Day 8: Sutton Hoo, Dunwich National Park

In the morning, we take our time because our original plan is no longer valid. We wanted to take a boat to Orford Ness and explore an offshore island there. But the tour is cancelled due to strong winds, so we decide on an alternative plan. Sutton Hoo is located near our campsite, so we start with an English breakfast. We fry bacon, eggs, toast, and beans. That's a must on every trip to England.
Then we pack our car and at 10 o'clock we arrive at the entrance to the archaeological excavation site Sutton Hoo. Parts of the site are closed due to the wind, but the museum is open. In 1939, an Anglo-Saxon ship burial from the 7th century was discovered and excavated here. We learn a lot about the way of life and how the king of the Anglo-Saxons was buried in his 27-meter long boat with his treasure of gold. There are indications that the grave was meant to be plundered, but fortunately, the grave robbers missed the treasure chamber by a few meters. Good for us, because now we can admire the finds. The children take part in many interactive activities. Then we visit the house of the owner of the land, on which the excavation site is located. The house is kept in the style of 1939 and shows many pictures of the archaeological work. The burial mounds are actually closed today, but many tourists ignore the signs and take a quick look. We stay away from the trees as the wind gets stronger. In total, there are 20 earth mounds here, with the majority of them being looted. We see that the Anglo-Saxons had to travel about 500 meters by ship from the sea to the burial site, and uphill at that. The museum is well done and we like it. Afterward, we drive 20 minutes by car to Leiston Abbey. It is an ancient monastery ruin from the year 1363. Originally, the complex dates back to the 12th century, but it was moved to its current location because it was built too close to the water and flooded. We see the fragments of the large complex, which was closed by King Henry VIII in the 16th century. We explore the ruins and then continue to the North Sea. Dunwich Healt and Beach National Trust is a small national park right by the sea and has a heathland. Usually, there are parking fees, but the ranger waives the fee for us because the wind is so strong and it's hardly worth paying. We take a short walk along the stone beach and then use a circular hiking trail along the edge of the marshland. The ferns grow tall and we are alone. The wind is not so strong here and halfway through the trail, the landscape changes into heathland. Unfortunately, many of the plants have dried up due to a drought. Nevertheless, we still see some of the purple flowers. After about 60 minutes, we are back at the car. The last 20 minutes of the drive pass quickly and we reach our campsite. We are greeted with friendliness and can choose our spot, opting for a front row with a beach view. Just as we parked, Erik notices that our neighbor's car, which also has a similar rooftop tent, has been damaged due to the strong winds. We inquire and the driver strongly advises against deploying the tent. The wind has entered the roof structure and destroyed it. The risk is too great for us, so we are given a new spot at the very back. The wind is strong here too, but we are facing it. Now it's time to cook, do laundry, and tidy up. Exhausted, we fall into bed around 10 PM.