Ickworth Hall and Lavenham

The final full day of our holiday today was sunny, but with a cool wind again (of course!). We went to Ickworth Hall (again National Trust, so making the most of our membership). There was a lot to see there, and the main round building had been built by the fourth Earl - who was also the Bishop of Derry in Ireland, but never went to church (because he was an atheist!) and who used money intended for the church to finance the building which was intended to house an extensive art collection, which he had gathered together in Rome ready to bring over. However, Napoleon impounded it! Eventually other members of the family bought treasures to go in it, some of which we were able to see today.

We went on to Lavenham to visit the Little Hall, and then the Guildhall (the latter again run by the National Trust, so free to us!) both of which were fascinating medieval buildings. We had an amazing cream tea in an old medieval building - lashings of clotted cream, home made tasty scones and marvellous home made blackcurrant jam with really soft fruit in it. Have really enjoyed the food on this holiday!