Babergh District

Babergh District is a local government district in Suffolk, England. In 2021 it had a population of 92,300. Wikipedia.

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Top destinations in Babergh District

1. Long Melford

Top attractions in Babergh District

1. Flatford Mill

Building

Sights & Landmarks

Early-1700s riverside mill once owned by family of artist John Constable & used in his paintings.

2. Kentwell Hall

4.6

(1250)

Nature & Parks

Event venue

Red brick stately home hosting historical re-enactments and events with parkland, gardens and farm.

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Absolutely wonderful. It takes about an hour to tour the entire mansion but is well worth it. Everything is true period pieces, not replicas, and the gardens are equally as impressive.

Lynda Nunez — Google review

This is a lovely and beautiful place to visit. Although there have been many restorations through the years, which make it hard to really guess what’s original, you get a great sense of history and tradition. And also how it must have been to live in such a beautiful place back in the 1500’s. What particularly stands out are the gardens. They are all that you come to expect from an English garden. And more. Green, lush and full of beautiful flowers and plants. This place is nice to visit with the family. Definitely recommended!

Marc Lelieveld — Google review

Fabulous day out at the stunning Kentwell Hall on Easter Monday with my 12 yr old daughter. Really interesting looking around the house and talking to the Tudor actors about medieval life. Great time of year to visit with the lambs and beautiful daffodils. The gardens were lovely. Delicious cakes in the tearoom too. Definitely recommend, especially on event days like this as lots to see and do.

Kerry Harbrow — Google review

Lovely privately owned house and garden just on the edge of Long Melford, also has a tea room, walled garden with ancient apple trees, nice walks round the grounds and some fabulous topiary hedges it even has a moat round the house so if someone from just stop oil is there and they fall in you can save them by taking your foot off their heads, that's if you wanted to 😳. Definitely visit.

Honest Opinion — Google review

Marvellous. Absolutely amazing. Real feel of a tudor building which is still used as a family home. Many fully furnished rooms open to the public in a house fully surrounded with a beautiful moat. There are formal gardens beyond. This is a most excellent historic home visit for all the family. Every room contains a description by the owner of the history of the room and the renovations the family has made. (Our country and history are reliant on such committed and caring people) Tea room does everything you might want but is IMHO a little pricey. There is the picnic area as an alternative. The house and gardens have limited opening hours so check first. Our best day out on a Suffolk holiday.

MikeHt1000 — Google review

Beautiful tudor building which is being lovingly restored by its current custodians. It is so huge I seriously do not envy them the task. Different from a lit of stately homes or historic houses in that the family still use the whole building which is nice. Beautiful grounds too and a super friendly darling of a horse! This is a working farm roo so sheep and pigs are around to look at. So sweet seeing the little lambs. Well worth a visit.

Adele James — Google review

An epic day out for going back in time and appreciating our heritage. The Tudor reenactments are superb and the team live it so well. Never a dull moment here. Great grounds and lots to learn. Fully recommended.

G M — Google review

An amazing place to visit. I really enjoyed walking around the gardens and admiring the beautiful daffodils and fruit trees in bloom. I also loved the way the 'Tudors' were so informative and managed to maintain the act of speaking as though in Medieval times. I was particularly enthralled by the two alchemists making a small quantity of gunpowder and telling us how, and what, an alchemist would have studied in Tudor times. Thanks too to the ladies who showed me how to attach a ruff and to the lady who was entrusted to read and scribe letters in the Middle Ages. Fascinating. The house is incredibly interesting and serves as a perfect example of how landowners and their staff would have lived in the time of Henry VIII. Seeing the lambs and sheep too, was a highlight - we even caught a glimpse of a hare speeding across the land, some pigs and a peacock too. Wel Kentwell hall is worth a visit. The cafe is reasonably priced with good food and desserts and the whole venue is great for children.

Gill Atacocugu — Google review

A beautiful, well maintained place! It looks great on a sunny day and the house is very grand. The tickets were so expensive! They close at 4pm, which is early. Instead of charging lots of money, perhaps you could stay open longer? They put in a lot of time and effort into the Halloween event. Was very impressed. There is a decent cafe, which is cheap and fast serving, but quite a limited menu. A brilliant day out!

