Sudbury

Sudbury is an ancient market town set in the Stour valley in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town dates back to the time of the Saxons and has a heritage in the weaving and silk industries. This work was particularly important to the area during the late middle ages when market towns like Lavenham were booming due to the wool trade. Part of the explanation for Sudbury’s historic wealth relates to its location – near to the coast for shipping wool exports via the River Stour, and near to London and Colchester for domestic transportation. Sudbury is only fifteen miles from Colchester and has good road and rail links with the rest of the UK, especially London.

A potted history of Sudbury and the Silk connection
Religious persecution of the Huguenots, the French weavers, from 1572 on led to their evacuation to England. At first they settled in the Spitalfields area of East London, most notably Fournier Street, but wages were high and conditions in East Anglia were more favourable due to better water supplies, access to ports, cheaper premises and a good supply of skilled, cheap labour within easy distance of London. So silk production migrated to Sudbury, Nayland, Hadleigh and some parts of Essex, and by 1714 the trade was established in the region. George Courtauld lived in Sudbury and started a silk business nearby in 1798, and Reginald Warner started the Gainsborough Silk Weaving Company in 1903, which is still thriving in Sudbury today.



Sudbury is well known for its natural beauty. Thomas Gainsborough was born here and the surrounding countryside inspired much of his work. The statue at the top of the article is the centrepiece of Sudbury in the market Square, with St Peters Church behind him. His birthplace is now open to the public and has been converted to a museum and art gallery. The collections on show exhibit a large number of Gainsborough's paintings as well as those of other artists. See Gainsborough's House



(above, The Mill Hotel, Sudbury, overlooking the watermeadows - see below for more details)

Another artist who was inspired by the local area was Constable. The River Stour can be seen in much of his work and the meadows in the area provide many opportunities for visitors to take in the scenery. The Croft is one local area that attracts those looking to enjoy the countryside. The green lawn rolls down to join the river where the children will love to feed the ducks and swans.

Click on the link for more information on Gainsborough and Constable



Sudbury itself has a traditional Suffolk mixed architecture – combining Victorian terrace houses, Georgian manor houses and some spectacular medieval timber framed Halls, and even the occasional building from the time of Queen Anne. Three fine medieval churches remain along with an impressive range of timber-framed cloth merchant’s houses and three storey 19th C silk weavers cottages.



There are a wide variety of shops on offer in the town, and the area around North Street is particularly popular. If some of the streets look familiar then it is possible you have spotted them on one of the television programmes that have been filmed here. The most famous series is probably 'Lovejoy'. As you pass by St Peter's Church look out for the drinking trough by the side of the building. This is where the '101 Dalmations' reportedly stopped for a drink as they raced through Suffolk and away from Cruella De Ville.

Belle Vue Park is a lovely spot for kicking back and watching the world go by. There are beautiful lawns and floral displays along with a collection of animals and some aviaries.

Sudbury is delighted to have The Quay Theatre at the heart of its entertainment offering, and you can see a variety of plays and films there throughout the year. Sudbury also has its own Choral Society who hold regular concerts at St Peters - see Music in Suffolk for details of their future programme.


If you are looking for a bite to eat or somewhere to stay in Sudbury, then why not try The Mill Hotel? This Hotel has been recently refurbished to a very high standard and offers great accommodation for families, couples and business travellers. Click on the link above for more information.

For other Sudbury Hotels please see our guide to Sudbury Hotels

Other accommodation includes self catering studios to family run Bed and Breakfasts, and there are plenty of local restaurants to make your stay in Sudbury a break to really remember. Sudbury is an excellent base to explore surrounding Constable country and Flatford Mills as well as Long Melford and Lavenham are both nearby, as is Bury St Edmunds and Hadleigh


Accommodation in Sudbury

Eating Out in Sudbury

What do you like about Sudbury? Please send your thoughts and opinions to suffolkguides.admin@suffolktouristguide.com.