Towns and Villages in the South and Heart of Suffolk
Chelsworth
Lying in the Brett Valley, Chelsworth is the quintessential English village with thatched cottages, pretty church and cosy village pub and is surrounded by lovely countryside. The village is well known for having homes with beautiful gardens which are open to the public for one Sunday a year. Cheslworth lies on the the Cycle South Suffolk route (leaflet available from Sudbury Tourist Information Centre)
Debenham
Debenham lies in the heart of the Suffolk countryside near to the source of the River Deben, a large, peaceful village which belies its past as a thriving wool centre. Evidence of this trade is all around in the timber framed merchants houses dating from 14th century. You will find delightful shops, cafes, pubs and a leisure centre in this pretty, historic village. A village trail can be found locally.
East Bergholt
East Bergholt is the birthplace of John Constable and you can still see (from the outside) his studio and the place where his house once stood. The church is open to the public for teas and it is worth taking a look at the church bells, which are considered to be unique in this country. They are housed in a bell cage, separate from the church and are rung by hand. Shops/post office/pubs/tearoom. Free parking. East Bergholt lies on the the Cycle South Suffolk route (leaflet available from Sudbury Tourist Information Centre)
Eye
In Eye you will find timber framed buildings, pretty thatched cottages, the stunning Church of St Peter and St Paul and splendid views from the castle ruin. In the Church,the 15th century wooden rood screen with its intricate carving and painted saints, kings and bishops is alone worth a visit. A town trail can be found locally as well as the "Cycling around Eye" booklet. Eye has a good choice of traditional shops, a pub, cafes and restaurants.
Flatford
Flatford lies in the heart of the Dedham Vale and is the wonderful place where John Constable lived and did some of his best-oved paintings. It is a small site in the heart of what is known as "Constable Country" and has Bridge Cottage, owned by the National Trust, a tearoom and gift shop; the Flatford Field Studies Centre where you can stay and learn to paint, take nature study courses, photgraphy etc and the Flatford Visitor Information Centre. There is also the beautifully situated Granary Bed and Breakfast on the edge of the river. Flatford does get very busy at certain times of the year and we would recommend you travel by bike, foot or public transport, for a really enjoyable visit. Flatford is easily accessible by trains from London into Manningtree Station which is an enjoyable 20-30 minute walk away. Carparking is charged for in Flatford, or you can park for free in East Bergholt and walk a mile or so to Flatford. Close by is Dedham (a charming walk along the river and across the fileds - Constable did this very walk everyday to go to school!) which is another delightful village with Castle House, home of Sir Alfred Munnings open to the public and a lovely choice of small shops, restaurants and the stupendous Dedham Parish Church. Flatford lies on the the Cycle South Suffolk route (leaflet available from Sudbury Tourist Information Centre)
Hadleigh
A charming market town, Hadleigh has a lot to offer: a lovely choice of individual shops, including the famous Partridges, a harware shop that has an endlessly extensive range of goods for the home and garden; restaurants, pubs and cafes; a pretty riverside walk and railway walk as well as the really beautiful church/guildhall/deanery tower complex. Leave yourself plenty of time to look around, or better still, make Hadleigh your base for a short break stay in the area. Hadleigh lies on the the Cycle South Suffolk route (leaflet available from Sudbury Tourist Information Centre) as well as the Hull to Harwich Sustrans cycle route.
Haughley
Haughley developed within the outer bailey of a Norman castle. This gives the village its distinctive shape. Only the earthworks remain ( a privately owned and protected site). The ancient heart of Haughley is now a Conservation Area and contains many pretty, timber framed-cottages. Haughley Park nearby opens its bluebell woods for two Sundays in the spring. The house is open by appointment only. There are village shops, a pub and a restaurant in Haughley.
Lavenham
Laxfield
Laxfield became a settlement on the edge of some flat land where there was a stream big enough to support it. Laxfield secured a charter for markets in 1226 and managed to secure Saturday, the best day for a market.
Although there is no market today there are a considerable number of very attractive buildings in the wide main street. You will also find a shop, two pubs and a fascinating local history museum housed in the guildhall. Opening times can be found in the "What to Do" section of the web site.
