7 of the prettiest market towns to visit in Suffolk
Whether you’re planning a Suffolk staycation or are looking to explore your local county, Suffolk is not short of historic market towns to discover.
From the Norfolk border to the Suffolk coast, this beautiful place in East Anglia is home to a plethora of pretty market towns.
Let our guide to 7 of the prettiest unexplored market towns in Suffolk be your starting point to discovering more historic Suffolk towns and villages in this stunning part of the world.
Woodbridge
Seven miles north east of Ipswich is the charming market town of Woodbridge.
Boasting a rich history on the water, Woodbridge has been known for boat-building, sail-making and rope-making, and is home to the oldest Tide Mill in the UK – one of only two that remain in the country. Spend a sunny day walking along the riverside pathways and see the Mill in action before stopping for a well-earned rest at one of Woodbridge’s many independent cafes.
In Woodbridge’s town centre you’ll find an array of independent shops including boutiques, craft and cookshops and of course, the iconic violin shop.
Time your visit well and you’ll have the chance to explore one of the wonderful markets that are held throughout the year on Market Hill. Find seasonal food, vintage and craft markets next to the town’s beautiful Shire Hall.
Car park: Roadside and pay and display car parks
Location: ///relished.calm.smashes
Postcode district: IP12
Lavenham
In the heart of the Suffolk countryside and 21 miles from Ipswich, Lavenham is regarded as one of the best-preserved Medieval towns in the UK.
Historically, Lavenham is one of the five wool towns built in the region during Medieval times, when the wool and weaving trade helped make East Anglia one of the most prosperous areas in England. Lavenham was known for the production of a blue wool cloth, the export of which contributed to the building of many of the halls and houses you still see there today.
However, once other manufacturers began producing cloth more cheaply, Lavenham’s traders struggled to keep up, and the industry there started to fail. As there was no money to pay for the buildings to be updated, they remained in their original state, and now offer a window into the past for locals and visitors.
These days Lavenham is also known for being the filming location of Harry Potter’s birthplace, Godric’s Hollow.
Lavenham’s timber-framed houses line the streets of Suffolk’s best-preserved wool town. Feel like you’re taking a step back in time as you explore the historic buildings and independent shops and cafes, or pay a visit to the monthly farmer’s market in Suffolk’s most picturesque market town.
Car park: Free roadside and car park parking
Location: ///tune.suave.breathed
Postcode district: CO10
Bungay
Situated in the Waveney Valley, around 5 miles west of Beccles, is the thriving market town of Bungay.
In the centre of the town stands the ruins of Bigod’s Castle, a once-large Norman castle dating back to 1165. The historical Bigod’s Way Trail, which is made up of a series of walks centering on the castle, is an ideal way to explore this place.
The town’s central Buttercross, where local farmers would display butter and other produce for sale, was built in 1689, and still stands in the centre of the market place, where the town’s Thursday market is held each week.
Today, Bungay is a popular destination for food lovers, with an array of local independent restaurants and cafes to try out.
Fans of the weird and wonderful may know of Bungay from the legend of Black Shuck, which is rumoured to be the inspiration for the Hound of the Baskervilles in the Sherlock Holmes tale. According to local folklore, on 4th August 1577, St Mary’s Church was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. At that moment an apparition of a black dog appeared and attacked members of the congregation, before disappearing and reappearing in Blythburgh church.
Car park: Roadside parking, free for 30 minutes in some locations, or pay and display.
Location: ///prospers.rejoiced.scuba
Postcode district: NR35
Bury St Edmunds
No list of market towns in Suffolk would be complete without a mention of Bury St Edmunds, a town steeped in Suffolk heritage.
Named after St Edmund, the original patron saint of England, the town is famous for its beautiful Abbey Gardens which surround the ruins of the Medieval Abbey. Historically, patrons would make a pilgrimage from all over Europe to visit the Shrine of Saint Edmund within the Abbey.
