The Church (photo by john.hansom11@btopenworld.com)

Lavenham is England's best preserved medieval town, built on the proceeds of the wool trade in the 15th to 17th centuries. The wealth of beautiful timber-framed buildings and perfectly preserved streets is breathtaking.

For a guide to the shops and eating places of Lavenham, please click the 'Facilities' link on the left. For more information about the village see www.lavenham.co.uk and www.visit-suffolk.org.uk, which has a page for Lavenham as well as giving pointers for other attractions in the county.

Above: The Guildhall (photo by john.hansom11@btopenworld.com)

(photos above by john.hansom11@btopenworld.com)

 

BURY ST EDMUNDS

This town is something of a secret, its outskirts belying a hugely attractive medieval central area with some notable attractions such as the cathedral, theatre, street market (Wednesdays / Saturdays) and Greene King brewery, but also a great place to while away a few hours in the independent shops and wide range of coffee shops and restaurants. Be sure to wander down some of the ancient residential streets leading off the town square. The town is just 20 minutes' drive from Lavenham. For more information see www.burystedmunds.com.

 Bury St Edmunds cathedral (photo courtesy of www.burystedmunds.com)

LONG MELFORD

Long Melford is a few miles from Lavenham and well worth a walk down what is billed as England's longest High Street, offering an interesting range of small shops and restaurants. See www.longmelford.co.uk.

Kentwell Hall, Long Melford (photo courtesy www.kentwell.co.uk)

There are endless other attractions in the area, including further well-preserved villages such as Nayland, Boxford, Clare, Wethersfield, Finchingfield and Castle Hedingham. Alternatively it's just over an hour's drive to the coast so you cn easily make a day of seeing places like Southwold, Walberswick, Thorpeness, Aldeburgh, Framligham, Woodbridge and Orford. We'll be happy to offer advice.