LOCAL TOURISM A SHORT GUIDE TO SIGHTSEEING THINGS TO DO WALKS SHOPPING SUDBURY SPORT & LEISURE Ancient Suffolk Market Town EVENTS STREET MAP Birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough

Published by The Sudbury Society udbury is a thriving and ancient radiating from it, particularly North Smarket town set in the heart of the Street. Market Hill itself is a fine River Stour valley and well known as public space, although perhaps its the home of Thomas Gainsborough. architecture is best appreciated on Further down river a Sunday morning when it is quieter is the landscape and there are fewer cars about. which inspired John On Thursdays and Saturdays Constable. The Market Hill is crowded with stalls for whole valley area is today designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Morris dancing outside the Mill Hotel An Iron Age settlement once occupied the high ground in Sudbury, roughly between The Croft and Stour Street, but the foundation of the present town dates Gardens in School Street from the Middle Saxon period. The the long-established markets which present semi- attract shoppers from the town circular street and the surrounding villages and pattern represents communities. successive A short walk down Gainsborough expansions of the Street is Gainsborough’s House, the town in Saxon and painter’s birthplace, now an excellent Norman times. museum and gallery. From Friars The medieval Street, with its elegant Georgian woollen cloth façades, you may turn down Quay

Salter's Hall and Chantry, Stour Street industry, the Lane to reach another coming of the river navigation and of Sudbury’s special the railway and the19th century features, the area silk industry, all helped to generate round The Quay. prosperity and contributed to the For two centuries the unique and diverse building heritage River Stour Navigation that is Sudbury’s pride. For example, was the main artery there are three fine medieval of the town and a busy churches and impressive timber- barge traffic linked the framed cloth merchants' houses but town with the sea. also many terraces of three-storey Here one old 19th century silk weavers' cottages warehouse has been converted to where the weavers worked at their a theatre and the other into the hand looms lit by the wide, first-floor headquarters of the River Stour Trust. windows. Whilst being proud of its heritage The main shopping area centres Sudbury does not live in the past and

Gainsborough’s statue Gainsborough’s on Market Hill and the streets has many other attractions.

1 More information can be found at www.sudburysuffolk.co.uk With ample 3-hour free parking WHAT’S close to the centre, there is a wide range of specialist small shops, often independently run, as well as many SPECIAL High Street names. The town centre ABOUT SUDBURY? Market Hill

also has an array of restaurants and and within a few minutes be enjoying cafés to suit all tastes, and friendly the peace and quiet beauty of the local pubs serving East Anglian beers. ancient 'Common Lands' bounding Visiting families might explore Belle the river, which loops around the Vue Park, one of the town’s hidden town. A place to sit and picnic, fish attractions yet only a few minutes or take a leisurely stroll. This close walk from Market Hill. The Kingfisher relationship of town and country is Leisure Centre is in Station Road one of Sudbury’s unique features and with free parking and Waitrose makes it such a special place both for supermarket nearby. On the edge residents and visitors. of town along the eastern bypass there are a growing number of large stores and other commercial outlets. The town won the coveted Anglia in Boat rides on the Stour Bloom Award in 2001 and 2002. We have left perhaps the best thing to last. Sudbury has a vibrant commercial heart yet the visitor, on foot, can easily leave behind the bustle of North Street and Market Hill in any of a number of directions

