglo-Saxon village, the prices are like this according to their website:
Adults - £6
Concessions (disabled, over 60s, Job Seekers, Income Support, students) - £4
Children (5-16) - £3
Family (up to 5 people, only 2 adults) - £16
Sudeep422
Menlo Park, CA1 contribution
How easy is it to get to West Stow from Bury St Edmunds without a car?
rhianrli
Bury St. Edmunds, UK44 contributions
Honestly, I would not recommend it unless you have a LOT of time and energy. It's about 5 miles away from Bury St Edmunds, so I would say it would take around 1 hour and a half to get there by walking, although I'm not sure how long it would take by bike, I would guess around an hour. And when you count the time you'll be spending in there as well as the return journey, I would have to say it wouldn't really be worth it.
Maria G
Haverhill, UK1 contribution
Can dogs go in water
Suffolk-Hobbit
Bury St. Edmunds, UK139 contributions
Hi
No dogs cannot go in the River as it is being restored and they may disturb the works and loose gravel bed of planting (also the silt is starting to build up on the margins to around 450mm deep and you do not want a dog stuck in that and floundering about), the large lake is also fished by a private Carp club. It's best to keep dogs on leads because it will soon be ground nesting bird season.
I hoe that you still enjoy your visit as there is lots to see and do. :)
DebbieThomas253
Grays Thurrock, UK15 contributions
Are dogs allowed?
David B
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom166 contributions
Yes
jeffiles888
Bishops Stortford, UK
Is west stow wheel chair friendly. Electric wheel chair
morganruth
Ware, UK25 contributions
A little uneven in places but my. Dad. Uses a mobility scooter and he would manage fine!
Motherofthebrid... M
Rivenhall, England95 contributions
Is the village open every day?
The Apex
Bury St. Edmunds, UK
Please accept my sincere apologies, we've just realised we hadn't previously replied to your question.
Opening times etc below:
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, Icklingham Road, West Stow, Suffolk IP28 6HG
01284 728718 | weststow@stedsbc.gov.uk
Opening times:
Village: daily 10am-5pm (last entry 3.30pm in winter, 4pm in summer)
Café: daily 10am-4pm
Country Park: April: 9am-7pm; May-Aug: 9am-8pm; Sept-Oct: 9am-7pm; Nov-Mar: 9am-5pm (may close earlier in Dec & Jan)
Ticket prices:
Adults £5; Concessions* £3; Children (5-16) £3
Family Day Ticket £15 (up to 5 family members, at least 1 adult and 1 child)
*Disabled, over 60s, Job Seekers, Income Support, students
Entry to museum shops and the cafe at West Stow is free.
Car Parking at West Stow
£1 for up to an hour
£2 for between 1 hour and all day
Yearly passes are available - free with a Family Heritage Ticket, £10 with an Adult Heritage Ticket or £15 without a Heritage Ticket
Once again, please accept my sincere apologies for not replying sooner.
john S
9 contributions
Looking forward to working with you all again in 2016 .''INTO THE WILD''
Are dogs allowed
jennyeales2016
Wisbech, UK36 contributions
Dogs are welcome on lead in the country park. However, assistance dogs only within the village due to the presence of livestock
angie30_12
Cambridge, UK9 contributions
parking charges ?? please
jennyeales2016
Wisbech, UK36 contributions
Disabled parking is £1 for the day. not sure on regular pricing
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingWest Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park, Bury St. Edmunds
Frequently Asked Questions about West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park
- West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 - 17:00
- Hotels near West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park:
- (0.00 mi) Larkwood Lakes Camping and Caravanning
- (0.01 mi) The Log Cabin, Wideham Farm, West Stow, close to Bury St Edmunds.
- (0.01 mi) Wideham View, just outside West Stow and Bury St Edmunds, on Kings Forest.
- (0.01 mi) Forest View, on Kings Forest, West Stow, just outside Bury St Edmunds
- (0.07 mi) Orchard Cottage, West Stow Hall.
- Restaurants near West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village and Country Park:
- (0.00 mi) West Stow Cafe
- (4.68 mi) Francela Restaurant
- (4.67 mi) Cheers Restaurant
- (4.77 mi) Maison Bleue Restaurant
- (4.67 mi) 1921 Angel Hill