Sudbury
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Sudbury is an historic market town of 24,000 people (2021) in Suffolk in the region of East Anglia in England. It is home to the Gainsborough's House museum, celebrating the work of the artist, Thomas Gainsborough.
Understand
[edit]
The town dates back to Anglo-Saxon times with the town market becoming established by the early 11th century. Through the late middle ages the town developed silk and weaving industries and the prosperity resulted in many buildings and churches. Gainsborough Silks[dead link] started in 1798 is still thriving in the town today.
The town is particularly proud of a former resident Thomas Gainsborough, who was born in the town and who was inspired by the local countryside. Today there is a statue of him in the Market Place
Get in
[edit]By road
[edit]By road, Sudbury is served by the A134 from Colchester and Bury St Edmunds, and by the A131 which runs from near Little Waltham, north of Chelmsford.
By train
[edit]- 1 Sudbury Train Station, Station Rd, Sudbury, CO10 6SU. At the end of a branch line (marketed as the Gainsborough Line) from the main Norwich to London Liverpool St line at Marks Tey. The journey between Sudbury and Marks Tey takes 20 minutes, with stops at Bures station, and Chappel & Wakes Colne station. Station managed by and services operated by Greater Anglia.
By bus
[edit]- Chambers Buses services X73 & 753 run Bury St Edmunds to Sudbury
- Chambers Buses services 754 & 84 run between the town and Colchester.
- Beestons Buses service 91/91C runs between the town and Ipswich,
- Beestons Buses service 236 runs between the town and Haverhill.
Suffolk On Board publish full details of all rural bus services around the town.
By bicycle
[edit]The town is on National Cycle Route 13 (London to Fakenham), running through Colchester to the S and through Lavenham & Bury St Edmunds to the N. Regional Cycle Routes connect the town with other local towns, including Ipswich, Stoke by Nayland & Alton Water to the E.
Get around
[edit]
Due to Sudbury's small and compact nature, it is no problem at all to cover the town from edge to edge on foot. However, the Tesco store and commercial park are off the Sudbury bypass, a fair walk from the town centre and best reached by car.
See
[edit]
The idyllic water meadows around the river Stour can be found just outside of the town centre. There are many paths and perfect picnic settings to take advantage of on summer evenings.
Buried beneath the locally famous Mill Hotel there is a mummified cat which can be viewed upon request.
There is a small infogram located by St Peter's Church in the town centre marking the fact that Sudbury was mentioned in the novel 101 Dalmatians, and is well worth a look for fans of English literature.
- 1 Melford Hall, Long Melford, Sudbury, CO10 9AA (4 miles north of Sudbury), ☏ +44 1787 379228, melford@nationaltrust.org.uk.
- 2 Gainsborough's House (Birthplace of Gainsborough & Museum), 46 Gainsborough St, Sudbury, CO10 2EU, ☏ +44 1787 372958, mail@gainsborough.org. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Adults £7; children £2; under 5 free.
- 3 St Gregory’s Church, Sudbury, CO10 2AS. Daily 9AM-5PM.
Do
[edit]Despite the lack of many common amenities such as a cinema or shopping centre, there is still much to enjoy in the small market town.
Belle Vue park has a variety of activities that can be enjoyed by those of all ages. Facilities include a miniature golf course, a children's adventure trail, a playpark, rollerskating park, tennis courts, animal enclosures and a large picnic area.
Many pubs can be found in the area including those which specialise in locally brewed ales.
There are a wide range of paths and cycle routes in the area for the more adventurous visitors and maps can be purchased from the tourist information centre.
- 1 St Peter's Church, Market Hill, Sudbury, CO10 2EA, admin@stpetersudbury.co.uk. No longer used as a church but can be visited and holds events (concerts, craft markets, art exhibitions, etc.).
- 2 Kingfisher Leisure Centre, Station Rd, Sudbury, CO10 2SU, ☏ +44 1787 375656, kingfisherreception@ssleisure.co.uk. Large swimming pool, gym, sauna & spa, cafe.
- 3 The Quay Theatre, Quay Lane, Sudbury, CO10 2AN, ☏ +44 1787 374745.
- Valley Walk (5½ mile walk) (Melford Hall end OS grid ref TL867462). Expect 2 hr 15 min. Melford Hall to Sudbury and return by bus.
Buy
[edit]The town centre took a turn for the worse in the early 2010s, with many shops being forced to close due to the economic climate.
There are still some modest outlets for local goods but most shops tend to be part of major chains.
The main shops in the town are a pair of W.H.Smith's, an Iceland, a discount shop called Thing Me Bobs and a 99p store which forced a pound shop across the road out of business.
