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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

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 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…

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

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…

Businesses in Wool Towns

001 the black lion hotel long melford
Accommodation

The Black Lion Hotel

Proud to have been voted Best Place to Stay in the East by The Sunday Times, we offer ten…

001 Cycle Breaks
Attractions

Cycle Breaks

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

001 sykes holiday cottages suffolk
Accommodation

Sykes Holiday Cottages Suffolk

Discover your next escape to Suffolk with Sykes Holiday Cottages.

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 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 nedging hall ipswich
Accommodation

Nedging Hall

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

001 suffolk secrets
Accommodation

Suffolk Secrets

Self-Catering Suffolk Holiday Cottages from Suffolk Secrets.

001 nt melford hall
Attractions

Melford Hall – National Trust

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

The swan hotel
Food & Drink

The Swan at Lavenham Hotel & Spa

Located in the Suffolk medieval village of Lavenham, the 4 Red Star 15th C Swan at Lavenham is…

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

Tudor midsummer
Family

Tudor Midsummer

Date: 27th Jun - 28th Jun 2026

Magic weekend
Family

Magic Weekend

Date: 25th Jul - 26th Jul 2026

Tudor midsummer
Family

A Day at the Tudor Manor - Home Ed Day

Date: 22nd Jun - 22nd Jun 2026

Schools Tudor Days Michaelmas kentwell hall
Family

Schools’ Tudor Michaelmas

Date: 28th Sept - 28th Sept 2026

Specialist Talk Dominic Serres Naval Paintings
Art Exhibition

Specialist Talk - Dominic Serres Naval Paintings

Date: 27th Jun - 27th Jun 2026

Ww1 bringing boys home
Family

WW1 Bringing the Boys Home

Date: 1st Aug - 2nd Aug 2026

Kentwell through the ages
Family

Kentwell Through the Ages II

Date: 28th Aug - 31st Aug 2026

Tudor Michaelmas Weekend kentwell hall
Family

Tudor Michaelmas Weekend

Date: 26th Sept - 27th Sept 2026

Itineraries in Wool Towns

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