09 December 2023 , 08:19
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One of the UK's best-preserved medieval villages set the scene for Hermione Granger to meet Bathilda Bagshot in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 – and has much more to offer besides.
Nestled in the heart of the Suffolk countryside between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury, the village of Lavenham dates back to Saxon times but is best known as a medieval wool town. From the late 15th century Lavenham was said to be the fourteenth wealthiest town in England and enjoyed staggering success in the wool and cloth trades despite its small size.
Once Dutch refugees in Colchester began weaving lighter, cheaper and more fashionable cloth, however, Lavenham suffered a downturn from which its woolen industry would never fully recover.
Lavenham's Guildhall dates back to the late 15th century and is now a major tourist attraction (Cambridge News)As a result, most of the Tudor-era architecture in Lavenham today is unaltered, and the town itself is on much the same scale as it was during the 15th century. The market place is dominated by the late 15th-century timber-framed Lavenham Guildhall, a Grade I listed municipal building and National Trust property that now houses a museum dedicated to the history of Lavenham – having previously served as a prison, workhouse, and wool store.
Among Lavenham's extensive roll call of more than 300 listed buildings is De Vere House, one of the most photographed houses in Britain thanks to its (fictional) status as Harry Potter's birthplace. There's also the enormous 15th-century St Peter and St Paul's Church, which features kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows and was awarded four stars by author Simon Jenkins in his 1999 book England's Thousand Best Churches.
Beauty spot café perched by edge of cliff forced to move due to coastal erosion
Lavenham provided the backdrop to scenes in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (Cambridge News)Lavenham is also home to dining options galore, from The Swan (the go-to for fine dining, whether that be a slap-up Sunday roast or afternoon tea) to Sparling & Faiers (for freshly baked goods). And those partial to a drink can enjoy a pint in The Cock Horse Inn's beer garden, voted best Pub and Restaurant in Suffolk.
A recent survey of 9,000 people by consumer choice brand Which? placed Lavenham as one of the top 10 villages in the UK across seven categories, including scenery, food and drink, peace and quiet, tourist attractions, and value for money.