JUMP TO... Sudbury Christmas Guide Memory Tree Dickensian Guided Tour Christmas Tree Festival Sudbury Arts Centre | Craft Fair CHRISTMAS FAIR & LIGHT SWTICH ON Friday 27th November 2026 | 5pm - 9pm Join us for the annual Christmas Light Switch On & Fair in Sudbury this November! Taking place on the last Friday of the month, this festive event is free to attend and open all. Enjoy a delightful evening filled with hot food stalls, baked goods, handmade gifts, and exciting funfair rides. Don't miss the Mayor's speech, a choir performance, and festive music as we officially kick off the holiday season at 5pm, with the dazzling lights turning on around 6:30pm! SUDBURY CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2026 Sudbury Town Council is pleased to announce the return of their Christmas Gift Guide for 2026! Our comprehensive booklet aims to help residents and visitors alike discover the best of Sudbury’s independent shops and festive events this Winter, and was a smashing success in 2025. Once published, the booklet will be available for free from the Tourist Information Centre on Gaol Lane and on this webpage. Gift Guide FESTIVE DICKENSIAN GUIDED TOUR Thank you to everyone who joined us last year on our Dickensian Christmas Guided Tour of Sudbury - Scrooge actually cracked a smile! Scrooge and Mrs Scratchit will return on Saturday 5th December 2026 to bring you on a festive meander thorugh the historic market town of Sudbury as we try to get the relentlessly miserable Mr Scooge to crack a smile as the rest of us soak up the historic streets, stories and festive Sudbury spirit! Tickets on sale now! Buy Tickets Dickensian Tour CHRISTMAS MEMORY TREE Honor your loved one this festive season by decorating a wood slice to be displayed on our memory tree, situated in Old Market Place. A suggested minimum donation of £5 will support the Mayor's chosen charities, Number 72 and The Kernos Centre. Join us in celebrating cherished memories while making a meaningful contribution to our community. Your support makes a difference! Information on how to donate coming soon. Memory Tree CHRISTMAS CRAFT MARKET SUDBURY ARTS CENTRE Returning on Friday 27th November and Saturday 28th November 2026! Sudbury Arts Centre's Christmas Craft Fair is the perfect place to get locally made, one of a kind presents. Pop down during the Christmas Light Switch On or during your trip to Sudbury's Saturday charter market. For more information visit sudburyartscentre.com/whats-on , further details will be published here when available. Crat Fair CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL SUDBURY ROTARY CLUB 8th - 13th December 2026 | St Gregory's Church Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 5pm Sunday 10am to 4pm Admission: suggested donation of £2 A much loved event in Sudbury's festive calendar has moved to St Gregory's Church this year. Businesses, charities and community groups sponsor and decorate a themed Christmas tree to raise awareness and support for what they do! Your suggested admission donation goes towards the Rotary's charities, inluding East Anglian Children's Hospice. For more information visit Sudbury Rotary's website , further details will be published here when available. Chritmas Tree Festival Back to top

