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England has a plethora of quaint villages to explore such as Bibury, the most charming village in England. Another such village is Lavenham. It is a charming and immaculately conserved medieval woolen town encased in the Suffolk countryside and is one of the most picture-perfect villages. Timber-framed structures bordering the winding alleys and streets that lead up to the spectacular marketplace add to the area's medieval appeal at every curve. Lavenham, home to its renowned Lavenham Blue broadcloth, was the 14th wealthiest town in Tudor England, so the region has a rich heritage to explore.

Today, Lavenham is a prosperous town with a strong sense of community. It is home to several cafes, bars, elegant hotels, excellent restaurants, and museums and offers a complete calendar of events for everyone. Lavenham is the perfect destination for a day trip and a solid starting point for exploring the Suffolk countryside and coastline. Let's explore the town and its connection to Harry Potter.

Lavenham Is Harry Potter's Home

Lavenham has gained recognition as one of the most popular tourist hotspots in England, almost exclusively because of being one of the many destinations used in the Harry Potter movie series. Since 2010, Lavenham has been well-known for its prominent role as the setting for Godric's Hollow in the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. The world-famous fourteenth-century De Vere House served as Harry Potter's birthplace in the movie, and Lavenham Guildhall was converted into his parents' abandoned home. Though there are places for us to visit that aren’t in England, people now know where to go to explore Harry Potter's house.

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What To See In Lavenham

The Guildhall And Little Hall

The crowning glory of Lavenham is Guildhall, among the best-preserved timber-framed structures in all of England. The structure, constructed around 1530 on the basis of the early sixteenth-century cloth industry surge, represents the tremendous affluence of Lavenham's glory. They also have a Tudor tea room right next door that guests are welcome to visit.

Beneath wooden beams, visitors can indulge themselves in coffee, gourmet cake, or a light meal while viewing old photographs of the hamlet through the years.

A late fourteenth-century hall building on the town's central square, Little Hall Lavenham's tale reflects the town's long history. Medieval records imply that this fourteenth-century building was constructed for the Causton household of clothiers and that its subsequent growth has reflected the shifting prosperity of Lavenham. It is among the oldest structures in the finest conserved of the Suffolk woolen towns.

St Peter and St Paul's Church

Among the most notable churches in England for wool is St. Peter and St. Paul's Church. It was constructed around the fourteenth century, a time when Lavenham prospered from the woolen trade, as evidenced by its opulence. It is among the best churches ever constructed in the later perpendicular architectural style. Additionally, it was among the last cathedrals to be finished prior to the English Reformation. The coats of arms of several families are displayed on the facade of the building; the de Vere household star encircles the apex of the spire, and the Spring arms and merchant's mark are displayed more than thirty times on the structure's façade.

The Crooked House

The Crooked House, a large, brightly colored structure on Lavenham's High Street, seems to be among the community's favorite landmarks. It was initially constructed as a part of a medieval hall and goes back to 1395. Wealthy merchants built guildhalls and homes in Lavenham to showcase their affluence in the thriving wool industry.

It led to the creation of the Crooked House, which is still standing today. Over the years, it has served several purposes, including a thriving tearoom. Recently, it was put up for auction, and two bidders known as "The Crooked Men" bought it to use as a venue for gatherings and a private antique shop.

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The Lavenham Marketplace

The vibrant Lavenham Market Place is located right outside the Guildhall and Little Hall Museum.

Over here, there are various pretty structures, such as the Lavenham Bakery named "Sparling and Faiers," which is decorated in the recognizable Suffolk Pink. Other buildings include the Blue Vintage Tearoom, Angel Pub, and the picture-perfect Toll Cottage along with the Market Cross.

The Curiosity Corner

Lavenham has several stores, but none is as warm and welcoming as the Curiosity Corner, located towards the end of Church Street.

In this store, a variety of products are offered, including jewelry, home furnishings, apparel, and souvenirs. However, they are most well-known for their large selection of teddy bears. Among the extensive selection are Charlie Bears and Steiff.

Some Festivals To Enjoy In Lavenham

If visitors enjoy reading, they might enjoy going to the town during its yearly Lavenham Literary Fest in mid-November.

The community hosts a variety of writers and guest speakers at the community hall and numerous other locations throughout the area. Furthermore, fest dinners are also hosted in beautiful settings like The Swan.

Walk Around The Village

Walking through Lavenham and taking in all the vibrant and beautiful architecture is something that visitors might easily do for hours. It is like a hamlet out of a fairy tale. Many homes were never modified after the downfall of the textile business in the sixteenth century. People will therefore discover that most houses have not altered much.

Many of the most beautiful timber-framed homes in all styles, colors, and sizes may be seen on Market Place, High Street, Prentice Street, Lady Street, Water Street, and Barn Street. Discovering the village is among the top things one can do in Lavenham as each one is absolutely different.

The quaint medieval town of Lavenham provides a much-needed escape from the hectic urban life. Whether they are fanatics of Harry Potter or not, tourists must stop by this charming small hamlet.