Lavenham, Suffolk, England makes you smile just by setting foot in the city. Among its thousands of colors, its incredible wooden buildings and its medieval charm, it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Britain. This is the ideal place for your vacation, you will be surprised by the wide variety of activities that are there for you.
Things to do
Lavenham Guildhall
Without a doubt, this is one of the places you cannot miss. This is a beautiful wooden building built around 1530. In those years, this place was a prison, however, it has been renovated and is now a well-known museum that contains the history of some people locked there, as well as the history of Lavenham’s fortune.
The Church of St Peter & St Paul
Do not miss out on a visit to one of the most important wool churches in England. This was created thanks to the donations of some inhabitants who owe their fortune to the medieval wool trade. In addition, this church has spectacular windows that are worthy of admiration. On the other hand, you can have a delicious picnic or walk outside the church, because it is at the beginning of a large forest perfect for a walk.
Lavenham Stores
This city is the perfect place to walk through all its narrow streets and take a good walk. Along the streets, there is a wide variety of elegant and second-hand stores where you can buy a good souvenir. It is possible that while walking you hear someone shout “The best blue of Lavenham!” From the shops. This is because there is a popular plant that has been used for many years to make blue paint. However, the entire city is now full of different shades of colors.
River Stour
Enjoy a sunny day taking a boat trip on the quiet Stour River. Just sit back and let yourself go along the stream at a calm pace, listen to nature, relax and breathe peace and fresh air. In addition, during your walk, you can admire the beauty of the landscape of the Suffolk countryside, a beautiful garden full of colors, crafts, and plasterwork. Also, there is some lovely wildlife.
How to get there
Lavenham is 75 miles (21 km) northeast of London. The nearest airport is Cambridge Airport (CBG), about 47 minutes by car. Trains from London go to Sudbury, from where there are buses north to Lavenham (11 km)
When to go
Between June and September is the perfect time to make your trip. In the winter you may encounter rains and very cloudy days. However, if you are a nature lover, in May the beauty of the parks and gardens is at its maximum.
How long
This is a very nice place to be with family and learn about its culture and history. It is best to spend a couple of days or more so that you can soak up the charm of this pleasant and quiet town.
Opening and Closing hours
Visit the National Trust to see events in Guildhall (closed at the end of December until the beginning of March), including fabric manufacturing demonstrations. Watch for theater productions and other events in Kentwell.
Planning
The Great House restaurant serves French food, it is also a boutique hotel. You can stay in others like the Swan Hotel built about ten years after Little Hall. In addition, there is also the Old Bar of the hotel, it has a wall signed by British and American airmen parked at the Lavenham airfield during World War II. Remember to book your flight in time to avoid inconvenience.
Inside information
Go to the High Street and get an audio tour with a map: it lasts about an hour and stops. A guided walk from the Lavenham Tourist Information Center on Lady Street begins on weekends from June to October. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes, and if you like some hydration. However, you can always buy something at a store.
History
This town was known as a medieval place of wool. By 1257 he had the permission to export his fabric to different parts of the world, reaching Russia. Thanks to this trade, the city was one of the richest in the country. However, other countries began to manufacture the same fabric and this business in Lavenhams failed. This was the case for 300 years, until the 19th century, when a railway brought the place to life. The “Lavenham blue” made the city citizens so rich that they were able to build what has become the largest collection of wooden buildings in Britain.
Websites
- www.discoverlavenham.co.uk
- www.greathouse.co.uk
- www.kentwell.co.uk
- www.nationaltrust.org.uk
- www.suffolk.gov.uk
Other nearby attractions
The Lake District
Visit this beautiful National Park of the United Kingdom, it is one of the jewels of this country. Here you will run into the most beautiful landscapes of the hills and lakes. In addition, there are also many houses of famous poets in this area. You can go hiking, live an incredible and unique outdoor adventure and save the best photographs.
Brighton
This city of England can be what you want, from a romantic destination, a family vacation or even an escape with your friends for fun. The most exciting thing about Brighton is that you don’t need to have a completely planned day. Just lose yourself in its charm, in its streets, its shops, the market, the beach and endless activities that will always keep you distracted. Do not forget to check the calendar of events in the city, for example, the Brighton Pride is one of the most popular and largest of the year.
Cornwall
Certainly, it is difficult for you to find a place with spectacular views in England than Cornwall. This is one of the best places to surf in the country, in addition, you can also go hiking. This is the hometown of King Arthur, and inside it has many surprises, such as Tintagel and its coastal ruins, the Mount of St. Michael, Perranporth, and its golden sand beaches and Watering Hole, the only UK pub that is located in the middle of the beach.
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