YouR right to information SUDBURY TOWN COUNCIL'S SCHEME OF PUBLICATION* Scheme of Publication In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), Sudbury Town Council is committed to making information available to the public as part of its normal business activities. This page is to help signpost you to regularly requested items and useful information. Requests for copies of documents not immediately available on our website, or for additional information, should be directed to the Town Clerk. Information is free to obtain unless otherwise indicated and schedule of charges is detailed at the foot of the page. *Scheme of Publication based on the Information Commissioner's model publication scheme. Click the buttons below to be directed straight to the section of interest. 1. WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO 2. WHAT WE SPEND AND HOW WE SPEND IT 3. WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE AND HOW WE ARE DOING 4. HOW WE MAKE DECISIONS 5. OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 6. LISTS AND REGISTERS 7. OUR SERVICES Class 1 Who’s who on the Council STC Councillors Sudbury Town Council Staff Structure Chart. Staff Org Chart Council Committee Structures Committee Structures Constitiutional and Legal Governance Key Governing Documents Contact details for Town Clerk and Council members. Councillor Contacts Location of main Council offices and accessibility details. Town Hall Information 1. WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO This section contains organisational information, constitutional details and contacts for Sudbury Town Council. The pages below give details about our structure, how we operate and the roles and responsibilities of both Councillors and Officers serving our local community. Class 2 2. WHAT WE SPEND AND HOW WE SPEND IT Financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts, ensuring transparency regarding how public funds are invested to benefit the local community. Financial Information and Reports Financial documents Contracts List (over £5000) Financial Documents Local Purchase Policy Local Purchase Finance Committee Meetings Committee Meetings Asset Register Financial documents Class 3 3. WHAT OUR PRIORITIES ARE AND HOW WE ARE DOING Our key strategies, business plans, performance indicators and audit reports. View our current objectives and evaluations of our ongoing performance and financial management. Business Plan Current plan under review, link below to previous plan Business Plan Audit Reports Financial Information Class 4 4. HOW WE MAKE DECISIONS We provide access to meeting timetables, agendas, minutes and reports presented to Council, that are not regarded as private and confidential. Timetable of Council and Committee meetings Council Meetings Responses to consultation papers. Sudbury Town Council is a consultee for relevant Planning and Highways matters. Please get in touch to request consultations. Get in Touch Agendas of meetings. Link below takes you to the current year's Agendas. Previous years here. Council Meeting Agendas Responses to planning applications. Sudbury Town Council is a consultee for relevant Planning applications, our responses are published with planning application papers on the district Council's site: Babergh Planning Page Minutes of meetings. Link below takes you to the current year's Minutes. Previous years here. Council Meeting Minutes Bye-laws Please get in touch if you would like to request information about any bye-laws in Sudbury. Get in Touch Reports presented to council meetings. These are included in published minutes. Past Meeting Minute Reports Class 5 5. OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The protocols and procedures that guide Council operations, staffing and decision making, ensuring our local governance remains transparent and accountable in delivering services to the community. Key governing documents, policies and procedures for the Council. Policies & Procedures Class 6 6. LISTS AND REGISTERS Information held in registers we are legally required to maintain and make available for inspection. Assets registers Assets List (RTI) Register of members’ interests STC Councillors Register of gifts and hospitality (recorded in all minutes) 2026 Council Meetings Class 7 7. THE SERVICES WE OFFER As the grassroots tier of local government, we deliver a wide range of services and managed facilities for the benefit of local residents. Allotments Sudbury Allotments Seating, litter bins, clocks, memorials and lighting Leisure & Environment Committee Public Events STC Events Burial Grounds Sudbury Cemetery Tourist Information Centre and visitor economy Explore Sudbury Civic Events and Mayoral Civic Activities Town Hall services including room hire The Town Hall Markets Sudbury Market Council Services and Democratic Council Information Parks, playing fields and recreational facilities The Croft & Millacre Newsletters and promotion Council News CONTACT AND SCHEDULE OF CHARGES Contact details: Mr Ciaran Griffin, Town Clerk Tel: 01787 372331 E-mail: ciaran.griffin@sudbury-tc.gov.uk Schedule of Charges: Type of Charge: Disbursement cost Description: Photocopying / printing at 10p / sheet Basis of charge: Actual cost Type of charge: Postage Description: Cost of Royal Mail second class stamp Basis of charge: Actual cost Contact the Clerk

Get in touch with the team at Sudbury Town Council Get in touch Please check our 'Council Services ' page to check you have the right local authority for your query. Submit the form below or contact us on T: 01787 372331 E: info@sudbury-tc.gov.uk The Town Hall's Tourist Information Centre is open 6 days a week Monday - Saturday. SEND Thank you for getting in touch with Sudbury Town Council. We'll be in touch soon. Sudbury Town Council (STC) will be Data Controllers of the information you are providing. As required by the Data Protection Act 2018 the information will be kept safe, secure, processed and only shared for those purposes or where it is allowed by law. In some circumstances however we may need to disclose your personal details to a third party so that they can provide a service you have requested, or fulfil a request for information. Any information about you that we pass to a third party will be securely held by that party, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and used only to provide the services or information you have requested.