Toby robson — Google review

I love bringing friends here! It's just like everyone popped out for half an hour when you walk around. So we'll preserved and presented! Impressive throughout, lovely grounds and my favorite tree carved in such an amazing way! Highly recommend a visit here!!!!

Geoff Grove — Google review

This is a lovely place to visit. The grounds and the gardens are stunning and the house itself is so interesting. The owners' love and passion for the house shines through all the information that you see. The little information sheets in each room are very well judged to give you just enough detail to keep you interested and help you understand the significant points of what you're seeing. And Kentwell has a lovely Cafe area enhanced by a visiting peacock!

Angela Leonard — Google review

Very educational and a very well worth place to visit. The staff were all in Tudor costume which made the experience even more enjoyable, you can visit different parts of the halls buildings to see first hand how the Tudors worked back in those days. It is NOT EH ot NT so you must pay to enter. The car park area is a pleasant place to have a picnic if not to busy. Be warned, in some rooms you may experience something??👻 But this is a very pleasant day out.

Ricky Bull — Google review

Beautiful Tudor home and gardens full of furnishings from the period. They have amazing reenactment events throughout the year and are always true to the period and interactive. We love coming here and will return again! I highly recommend a visit.

Kris — Google review

Very educational, great full day out! Really takes you back in time with the volunteers in old fashioned costumes. Had a great time. Well worth a visit with or without children

Mandy Davey — Google review

Excellent fun at Easter. The 'Tudors' played their part well and remained in character all day. Games for the children were fun and well organised. Really good fun.

Steve Walsh — Google review

An absolutely amazing place and a real hidden gem. We loved that we could walk around without anyone watching over us in the moat house and the house, but being respectful to this being a family home. I have never taken so many photos and said OMG so many times in each room. We only came across two members of staff, one in the ticket office and the other in the tea room and both ladies were very friendly and helpful. We will definitely be revisiting.

Sheila Hammond — Google review

Great family day out over Easter. The Easter egg hunt was a great way to make sure the kids explored the grounds. All reenactment actors were great and very interactive and told you how things were done. The grounds are really fun to explore especially the small holding where they had 3 week old lambs. Also the Cafe onsite is very good value considering there is nothing else around.

Adrian Gray — Google review

Fantastic day out with kids aged 6, 7 and 12 yo. Beautiful house full of interesting things. Great games to play on the lawn. Kids loved feeding the fish and playing on the maze. Garden absolutely stunning. Would love to return.

Natalie Lowdell — Google review

Unfortunately bought tickets for the Easter Monday.. but couldn't go due to getting the Flu..But I know this place is Fantastic, a Great place for an interesting Day out with the Family. Beautiful Gardens, Fantastic House, Lovely Tudors!! Been going since I was at Junior School.. I'm 51yrs now!! It's Brilliant, been to a 1940's open air concert too Absolutely Recommend, you'll Love it if you Love our History!! Don't forget your Groat's tho!! For the Time Tunnel!!😉☺️☺️

Samantha Piech — Google review

We were lucky to visit on a Tudor life weekend. Many volunteers dress in authentic costume and carry out the tasks that were essential to daily life. There are musicians, potters, spinners, weavers, metal workers, cooks, dairy, etc. , all working, but ready to tell you what they are doing and why. Even if we had visited on an ordinary weekend, there would still have been plenty to see in the house, its working buildings and gardens.

Susan Bell — Google review

3. National Trust - Lavenham Guildhall

4.6

(935)

Museum

Sights & Landmarks

National Trust-run meeting house for medieval guilds with a courtyard garden, tearoom and gift shop.

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Great afternoon spent here. Good place to come when weather is foul. Has a bookshop and tearoom within the same building. Toilets are also here. Especially impressed with staff who were happy to inform us of the local history of the building and characters associated with it, a very good rapour with us. A surprising variety of artefacts found in each room, images taken. Was particularly interested in the train information associated with Lavenham and surrounding area. Great place to take pictures of such interesting things. The small tearoom is located to the left of the building and you can eat in or out. Do take time to look at the tearoom gardens as a nice place to sit and eat in. Have included some images of the gardens. Yes definitely a place l will revisit again. As regards parking there is some street parking, but it is a popular location and is often busy with tourists. Small car park can also be found further down the road. Guess what it is actually free!!! Well done for NOT cashing in on your visitors Lavenham.

