Lavenham Guildhall

Family outside Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk

Intriguing stories

More about this place

Lavenham Guildhall front in market square in the sunshine

Conservation on a grand scale 

As part of our work at the Guildhall, we inspect the outside of the building as well as the collection inside. Everything is regularly looked at, inside and out by our building surveyors and conservators. We check for insect and pest damage, wood, brick and plaster deterioration and of course wear and tear in the exhibits themselves.

Upper storey and gable of Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk

Discover true stories 

Lavenham Guildhall, is one of the finest timber-framed buildings in Britain and reflects the great wealth of Lavenham's early 16 century heyday.

Some of the secret treasures we have discovered come and see at the Lavenham Guildhall

Hidden from view until now 

A christening dress from 1860, a child’s pencil drawings, a soldier’s sweetheart token and a prized doll. What do all these new exhibits, taken from the Guildhall’s attic archive have in common? Find out by visiting our new exhibition: Secrets from the Attic.

Image of the Old Grammar School in Lavenham

Explore Lavenham's gems 

Explore the picturesque streets of Lavenham, lined with fine examples of Medieval and Tudor timber-framed buildings from Lavenham's heyday.

See Rammeses the mummified cat in the lavenham guildhall

500 years of history 

What have a mummified cat, a rare Elizabethan horseshoe cabinet, a mortuary and a christening dress from 1860 have in common? Well they’re all to be found at Lavenham Guildhall. Discover five centuries of history through the stories and exploits of the people who shaped the Guildhall. You’d be surprised at what you’ll discover.

Ranson's mock up studio at Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk

A tailor whose real love was photography and conservation 

Step back through generations of black and white stills and film imagery at The Guildhall. Francis Lingard Ranson was instrumental in founding The Lavenham Preservation Society and his fascinating pictorial legacy echoes the Lavenham you see today.

Visitors on a group tour of the village with the Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk

Walking stretches the mind 

Ready for a new discovery? Lavenham has had a turbulent five hundred years of history; this quintessential Suffolk gem has seen it all, from wealth and Hollywood glamour to extreme hardship and poverty.

Lavenham Station on last day of service 10th April 1961

History and nature on the same track 

Amazingly there were trains running between Melford and Lavenham and beyond for more than one hundred years until its closure in the 1960s. The arrival of the railway brought great change to both communities, and was vital during the war years. Discover the rich legacy of steam and learn about the flora and fauna that have taken over the tracks. Click through to read more.

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Lavenham Guildhall

What's on 

Upcoming events

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Discover Lavenham's Secrets

Wed 18 Oct 2017
10:00-12:00
Join us for a short talk about the Guildhall over coffee and biscuits before enjoying a guided walk around the historic centre of Lavenham. Light lunch included.

Spinning Demonstrations

Thu 19 Oct 2017
11:00-16:00
Visit Lavenham Guildhall on one of our spinning Thursdays and see our wonderful volunteers in action; demonstrating the traditional art of spinning wool into the yarn we see and recognise today.

Lavenham by Lantern Light

Thu 02 Nov 2017
18:30-20:00
See the medieval village of Lavenham in a whole new light on our Lantern Walk. The beautiful timber-framed buildings will come alive as you listen to the history of this hidden gem.
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Lavenham Guildhall

Eating and shopping

Tearoom at Lavenham Guildhall Suffolk

Eat in or take something away 

Treat yourself to a cuppa and a freshly baked cake in our Tudor tea-room or take home a souvenir from our shop which has a fine selection of gifts and cards. Or how about a locally grown plant?

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Lavenham Guildhall

History

Old photo of Lavenham Guildhall with old woman

History of Lavenham Guildhall 

Discover how the town’s fortunes altered from its 16th-century glory days. Learn how the changes affected the upkeep of the timber-framed buildings, including the Guildhall, which has changed its uses many times over the years.

Wooden sign of bridewell conditions

Orphaned and in trouble 

Our project researchers were amongst a group of fantastic volunteers who have been delving into the Guildhall’s history. They’ve discovered many sad and evocative stories. One in particular was the connections between 12 year old Ann and the property.

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Lavenham Guildhall

Get involved

Volunteer Room Guides at the Guildhall Lavenham

Join our team 

Volunteers from all sorts of backgrounds help us look after our special places. Whatever you'd like to achieve whether it is a one-off or a longer term commitment for yourself, or with friends and family, we'd love you to be part of it.

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Lavenham Guildhall

Our work

Upper storey and gable of Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk

A look at limewashing 

Limewashing is carried out on many of Lavenham’s timber-framed buildings, including the Guildhall. Discover why we do this and how this traditional finish fits in with our conservation principles.

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