As well as the renowned Abbey, Bury St Edmunds is also home to the UK’s only surviving Regency playhouse, the Theatre Royal. You can also explore Moyses Hall museum, which is housed in a building dating back to 1180 and was previously used as the local prison and police station.
This ancient market town is now home to the Greene King brewery, which offers guided tours to the public.
For shopping, the town offers a variety of different independent shops and markets, including a monthly craft market on the first Sunday of the month and a farmer’s market on the second.
The town is also a must-visit for local foodies, and is known as the food capital of Suffolk.
After a day of exploring all the historic town has to offer, why not pay a visit to The Nutshell, one of the smallest pubs in the country?
Car park: Multi-storey and pay and display car parks. Roadside and short stay car parks are free after 3pm on Tuesdays.
Location: ///turned.directive.attention
Postcode district: IP28
Sudbury
Sitting on the River Stour just north of the Essex border is the quaint market town of Sudbury.
Surrounded by water meadows, the town is situated within an Area of Outstanding Beauty, which is reason enough alone to pay a visit.
If you’re more interested in history, food or shopping though, Sudbury still has plenty to offer.
Another of Suffolk’s wool towns, Sudbury’s textile industry thrived during the Middle Ages. The town’s location meant that it was ideally placed for export via the River Stour and through road links to London and Colchester. After the decline of the wool industry, French silk weavers who had originally settled in London found the town to be better suited to their trade thanks to lower costs and easier access to water supplies.
Sudbury’s other claim to fame is as the birthplace of the artist Thomas Gainsborough, whose home is now open to the public and houses a museum and garden.
The town centre plays host to plenty of independent shops and cafes to explore, and there are several walking trails that lead you through the local area. Don’t miss the Talbot Trail, which is made up of 14 statues depicting different moments throughout the town’s history.
Car park: 3 hours free parking in a number of Council-run car parks
Location: ///taxpayers.director.appendix
Postcode district: CO10
Beccles
The east Suffolk town of Beccles is one of the very few places in England noted as having a market in the 1086 Domesday Book. It still hosts a lively market every Friday, as well as a farmer’s market on the first and third Saturdays every month.
Just 7 miles from the Suffolk coastline, the town boasts a stunning Riverside Walk which takes visitors along the Waveney Valley to the Beccles Marshes. You can also while away an hour or two exploring the historic winding streets and small market squares, which are lined with independent shops and places to eat.
You can also get closer to the River Waveney on a skippered boat tour, or hire a kayak or day boat and let the river be your guide for the day.
On hot summer days, there’s no better activity than a dip in Beccles Lido. Make a splash in the heated outdoor swimming pool or enjoy an ice cream from the cafe while you sunbathe.
Car park: Free parking at Quay North and pay and display car parks in the town centre.
Location: ///sharp.pleaser.shunted
Postcode district: NR34
Framlingham
Located just 12 miles from the coast, Ed Sheeran’s hometown of Framlingham has become a must-visit for music fans passing through Suffolk.
As well as its most famous resident, the town also is also known for its stunning 12th century castle, which is open to the public. Framlingham Mere is a 33-acre wetland just a short walk from the town centre, where you can see migrating birds and other wildlife including otters, kingfishers, water voles and barn owls.
In the town centre, you can explore the historic Market Hill, which has hosted a market since 1285. These days, it’s open on Tuesdays and Saturdays and offers a wide range of goods including local produce, vintage clothing and handmade wares.
Car park: Yes, pay and display and free car parks. Market Hill car park is not available on market days (Tuesday and Saturday).
Free roadside parking in the town centre for one hour.
Location: ///blend.brochure.beep
Postcode district: IP13
Feeling inspired for your next visit? Stay in Suffolk hosts a huge range of beautiful self-catering holiday cottages. If you’re planning a trip to our beautiful county and are looking for holiday properties in Suffolk, we’re sure we’ve got the one for you.
