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Melford Hall
An eclectic home, with stories of naval exploits and Beatrix Potter set in picturesque gardens.
Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9AA
Opening times for 7 December 2023
Asset Opening time Melford Hall Closed Garden Closed Tea-room Closed Last admission to site 3.30pm, last admission to house 3.45pm.
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Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £12.10 £11.00 Child £6.10 £5.50 Family £30.30 £27.50 Family One Adult £18.20 £16.50 Group Adult £10.45 Group Child £5.25 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Assistance dogs only
Electric vehicle charging point
Our closest electric charging point is at the Old School Car Park CO10 9DX.
Book shop
Tea room
Car park
Toilet
Blue Badge parking and drop-off available. Accessible toilet. Ground floor of the house and parts of the garden accessible.
Accessible route and/or map
Accessible route
Level access/terrain
Accessible toilet
An accessible toilet is available in the North Wing of the House
Narrow corridors
Designated parking
5 accessible spaces are available at the front of the house
Photograph album
Photograph album available of upstairs rooms
Drop-off point
Visitors can be dropped off at the front of the house
Ramped access/slopes
A ramp is available to access the ground floor of the house
Induction loop
An induction loop is available at Visitor Reception and in the Tea Room
Steps/uneven terrain
Large print (guide or menu)
Wheelchairs available
Manual wheelchairs are available to borrow from the house
Level access to food outlet
Via a ramp
By road
Entrance to car park and grounds opposite village green, off the A134 - 14 miles from Bury St Edmunds, 4 miles from Sudbury
Parking: free
On foot
5 mile Railway Walk linking Long Melford with Lavenham. Walk takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
By train
Station Road, Sudbury, CO10 6SU is 4 miles away, approximately ten minutes by taxi to Melford Hall
By bus
Mondays to Saturdays from Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds train station. Closest bus stop adjacent to The Bull Hotel. Local bus timetables: http://www.suffolkonboard.com/timetables_leaflets/timetables_by_area
Planning your visit
Events at Melford Hall
Discover our range of upcoming events from seasonal trails to educational talks.
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Group visits to Melford Hall
Book a group visit to Melford Hall in advance and you can enjoy benefits including group rates and a personal welcome from one of the team. Find out how to book and more.
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Visiting Melford Hall with your dog
Melford Hall is a one pawprint rated place. Here, you can find all the information you need about bringing your dog to this National Trust estate.
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Highlights
House
Imposing red-brick mansion in the Suffolk countryside, home to the Hyde Parker family for over 300 years.
Garden
Walled gardens with herbaceous borders, woodland corner and lawns with topiary, espaliered fruit trees and a reflecting pond.
Tea-room
Tea-room with indoor and outdoor seating, serving hot and cold drinks, cakes, ice creams, lunches and cream teas.
Second-hand bookshop
Bookshop stocked full of pre-loved books.
Parkland Walk
One-mile parkland walk taking in views of the Suffolk countryside, village and resident cattle and sheep.
Banqueting House
17th-century octagonal Tudor banqueting house, set in the grounds overlooking the village green.
Things to see and do
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Things to see in Melford Hall
Explore Melford Hall, which was ravaged by fire in 1942 and brought back to life as a much-loved home to the family who have lived here for over 300 years.
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Explore the garden and park at Melford Hall
Explore Melford Hall and enjoy a gentle stroll around the garden or a brisk walk in the park. Then pause on the north lawn to enjoy the views of the wider estate and wildlife.
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Family-friendly things to do at Melford Hall
Walks, picnics and discovering Beatrix Potter stories in the house are just some of the things you can do on a family day out at Melford Hall.
Top trails
Trail
Melford Hall estate park walk
Take in the splendour of the ancient former hunting park of Melford Hall, and the impressive 15th-century Holy Trinity church, on this scenic walk around the estate.
Trail
Melford Hall countryside walk
Enjoy views of open fields, gently rolling hills, beautiful vistas, distant churches and clear running brooks on a walk through Suffolk countryside.
Trail
Melford Hall Windmill Hill walk
Take in the Suffolk countryside on this circular walk, with hidden gems, woodland, open fields and spectacular views.
Trail
Melford Hall to Sudbury Mill walk
Enjoy an exhilarating walk from Long Melford through Sudbury's famed water meadows, passing old watermills before ending at Gainsborough's House and then his statue in Sudbury Market Place.
Trail
Melford Hall to Lavenham railway walk
Follow the route of the old Great Eastern Railway from Long Melford to Lavenham and look out for a wide variety of birds and even deer if you are lucky, in their natural habitat.
Eating
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Eating at Melford Hall
The tea-room at Melford Hall in Suffolk is the ideal place to treat yourself to a cuppa and a tasty treat before, during or after your visit.
Places to stay
Horringer Park Gates
Stay in this characterful Georgian cottage, once the home of the Ickworth estate gatekeeper.
Ickworth Keeper's Cottage
Escape city life in this Victorian cottage set on the Ickworth estate and surrounded by farmland.
Ickworth Gardens House
An idyllic stay on the Ickworth estate with a lakeside garden and homely interior.
Carpenters Cottage
A Victorian farm cottage set on the Ickworth estate and finished with an elegant décor.
The Round House
Cosy up in this folky rotunda deep in the woodlands of the Ickworth Estate.
About Melford Hall
It’s fair to say that Melford Hall has had its share of trials and tribulations, but it’s thanks to many generations from medieval monks to the Hyde Parker family who still live here, that this home still stands.
Around every corner there’s a new twist in the story – from Beatrix Potter sketches to collections of naval paintings and Chinese porcelain – everything tells a story and everyone has left their mark.
Devastated by fire in 1942, it was nurtured back to life by the Hyde Parker family and it remains their much loved family home to this day. It is their stories of family life at Melford – from visits by their cousin Beatrix Potter through to our visitors today that make this house more than bricks and mortar.
History
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History of Melford Hall
Explore the history of Melford Hall and trace its evolution through the centuries, from its ownership by Benedictine monks to its royal connections and visits by Beatrix Potter.
Support us
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Volunteer opportunities at Melford Hall
Want to help make sure that visitors have the best possible visit to Melford Hall? Find out what’s involved in being a volunteer and how you can apply to join the team.