Lavenham, Picturesque Wool Town in Suffolk, UK

Visit this elegant Village of Tudor Half-Timbered Houses

Mar 15, 2009

Lavenham is a well preserved medieval wool town, famed for its blue broadcloth between the 14th &16th centuries, accommodating many antique shops and tea rooms.

A stroll around Lavenham is like going back in time, with the wonderfully organic crooked lines of the half-timbered houses all around. Fabulously wealthy from the wool trade in the Middle Ages, some of the air of genteel opulence remains.

Lavenham Church with Renowned Hammer-Beam Angel Roof

The main car park by the Cock Inn is just opposite the church of St Peter and St Paul, with its exquisite hammer-beam roof and spacious wide interior. Look up at the roof and observe the carved angels - indeed the quality of the wood carvings is a feature of Lavenham church. Kids who may be less interested in the church will find the grounds outside full of large bushes ideal for hide-and seek. If excess energy needs to be worked off, the route of the old railway line has been turned into a lovely nature reserve, and a after a little while opens up to reveal an attractive view of the church over the rolling fields.

Tea Shops and Antique Stores galore

Alternatively, visitors can take a walk down the hill from the church towards the village centre, past any number of little antique shops which are worth a browse. Lavenham is has many little tea shops for snacks and refreshments. Turn right at the corner where the Swan Hotel stands - this was an ancient coaching inn, now a hotel. In a short while there is the Wool Hall, a well-preserved half timbered house.

Lavenham Guildhall of Corpus Christi

Turn left up the hill, and Tourist Information Centre can be found on the left just before the massive Guildhall of Corpus Christi, now in the care of the National Trust. The sheer size of this is testament ot the wealth of the wool trade. It stands in front of the Market Square and Market Cross. Market Square is bordered by more refreshment opportunities and the Angel Hotel on the corner. The square would be improved by having fewer parked cars. From the Angel Hotel one can return to the church and car park by turning left down an alley towards the High Street or turning right down Barn street, eventually walking past the Old Grammar school where the artist John Constable went to school. At the end of Barn street turn right along Water Street until it comes out onto the High street at a T junction, the church and car park will be visible a little way up the hill on the left.

With its well-preserved half-timbered Tudor architecture and numerous tea houses and antique shops, Lavenham is a delightful village to visit. It remains compact enough to enjoy at a gentle pace on foot.

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