With its crooked Tudor homes leaning into its bit high street as well as a heritage dating back to William the Conqueror, Lavenham, Suffolk is Britain’s history in the flesh. It’s even the birthplace of Dumbledore as well as Harry Potter!
England’s long history provides visitors so much to check out that it’s nearly overwhelming. From the most significant city to the smallest hamlet, you can discover evidence of the extraordinary things that have occurred right here over the millennia.
Visitors to the UK commonly head directly to London – to the epicentre – for their taste of England, which makes best sense.
But bit tucked-away towns like Lavenham, deep in the Suffolk countryside, provide us concentrated pockets of medieval as well as Tudor England that bring history to life. If you want a genuine taste of England, it’s towns such as this that have the most flavour. Indeed, Lavenham might well be the most English village you’ll find.
Lavenham, Suffolk
You get the feeling things don’t modification extremely swiftly here. In fact, according to the regional district census, even Lavenham’s population figures of around 1,700 haven’t altered much in the last 200 years.
But the village’s number of half-wooden Tudor buildings make it even a lot more apparent that modification comes blissfully slowly to Lavenham.
Thanks to the village’s fabric as well as wool trade, as well as its guilds, Lavenham was when one of the top 15 richest towns in England, which is most likely why you can see such a riches of examples of this type of architecture. They had the money to build.
Things to see in Lavenham
Market Square as well as Guildhall
Lavenham’s market square was when one of the busiest, many crucial locations for service in the country. In the early 1500s, sales of its valued blue woollen material boosted Lavenham to the 14th wealthiest town in Britain.
To secure the town as well as its industry, the guildhalls were developed around the square, which is what you can see today. These surprisingly brilliantly coloured wooden frame buildings stand apart from the typical black as well as white or grey Tudor as well as half-timber medieval styles you usually see.
This square represents the heart of Lavenham as well as even on peaceful days, you can still feel its significance. It was likewise the set for a John Lennon as well as Yoko Ono’s short film Apotheosis in 1969.
The De Vere House
Lavenham, a gift from William the Conqueror to his brother-in-law Alberic de Vere soon after the 1066 invasion, stayed in the De Vere household up until 1703.
The household house on Water street – De Vere home – still exists as well as was the CGI set for Harry Potter’s (and the Dumbledores’) household house in The Deathly Hallows parts I. There were a few other streets utilized in the film, as well as it’s fun to try as well as area them.
Timbers Antiques
On the High Street, this antiques shop appears like a regular, typical sized store in a little village. However, as you push with the door as well as begin exploring, you realise exactly how wrong your assumptions were.
This location is enormous, as well as packed full of all type of treasures. The creaking, unequal floors as well as old, low ceilings make this long shop, which stretches back over 40m, even bigger. It feels like you’re checking out an undiscovered treasure haul from some crazy kleptomaniac pirate. It’s wonderful.
The Crooked House
Over the centuries, the ancient homes along Lavenham’s streets have all started to droop. It adds to the extraordinary aesthetic of the village, however it likewise makes you question exactly how a few of them are still standing.
Some are buckled, some are twisted. Some loom over you like an upset institution teacher. however there’s one in specific that leans a lot more than the rest.
Much like the Tower of Pisa, this wood framed Tudor home is renowned in its wobbliness. Seemingly propped up by its neighbours, its pitched roofing looking nearly jaunty with the upper floor’s noting angle, the Crooked home defies gravity.
But finest of all, you can go in…
Where to eat in Lavenham
Munnings Tea Rooms
Housed within the tilted woods of the Crooked House, Munnings Tea spaces is one of our preferred locations to opt for lunch. Our only warning: show up hungry.
Owner as well as chef Everyl Madell turns out the very best ploughman’s you’ll ever have, sandwiches that are as filling as they are delicious, cheese scones worth their weight in gold (and these beauties are heavy) as well as a proprietary blend of tea that makes this so extremely English you’ll want one more pot.
