20 Attractions to Explore Near National Trust - Melford Hall

Kentwell Hall is one of the finest moated Tudor Houses in England, set in over 25 acres of its own gardens and parkland, with numerous historic buildings. Kentwell is not just a house but a family home that has been saved and renovated over the years and offers an interesting mix of periods within what is still an essentially Tudor layout.

Gainsborough’s House is the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough RA and shows an outstanding collection of his work. It is now a museum and gallery, located at 46 Gainsborough Street in Sudbury, Suffolk, England. A varied programme of temporary exhibitions is also on show throughout the year. The house remained as a private residence until 1920, after which time it had various functions including a guest house and antique shop.

Giffords Hall is a family owned vineyard planted on the site of an ancient glacial riverbed near Long Melford in Suffolk. THeir sandy/clay soil produces quality grapes, high in natural sugars and acids, that lend themselves particularly well to both sparkling and dry, aromatic still wines. Their wines have a delicate floral character very typical of the region. Their vines’ condition is excellent because of the hard work of the professional team working at the winery.

Lavenham Guildhall is properly known as the Guildhall of Corpus Christi and is one of the finest timber-framed buildings in England. The building dates from around 1530 built on the back of the boom of the cloth industry in the early 16th Century. Originally built as a religious meeting place for wealthy Catholic merchants, the Guildhall has also been used as a prison, a workhouse, a pub, a chapel and a social club for US troops stationed nearby during the Second World War

Lavenham Guildhall, is a remarkable and historically significant building that provides a fascinating glimpse into the region's medieval past. As a well-preserved example of a 16th-century guildhall, it stands as a testament to the prosperous wool trade that once thrived in the area.Its construction dates back to the late 16th century, and it served as the meeting place for the influential and wealthy wool merchants and traders who were members of the Lavenham Guild of Corpus Christi.

Clare Castle Country Park is a beautiful quiet area to relax, play, get close to nature and learn about Clare's fascinating history and heritage. The park contains the remains of the 13th Century stone castle keep set upon its 60ft high motte overlooking the town and its inner and outer baileys, which are ideal areas for recreation and picnics.

Clare Castle is a high-mounted ruinous medieval castle in the parish and former manor of Clare in Suffolk, England, anciently the caput of a feudal barony. It was built shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 by Richard Fitz Gilbert, having high motte and bailey and later improved in stone. The remains are a scheduled monument and a Grade II* listed building. They form the centrepiece of a public park.

This majestic castle stands in the heart of its ancient ramparts and medieval park, which have evolved into beautifully landscaped gardens. Privately owned by the Lindsay family, descendants of the Earls of Oxford who built it, Hedingham Castle is not just one place. Romantic, exquisite, significant, magnificent and ageless, it is a haven that has had great meaning for 900 years. Its character is revered and its history is the heritage of us all.

Bradfield Woods is a working wood that is unique as it has been under continuous traditional coppice management since 1252, fulfilling local needs for firewood and hazel products. These woods have a history of coppicing dating to before 1252, producing a very high diversity of flora, with over 370 plant species recorded. Uncommon woodland flowers include oxlip, herb paris and ramson. There is also a rich variety of fungi, with two species not recorded elsewhere in Britain.

The Colne Valley Railway is a heritage railway on the Essex Suffolk boarder in Castle Hedingham. We have a mile length of track with the picturesque 1950s station in the middle. The railway occupies part of the former Colne Valley and Halstead Railway (CVHR), which opened in stages between 16 April 1860 and 10 May 1863. This part of the railway was a through line from Birdbrook to Wakes Colne.

Nowton Park, on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds, consists of almost 200 acres of beautiful Suffolk countryside landscaped over 100 years ago. There are walking routes that vary from a short stroll to a long ramble round the perimeter of the park. You can explore the arboretum which features trees from all around the world, as well as beautiful wildflower meadows and ponds full of wildlife. One of the beautiful location where you can spend some good time.

Ickworth House is a country house near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England. It is a neoclassical building set in parkland. The house was the residence of the Marquess of Bristol before being sold to the National Trust in 1998. The house, built between 1795 and 1829, was formerly the chief dwelling of an estate owned by the Hervey family, later Marquesses of Bristol, since 1467. It was one of the iconic attraction in this area and attracts a lot of tourists.

The East Anglian Railway Museum, based just outside Colchester, Essex, is a Working Museum dedicated to preserving the history of railways in the Eastern Counties. The East Anglian Railway Museum is an open air site based at Chappel and Wakes Colne Railway station. The entire site forms the Museum, which is made up of Station Buildings, Signal Boxes, Goods Shed and Restoration Shed.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral is the cathedral for the Church of England's Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. It is the seat of the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich and is in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Originating in the 11th century, it was rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries as a parish church and became a cathedral in 1914; it has been considerably enlarged in recent decades.

Located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, the abbey was once one of the richest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. Its remains are extensive and include the complete 14th century Great Gate and Norman Tower, as well as the impressive ruins and altered west front of the immense church. The gardens now feature a formal area of island beds laid out in the mid-20th century. There is also a water garden and rose garden dating back to the mid-20th century, and later 20th-century addi

This beautiful medieval museum in the heart of Bury St Edmunds houses rich and eclectic collections and changing exhibitions, and hosts events ranging from themed craft workshops for all the family to historical talks and lectures. Discover local history collections from medieval times to the 20th century, featuring the history of the town and its development, crime and punishment, witchcraft, the Suffolk Regiment Gallery, a permanent collection of clocks, timepieces and fine art, and a programm

Prospect Cottage is a house on the coast in Dungeness, Kent. Originally a Victorian fisherman's hut,[1][2] the house was purchased by director and artist Derek Jarman in 1986, and was his home until his death in 1994. its iconic garden stand testament to his defiant spirit, and have the potential to inspire artists and visitors long into the future.

Marks Hall Estate is the perfect setting for family adventures with an eco-friendly twist. Managed and cared for by a charitable trust. It Set within a beautiful heritage landscape that extends to over 2,350-acres of north Essex countryside. It was one of the iconic attraction located in a beautiful area which offers you a beautiful time.

The Museum of East Anglian Life is the largest independent museum in Suffolk. The museum is an educational charity supporting the community. We care for over 40,000 objects – once the everyday items of East Anglian life. Its collection has a particular focus on the production of food and social history relating to it, reflective of the region’s strong agricultural character.

Dedham Vale was designated in 1970 with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the habitats and biodiversity. It contains numerous scenes which inspired famous English artists including 19th Century landscape painter John Constable, 18th century artist Thomas Gainsborough and 20th Century equestrian artist Sir Alfred Munnings. Dedham is one of the most attractive villages in Essex, and the association with John Constable is particularly close.