The beautiful little UK village “stuck in the 1400s” is one of the prettiest in England, according to various publications and travel bloggers, including the Independent and Mylifelongholiday.
Lavenham in Suffolk, an area covered in ancient woodlands and countryside, is one of the best-preserved medieval villages in England. It has tiny streets lined by timber-framed buildings and a large market square surrounded by medieval and Tudor halls.
The village was once one of the wealthiest in Tudor England due to the wool industry. Manufacturers became known for their striking blue cloth which used dye from the woad plant.
In addition to being featured as Godric’s Hollow in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One, the market village is dominated by the 15th-century timber-framed Lavenham Guildhall.
This Grade I listed municipal building and National Trust property 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 included in England’s Thousand Best Churches.
Lavenham has a lively community and is notable for its independent shops, cafés and restaurants which make the location popular with visitors.
Visitors can also stroll along the woodland and railway walks, with Lavenham deep in the heart of ‘Constable country’ (made famous by the landscape artist John Constable).
They can also go on tours of other local wool villages or visit the larger towns of Sudbury or Bury St Edmunds for further history and culture.
There is no shortage of places to stay with accommodations ranging from boutique hotels and manor house getaways to B&Bs and glamping pods.