Lavenham Guildhall

Spot butterflies in Dyehouse Field, also known as the Woodland Project, and lots of bird species along the disused railway line as you follow this circular walk starting at the Guildhall.

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

Walk amid wildflowers, birds and animals along the disused Great Eastern railway line between two medieval ‘wool’ villages, starting at the Guildhall and finishing at Melford Hall, Long Melford.

Unlocking the past at Lavenham Guildhall

What you see in the preserved medieval buildings of Lavenham today is the result of a chain of curious circumstances stretching back over 600 years.

Step back into a rural landscape, seen through the eyes of local resident Francis Lingard Ranson. His collection of monochrome images portrays village life in Lavenham and is wonderful record of the first half of the twentieth century. He was instrumental in founding The Lavenham Preservation Society and his fascinating pictorial legacy faithfully echoes the Lavenham you see today.

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.

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.

Amazingly there were trains running between Melford and Lavenham and beyond in each direction for more than 100 years until closure in the 1960s. The arrival of the railway brought great change, and proved vital during the war years. Now you can discover the rich legacy of steam and learn about the flora and fauna that have taken over the tracks by visiting our new exhibition in the community room at the 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.

Stories from across almost 500 years of Suffolk history form a major new visitor experience, which is now open at Lavenham Guildhall. Real life characters are used to tell the story of Lavenham and its Guildhall from the boom of the medieval cloth trade through five centuries to modern day.

Make a personal donation today and help us to support this fine medieval building and the stories of the characters that have influenced its history.

If you have an existing membership, we’ve made it easier and quicker to renew online. So you can enjoy another year of membership in minutes.