493rd Bomb Group Museum

The 493rd Bomb Group Museum sits on the former airfield where American B-17 crews flew from during World War II. Walking around the site, you're standing on genuine wartime ground - the control tower still stands, and the hangars tell the story of one of the US Air Force's most active squadrons in the European theatre. It's a straightforward, unglamorous sort of place, which somehow makes it more affecting than something polished up for tourists.

Inside you'll find photographs, uniforms, and personal accounts from the men who flew here. The archive work is proper thorough - letters home, mission logs, the odd handwritten note tucked into a frame. There's a memorial garden too, which manages to be respectful without being maudlin. History enthusiasts and Second World War buffs will spend a good couple of hours here; families with younger kids might find an hour enough unless someone's genuinely into aviation.

You're just outside Woodbridge, which means you're well-positioned for exploring the wider Suffolk heritage trail. The glamping and touring parks scattered round the area - Secret Meadows is closest, just 1.4 miles away - make for a proper base if you're planning a week of museums and country walks. The museum itself is free admission, which is refreshing. Go on a clear day if you can; the old runways and open spaces lose something in grey weather.