Ann Presence — Google review

Lavenham Guildhall is a lovely timber and frame building set in a stunning medieval village. It is a worthy location to spend your time while visiting the local area. The staff seem very knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly, which only adds to the experience of your visit. The National Trust owned estate is filled with social history of the building throughout the centuries, from its construction bough about by the towns new found wealth in the woollen cloth trade in the 15th/ 16th centuries, to its conversion to a workhouse in 1787 and finally being used as a social club for American troops during WW2. There is a tea room, book shop and gardens attached to the Guildhall, which are lovely additions to the property. Lavenham Guildhall is a lovely place to visit while in the village and I’d recommend visiting.

Simon Jones — Google review

Love this little village with its sloping houses. Some very odd shapes and architecture but beautiful and a lovely walk through the square and streets.

ashley W — Google review

Just called in for a coffee and sandwich today so didn't visit the guildhall itself although have been before. Its just nice it's all open again. The garden is lovely behind the hall. It's a gem in the very centre of this exquisite charming town.

Mirry Carr — Google review

As soon as you arrive in the market square of this little Suffolk town you can see how the Guildhall dominates it. There are plenty of pretty old buildings in the surrounding streets but nothing as magnificent as this one. The building has had a variety of uses in its lifetime and the museum inside tells its story - the Bridewell element was particularly fascinating with the attitudes to crime and sentencing. There is also an excellent display on the US airforce base that was nearby in WW2. Outside is a pretty garden with an old fire engine and hearse in the outbuildings and a cafe in the courtyard.

Marcus Hurley — Google review

Have to say one we had a really great visit here today.. The guides were very knowledable which made for an insightful glimpse into some varied history. Also had no idea the all white look of the exterior wash was the original and natural look of its time as opposed to the Black n White one I had expected. A small venue yes... but very much more impactful that I had imagined and all the more enjoyable because of its location and surroundings.

Mac — Google review

Absolutely stunning , so many old tudor medieval buildings , great coffee shops , tea rooms , information, walks .

terry norris — Google review

Wonderful tea rooms. A very historic and beautiful village. Great for taking pooch as lots of nice walks and dog friendly tea rooms it's beautiful.

Lynne Marie Rumsey — Google review

Very informative story about the local people and the constantly changing use of the building over the centuries. If you visit on a Thursday you will get to see the lovely ladies spinning wool yarn which has been prepared with a range of natural wool dyes.

Susan Brooks — Google review

I love the history of this place and it's town. If it wasn't for prosperity and decline, these houses would not be here now. A fascinating look back in time. Take time to look at the exhibition to fully take in the relevance, the expectation of prosperity, the change of business, The lows of the decline and poverty to be a convict to be sent to Australia, to be part of the World Wars. Where will the future take this place? Be part of the experience.

Byron Jenkins — Google review

A wonderful property, beautifully maintained and really thoughtfully presented:full of history and fascinating exhibits and knowledgeable, friendly volunteers. Particular thanks to Jeff and Pauline, who were mines of wonderful information, and happy to give us their time and knowledge. A great cafe, and a spectacular little bookshop with some of the best stock we've seen. And wonderfully friendly and helpful staff It may need more than one visit to do it real justice!

David Float — Google review

Finally got to visit this year as we missed it in 2022. Such a fabulous building with so much history woven through it. A very interesting place & definitely worth a visit. Good informative room guides too. A spinning demonstration was happening when we visited which was fascinating.

Motownkat — Google review

Lovely Grade 1 listed building the most important in Lavenham. Full of history. Lovely garden and cafe .

Lorraine Parsons — Google review

Incredible place with lots of history attached, the building itself is amazing and the village as a whole has some beautiful houses. Tea room attached to the Guildhall serves an excellent cream tea and there's a great sun terrace out in the gardens.

Chris Hodson — Google review

A must when in Lavenham. Centrally located, good selection of coffees, teas, cakes. Also beautiful garden with some very interesting stuff in it, I'll leave it fir you to discover. Do not miss the attached museum for a deep insight into the history of the building (some very sad things to discovered, you've been warned).