Long Melford
Needham Market
The town and market here were deliberately founded about 1245 to take commercial advantage of the road from Ipswich to Bury St Edmunds. By the 1400s the cloth trade was flourishing and the town remained prosperous with many merchants from London and the continent owning many of the large, timber framed houses.
Needham Market offers pubs, cafes, farmers market, lake and nature reserve, an antique centre and several specialist shops. Nearby is Alder Carr Farm with its farm shop, flower and plant centre, pottery, gift shops and restaurant.
Polstead
Stoke by Nayland
Stowmarket
Stowmarket is an ancient town. Although its origins are impossible to date its name has pre-Saxon roots and evidence of a Roman settlement has been found close to the town centre. A town trail is available from the Tourist Information Centre housed at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Crowe Street.
The Museum of East Anglian life, occupying a site of 80 acres offers fascinating displays including steam traction engines, reconstructed, historic buildings and lots of friendly animals. There is also a 3km riverside and woodland walk. Opening times can be found in the "What to Do" section of the web site.
Stowmarket also offers shops, cafes, restaurants, railway station, pubs, cinema, leisure centre, River Gipping walk. Traditional and farmers markets.
Stradbroke
Stradbroke is a pretty village with many historic buildings and can be found midway between Norwich and Ipswich. The village is a working, rural community set amidst quiet, rolling countryside and is dominated by All Saint's Church with its 15th century tower which can be seen for miles.
Stradbroke offers traditional shops, three pubs, a swimming pool and community centre. It also plays host to an annual Real Ale and Jazz Festival held on the weekend after the May Bank Holiday.
Sudbury
Wingfield
The village of Wingfield lies in the northern part of Suffolk and is widely scattered with many medieval houses. In the 14th and 15th centuries Wingfield was the seat of one of the most powerful families in England and the remains of the castle are reminders of the days of the De la Poles, Earls and Dukes of Suffolk.
The Church of St Andrews is one of the most beautiful in this part of Suffolk. It was built in 1362 as the Collegiate Church of Sir John de Wingfield's Foundation. Wingfield College now behind a Georgian facade was built at the same time and is open occasionally as part of the "Invitation to View" scheme.
The De la Pole Arms is near the Church and Wingfield Barns is now open as an Arts Centre offereing drama, music, cinema, art exhibitions and workshops all the year round.
Woolpit
Woolpit is a very pretty village, the centre of which is a conservation area with many brick-faced, timber -framed buildings. The first documented evidence of Woolpit as a settlement is in 1005.
Here you will find traditional village shops, pubs and the Woolpit & District Museum housed in a 17th century timber-framed building showing a permanent display of brickkmaking. Other changing displays depict the life of a Suffolk village. For opening times and details on walking tours go to the "Places to Visit" section of the website.
~Guided Tours~
Flatford: Regular guided walks with National Trust trained guides show the settings for Constable's paintings. May - end Sept. Tel 01206 298260
Lavenham: Regular guided walks in the summer. Sats 2.30pm; Suns and BH Mon 11am. Guided walks for groups at other times by arrangement Tel 01787 248207 or email lavenhamtic@babergh.gov.uk
Other guided tours can be arranged by appointment for Hadleigh, Long Melford and Sudbury Tel 01787 248207, or Woolpit Tel 01359 240822
~Traditonal and Farmers' Markets~
We have a wide selection of both traditional and farmers' markets in the South & Heart of Suffolk where you can buy fresh local produce. Our farmers' markets offer you the opportunity to talk direct to the farmer or producer
Traditional Markets
Sudbury: Thursday and Saturday
Hadleigh: Friday and Saturday
Stowmarket: Thursday and Saturday
Farmers' Markets
Harkesead: Village Hall
Third Saturday in the month. 9-12
Hartest: Pear Tree Farm
First Saturday in the month. 10-12.30
Lavenham: Village Hall
Fourth Sunday in the month. 10-1
Long Melford: Old School
Third Saturday in the month. 10-1
Needham Market: Alder Carr Farm
Third Saturday in the month. 9-2
Rickinghall: Village Hall
Second Saturday in the month. 9-1
Stowmarket: Market Place
First Friday in the month. 9.30-1
Stradbroke: Business & Enterprise College
First Saturday in the month. 9-1
Sudbury: St Peter's Church
Last Firday in the month. 9.30-1
Wherstead: Jimmy's Farm
First Saturday in the month. 10-2
