Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Lavenham Lavenham Guildhall
AO Edited

Lavenham Guildhall

A remarkable example of small town medieval architecture that showcases the wealth and importance of a 16th-century wool town.

Lavenham, England

Added By
Kate Burton
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  ariadnemaze / Atlas Obscura User
  ariadnemaze / Atlas Obscura User
  ariadnemaze / Atlas Obscura User
  ariadnemaze / Atlas Obscura User
  ariadnemaze / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  ariadnemaze / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Situated in the heart of the village of Lavenham and constructed in 1529, this timber-framed building served as the meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi, a religious and social fraternity integral to the community's wool trade. The Guildhall's architecture, with its half-timbered facade and intricately carved wooden beams, reflects the affluence brought by the wool industry, making it a prime example of a late medieval civic building. 

Inside the Guildhall, visitors can explore exhibits chronicling the history of Lavenham and its wool trade. The rooms have been carefully preserved and restored, allowing guests to step back in time and experience the daily life of the guild members.

The Guildhall also houses displays on the building's later uses, including its time as a workhouse and almshouse, providing a comprehensive look at the social history of the area. The surrounding village, with its well-preserved medieval and Tudor buildings, further enriches the Guildhall's charm and historical significance.

Related Tags

Medieval Villages History & Culture Wool

Know Before You Go

Lavenham Guildhall is managed by the National Trust, and it's best to check their website for the most up-to-date visiting hours and entrance fees. Parking can be found nearby in the village, but it's advisable to arrive early during peak tourist seasons. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as some of the streets of Lavenham are cobbled and can be uneven. While exploring the Guildhall, take the time to enjoy the quaint tea room and gift shop, which offer a range of local products and souvenirs.

Community Contributors

Added By

ariadnemaze

Edited By

SEANETTA

  • SEANETTA

Published

September 18, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Lavenham Guildhall
1 Market Ln
Lavenham, England, CO10 9QZ
United Kingdom
52.108838, 0.796808
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Suffolk's Pink and Crooked Houses

Lavenham, England

miles away

The Hundred and One Dalmatians Drinking Fountain

Sudbury, England

miles away

The Village Signs of Gestingthorpe

Halstead, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,199
Stories 144

Nearby Places

Suffolk's Pink and Crooked Houses

Lavenham, England

miles away

The Hundred and One Dalmatians Drinking Fountain

Sudbury, England

miles away

The Village Signs of Gestingthorpe

Halstead, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of England

England

United Kingdom

Places 2,199
Stories 144

Related Places

  • West Stow, England

    West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village

    This meticulously reconstructed early medieval settlement offers an immersive experience of daily life in an Anglo-Saxon community.

  • The Sign for the Old Wellington, with the Old Wellington itself in the background on the left.

    Manchester, England

    The Shambles

    Two of Manchester’s oldest buildings were moved twice.

  • The cliffside village of Rocamadour.

    Rocamadour, France

    Rocamadour

    This medieval village clings to a cliff in southwestern France.

  • Conwy Suspension Bridge

    Conwy, Wales

    Conwy Suspension Bridge

    One of the oldest suspension bridges in the world blends in perfectly with a medieval castle.

  • Ahlat, Turkey

    Ahlat Seljuk Cemetery

    Hundreds of medieval Islamic gravestones decorate the mountainous landscape in the largest cemetery in Turkey.

  • Birkenhead Priory

    Birkenhead, England

    Birkenhead Priory

    The oldest standing building on Merseyside is special for its rich history as a Benedictine monastery and its unique connection to the origins of the Mersey Ferry.

  • Počitelj, Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Old Town Počitelj

    This fortified town dating back to the 1400s is often described as an open-air museum and is a protected National Monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

  • Murals inside the Church of St. Stephen in Nessebar

    Nessebar, Bulgaria

    Church of St. Stephen

    Step inside this medieval Orthodox gem and travel back to the 16th century.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.