Shoe Princess — Google review

Excellent example of the way timber framed buildings were adapted to suit the current need. The rooms are tall which confirms the wealth of the constructors. Lots of stories about the people who used the place from the earliest days through to the closing of the railway station after a hundred years use in 1965.

David Hayhow — Google review

Great informative talk by the staff member which really brought the Guildhall to life. Nice to sit in the garden with a cuppa from the cafe.

Zee N — Google review

4. National Trust - Melford Hall

4.5

(1070)

Sights & Landmarks

Garden

Tudor manor house once owned by the family of Beatrix Potter, with a tearoom and extensive gardens.

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Not as Tudor as it might be. Fires, modernization (in Georgian times and in the 1950s) mean that the windows are wrong and some of the rooms are out of scale for Tudor times. But it is still a lovely place to eat cake on the lawn and tread the stairs and the rooms. Nice garden too. At the end of the day I was fortunate to be given a lovely personal guided tour through every room by different volunteers who obviously enjoyed imparting their knowledge and knew it well. A wonderful experience and a credit to all the staff. The lemon, lime and orange cake was a taste from heaven.

Simon ?Red Simon? Geoghegan — Google review

Melford Hall is a lovely estate. It’s not strictly a Tudor building as it’s had centuries of redevelopment and restoration work caused by changes in fashion and also a fire. Nevertheless, it’s a great location to peruse the gardens and historic property. The lawn adjacent to property is a lovely location to spend time with family with its various games, such as croquet, placed there by the National Trust for us to play with. The volunteers are friendly and very informative, and one gave us a guided tour around the grounds whilst talking about Melford Hall’s links to monastic history. There’s a small cafeteria in the property to get food and drink. Melford Hall is a wonderful day to out when visiting the local area.

Simon Jones — Google review

Beautiful gardens and house. Well worth a visit. Good toilet facilities and a tea room too with outdoor seating.

Katherine Schutte — Google review

My wife and I decided to visit Melford Hall, as, to our shame, we only live down the road and have never visited. It was a Friday afternoon and the car park was already getting busy. I imagine at peak times, it would be difficult to get parked. The tour guide volunteers are very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions. It is well worth a visit, as it has an interesting story.

Peter Holmes — Google review

This was a lovely place to visit. I have seen larger houses, and grander houses, but this one has amazing features to enjoy, including a fantastic staircase, which one of the guides encourages people to pose on and feel like a star! The guides in the rooms, and the guide who delivered the introductory talk, were all such friendly people who happily shared their knowledge. The tea rooms were in different rooms (or outside) and felt quite relaxing. The grounds included croquet and a summer folly, which you should try and see for the view from the steps and the quirky appearance. Parking is free. Be aware the house seems to open at midday, although you can go for a walk before. For me, it was the guides who made the £10 admission fee worth the money.

Nicky Hirst — Google review

Good day out, Melford hall is worth a visit. Staff are very helpful, friendly & informative. Worth hearing informal introduction talk by house volunteer to understand the history. Cafe has food options pasties,scones,cake or sandwich. Seating is available inside or outside on the lawn. Formal gardens were smaller than expected but had area's to interest young children as well. Long Melford was also a interesting village with historical buildings.

Lee 900 — Google review

Very interesting nutshell and full talks. We enjoyed the park, the house and the gardens.

Julia Firth — Google review

This is a beautiful house to enjoy, unlike many NT houses, this one felt you could actually live there! The room guides are excellent, adding depth to the experience. We also received the most amazing care, as my husband is recovering from spine surgery, he is not as mobile, we were made to feel that nothing was too much trouble, allowing us to park right outside the Hall & giving him a verbal tour of the upstairs as he couldn't manage the stairs.