2 Sudbury’s ‘Common Land’s’ looking towards the Mill Hotel 1 The Town Hall A dignified and tools against a stook of sheaves. It was elegant expression of local civic saved from demolition and skilfully pride dating from 1826, the Town Hall converted into a Library in 1969. In faces St Peter’s Church. At the side, addition to the normal lending services down Gaol Lane, is the Town Council there are local and family history Advice Centre 01787 372331. Further research facilities and free access to the down, through the entrance to what internet. 01787 296000 was once the old Town Gaol, is the 6 Gainsborough’s House Tourist Information Centre 01787 881320, Thomas Gainsborough, one of and Town Heritage Centre. The TIC England’s most celebrated artists was born here in 1727 and indeed 1 has leaflets for the Talbot Trail, ,which starts here, and nearby Weavers Piece, much of his early work depicted a garden celebrating Sudbury's long local scenes and people.The house is history of textile making. entered via Weavers Lane. It is now 2 St Peter’s Church dominates a national museum dedicated to the the eastern end of the market place, a artist. Here you will find more of the building of splendid proportions and artist’s paintings, drawings and prints lovingly cared for by The Friends of St on display than anywhere else in the Peter’s. Although now redundant it is world. The House also offers visitors a a lively venue for concerts, exhibitions, lively programme of contemporary art craft fairs and other local events. exhibitions, a gift shop and a coffee Usually open on Market Days; you shop. Next door is the Gainsborough’s House Print Workshop where you can 2 can get the key at other times (see notice at the door). Inside, there is a often find printmakers working their feeling of spaciousness and height with presses. Behind, there is a tranquil fine timber roofs to admire and much walled garden with an ancient mulberry else of interest. Outside, the statue tree. 01787 372958 of Thomas Gainsborough, palette in 7 St Gregory’s Church hand, gazes down Market Hill towards Christians have worshipped on this site his birthplace. On the north side of the for well over 1,000 years; Bishop Aelfhun church is the famous drinking trough visited Sudbury in 797 AD. (He died where, in the book 101 Dalmatians, here and you can see his statue just Pongo and Missis took a drink at midnight. outside the churchyard wall on The 3 Sudbury Market On Thursdays Croft.) The grisly relic of the head of and Saturdays all is noise and bustle as Simon of Sudbury is kept locked in the stall holders arrive and Market Hill the vestry. Simon founded a college for 3 begins to fill with shoppers. Many local priests here and became Archbishop markets are a shadow of their former of Canterbury and then Chancellor of selves; Sudbury’s retains a rich England. His introduction of the, poll vitality and vibrancy. This area has tax contributed to the Peasants Revolt been a market place since the in 1381 and his beheading at the hands 14th century. of a London mob. Inside the church note 4 Auction Off the market the fine carved misericords, chancel place, down Burkitts Lane, is stalls and 15th century font cover (the the Auction Room. Until quite tallest in Suffolk). recently local livestock was still 8 The Croft and Mill Acre being brought for sale here; The Croft is a large, triangular green what survives today are the sloping down to the mill cut where regular auctions of household children love to feed the many ducks 6 goods and personal effects, and swans. It has been an open space held on alternate Thursdays. for centuries. Fairs were held here Auctioneers 01787 880305 until 1862 when the Borough Council 5 Sudbury Library decided that “they had deteriorated This fine building dominates into mere pleasure fairs to the the western end of Market hindrance of the trade of the town”. Hill, embodying what The fine oak trees may look ancient Nicolas Pevsner called but were actually planted in 1902 “the early Victorian sense to commemorate the Coronation of of security, superiority King Edward VII. and prosperity”. For over Over the footbridge is Mill Acre, where there is a boating pond, 8 100 years it was the Corn Exchange; look up high picnic place and, beyond, the on the façade for the wide expanse of Great group of reclining Fullingpit Meadow beckoning NB photo numbers link to text and map reapers resting with their the walker. 3 9 Belle Vue Park, in the grounds on the north side. In the tree-lined of Belle Vue House, has attractive churchyard is the Gainsborough family WHAT TO SEE formal and informal gardens with large tomb. Inside, there is a areas for relaxing, picnicking or casual beautifully proportioned ball games. A wide range of leisure and nave, each arch decorated play facilities are provided including with shields, floral devices AROUND toddler and children’s playgrounds, a and crowns. There is also a SUDBURY skateboard park, trim trail, cable ride, rare pre-Reformation pulpit, a stunning tennis and basketball courts and a lectern in the form of a standing angel putting green. All ages can enjoy the and a finely carved set of screens. Pet Area. Toilets on site; park open all 14 Ballingdon Bridge The design of this stunning new bridge, opened the year round until dusk. Belle, Vue House now houses the Citizens Advice in 2003, was chosen from five entries Bureau. in a RIBA competition. Viewed from 10 The Kingfisher Leisure Centre the water meadows, its quiet and This is one of the Eastern Region’s gentle profile seems to hover over premier indoor water-based leisure the water. Excavations in preparation facilities. This impressive building for building the new bridge revealed overlooks Friars Meadow and the a succession of bridges on this site, start of the Valley Walk.The pool has back as far as a stone bridge, first a shallow beach area, a wave machine mentioned in 1180, providing bridge and flumes. Other attractions include a tolls for Amicia, Countess of Clare, who sauna and spa bath, sunbeds, Harper’s founded a hospital on the north bank. A fitness gym and a refreshment area succession of bridges followed, some of 7 offering both hot and cold food. There wood, others of stone or brick. Because is also a crêche where Centre users may the River Stour was the boundary in leave young children for up to 2 hours. Saxon times between the South Folk Ample free parking. 01787 375656 (Suffolk) and the East Saxons () 11 The Quay Theatre, occupying there were constant disputes about a restored Georgian warehouse standing who was responsible for the bridge’s on a backwater of the Stour, Sudbury’s upkeep and it was in a continual state own theatre is the home of Sudbury of disrepair for centuries. Ballingdon, Dramatic Society which puts on regular the attractive community beyond the performances. The SDS is a talented bridge, only became part of Suffolk in amateur group that has won ‘Best Play’ the mid 19th century. 