Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
widow set up the trust that now runs the museum, which includes two galleries,
beautiful gardens, and a cafe.
Castle House, East Lane, Dedham.
&
01206/322127.
www.siralfredmunnings.co.uk. Admission £5
adults, £1 children 5-15. Apr-Oct Wed-Thurs and Sat-Sun 2-5pm.
Where to Eat & Stay
Maison Talbooth
This Victorian country house, which overlooks the
Stour Valley, has been transformed into an award-winning designer hotel with 12
luxury suites, a day spa, and a modern outdoor pool with sun-lounge area and hot tub,
plus a tennis court. Lunch and afternoon tea are available, and its sister hotel,
Mil-
soms,
on the same road (
&
01206/322795
), has an informal all-day bistro as well
as en suite rooms. The company also owns
Le Talbooth
restaurant (
&
01206/
322367
), a short drive away in Gun Hill, over the other side of the A12.
Stratford Rd., Dedham, Colchester CO7 6HN. www.milsomhotels.co.uk.
&
01206/322367.
Fax 01206/
322752. 12 units. £195-£405 double. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, MC, V. Take the Stratford
Road
1
⁄
2
mile west of the town.
Amenities:
Bar; babysitting; outdoor heated pool; room service; spa;
tennis court.
In room:
TV, hair dryer, Wi-Fi (free).
The Sun Inn
This old coaching inn has beautiful boutique hotel bedrooms, two
with four-poster beds, a cozy bar with real ale and Suffolk cider, and a highly
respected restaurant serving local produce with an Italian twist. There's a lunchtime
bar menu and children's menu.
High St., Dedham, Colchester C07 6DF. www.thesuninndedham.com.
&
01206/323351.
5 units.
£105-£160 double (special offers available). Rates include English breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free park-
ing.
Amenities:
Restaurant; bar; room service.
In room:
TV, CD player, hair dryer.
13
SUDBURY
This busy little market town, at the heart of the pre-Industrial Revolution weaving
industry, was one of the “wool towns” that created so much wealth in East Anglia, as
you can see with one glance at the impressive
St. Peter's Church,
which dominates
the market place where there are stalls on Thursdays and Saturdays. Although no
longer used as a church, it is a focal point of community events with regular concerts
and exhibitions. Outside is a statue of artist Thomas Gainsborough, who was born in
a house down the hill.
Gainsborough's House
is now the main attraction in Sud-
bury, but there are also marvelous walks across the commons and meadow around the
River Stour, which encloses the town on three sides.
Sudbury Heritage Centre &
Museum
traces the town's history from before its mention in the 1086
Domesday
Book
through its woolen-cloth prosperity in the Middle Ages to the 19th-century silk
mills, which ensured the town continued to be wealthy until the 20th century.
Nearby is
Long Melford,
full of antiques shops, a beautiful “wool church,” and the
National Trust's
Melford Hall
(
&
01787/376395;
www.nationaltrust.org.uk),
where Beatrix Potter was a regular visitor.
Exploring the Area
Gainsborough's House
HISTORIC HOME Thomas Gainsborough was born
here in 1727, and by the time he died in 1788 he had become one of Britain's greatest
painters. The biggest collection of his paintings, drawings, and prints are exhibited
here in this house, built in 1500, with its Georgian facade and later additions. The
museum also holds exhibitions of other artists' work and runs art courses.
