Discover: Long Melford
Discover Long Melford: A Captivating Suffolk Experience
Long Melford is one of Suffolk’s prettiest and most famous Medieval Villages.
The village has a lot to offer to visitors, whether you love historic buildings, good food, fashion or even antiques. Long Melford sits on Suffolk’s border with Essex, and there are plenty of countryside walks and public footpaths right from your doorstep. The River Stour runs through Long Melford, which marks the border between the two counties.
Long Melford was used as the backdrop for the well-known TV series ‘Love Joy’ about the Antique Dealer who seemed to be caught up in detective work. Predictably Long Melford is awash with Antique Shops and there are some good browsing times to be had. There are also frequent Antique Fairs in the School House or village hall.
This historic town is an ideal base for guests wishing to explore centuries of history, art, and rural culture while enjoying modern comforts at one of The Grove Cottages.
Long Melford is a vibrant market town in the heart of the River Stour Valley Project which is part of Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Grove Cottages: Historic Retreats
Enjoy visiting Long Melford with a stay with The Grove Cottages, which offer two distinctive holiday accommodations that embody the authentic spirit of the area.
- Spadgers is an historic flax workers’ cottage that has preserved its period features—exposed wooden beams, original brick floor and a lovely enclosed ‘Cottage garden’ that leads directly out to open countryside walks.
- Tudor Cottage showcases classic Tudor architecture with its distinctive façade and carefully restored interiors featuring a massive Inglenook fireplace to cosy up to. The cottage blends modern comforts with traditional charm.
Together, these cottages provide an intimate base from which to experience the rich tapestry of Long Melford.
Grazing Walks around Suffolks Wool Towns
Here is a great interactive map with walks and places to eat based on the local Wool Towns.
Just click the links on page 2 to get the OS Walking Map extract and recommendation for place to eat at:
Click for Grazing Walks – Wool Towns
Stately Homes and Cultural Heritage
Long Melford’s legacy is celebrated through its magnificent stately homes and dynamic cultural events.
The two stately homes in Long Melford are both off the Village Green:
- Melford Hall is a treasured National Trust property with a unique connection to literary history. Set amid beautifully landscaped gardens, Melford Hall is linked to Beatrix Potter, the beloved author of the Peter Rabbit stories. Special exhibitions and events here celebrate her enduring legacy, while concerts, antique fairs, and seasonal festivals further enrich its cultural programme.Visit Melford Hall – National Trust.
- Kentwell Hall is famous for its Tudor re-enactments and if you have never been to one this is an absolute ‘Must’. There are up to 350 Tudor actors living the life and through doing so bringing to life this fabulous Tudor Stately Home as you walk into History, the busy kitchens are amazing!
Explore Kentwell Hall.
Local artistic inspirations also abound in the region.
The banks of the River Stour have long enchanted painters like John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough (with Sudbury which is close by hosting a dedicated Gainsborough museum), and local artist Harry Becker who captured the essence of Suffolk country life long before modern agricultural methods transformed the landscape.
Englands Best preserved Medieval Village: Lavenham is the next village over and is a beautiful place to visit, here is something that I have written about Lavenham and some great places to eat there Marks Blog
Local Culture, Cuisine, and Commerce
Long Melford’s bustling medieval high street is home to a vibrant mix of independent boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, and cozy cafés that echo the town’s storied past. Antique markets and repurposed warehouses evoke the charm of Lovejoy’s antiques adventures, attracting collectors and history enthusiasts alike. Regular cultural events—such as the Suffolk Villages Concerts and seasonal church performances—imbue the town with creative energy and a lively community spirit.
Pubs and Restaurants:
- The Black Lion
Enjoy a warm, rustic atmosphere with quality pub fare and locally brewed ales.
Visit The Black Lion. - Scutchers
Experience an innovative twist on traditional Suffolk cuisine, emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Discover Scutchers. - Melford Valley Tandoori
Savor South Asian culinary delights that blend vibrant spices with local flavours. Check out Melford Valley Tandoori. - The Swan Long Melford
Enjoy a cozy dining atmosphere that marries traditional and modern cuisine, offering an array of delightful dishes.
Explore The Swan Long Melford.
These establishments, along with charming tearooms and eclectic retail outlets, capture the genuine hospitality that defines Long Melford.
Scenic Walks and Cycling Adventures
Outdoor enthusiasts will find Long Melford an ideal destination for exploration.
Meander along scenic footpaths that trace the banks of the River Stour, immortalized by artists like John Constable, and discover peaceful lanes lined with centuries‑old cottages and lush countryside.
A disused railway line offers a picturesque cycling route stretching eastward to Sudbury, home to the artistic legacy of Thomas Gainsborough, and westward to Lavenham, widely celebrated as one of England’s best‑preserved medieval villages.
The Suffolk coast
The unspoilt Suffolk Coast is about an hour’s drive away and is an absolutely terrific day out.
Our favourites are Pin Mill, Levington, Mersea Island, Dunwich, Orford, Aldeburgh and Southwold – all wonderful places to visit and completely unspoilt.
Joanna Symons, Telegraph Travel Newspaper wrote:
‘Popular though the Lake District and West Country are as tourist destinations, they can be rather damp. If you want to reduce the risk of a rainy holiday, statistics show that you should head east.
Suffolk for instance, had only about a third as much rainfall as the Lake District last summer. It also happens to have one of the loveliest stretches of coastline in Britain.’
The Met office regional statistics per annum:
Rain fall:
The Lake District: 2300 – 3900mm
Suffolk: 600 – 660mm
Experience the Magic of Long Melford
Long Melford invites you to immerse yourself in a destination where every element tells a story.
Whether you’re relaxing in the authentic ambience of Spadgers or the refined charm of Tudor Cottage at The Grove Cottages, exploring the rich heritage of Kentwell Hall and Melford Hall, or enjoying a leisurely stroll along historic lanes beside the River Stour, every moment here reveals another chapter of Suffolk’s enduring legacy.
We warmly invite you to experience Long Melford—a place where history, art, and nature blend seamlessly to create an unforgettable journey into the heart of rural England.