15 in the National Drama Festival Awards. The Valley Walk Today the 9 You can enjoy evening entertainment links the town with here with a stimulating programme of the main line to Liverpool Street. Before drama and music by local performers, Dr Beeching the railway continued to touring companies and individual Cambridge along the line of the Valley artists.The theatre has a bar upstairs, Walk. This now provides the walker or open lunchtimes and evenings, with cyclist with superb views of the town views over the river. The bar and foyer and river; beyond Ballingdon railway provide a venue for live music and bridge you can continue on towards constantly changing art exhibitions. Rodbridge Picnic Site or descend onto For more information call 01787 374745 the footpaths of the Common Lands 12 The Granary Standing close to – the jewel in Sudbury’s crown. the Quay Theatre is another restored 16 The Common Lands Sudbury’s warehouse - the headquarters of the Freemen have grazed their cattle in 11 River Stour Trust. The Trust’s electric summer on these ancient pastures for launch, Rosette, carries visitors down over 900 years, removing them each river to Cornard Lock or up to the the autumn to drier fields. However, names Boathouse Restaurant, 1⁄2 mile up like Fulling Pit Meadow indicate that stream). Light lunches and home-made many other activities once took place cakes are available at the Granary, on on these lands (in this case the fulling the veranda, overlooking the river cut. of woollen cloth). Today the Common Open, Easter to September - Sundays Lands are still primarily managed to and Bank Holidays, with occasional provide grazing but a variety of other special events. 01787 313100 habitats have been developed for wild 13 All Saints’ Church The fine birds, animals and flowers. There is 15th century tower of All Saints an excellent network of paths criss- dominates the western approaches crossing the commonlands for visitors 14 to the town. The church itself is set to enjoy. Main access is via either the hard up against a sharp corner in Croft or by the Mill Hotel. A guide Church Street with the old Vicarage leaflet is available at the TIC. 4 More information can be found at www.sudburysuffolk.co.uk SUDBURY Golf Newton Green Golf Club is a few minutes drive along the A134 beyond Sudbury Garden Centre; turn right after the Saracen’s Head. An 18-hole par 69 course, flat with interesting features. There is a restaurant and bar; green fees welcome USEFUL on most days. 01787 313215 Old Joe’s Driving Range Little Cornard, also off the A134 (turn INFORMATION right after Sudbury Garden Centre, then first left into Joe's Road.) Choose from a 9-hole pitch and putt course, 18-hole ANNUAL EVENTS putting green or the driving range itself then relax in the coffee shop afterwards. 01787 374807 February - March Festival of Music, Speech and Drama Pick-your-own On Joe's Road, just beyond the driving range, there is the turning to Wheldons Farm Shop and PYO. Fruit June Rotary Prom*; St Peter's Day Service* and other local products are available in the shop throughout June - early August Sudbury in Bloom most of the year and in summer and early autumn you may pick your own soft fruit; what better way to spend a leisurely July Summer Horticultural Show*; Street Fair (2nd Friday) hour or so? 01787 374322 Fishing The river is a lovely location for angling and offers August Rowing Regatta and Dragonboat Races (first w/e) good coarse fishing. A rod licence is available from the Post Raft Race (Bank Holiday Monday) Office in East Street. Cycling Sudbury is at the heart of excellent cycling country September Organ Marathon*; Autumn Horticultural Show* although it is not quite as flat as newcomers to East Anglia might imagine. There is a signposted Millenium network of October Model Railway Exhibition* South Suffolk Cycle Routes. Sudbury is at the start of both October - December Christmas Card Shop Route A and the two loops to Lavenham (A1) and Bures (A2). Boating and canoeing The special atmosphere of the River November (last Friday) Street Fair & Christmas Lights switch on Stour can be best appreciated from out on the water. The river Schools Carol Service & Christmas Tree Festival downstream from Sudbury is eminently suitable for exploring December * in manually propelled craft, light enough to portage round * in St Peter's Church locks and weirs or negotiate occasional shallows or areas of weed. The River Stour Trust runs boat trips (see page 4) . The Eating out There is plenty of choice for the visitor. The Stour Trust is happy for visitors to launch their own light craft Tourist Information Centre has a list available of coffee or tea from their private slipway by The Granary but you will first shops, pubs serving food, hotels and restaurants and fast food need a permit to use the river from the Environment Agency. or takeaway outlets. Cricket and football In summer the Cricket Ground in Quay Where to stay Again the TIC Guide Where to Stay in the Lane is a delightful place to sit and watch a weekend game. Heart and South of Suffolk, gives information on hotel, bed Sudbury Cricket Club has being playing here since 1891. and breakfast and self-catering accommodation in Sudbury and AFC Sudbury, the town football club play their Zamaretto the local area. However, there are other hotels and pubs which League matches at their ground in Brundon Lane, Ballingdon. do not choose to register their accommodation with the Tourist Ten-pin bowling Strikes Bowl is a modern 10-lane ten-pin Board; these include the Black Boy, the Bay Horse, the Mill bowling alley, that also includes a LaserQuest arena for up to 16 Hotel and the Waggon and Horses. , players, a café and a licensed bar. 01787 312288 Local transport Suffolk County Council s Suffolk Area 5 Adventure playground Also on Northern Road Giggle Factory Comprehensive Timetable Guide covers both road and rail Indoor Adventure Playground offers fun for young children. Also services in this area. Available from the TIC. toddler area and refreshment facilities. 01787 311143 Rail Sudbury is connected by rail to London, Liverpool Drop-in centre for 13-18 year olds Eden’s 45 Club Street, via Marks Tey. This little branch line (known as the Gainsborough Street - Café-bar upstairs serving delicious Gainsborough Line), passes through the delightful countryside and affordable alcohol-free cocktails and an atmospheric of the Stour Valley and over the magnificent viaduct. Screenzone Bar downstairs. Office open during day, bars on Taxis The taxi rank is in East Street, opposite the Post Office. Friday and Saturday evenings. 01787 375247 Toilets at Gaol Lane (behind the Town Hall), the Bus Station Nightclubs Sudbury has two nightclubs and Belle Vue Park. Eastern’s, 31 Station Road. 01787 374241 Local newspapers Suffolk Free Press. 01787 375271 Vita, East Street. (Converted from the former Gainsborough Sudbury Mercury. 01787 882275 Cinema). 01787 466197 Tourist information Shopping in Sudbury Sudbury’s town centre is a delightful Sudbury TIC Town Hall, Market Hill. 01787 881320 place to shop. There are the usual high street multiples e-mail: [email protected] as well as many independent retailers which includes a thriving locally-owned department store, Winch & Blatch. Useful Websites Supermarkets include Waitrose, Roys, Aldi, Somerfield/Co-op General Sudbury information www.sudburysuffolk.co.uk and Iceland. There is plenty of parking (free, up to 3 hours) Sudbury Society www.sudburysociety.org.uk Access to town centre shops is easy and only a few minutes Sudbury photo archive www.sudburysuffolk.co.uk/heritage walk from the principal car parks, bus station and rail station Town Council www.sudburytowncouncil.co.uk (see back page map). Chamber of Commerce www.sudbury.org.uk Gainsborough’s House www.gainsborough.org

