Sudbury is an ancient market town set in the Stour Valley in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town dates back to the time of the Saxons and has a long heritage in the weaving and silk industries. This work was particularly important to the area during the late middle ages when nearby market towns like Lavenham were booming due to their role in the wool trade. Part of the explanation for Sudbury's historic wealth relates to its location – near to the coast for shipping wool exports via the River Stour.

 

Religious persecution of the Huguenots, the French weavers, from 1572 led to their evacuation from France to England. At first they settled in the Spitalfields area of East London, most notably Fournier Street, but wages were high and conditions in East Anglia were more favourable due to better water supplies, access to ports, cheaper premises and a good supply of skilled, cheap labour within easy distance of London. So silk production migrated to Sudbury, Nayland,Hadleigh and some parts of Essex, and by 1714 the trade was established in the region. George Courtauld lived in Sudbury and started a silk business nearby in 1798, and Reginald Warner started the Gainsborough Silk Weaving Company in 1903, which is still thriving in Sudbury today.

 

Sudbury is also well known for its natural beauty. Thomas Gainsborough was born here and the surrounding countryside inspired much of his work. His statue is the centrepiece of Sudbury in the market Square, with St Peters Church behind him. His birthplace is now open to the public and has been converted to a museum and art gallery. The collections on show exhibit a large number of Gainsborough's paintings as well as those of other artists.

 

Sudbury itself has a traditional Suffolk mix of architecture – combining Victorian terrace houses, Georgian manor houses and some spectacular medieval timber framed Halls, and even the occasional building from the time of Queen Anne. Three fine medieval churches remain along with an impressive range of timber-framed cloth merchant's houses and three storey 19th C silk weavers cottages.

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Sudbury is a pretty town with great shops and restaurants and is a must see.