- 1 Town Market, Market Hill, mark.wilde@sudburytowncouncil.co.uk. Th & Sa. In 2008, it celebrated its 1000th birthday.
- 2 Roys (Department Store), Great Eastern Rd, Sudbury, CO10 2TJ, ☏ +44 1787 882800. M-W 9AM-6PM, Th F 8:30AM-8PM, Sa 8:30AM-6PM, Su 10AM-4PM.
- 3 Waitrose (Supermarket), Station Rd, Sudbury, CO10 2SS, ☏ +44 1787 880373. M-Sa 7AM-9PM, Su 10AM-4PM.
- 4 Sainsbury's (Supermarket), 66 Cornard Rd, Sudbury, CO10 2XB, ☏ +44 1787 291200. M-Sa 7AM-11PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Petrol station, cafe & pharmacy (different hours)
Eat
[edit]In addition to the chain restaurants in the town such as Prezzo, Ask, Café Nero and Wetherspoon's, there are some independent eateries.
For a delicious and well-priced lunch (or even afternoon snack), Niche in Gainsborough Street offer a great selection of freshly prepared hot and cold sandwiches in addition to a great drinks menu.
There are two local pizza restaurants in the town centre which provide a fantastic alternative to the vastly overpriced Domino's takeaway.
Also within the town centre there are a multitude of Chinese and Indian takeaways and restaurants as well as kebab shops for late night munchies. Northern Bites on North Street is particularly recommended.
Further out of town there is also a McDonald's and a KFC, although these are best avoided, especially at night time as these areas attract an unpleasant crowd of youths.
- 1 India Restaurant & Take-away, 58 North St, Sudbury, CO10 1RE, ☏ +44 1787 881880, info@indiarestaurantsudbury.co.uk. Su-Th noon-2:30PM, 5:30-11PM; F Sa noon-2:30PM, 5:30PM-midnight.
- 2 Prezzo (Italian Restaurant & Take-away), 54 Gainsborough St, Sudbury, CO10 2ET, ☏ +44 1787 880852. Daily noon-11PM.
- 3 Kind Cuisine (Vegan Restaurant), 11a Friars St, Sudbury, CO10 2AA, ☏ +44 1787 376101, kindcuisinesudbury@gmail.com.
- 4 Ballingdon Valley Indian Cuisine (Indian Restaurant), 57 Ballingdon St, Sudbury, CO10 2DA, ☏ +44 1787 376777. Su-Th noon-2:30PM, 7:30-11:30PM; F Sa noon-2:30PM, 5:30PM-midnight.
Drink
[edit]The two main bars in Sudbury are both chain pubs. However, there are many other pubs that offer a better atmosphere and a friendlier crowd at a slightly increased price.
There are several small breweries in the area and sampling the delicious local beers is a must for any ale enthusiast.
- 1 The Wagon & Horses (Pub & Food), Church Walk, Acton Sq, Sudbury, CO10 1HJ, ☏ +44 1787 312147, mail@thesudburywaggon.co.uk. Pub: all day. Food: M-F noon-2:30PM, 5:30-9PM; Sa Su noon-9PM.
- 2 The Silk Worm (Pub & Food), Queensbury House, East St., Sudbury, CO10 2HX, ☏ +44 1787 464050, silkworm.sudbury@stonegatepubs.com. M-Th 10AM-11PM, F Sa 10AM-1AM, Su 10AM-10:30PM.
- 3 The Maldon Grey (Pub & Food), Cats Lane, Sudbury, CO10 2RZ, ☏ +44 1787 372675. Free Wi-Fi.
Sleep
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Sudbury is host to a wide range of hotels, bed and breakfasts, inns and even a caravan park!
As the town is a quiet area, there shouldn't be much problem finding somewhere to stay for the night.
- 1 The Mill Hotel, Walnut Tree Lane, Sudbury, CO10 1BD, ☏ +44 1787 375544, info@themillhotelsudbury.co.uk.
- 2 Black Boy (Hotel), 7 Market Hill, Sudbury, CO10 2EA, ☏ +44 1787 379046, info@blackboyhotelsudbury.co.uk. Free Wi-Fi.
- 3 The Cabin Sudbury (B&B), 98 Melford Rd, Sudbury, CO10 1JY, ☏ +44 1787 315689, info@thecabinsudbury.co.uk.
Connect
[edit]Sudbury and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Sept 2022, 5G has not reached this area.
Go next
[edit]- Long Melford
- Lavenham
- Colchester
- Braintree
- Bury St Edmunds
- Stowmarket
- Witham
- Ipswich
- Hadleigh
- Maldon