Lavenham

One of the finest examples of a medieval wool town. Most of the houses were built between 1450 and 1500 and are in a remarkable state of preservation. Walking through Lavenham is like walking through a movie set - the half-timbered houses and pastel coloured cottages lean against one another in street after street. Several of the buildings, including the Guildhall, are open to the public and contain displays of life in a mediaeval English wool town.
Lavenham was the 14th wealthiest town in England in 1524, with 33 cloth making businesses and was richer than Lincoln and York, when the church was being rebuilt (1486-1515) and the Guildhall of Corpus Christi completed(1529). Lavenham's position as a manufacturing town of national importance is hard to imagine when you see the quiet, rural charm of the village today.

By car

From London, follow M11 exit 8 A120 to Braintree, A131 to Halstead and Sudbury, then B1115 to Lavenham.
From North, Take A134 from Bury St Edmunds then A1141 to Lavenham.

By train

The town no longer has a railway station (the station being closed for passengers in 1961). The nearest train station is

• Sudbury Train Station

  address: Station Rd, Sudbury, CO10 6SU
  At the end of a branch line (marketed as the Gainsborough Line) from the main Norwich to London Liverpool St line at Marks Tey. The journey between Sudbury and Marks Tey takes 20 minutes, with stops at Bures station, and Chappel & Wakes Colne station. Station managed by and services operated by Greater Anglia.

By bus

Chambers Buses 753 run hourly from Colchester train station or Bury St Edmunds Bus Station - Mondays to Saturdays.

By bicycle

The town in on National Cycle Route 13 (London to Fakenham) running through Bury St Edmunds to the N (where it connects to National Cycle Route 51 and to Colchester to the S where it connects with National Cycle Route 1.

The town is small enough to see on foot.

Most of the village can be seen in a 10-15 minute walk, but visiting the Guild Hall needs longer.

• Tourist Information Centre

  phone: +44 1787 248207
  address: Lady St, Lavenham, CO10 9RA

• Lavenham Guildhall

  phone: +44 1787 247646
  address: Market Place, Lavenham, CO10 9QZ

• Little Hall Museum

  phone: +44 1787 248341
  address: Market Place, Lavenham, C010 9QZ
  14th century house (one of oldest in the town)

• St Peter & St Paul Church

  address: Church Sr, Lavenham, CO10 9QT

• Guided Tour of Lavenham

  phone: +44 1787 248207
  address: Tourist Information Centre, Lady St, Lavenham CO10 9RA

• Co-op

  phone: +44 1787 247242
  address: 80a High St, Lavenham, CO10 9PT

• The Great House

  phone: +44 1787 247431
  address: Market Place, Lavenham, CO10 9QZ
  'Britain's Best Restaurant with Rooms of the Year 2009' according to The Good Hotel Guide. Small boutique hotel & restaurant.

• The Swan Hotel

  phone: +44 1787 247477
  address: High St, Lavenham, CO10 9QA
  Lavish restaurant with a good choice of wine by the glass and choice of food for vegetarians

• Hadley's at Lavenham

  phone: +44 1787 249001
  address: 91 High St, Lavenham, CO10 9PZ
  Craft Ice Creams

• Memsaab

  phone: +44 178 7249431
  address: 2 Church St, Lavenham, CO10 9QT

• The Greyhound

  phone: +44 1787 249553
  address: 97 High St, Lavenham, CO10 9PZ

• The Angel

  phone: +44 1787 247388
  address: Market Place, Lavenham, CO10 9QZ

• No 10

  phone: +44 1787 249438
  address: 10 Lady St, Lavenham, CO10 9RA

• The Cock Horse Inn

  phone: +44 1787 827330
  address: 37 Church St, Lavenham, CO10 9SA

The centre of the town has several high end self-catering houses for rental, normally for several day or longer stays.

• Great House Hotel

  phone: +44 1787 247431
  address: Market Place, Lavenham, CO10 9QZ
  is a fine small boutique hotel with a highly renowned restaurant.

• Brett Farm

  phone: +44 1787 248533
  address: The Common, Lavenham, CO10 9PG
  Free Wi-Fi. Bicycle hire

• Mobile Post Office Service

  address: Lavenham Village Hall, Church St, Lavenham, CO10 9QT

• Sudbury
• Bury St Edmunds
• Ipswich
• Stowmarket
• Colchester
• Braintree