Best Things to Do in Lavenham, Suffolk
Lavenham is a quaint village in the county of Suffolk in England. Easily accessible as a day trip or weekend break from London, here are all the best things to do in Lavenham!
Lavenham is home to a few famous houses that you have probably heard of or seen before, and its medieval charm sets it apart from everywhere else in the area.
The Best Things to Do in Lavenham, Suffolk
History of Lavenham
Although Lavenham is quite an old village, it didn’t flourish until the 13th century during the rise of the “Lavenham Blue” wool trade.
Rich merchants and families built their homes quickly and decorated them lavishly, unfortunately, the production of cheaper fabrics around Europe left Lavenham suffering.
Most of the buildings and houses in Lavenham remain untouched from the 15th century, thanks to the decline of the wool trade. The village fell into poverty and its residents were unable to keep up with the ever-changing styles.
Lavenham is now one of the best-preserved medieval villages and has over 300 listed buildings.
How to Get to Lavenham
By Car: The easiest way to get to Lavenham is by car (although, other forms of transport are very doable). It’s about a 2-hour drive from London (if traffic is on your side) up the M11 to the A120.
There are two main parking lots. One car park by the village hall, and a smaller one next to the Guildhall.
By Train: The closest train station to Lavenham is Sudbury. If you are coming from London, then you will have one change in Marks Tey.
You will probably need to pre-book your taxi to Lavenham to make sure you have transport into town. Sudbury is about 20 minutes from Lavenham.
By Bus: There is a bus route that runs from Sudbury to Bury St Edmunds with a stop in Lavenham. If you get the train into Sudbury, you can take a quick 5-minute walk to the bus station and hop on the 753 bus to Lavenham.
I don’t recommend taking the bus from London, because you’ll have to deal with a lot of changes, but if you are traveling on a budget, then you can take the National Express to Colchester and hop on the local bus services from there.
Best Things to Do in Lavenham
Take a Walking Tour Around Lavenham
There is no better way to get acclimated to a place than to take a walking tour. Seriously, it’s one of the best things to do in Lavenham… you get to see everything, learn about the history, and listen to some fun stories… what’s not to love?
You have a couple of options for walking tours in the village.
National Trust runs a weekly walking tour that departs from the Guildhall and gives you an in-depth history of the village. The tour takes a little under 2 hours and is about a mile in distance.
There is another tour that departs from The Swan every Wednesday throughout the year and every weekend during the season. This one lasts around an hour and a half and takes you around all the village highlights with some history thrown in.
Visit the Harry Potter Filming Locations in Lavenham
The production team for the Harry Potter franchise secretly filmed in Lavenham in 2010. No cast member was present during filming and it wasn’t an elaborate production.
The houses and streets that were shot in Lavenham were then rendered into the CGI-created fictional village of Godric’s Hollow. So when you see the actual houses, everything will seem familiar, but a little out of place.
You will recognize three main houses from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.
The first is The Swan. Harry and Hermione are walking down the street and you can clearly see The Swan pub sign on the left side of the road.
Next is the De Vere House. This house was once home to the second richest family in England, next to King Henry VII. A lot of people mistake this house for the Potter house, but it’s just visible in the background of some of the shots! The house is now a luxury bed and breakfast.
Lastly, Harry Potter’s parent’s house (you know, the place where the boy who lived, survived the attack from he who shall not be named…) was inspired by the Lavenham Guildhall, specifically the middle section of the hall. You can even recognize the same tiny dormer window!
Lavenham Guildhall
One of the things you have to do in Lavenham is visit the Guildhall.
This impressive timber-framed building is run by the National Trust and is located in the heart of Lavenham.
You can go explore the inside for a small entrance fee (free for National Trust members) and learn more about the history of Lavenham and the wool trade.
Cream Tea at the Guildhall Tea Room
Even if you don’t want to look around the Guildhall, you can still grab a sausage roll or a cream tea at the Guildhall Tea Room.
The opening hours are limited, but it’s great if you want to quick bite to eat and sit outside in the garden to chill for a little bit.
The Swan at Lavenham
Not only is The Swan a great pub with some great food, but it’s also a luxury hotel and spa!
The 15th-century building has several rooms, two restaurants, a bar, and a beer garden.
Even if you aren’t staying here or grabbing a bite to eat, it’s worth checking out the cozy interior with its exposed beams and medieval charm.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star House
Did you know the author of The Star (more lovingly known as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) grew up in Lavenham?
Jane Taylor was home-schooled and taught astronomy at a young age and it’s said that she used to stare out her bedroom window (can you see that tiny window on the top floor of the house?!), looking toward the night sky.
Shilling Grange is located on Shilling Street. If you walk from the De Vere House and turn left onto the street, the semi-detached house is a quarter of the way up on the right.
Just giving you an idea of where it is because I walked up and down the street, looking for the house because Google Maps told me the house was further down the street.
The Crooked House
Have you heard of the Crooked Man poem? You know, the one that lived in the crooked house? Well, THIS is the crooked house from the poem!
