My Day in Long Melford

I visited Long Melford in September 2010. It was a 13-mile quasi-circular walk from Sudbury Station. The day was fine with lots of sunshine. There were three places of especial historical interest. Two stately homes: Melford Hall, Kentwell Hall, and a larger than usual parish church. All three buildings were status symbols of Long Melford's prosperity, for Long Melford made good from the Mediaeval Wool Trade. It was a sort of mediaeval business centre. The emphasis of my visit to Long Melford was to appreciate the history in Long Melford, although my walk was indeed a healthy contribution to my well-being!

Long Melford.

Melford Hall

Once I had reached Long Melford, the first place to visit was the National Trust property of Melford Hall. See also Wikipedia's Entry. Melford Hall dates back mainly to the 16th century but its then owners benefitted from the Dissolution of the Monasteries and later from the proceeds of the wool trade. Inevitably, Queen Elizabeth I visited Melford Hall where a window was especially dedicated to the august lady! In late Victorian times, Beatrix Potter also often visited Melford Hall, but Beatrix was not quite in the same league as Elizabeth Tudor!

Melford Hall - Gatehouse




Imposing Main Front.




However - a smallish main entrance.




We get closer.




Now we can admire one of the time-worn seats with seven linen folds.
Could do with a good polish.




Relaxation (Regency style?) with books for a comfortable read.
I wonder how many of the books were read.




The Tradition of the Great Hall lives on!




From the Great Hall there are the "Important Stairs".
Stairs for VIPs and NT Visitors!




Queen Elizabeth I in a window!

Queen Elizabeth I

"Good Queen Bess" in an HTML5 Frame!




Main Stairwell - Upper Gallery




View from the First Floor.




Hmm. The gardens could do with an inspiring makeover.




Melford Hall - From the Lawn




Melford Hall and Lawn.




This is how the Tudors liked their accommodation.

Long Melford's Parish Church

Long Melford's Grade 1 Listed Parish Church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and was built between 1467 and 1497 in the "Late Perpendicular Gothic" style. It is larger than most parish churches, for it was intended as an impressive symbol in mediaeval times, of the wealth and prosperity of the local wool merchants. (See: Link.)

As in so many villages, Long Melford's church dominates the village green.




The architecture of the church typifies the "Wool Churches" of East Anglia.




Nave




Nave




Side Aisle




Roof Beams of Old




It's Evening




The approaching dusk
highlights the clouds against which the church tower is silhouetted.

Kentwell Hall

Kentwell Hall was also built from the proceeds of the Wool Trade and - you guessed it - was also visited by Queen Elizabeth I. Kentwell Hall is privately owned. Most of its façade dates from the mid-16th century, but references to it were already made in the Domesday Book of 1086. When I saw the Hall, it was not open and indeed, it was getting close to the end of my day. Still, there is always another time! Web links are: link 1 and link 2.

Elegant Gates
Spaces between bars wide enough for some piccies!




Front View
Lots of Lawn. Festive Tent.




Slightly Sideways Front View

Walk

The quasi-circular walk between Sudbury to Long Melford is just over 13 miles or 21 Km. It follows the Stour Valley Path, taking in part of the Valley Walk (Beeching Axed line) and St Edmund Way. The walk has a total ascent/descent of 85 m or 279 feet, so is reasonably level, as would be expected in this part of the world! Despite its flatness, it's a pleasant walk - indeed, with names as above, what would you expect!

GPX WALK FILE

Derived using BikeHike.co.uk




OSM Topo Map of the Walk

(Displayed using GPSViualizer.com)

Thank You

Dear visitor, thank you for coming to this web page. Whether you intend to visit this part of Suffolk for the first time, or even if you have already visited this area, I'm sure you will find something new to see and enjoy whenever you come!

On this web page, the picture of the stylized flowers in the chapter headers is from the Microsoft® clip-art libraries, supplied with some versions of MS Office®.