5 More information can be found at www.sudburysuffolk.co.uk Just a few of the places that are within an hour’s drive of Sudbury. However it can also be very rewarding to get off well-beaten EXPLORE tourist routes and to make your own discoveries BEYOND SUDBURY in South Suffolk and North East Essex.

Clare A pretty village with Lavenham The perfect Stoke by Nayland ancient houses, market place medieval town. Scores of Another ‘wool town’ and a superb Perpendicular timber-framed houses, and with fine old houses and Tourist Information Centre parish church. The jagged a fine church, built by the a 15th century church ruin of a 13th century Town Hall (Gaol Lane entrance), wealthy cloth merchants. tower dominating the Market Hill, Sudbury CO10 1TL castle keeps watch over the With a magnificent Guildhall surrounding countryside. tel: 01787 881320 Country Park. (NT) in the Market Place. email: [email protected] Long Melford Well named, SERVICES OFFERED: the tree-lined main street Flatford An old watermill, ● Accommodation bookings stretches over a mile, ending Willy Lott’s House (NT) and anywhere in the UK at the splendid 15th century river landscapes that inspired ● National Express tickets church on the green. Famed the painter, John Constable. ● Tourist information for numerous antique ● UK tourist brochures shops and fairs. It has two ● Events/walks/cycle leaflets red brick Tudor mansions: ● Maps ● Souvenirs & gifts Melford Hall (NT) and And lots more. Pop in to see us! Kentwell Hall (with regular www.SouthandHeartofSuffolk.org.uk recreations of Tudor life). Castle Hedingham A Norman keep built in 1140, including a banqueting, hall with minstrels gallery. Woodland walks and a picnic area in the grounds. Colne Valley Railway is nearby.