Hannah Ghoorahoo — Google review

An interesting National Trust country house with knowledgeable guides in most rooms. We spent a couple of hours here and enjoyed it. Before doing the tour we had a light lunch in the cafe, the food was good and the staff attentive. The only negative was that there appeared to be only two public loos in the whole place.

steve.r hudson — Google review

A lovely day out. The house is really interesting and still feels like a grand family home, the grounds are gorgeous and the food was lovely. All the staff were very friendly and helpful x

Karin Klompe — Google review

Opened at 12 ,lots of people arrived then. Short walk to house. Tea room is small so had to queue but not long. Lovely houses as are the grounds. There is also a walk about a mile you can walk your dog after ,cows in enclosed section so on lead best

Angela Mortimer — Google review

Really interesting history at this National Trust site. Plenty to see in the hall. It had just opened when we arrived so a bit of a queue for the toilets 🚻 Cafe had a great range. I can recommend the cornish pasty 😋 Garden is small but cool. Plenty of outdoor seating. I loved the "dessert tower" and tree lined corridor. Highly recommended

Mark Burgess — Google review

Really beautiful Hall, the guides are lovely lady’s and gents with lots of knowledge about the hall and extremely friendly to us all! Stroll around the outside gardens, lovely history with Beatrix Potter and her stories as well

Mikayla Bryon — Google review

Melford Hall is rather fine, and offers an evidential tour through the centuries, from Reformation to the almost-present. The gardens are limited but fine, with some beautifully planted borders. As with almost every National Trust property, the excellent staff and volunteers range from the incredibly informed to the affably devoted. The cool 50s-decor café was a nice surprise, and the idea of hanging large paintings of old, long deceased antecedents in what were meant to be young ladies' bedrooms was preposterously amusing. Worth the admission!

Adrian Leonard — Google review

This isn’t a huge National Trust property, but still very enjoyable. They appear to have a good army of volunteers in the house and gardens, and we were given a comprehensive talk on the history of the property before we toured round. Several of the rooms had volunteers who were only too happy to tell you about the room. One of the former owners (C19th?) was a keen collector of stained glass and there are some interesting windows made of complete pieces and a number of broken scraps, which have quite a modern feel. The gardens are not big, but there is a nice herbaceous border against a wall and you can just about see the crinkle-crankle wall on the south side.

Susan Bell — Google review

Really enjoyed the visit. Thought only small part of the house is open for public so it was nice surprise to find tgat large part of the first floor is available for viewing. House has light and bright atmosphere. There were two talks available on the day I visited, one about the house in the main hall and one about the garden.

Marketa — Google review

5. Suffolk Food Hall

4.3

(740)

Farm shop

Shopping

Bustling, rustic-style market which includes gourmet food and wine stalls and a chocolate shop.

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Lovely breakfast today at the cookhouse. Presentation of food exquisite and staff smartly dressed and friendly. Looking forward to visiting again soon!

Dianne Green — Google review

Just incredible. The Food Hall was wonderful. The shops inside were top notch. Such a fantastic place to visit. The cafe was lovely, although there was quite a wait before you got served, the food was awesome. I will be visiting again very soon.

Karen Warbis — Google review

Great place for quality food plus a good cafe with indoor and outdoor sitting overlooking the River Orwell and the bridge. Had a decaff tea and coffee which were good flavour. Scone was very nice too!

Richard Twydell — Google review

Had a lovely afternoon tea here for my friend’s baby shower & it was amazing. From the booking to the service it was easy & brilliant. Would highly recommend. Thank you Nick & the team

JaynLanny Nagata — Google review

This is a great place for meals or snacks and all the extra special food items and gifts you might like. It even has a place to buy plants and outdoor bits. Very impressive and excellent quality all round 👌

Pat Whitman — Google review

Location overlooking the River Orwell delightful. The furniture, though, is somewhat redolent of a 1960s cafeteria. The only thing that was missing was the sound of the chairs scraping on the floor. The service was quite slow. We were shewn to our table at around 12:45. The drinks arrived about five minutes later (acceptable). We ordered our food just before 1:00 pm., and then waited till 1:28 pm before our meal arrived. Not acceptable. The experience was saved by the cuisine. Excellent, mouth-watering. It could not be faulted.