Sudbury Town Hall Old Market Place, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 1TL Built by Thomas Ginn of Sudbury and opened in 1828, the Town Hall is a striking Greek Revival building overlooking the Old Market Place. Today it serves as the home of Sudbury Town Council, the Tourist Information Centre, Registration Services, and Sudbury’s free Heritage Centre & Museum, open to the public six days a week. The impressive Assembly Room is available to hire for conferences, dinners, lectures, classes, and other events. To the side, the former town Gaol entrance - once used to hold prisoners before the assizes -now forms part of the Sudbury Heritage Centre and the starting point of The Talbot Trail. The Assembly Room Available for Hire Entrance on Gaol Lane (Fully accessible) The Town Hall’s impressive Assembly Room hosts a wide range of public and private events, including festivals, craft fairs, awards, lectures, classes, ceremonies, and dinners. We offer competitive hire rates for private and corporate functions, with subsidised rates available for local community and charitable organisations. The room is fully accessible and includes access to a kitchen, toilets, tables and chairs, AV equipment, and free WiFi. For out-of-hours bookings, a dedicated doorkeeper is provided to welcome guests, manage access, and handle opening and closing of the building. If you have any queries, please contact us. Assembly Room Booking Form 2026/27 Assembly Room Hire Charges Assembly Room Layouts Free use of The Town Hall Policy Assembly Room Sudbury Heritage Centre & Museum Entrance on Gaol Lane | Free Entry Open Monday - Saturday From Saxons to silk, the Heritage Centre is a must visit for anyone curious about Sudbury's unique past. Sudbury Heritage Centre is housed within the beautiful Grade II listed Town Hall with entrance on Gaol Lane. Displays offer a fascinating glimpse into the town’s past from Pre-history to the present day. Read more here. Visitors are also welcome to explore the extensive Sudbury Photo Archive, a captivating collection of images of Sudbury through the ages. Go To The Heritage Centre's Webpage Sudbury Tourist Information Centre Entrance on Gaol Lane | Free Entry Open year round | Monday - Saturday Sudbury's Tourist Information Centre is one of the last remaining dedicated TICs in the region. Operated by Sudbury Town Council, this friendly and customer focused service is for both local residents and visitors alike. Click Here To Learn More Sudbury Registration Office Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships Open for pre-booked appointments only. There's no counter service (reception). An appointment system is in operation. Please get in touch to make an appointment: Go To Website

Getting Here Thank you for planning your visit to Sudbury, we look forward to welcoming you! There are 3 long stay and 2 short stay car parks within close proximity to the town centre. Take a look below for locations, charges and extra facilities including accessible parking and charging points for electric vehicles. There are also many options to join us car free by train, bus or or there are many fantastic cycling and walking routes to, in and around Sudbury. Take a look at the Suffolk on Board website for car-free options to visit us. There is also a Coach and Lorry Park available with 12 spaces, please see below for details. Car Parks in Sudbury are owned and operated by Babergh District Council. Season and overnight parking permits can be purchased for Sudbury car parks from Babergh District Council's website here. By Car Sudbury has seven car parks in total and one coach & lorry park. These sites are maintained by Babergh District Council, and you can find the full information including charges, stay times and accessibility by clicking the relevant buttons. If you have any questions regarding which car park may be most suitable for your needs, please feel free to contact us! Friars Meadow Car Park Railway Station Car Park Girling Street Car Park Great Eastern Road Car Park North Street Car Park Quay Lane Car Park Stour Street Car Park Coach & Lorry Park By train Sudbury is easy to reach by rail, with regular train services connecting us to Marks Tey for onward journeys to Colchester, Ipswich, Chelmsford and London Liverpool Street. The Gainsborough line offers a simple and reliable way to travel into the heart of historic Suffolk, whether you’re visiting for shopping, dining, local events or exploring the surrounding countryside. With the station just a short walk from the town centre, travelling to Sudbury by train makes planning your visit straightforward and convenient. ESSCRP Gainsborough Line Greater Anglia By Bus Sudbury is well connected by bus with direct routes to nearby towns such as Bury St Edmunds, Braintree, Hadleigh and even Colchester. Konect Buses are the main company that serves Sudbury, with Beestons providing a service to Hadleigh and Felix providing not only a circular Sudbury - Long Melford route but plenty of day excursions! Go Start are a charitable organisation providing transport to those who may not otherwise be able to stay connected & independent. Sudbury Bus Stop | Konect Felix Coaches Go Start Community Transport Beestons