Nature Reserves Rodbridge Picnic Site Lakes, riverside walks, picnic tables, toilets and large car park. Cornard Country Park Views over Sudbury and the Stour Valley. Walk or picnic in wild flower meadows and woodland. Arger Fen Nature reserve and a remnant of the ancient wildwood that once covered Suffolk. Glorious bluebell Bury St Edmunds Site Colchester Britain’s oldest Cambridge A mecca for woods in May. of the great Benedictine recorded town yet with tourists but leave the car at Wolves Wood, Hadleigh Abbey. Much fine Georgian many attractions for the the excellent park-and-ride RSPB reserve, especially architecture and many modern visitor including the points, you could then soon, good for nightingales in May. attractions for the visitor such Castle Museum, Zoo and be shopping, visiting King s If visiting between October as the Abbey Gardens and High Woods Country Park. College or taking a punt out and May bring wellingtons. Greene King Brewery tours. on the Cam.

A Short Guide to Sudbury Revised April 2010 An up-to-date website version of this guide, with some more detailed information about Sudbury, can be found on the internet at Published by The Sudbury Society on behalf of Sudbury Town www.sudburysuffolk.co.uk. We have tried to make this guide as accurate as Council and Babergh District Council. The Society thanks Suffolk possible. No responsibility can be taken for errors or omissions. Inclusion in this guide does not imply a recommendation. © The Sudbury Society Cllrs, John Sayers and Colin Spence - Locality Budget, Sudbury Freemen’s Trust and Sudbury Town Council for financial support.

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Radius Design, Sudbury 01787 373710 15k April 2010