Ronnie and — Google review

Lovely stop for a coffee. Our pit stop ended up being 2 hours stay. Great food hall with garden centre, superb coffee, plenty of outdoor seating with gorgeous views. Big field to kick a ball and an inflatable bouncy pillow to keep the children happy

Sharon Crisp — Google review

We have been to the food Hall numerous times over the years - normally on way to somewhere else for a quick stop and some snacks etc. Kids absolutely love playing on the giant jumping pillow thing, and there is such a variety of food in the hall. Food isn't cheap, but it is nice - we always seem to come away with something!! If you want to extend your visit there is also a restaurant, shop, cafe and plants to take a look at - all next to the main food hall area. Pop along on a nice day and there is also a little ice cream kiosk out the front!

Andrew Cartwright — Google review

Great shopping experience for all the family. Many a great gift to purchase here. Great locally sourced food. You can also bring your Mutt. Although dogs are not allowed inside. But there is plenty of outdoor space with the Shotley quay walk being connected. A little expensive but you'd kind of expect that. 👍😃👍

Justin Robinson — Google review

Nice place to meet friends for a coffee and chat. Food hall is clean, well presented and has a variety of foods on offer. There are interesting products in a separate section e.g soft furnishings and gifts.

Dot Holmes — Google review

Nice place with quality food, but avoid if you have any dietary requirements. I visited a few weeks back with my partner for lunch and we got a few items from the deli. The vegetarian samosa my partner purchased had meat in it. It was very clearly labelled as vegetarian, the staff were apologetic and we were given a refund for the one item. I then had to console my now crying partner, who had consumed meat as a vegetarian. Whilst the food is good, you cannot trust any of the ingredients/labelling. If you have allergies or dietary reqirements, do not eat anything from here.

Christian Hannah — Google review

Arrived at 11:16am with our friends and a small child and was told we couldn’t have any breakfast as it stopped at 11:15am. Were given the option of a sandwich menu, which we didn’t really fancy in the morning. Could have been more accommodating, won’t return.

Matt Ridout — Google review

Everything you need from a food hall. Delicious and tempting treats, good selection of food, nice butchers and delicatessen counter. Lovely shop out the back, with nice blankets and wrapping papers, among an array of other special items. Cafe too which is loaded with scones and cakes and makes a mean coffee. Just found out there’s a restaurant out the back too, past the small garden shop, currently closed for a refurb but I will be back to check this out. Fantastic when the sun is shining to have a drink and look over the water and the Orwell bridge.

Mark P — Google review

Wonderful range of Fresh meat, bread, vegetables and fruits all sourced locally and their own farm. Attached large hall with a great selection of household items, books, children's toys and many other items. A very interesting area to wonder round. Good coffee shop, they are building a new seating area out side. A great place to stop off for a break if travelling on A12 west side of Orwell Bridge. I have done a review of the food hall next door. Have a look 👀😉

david Howe — Google review

6. Gainsborough's House

4.5

(258)

Museum

History Museums

Museum covering Gainsborough's early portraiture and landscapes, later works, furniture and effects.

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We'd been waiting for the new Gainsborough's House Gallery and it did not disappoint. The house itself has improved lighting, and even a lift now. There's a new café with a delicious menu.

Jim Froud — Google review

A delightful morning spent at Gainsborough's House in Sudbury. A step back in time and a plus to see Nicole Fargo sculpture exhibition too. Well worth the entrance fee of £7.60 lovely shop but a real treat to see such stunning landscapes by the artist. A beautiful garden ancient mulberry tree and a real sun trap. Well worth a visit.

Carole Dyehouse — Google review

Lovely museum, cafe and shop set in the town of Sudbury. Good selection of old and modern artists' works. Very nice cafe with good selection of food and drinks overlooking a enclosed garden. Worth a visit.

Richard Twydell — Google review

Quirky place not on the main road. Lovely garden with extremely ancient mulberry tree. Similarly ancient house where Gainsborough lived and painted. Can explore all levels of the house which is rich in history of the area and the artists life. Paintings by many famous artists not just Gainsborough but Turner etc

Diana Stannard — Google review

A lovely place. The Flemish exhibition was interesting and beautiful. The staff are helpful and the cafe had gorgeous cakes and coffee.

epona west — Google review

This museum seemed very expensive compared to other museums I have visited. It proudly displays a list of those organisations that it receives grants from, so why hasn’t it got free entry? That said, it is a well maintained museum which has an interesting section on Sudbury’s silk industry. There is a cafe for light refreshments in the garden.