View information on the Sudbury Annual Town Meeting 2026 and have your say on the issues raised. annual town meeting 2026 Wednesday April 1st 2026, 7pm The Assembly Room, Sudbury Town Hall, CO10 1TL what is the annual town meeting? An annual town meeting is a public meeting of local electors where the community reviews the actions of the Town Council over the past year, receives brief reports from the council, and raises questions or issues of local concern. It is a forum for accountability and community discussion, rather than a decision-making meeting of the council itself. The public are welcome to attend and participate in the meeting. sudbury - have your say Click here to fill out the form Sudbury Town Council is inviting residents, workers and visitors to take part in a short feedback survey to help us better understand what matters most to our community in Sudbury. The form takes around 10 minutes to complete and asks a small number of questions about you (such as whether you live, work or visit the town), your views on the services and events we deliver, and any wider concerns you may have about life in the town. This information helps us understand who is responding, what is working well, and where improvements or additional support may be needed. Your responses will be reviewed and the most important and common issues raised will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting. Taking part is an important way to make your voice heard and to help shape the Town Council’s priorities for the year ahead. faq's Who can attend the meeting? The AGM is a meeting of all electors for Sudbury, so both residents of Sudbury and the general public are welcome to attend. Will I be able to ask questions? Any registered elector may ask questions to Sudbury Town Council. Who will chair the meeting? The Mayor of Sudbury will chair in the meeting or in their absence the Deputy Mayor. Other Sudbury Town Councillors and the Town Clerk will also be in attendance. Will notes be taken? Yes, a written record of the meeting will be taken and the minutes will be uploaded to the website in due course.

Documents Financial Documents Next Internal Control Reports Next Your Right to Information Scheme of Publication Next Policies Including key governing documents Next Sudbury Town Council operates within a strict framework of statutory legislation and internal regulations. This clearly defined structure ensures that all council actions, decisions and expenditures are lawful, transparent and democratically accountable. Our key governing documents are our Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and Code of Conduct which can be found on the Policies page, accessible by selecting the Policies tab below.

Sport Events in Sudbury Throughout the year in Sudbury, people of all ages are playing and supporting many different sport clubs. If you want to join them, watch them or support them, check out their websites via the links below! Football AFC Sudbury View Cricket Sudbury Cricket Club View Rugby Sudbury RFC View hockey Sudbury hockey club View tennis Sudbury tennis club View bowls Sudbury bowls club View

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Discover scenic Sudbury, including our Friars Meadow designated bathing site and beautiful strolls in nature. Get Outdoors Experience fresh air, river walks, scenic trails and the space to relax in the great outdoors here in Sudbury, Suffolk. Whether you’re planning a relaxing day by the water, a countryside walk, or a car-free adventure by train, there are countless ways to explore Sudbury's beautiful landscapes and open spaces. From peaceful walking routes with wildlife havens to the designated bathing site at Friars Meadow, it’s never been easier to reconnect with nature. Swim, paddle, picnic. Take a dip at Friars Meadow, where our stretch of the River Stour is recognised as a designated bathing water site! Perfect for warm summer days, or wrapping up for colder strolls, the riverside offers a place to swim, paddle, picnic or simply enjoy time outdoors beside the water. Support local by checking out Sudbury pubs and eateries or pick up some fresh goods from the Market if you're visiting on a Thursday or Saturday! Whether you’re visiting with family, meeting friends or looking for a peaceful spot to reconnect with nature, Friars Meadow is one of Sudbury's top outdoor locations. Please read all information available from the Environment Agency and Anglian Water before deciding to swim at Friars Meadow. Photo: Bill Hiskett Photography Visit the River Stour Trust website View information on bathing sites Where to eat & drink in Sudbury View Fluidity paddling and kayaking View on a map View walks in and around Sudbury Visit the Discover Suffolk website Stroll, ramble, stride. Walk in Gainsborough's footsteps, discover Sudbury's industrious past and present and the buildings that characterise the wealth of The Wool Towns, walk along lost railways, discover Sudbury's Silk Weaving heritage and the ancient water meadows - a haven for wildlife. Photo: Bill Hiskett Photography sUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT Exploring by train, bike or on foot is one of the best ways to experience Sudbury at a slower pace while helping to protect the landscapes Gainsborough once enjoyed. Choosing sustainable travel can reduce congestion, improve air quality and support a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. With great rail connections, scenic cycling routes and walkable outdoor spaces, getting outdoors without the car is easier than ever. If you do choose to travel by car, there are plenty of car parks in Sudbury with free parking on Sundays! Photo: Sudbury Town Council View Konect Buses website Visit the Greater Anglia website Visit Cycling UK to plan your route View parking options Visit Sudbury Common Lands website Visit Suffolk Biodiversity Information The Commonlands & biodiversity The ancient Common Lands of Sudbury are one of Suffolk’s most remarkable surviving landscapes. e are incredibly lucky to have a network of historic water meadows, grazing marshes and wetlands that have remained largely untouched for centuries. Because much of the land has never been ploughed or treated with chemicals, it supports an exceptional range of biodiversity, from native wildflowers and grasses to rare wetland plants, insects, birds and mammals. Carefully managed through traditional summer grazing, the meadows provide an important refuge for wildlife while preserving the unique riverside character of the Stour Valley. Photo: Bill Hiskett Photography

