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Lavenham Guildhall
One of the most spectacular timber framed buildings of medieval England at the heart of village life
Market Place, Lavenham, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9QZ
Important notice
From Monday 7 July until Tuesday 15 July we will be refurbishing our accessible toilet. The Guildhall and Tea-room will be open as normal. The nearest accessible toilet is in the Prentice Street Car Park.
Opening times for 5 July 2025
Asset Opening time Guildhall 10:00 - 16:00 Tea-room 10:00 - 16:00 Last admission to the Guildhall 3:30pm and last orders in Tea-room 3:45pm
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Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £11.00 £10.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £5.50 £5.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £27.50 £25.00 Family One Adult (1 adult & up to 3 Children) £16.50 £15.00 Group (Adult 18+) £9.50 Group (Child 5-17) £4.75 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Assistance dogs only
- Bookshop
- Electric vehicle charging point
Closest charging points Gas works car park on Water Street CO10 9RN Church Street Car Park CO10 9SA
- Tea-room
- Toilet
Drop-off point available. Accessible toilet. Ground floor of Guildhall and parts of garden accessible.
- Accessible toilet
- Drop-off point
Visitors can be dropped off outside the Guildhall entrance
- Induction loop
- Virtual tour
- By road
Take the A1141 off the A1134 which will take you directly into Lavenham High street, then take the turning for Water Street followed by Lady Street which leads you into the Market square, and the Guildhall is straight in front of you.
Parking: Free parking in the village, there is some on street parking as well as some car parks around the village if the Market Place outside the Guildhall is full.
Sat Nav: Postcode CO10 9QZ
- On foot
4 mile 'Railway Walk' links Lavenham with Long Melford
- By train
Sudbury 7 miles
- By bus
Chambers 753 Bury St Edmunds to Colchester (passes close Bury St Edmunds train station and Sudbury train station)
- Cycling
South Suffolk Cycle Route A1
Planning your visit
Events at Lavenham Guildhall
See what's on at Lavenham Guildhall, from our regular spinning demonstrations and walks to our seasonal trails.
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Family-friendly things to do at Lavenham Guildhall
Educational and fun, there's lots for every member of the family to enjoy on a day out at Lavenham Guildhall.
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Visiting Lavenham Guildhall with your dog
Dogs are welcome at Lavenham Guildhall, but we ask that you follow our guidance in order to keep everyone happy and safe. To find out more, read on.
Group Visits to Lavenham Guildhall
Groups are welcome at Lavenham Guildhall, when booked in advance. To do so, please call or email the property.
Highlights
Guildhall
16th-century timber framed Guildhall, exploring the stories of those who have used the building over the last 500 years.
Tea-room
Cosy tea-room with indoor and outdoor seating serving hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice creams, lunches and cream teas.
Courtyard garden
Courtyard garden with outdoor seating, bug hotel and borders planted with traditional dye plants.
Second-hand bookshop
Bookshop stocked full of pre-loved books, CDs and DVDs.
Spotlight events
Essex Cultural Diversity Project - Lavenham Guildhall Commission: Call for Proposals
Essex Cultural Diversity Project and the National Trust invite proposals from creative practitioners for a new commission responding to Lavenham Guildhall, a National Trust site in Suffolk. The Guildhall is of great historical significance, emphasised by its location within this renowned historical wool town, and today is enjoyed by around 25,000 visitors per year, as well as featuring as the backdrop to numerous films. We are looking for a project that can connect the past, present and future of the Guildhall; one which recognises the significance of the building’s unique history; explores its current relevance to the local context and can engage both existing and potential communities; and a project that can help articulate shared visions for the future. Budget: £10,000 Deadline: Tuesday 10 June 2025 Follow link for further information.
Spinning Demonstrations
Every Thursday our spinning volunteers demonstrate the traditional art of spinning wool into the yarn that we see and recognise today. You’ll usually find them in the Main Hall, where you can ask questions to learn more about the history and process of creating traditional cloth and its vital role in Lavenham's past.
Discover Medieval Lavenham - Guided Walks
Discover the medieval history of Lavenham on an engaging guided walk of the village with one of our knowledgeable volunteer guides. Every Friday from 16 May, at 14:00. Booking essential - please note availability is limited to approx 10 places per walk.
Lavenham in the 16th Century
Come and explore a fascinating chapter in Lavenham’s history in our new community room exhibition, 'Lavenham in the 16th Century'. During the height of the wool trade, Lavenham was thriving. It became one of the 14th wealthiest places in England, contributing more in taxes than the cities of Lincoln and York. But things didn’t stay that way. This exhibition tells the story of how Lavenham’s fortunes changed dramatically, leaving behind an incredible legacy of more than 300 listed buildings - and a village full of stories, as we celebrate the 500-year anniversary since the completion of St Peter and St Paul’s Church this year.
Things to see and do
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Things to do in Lavenham Guildhall and village
From the medieval Guildhall of Corpus Christi to the winding, hidden lanes and historic architecture, there's plenty to discover on a visit to Lavenham village.
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Family-friendly things to do at Lavenham Guildhall
Educational and fun, there's lots for every member of the family to enjoy on a day out at Lavenham Guildhall.
Top trails
Trail
Lavenham to Long Melford railway walk
Walk amid wild flowers, 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.
Trail
Lavenham Woodland walk
Spot rare butterflies and countryside views worthy of Constable, as you explore the woodland community project and an old railway line trail around Lavenham.
Eating
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Eating at Lavenham Guildhall
Take a break and enjoy coffee and cake when you visit Lavenham Guildhall. Sit outside in the sunny Courtyard Garden or relax inside the Tudor tea-room.
Places to stay
The Round House
Cosy up in this folky rotunda deep in the woodlands of the Ickworth Estate.
Horringer Park Gates
Stay in this characterful Georgian cottage, once the home of the Ickworth estate gatekeeper.
Ickworth Gardens House
An idyllic stay on the Ickworth estate with a lakeside garden and homely interior.
Upcoming events
Event
Discover Medieval Lavenham - Guided Walks
Discover the medieval history of Lavenham on an engaging guided walk of the village with one of our knowledgeable volunteer guides.
Event
Summer of Play at Lavenham Guildhall
Step into the past and let imaginations run wild with Summer of Play at Lavenham Guildhall.
About Lavenham Guildhall
Set in the lovely village of Lavenham, the Guildhall of Corpus Christi tells the story of one of the best-preserved and wealthiest towns in Tudor England.
When you step inside this fine timber-framed building, you'll feel the centuries melt away. You can discover the stories of the people who have used the Guildhall through its almost-500 years at the heart of its community, and learn about the men and women who have shaped the fortunes of this unique village.
After, you can explore the picturesque streets of Lavenham, lined with shops, galleries and more than 320 buildings of historic interest.
History
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History of Lavenham Guildhall
Immerse yourself in 500 years of colourful history at Lavenham Guildhall. Discover the people that shaped the unique building and the nature of Lavenham itself.
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History of Lavenham village
Uncover the history of Lavenham village, once a thriving centre of the prosperous ‘blew’ cloth trade and home to the little-known author of a world-famous nursery rhyme.
Art and collections
Lavenham Guildhall’s objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Lavenham Guildhall on the National Trust Collections website.
Our work
Article
Limewashing at Lavenham Guildhall
Learn about the process of limewashing at Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk, why it’s so important for timber-framed buildings and how we carry out the project every five years.
Support us
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Volunteer opportunities at Lavenham Guildhall
Volunteers play a vital role in helping us to look after Lavenham Guildhall. Find out what's involved in being a volunteer, and how you can apply to join the team.