Mark of Norfolk — Google review

Went on a rainy day in January and the exhibitions were brilliant and it went from giggles with James Gillray to calm contemplations with Rebbecca Salter to Amazing beautiful Gainsboroughs..the tour of his birth home and lovely bite to eat in the cafe. Well worth a visit!

Emma — Google review

From 1st visit several years ago, was little disappointed with the amount of artefacts on display associated with Gainsborough himself. The whole of downstairs, seemed to be dedicated to gallery space and whole of top floor is dedicated to John Constable. It maybe several more years before I return. Disappointed!!! (however, we was very impressed with the Quince tree in the garden)

Debbie Ford — Google review

Was a beautiful insight to the famous painter and his life.also a look at the close relationship between Flanders and Suffolk in the special gallery for Belgian painters

Francis Loughrey — Google review

Lovely to visit. Friendly staff. Great opportunity to be close to the masters. House has steep stairs with various rooms leading of the stairs. Cafe worth a visit good selection of food and drinks. Shop for gifts .

Anne G — Google review

Very much enjoyed my visit to the new Gainsborough house. The layout and works in the original house were great examples and well thought out, it was also wonderful to see a room dedicated to Cedric morris. The new gallery was a good space and well used, the exhibition around the history of silk in sudbury was especially interesting and a great insight in to local history. The watering place cafe was perfectly located with great views of the garden and the selection of food and hot drinks was amazing for such a small cafe, really enjoyed the food.

Caroline R — Google review

Superb small museum displaying a range of art and artists not just Gainsborough works. Friendly, helpful, welcoming staff. Good accessibility with lifts to all floors, wide automatic doors, as well as the best sounding staircase I've come across in a museum! Well worth a visit. No on site parking, but local car parks are within 5 minutes walk and offer free parking for up to 3 hours...should be plenty of time for a visit.

Richard Fitch — Google review

An outstanding place to come and see pictures and the historic house and the beautiful modern gallery. We learned lots about Gainsborough and his life and times and appreciated the pictures. The exhibitions of C20th and contemporary artists in the Gallery were a good contrast. The café is well provided. The volunteers are knowledgeable, professional and friendly. We will come again.

Gareth Davies — Google review

Nice and interesting place to visit. From outside you can see great new Investment and interesting Brick from locally Bulmer Brick makes this place looks good. Great Paintings inside.

Lucas — Google review

Well worth a visit. Sudbury would be poorer without it. There is only a small collection of his works but as they are not particularly well known pieces, they are still worth a look. The whole gallery experience is quite a modern one and other exhibitions are on show. There is a particularly interesting one regarding silk manufacturing and design. Indeed Gainsborough's father was a local weaver and this would account for the skill and artistry in representing fabrics on canvas which the artist displayed so well. There's an eatery and shop to round things off with pleasant knowledgeable staff. Do visit.

Brian Daly — Google review

Other notable attractions

Lavenham Falconry

Zoo

Nature & Parks

RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden

Garden

Nature & Parks

Family friendly nature reserve with a wildflower meadow and an orchard designed to nurture wildlife.

Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford

Church

Sights & Landmarks

St Peter and St Paul's Church, Lavenham

Church

Sights & Landmarks

Little Hall Museum, Lavenham

Museum

Specialty Museums

Number Ten Wine Bar and Kitchen

Bistro

Continental restaurant

Flatford: Bridge Cottage

Heritage museum

Sights & Landmarks

Thatched timber frame river cottage from Constable paintings, with an exhibition about the painter.

The Barn At Assington

Cafe

Shopping

The Quay

Performing arts theater

Concerts & Shows

Community theatre on the banks of the river for small-scale plays, comedy and musical performances.

Melford Country Park

Park

Nature & Parks

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Weather in Babergh District

Here's the historical average temperature in Babergh District over a full year based on data compiled by NASA: for more details by month, see the weather in Babergh District in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, or December

Monthly temperature highs and lows in Babergh District

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Plan on the go with our free travel app

With Wanderlog's mobile travel planner on Android and iOS, access and edit your trips wherever you go — even while offline.

Access and edit your trips wherever you go — even without a connection.

4.9 on App Store, 4.7 on Google Play