The house was built in 1395, and no, it wasn’t built wonky. When the Lavenham wool trade blew up, the merchants with new wealth were building new houses… quickly.
The timber used to build the house wasn’t given enough time to dry before construction and warped and twisted into the crooked house as it dried.
A few times a year, the two men who own the Crooked House open up their home to the public. You can book a black tie dinner or organize a private dinner, they also do 3-4 house tours a year… so VERY limited and exclusive.
You can check the Crooked House Official Website for more information and dates.
Little Hall Museum
There is only a small fee to visit the museum and you’ll learn about the history of the previous owners.
The hall isn’t open all year round, so you’ll need to check out their website for the most up-to-date opening times.
There’s also a really nice walled garden that you can check out too!
St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church
This is Lavenham’s parish church and one of the largest in England. It sits at the top of the main street, just across the road from the village hall car park.
A church has existed on this site since Anglo-Saxon times and was reconstructed in the late 15th century.
The church is free to visit and open most days.
Lavenham Woodland Walk
This is an easy circular walk around the village and its surrounding countryside, it’s a little under 3 miles.
You’ll walk around the village, along the Long Melford railway line, and come behind the parish church.
It’s perfect if you want a couple of hours strolling around nature, to start the walk, head down to the bottom of the high street and you’ll see the sign for the Lavenham Walk on the left-hand side.
You can find the map on the National Trust’s Lavenham website.
Dessert at The Parlour
I’m not much of a dessert person, but the award-winning ice cream at The Parlour is on point! Along with the classic flavors, you’ll see some more unique ones like honeycomb or elderflower infusions.
Not an ice cream fan? That’s fine! There is always a sorbet of the day!
If it’s too cold for ice cream, then you can grab a delicious hot chocolate or coffee to warm yourself up.
Don’t forget to indulge in a truffle or two or three *wink*.
You can also pick up a copy of the Love Lavenham map, which is a super cute hand-illustrated map that makes for a great souvenir.
Lavenham Events
For such a small village, there sure is a lot going on throughout the year.
The Farmer’s Market is held on the fourth Sunday of every month at the Lavenham Village Hall (oh, and parking is FREE). The market has won countless awards including its latest, The Farm Retail Association’s Best Farmer’s Market in the UK award.
The Lavenham Literary Festival occurs every other year (the next being 2024), with authors doing readings and panels, it’s a great day out if you are a bookworm! There is also an annual Literary Festival Dinner in case you can’t go to the event itself.
You can book your tickets or see the upcoming speakers on the official website.
The first annual Lavenham Film Festival was held fall of 2023 with several screening venues around the villages.
No date is set for this year’s festival, but you can continue to check the website for updates.
Much like last year, you should be able to purchase daily passes or a week pass at a discounted rate if you wish to stay for the entire festival.
You will be able to book tickets or submit your independent film on the official website.
Treasure Trail
I love doing a Treasure Trail in a new place! Especially if you want to see all the highlights and you feel pressured with time. The trails normally take you around you should see!
You can purchase the trails directly from their website for a few pounds and explore the village looking for clues to solve the mystery or find the buried treasure… depending on which style trail it is.
I loved the trail for Lavenham because it took you from one end of the village to the other and weaved you in and out of all the timber house-lined streets!
Where to Stay in Lavenham
I feel like one day in Lavenham isn’t enough, because there are just so many different things to do, and who wouldn’t want to live out their Godric’s Hollow dream and spend the night in this magical village?!
Suffolk is also home to other cute villages, seaside towns, and historic sites. You could easily fill up your schedule for a long weekend!
- Swan Hotel: If you want a cozy and clean room, free parking, great breakfast, and the perfect location in the village, then the Swan is for you! It’s also on the higher end
- Rose Cottage: Such an adorable cottage. Not only is this holiday cottage more private than a hotel, but you’ll feel really immersed in the village and local culture staying here.
- The Angel Hotel: The rooms are a little smaller than the other places around the village, but it is a budget-friendly option and the location is perfect for village exploration.
- Hintlesham Hall Hotel: I couldn’t not mention staying in a Grade I listed Elizabethan manor! This hotel is outside of Lavenham (about a 25-minute drive), but if you are road-tripping around Suffolk, Hintlesham Hall is a great location!
Exploring Suffolk
If you want to make a weekend out of your trip to Lavenham, then Suffolk has so much to offer!
You can visit hidden gems like the village of Kersey or spend some time in Ipswich. Visit historical sites like Sutton Hoo or explore Ed Sheeran’s “Castle on the Hill”, Framlingham Castle. If you are more into art, Suffolk is “Constable Country” and you can visit some of the landmarks that John Constable made famous in his paintings.
Are you planning a trip to Lavenham? Or Suffolk? Do you have anything to add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!
Related Posts:
- Harry Potter Road Trip Around England
- Visiting Framlingham Castle in Suffolk
- Perfect One-Day Itinerary for London
Save The Best Things to Do in Lavenham, Suffolk for later on Pinterest!
