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Wool Town Lavenham

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Crooked + Characterful

Suffolk Wool Towns

Suffolk’s unique wool towns are the country’s best-preserved collection of medieval market towns, with timber-framed, lime-washed, higgledy-piggledy houses in gently rolling pastureland that take you back to a time when East Anglia was the most prosperous part of the British Isles. Churches with soaring towers and magnificent stained-glass windows hint at the past prosperity of the textile trade. Wander market squares and narrow lanes, browse galleries, antiques and independent shops, then enjoy lunch in a traditional pub or take a gentle countryside walk. Centred around Lavenham, Bury St Edmunds, Clare, Long Melford and Kersey, the wool towns suit an unhurried pace, where the joy is in small discoveries.

960 640 Bury St Edmunds Abbey gate
Plan your stay in the Suffolk Wool Towns

All your questions about the Suffolk Wool Towns answered, plus advice on how to plan your trip and things to do.

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Map of Visit Suffolk

Top Attractions in Wool Towns

001 Cycle Breaks
Attractions

Cycle Breaks

Discover the very best of Suffolk on two wheels with this immersive, self-guided cycling adventure…

001 Cycle Breaks
Attractions

Cycle Breaks

Discover the very best of Suffolk on two wheels with this immersive, self-guided cycling adventure…

005 Eezybike electric bike hire Suffolk
Attractions

Eezybike

Explore Suffolk and the Suffolk Coast by E-Bike with EEZYBIKE

005 Eezybike electric bike hire Suffolk
Attractions

Eezybike

Explore Suffolk and the Suffolk Coast by E-Bike with EEZYBIKE

001 kentwell hall long melford
Attractions

Kentwell Hall

A timeless Manor House set in acres of stunning, family-friendly gardens and parkland, in the…

001 kentwell hall long melford
Attractions

Kentwell Hall

A timeless Manor House set in acres of stunning, family-friendly gardens and parkland, in the…

001 the crooked house

Suffolk's most photographed home, that inspired a world-famous nursery rhyme

001 the crooked house
Attractions

The Crooked House, Lavenham

Suffolk's most photographed home, that inspired a world-famous nursery rhyme

Businesses in Wool Towns

001 the crooked house
Attractions

The Crooked House, Lavenham

Suffolk's most photographed home, that inspired a world-famous nursery rhyme

001 the old drift house kersey suffolk
Accommodation

The Old Drift House

Idyllic 'chocolate box' thatched cottage in the picturesque medieval village of Kersey with its…

001 nt melford hall
Attractions

Melford Hall – National Trust

This romantic turreted brick mansion, home of the Hyde Parker family, features Regency, Georgian…

001 kentwell hall long melford
Attractions

Kentwell Hall

A timeless Manor House set in acres of stunning, family-friendly gardens and parkland, in the…

001 nedging hall ipswich
Accommodation

Nedging Hall

One of Suffolk's finest country houses. Perfect for a family or friends getaway, a birthday…

001 the bildeston crown
Accommodation

The Bildeston Crown

A 15th century former coaching inn at the heart of Bildeston, Suffolk.

001 Suffolk Hideaways Aldeburgh Suffolk
Accommodation

Suffolk Hideaways

When you are looking to spend a truly relaxing holiday in the beautiful Suffolk countryside,…

001 the suffolk cottage collection suffolk
Accommodation

The Suffolk Cottage Collection

From the Suffolk coast to the countryside, our hand-picked, pet-friendly cottages make every stay…

001 the mill long melford suffolk
Accommodation

The Mill

Luxury private rooms with breakfast

Stories & Inspiration from Wool Towns

1920 900 St Edmund statue Bury St Edmunds

Posted: 14th May 2026

On April 23 each year we celebrate Patron Saint St George. But until 1348 it was King Edmund of…

1920 900 St Edmund statue Bury St Edmunds
History + Heritage

Who was King Edmund, England’s first patron saint

Posted: 14th May 2026

On April 23 each year we celebrate Patron Saint St George. But until 1348 it was King Edmund of…

1920 900 Bury St Edmunds Abbey gate
Outdoors + Adventure

Which is the nicest part of Suffolk

Posted: 15th Mar 2026

Which is the nicest part of Suffolk? There's something for all tastes, including the Broads…

1920 900 Bury St Edmunds The Personal History of David Copperfield 1 JPEG
Arts + Culture

Where are movie and TV film locations in Suffolk

Posted: 10th Mar 2026

Suffolk has hosted its fair share of dramas, films and tv programmes over the years, not least…

Events in Wool Towns

Start Date

End Date

Specialist talk jutland war
History & Heritage

Specialist Talk - Battle of Jutland

Date: 31st May - 31st May 2026

Hands on history
Family

Hands on History

Date: 15th Aug - 23rd Aug 2026

Tudor midsummer
Family

Tudor Midsummer - Schools

Date: 23rd Jun - 26th Jun 2026

Victorian garden party
Family

Victorian Garden Party

Date: 11th Jul - 12th Jul 2026

Kentwell through the ages
Family

Kentwell Through the Ages II

Date: 28th Aug - 31st Aug 2026

Phytogram Printmaking Workshop mill tye
Arts & Crafts

Phytogram Printmaking Workshop

Date: 18th Jun - 18th Jun 2026

Textile collage workshop
Arts & Crafts

Contemporary Textile Collage Workshop

Date: 28th Jul - 28th Jul 2026

The three kings gold silk
Arts & Crafts

The Three Kings: Gold, Silk & Wonder

Date: 15th Dec - 15th Dec 2026

Itineraries in Wool Towns

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