The tea spaces are embellished with an antique feel that fits the town like a glove. subjected wooden beams, adorable bit lamps, lace, china, tea cosies as well as pictures in old frames – it’s like you’re having lunch in someone’s home.
There’s likewise an unhealthy amount ofhorse-related photos as well as ornaments owing to Everyl’s commitment to racing. get her speaking about the type as well as she’ll be your good friend for life!
Make sure you phone call ahead as there are only 5-6 tables. Upstairs, where the floor leans with the warps in the wood frame, there is a beautiful table set for dinner, which you can book for events. There’s likewise a four-poster bed in the bedroom next door.
Munnings likewise operates as a B&B – I can only envision what breakfast would be like. Everyl’s qualifications as a chef would certainly radiate with as they do at lunch.
The Angel Hotel
If you don’t have any type of luck booking a table at Munnings or you elegant a beer with lunch, the Angel hotel village Pub as well as restaurant on the corner of the market Square is your aim.
Matching Munnings for its appeal as well as authenticity, the Angel has kept its original features of subjected beams as well as lovely fireplace by the bar. The food right here is homely yet skilfully made as well as the beer – many significantly – is kept well.
There are likewise 8 charming looking en-suite spaces offered here, each with homely touches best for a short stay.
Lavenham Butchers
If you’re searching for a take-away option, you have to inspect out Lavenham Butchers’ delicatessen. Their counter is full of home-made (yes, they make them) sausage rolls, pies, scotch eggs as well as other pastry wonders. No to mention a great choice of treated meats, antipasti as well as cheese.
If you’ve got cooking facilities nearby, even better. Their sausages are superb, all made in home with free-range meat, they even source regional wild venison of the season as well as don’t get me started on their bacon.
Hadley’s Ice cream Parlour
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, make your method to Hadley’s Ice cream Parlour. This location is impressive. Everything’s handcrafted as well as locally sourced, from the Maldon sea salt as well as Essex honeycomb to elderflowers from their own hedgerows as well as the cream from their dairy farm.
What started out as a enthusiasm job for owner Jane Hadley has turned into a full-blown operation. as well as my goodness the ice cream’s good.
By the way, can you area my mum as well as daddy there? Aren’t they cute?
And if you’re searching for a lot more things to eat, you’re not far from one of our other preferred Suffolk towns: Sudbury. Here’s our guide on where to eat in Sudbury.
Where to stay in Lavenham
Although Lavenham is under a two-hour drive from London as well as well worth a daytrip, there are likewise rather a few locations to stay here. You might truly get to understand this extraordinary location with its history as well as lovely buildings – not to mention its friendly locals.
Here are our recommendations:
Market Keeper’s Cottage
This cosy two-bedroom cottage, with its bit walled as well as hedged garden, is ideal in the middle of the market Square as well as overlooks the Guildhall. For all the creature comforts you might desire for in a stay in the country, the market Keeper’s Cottage has it covered.
Every detail – from a welcome hamper as well as the free decanted whisky to the total kitchen area as well as wood terminate – is there to make your stay in Suffolk the method you want it.
Hour Cottage
Directly opposite the De Vere home of Harry Potter fame, hour Cottage on Water street is set up for a extremely comfortable stay. though this two-bedroom redbrick grade II noted building is full of history, it’s likewise totally contemporary in its facilities.
The personal tiered back garden makes for the best area to kick back for a morning coffee or view the sun slowly go down on those fantastic long summertime nights.
The Swan at Lavenham
For genuine high-end in one of the most spectacular period buildings in Lavenham, The Swan at Lavenham is your go-to. aside from its full-service top quality hotel, The Swan likewise serves fine-dining choices as well as a day health spa to truly make the most of your time in this lovely part of England.
And as we’ve already mentioned, Munnings Tea spaces as well as The Angel likewise have lodging if you’re searching for something shorter term as well as less involved.
All of these choices would make a trip to what’s certainly Britain’s finest medieval village.