The Corn Exchange Sudbury, built in 1842 now Sudbury Library
Gainsborough Statue & St Peter Church Sudbury
Gainsborough's House Sudbury with spectacular Georgian facade added by Gainsborough's father
Gainsborough's House Sudbury
Inside St Peter Church in SudburyHistoric market town Sudbury contains a breathtaking selection of historic buildings in the centre which also boasts beautiful historic hotels, traditional inn B&Bs and a superb choice of specialist shops. Sudbury is most famous as the birthplace of one of Britain's greatest portrait painters Thomas Gainsborough. Gainsborough's House in Sudbury is the birthplace museum and former home of the Gainsborough family containing one of the world's best collection of Gainsborough paintings, drawings and prints.
Sudbury Quayside on the River Stour sits just a short walk from the centre. Visitors can take boat trips from Sudbury Quay along the Stour in a character Edwardian style electric launch. The Grade listed Georgian Granary tearoom can also be found on Sudbury Quay. Sudbury is ideally situated for exploring Constable Country around Dedham Vale and the Stour Valley just to the south east and is within easy reach of medieval Lavenham and the acclaimed antique shops in Long Melford village.
Sudbury's famous son is the great British painter, famous particularly for his portraits, Thomas Gainsborough who was born here in Sudbury in Suffolk in 1727. Gainsborough's House in Sudbury is the painter's birthplace museum containing one of the world's best collections of paintings, prints and drawings by Gainsborough. The Gainsborough town house, which dates from around 1500 with Georgian frontage added by Gainsborough's father, is centrally located in Sudbury on the aptly named Gainsborough Street. The building retains many of its original features alongside 18th century additions.
The museum's collection of Gainsborough's work is outstanding featuring early portraits by the artist alongside Suffolk landscapes painted by Gainsborough. Probably the best existing collection of Gainsborough drawings is here on display at Gainsborough's House in Sudbury, essential visiting for fans of the artist. Also on display is a collection of Gainsborough memorabilia located around the entrance hall. Rare books as well as work by artists who were close to or influenced Gainsborough are also on display. A gift shop and coffee shop are both on-site.
In Sudbury centre on Market Hill in front of the spectacular medieval St Peter's Church is a statue of Gainsborough unveiled in 1913.
Historic market town Sudbury contains some stunning historic buildings spanning several periods from medieval, Tudor and Georgian to Victorian. The Sudbury History Society (website link right) offers a superb tour of Sudbury's historic buildings which include several beautiful timber-framed halls such as the stunning Tudor Moot Hall built during the brief reign of Mary I. Centrepiece architectural gem in Sudbury is the part medieval St Peter Church with various additions and restorations through the centuries. The original doors in the interior are a highlight alongside the 15th century roof. St Peter is often a hub centre in Sudbury for events and activites as although consecrated it serves as a social and cultural centre usually open to the public.
To discover the rich history of Sudbury visit the Sudbury Museum and Heritage Centre situated in the stunning Georgian town hall on Old Market Place. Sudbury Tourist Information Centre is also situated in the Town Hall. Free to enter the heritage centre features old maps, photography and displays on Sudbury history from medieval market town through to Sudbury during World War I & II.
Boat trips on the Stour from Sudbury Quay are a highlight attraction in Sudbury. Hop aboard the Edwardian style Rosette electric launch for a 30 minute return boat trip from the Granary tea room at Sudbury Quay to Great Cornard Lock. The beautiful Granary tearoom along the River Stour at Sudbury is a Grade II listed Georgian building. Boat trip operators at Sudbury are also based within the Granary. Spectacular halls can also be found around Sudbury including the National Trust's Melford Hall in Long Melford which has links with the children's author Beatrix Potter.
Around Sudbury centre are a wide choice of wonderful traditional inns serving fine real ales alongside chocolate shops and local shops. Sudbury markets on Market Hill take place twice a week on Thursdays and main market day Saturday. Continental markets also feature occasionally. The town contains The Quay Theatre and a leisure centre with swimming pool, fitness centre and gym. Further afield visit nearby beautiful village Long Melford famed for its outstanding collection of antique shops and featuring beautiful historic buildings alongside fine hotels, superb restaurants and stylish independent boutiques.
Sudbury accommodation includes beautiful medieval townhouse B&Bs. Find Victorian 4 star bed and breakfast accommodation in Sudbury listed here on iknow East Anglia. The stunning Suffolk countryside around Sudbury contains a wide choice of farmhouse B&Bs, historic coaching inn B&Bs and luxury period holiday cottages. Caravan parks around Sudbury are also available and find stunning historic country hotels in Long Melford and Ballingdon near Sudbury listed here on iknow East Anglia.
Sudbury in south Suffolk close to the Essex border is ideally situated for exploring nearby medieval gem Lavenham as well as Constable Country around Dedham Vale AONB and the Stour Valley situated east of the town. Easy drive daytrips from Sudbury include historic Suffolk cathedral town Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket Racecourses as well as Roman Colchester in Essex to the south east. Ipswich museums, galleries and stunning waterfront are also within easy reach of Sudbury. Stansted Airport is a mere 30 miles from Sudbury and Sudbury station affords train links to Colchester, Ipswich and Manningtree for Dedham Vale Constable Country. (National Express East Anglia)
