Lavenham

Lavenham is one of the best preserved medieval villages in England, boasting some 320 listed timber framed buildings, many of them protected by the Heritage Council.

This is a unique village created about 750 years ago by Henry III when he granted Lavenham market status, which began the most prosperous period in the village's history.

Lavenham had a thriving market prior to the Charter being granted - records show that in 1202 the Abbott of Bury St Edmunds complained it was overshadowing his market - but the Charter market a turning point in Lavenham's fortunes.

Traders flocked to the village to take advantage of its thriving wool trade, and by 1524 Lavenham was ranked the 14th richest town in the country thanks to the famous Lavenham Blues cloth.