Walking in and around Sudbury From riverside walks along the Stour, gentle ambles across Sudbury's ancient water meadows, town trails taking in Sudbury's unique history and architecture to fascinating strolls along lost railway lines there is something for avid ramblers, wildlife spotters to curious culture buffs alike. Sudbury is surrounded by breathtaking landscape accented by the River Stour and ancient Water Meadows that have inspired the some of the world's most celebrated artists - among Sudbury's very own Thomas Gainsborough. Enjoy Sudbury Hospitality Looking for places to eat, drink, visit or stay in Sudbury as part of you walking trip? Take a look at our dining in Sudbury guide with a wide selection of independent restaurants, cafes and pubs for your mid ramble break! Find out more Go Car Free With excellent public transport links and a range of amenities in the town centre, Sudbury is perfect start or end point for further exploration. Sudbury is the terminus station on the scenic 'The Gainsborough Line', a bus network also connects Sudbury to many nearby rural towns and villages. Find out more Let Us Guide You! You do the walking, we do the talking...Mix up your Sudbury exploration with tales of Sudbury's fascinating history From Saxon settlements, artistic inspiration, peasants revolts to Sudbury Silk. Book on one of our Guided Tours to find out more about Sudbury's unique heritage! Find out more Stour Valley Exploration & Sudbury Self Guided Trails Walk in Gainsborough's footsteps, discover Sudbury's industrious past and present and the buildings that characterise the wealth of The Wool Towns, walk along lost railways, discover Sudbury's Silk Weaving heritage and the ancient water meadows - a haven for wildlife. These fascinating self-guided trails are easy going and perfect for anyone who likes a mix of town and country on their walks! GAINSBOROUGH TRAIL MEADOW WALK TRAIL Circular route - 4 miles / gentle Start Point: Kingfisher Leisure Centre Car Park, Sudbury, CO10 2SU The Meadow Walk is the first section of the Gainsborough Trail, named after the famous Painter Thomas Gainsborough who was born in Sudbury and spent much of his formative years as an artist sketching Sudbury's inspiring landscape. The Meadow Walk features Sudbury’s ancient water meadows, which, having never been farmed, are a rich source of biodiversity for a wide variety of wild flowers, insects, birds and mammals. The meadows are carefully managed by the Sudbury Common Lands Charity who continue the old tradition of summer cattle grazing. Along the route you will also discover remnants of Sudbury’s industrial heritage and stunning views that vary throughout the seasons. Footage following Gainsborough Trail: Meadow Walk. Credit: Joe Jackson, LakeDistrick-Walks.co.uk download route guide & map GAINSBOROUGH TRAIL cornard walk Circular route - 7 miles / moderate, hilly in parts Start Point: Kingfisher Leisure Centre Car Park, Sudbury, CO10 2SU The Cornard Walk is the second section of the Gainsborough Trail, named after the famous Painter Thomas Gainsborough who was born in Sudbury and spent much of his formative years as an artist sketching Sudbury & Great Cornard's inspiring landscape. The Great Cornard section of the Gainsborough Trail features 7 miles of varied landscapes from riverside paths, open glades and woodlands to viewpoints overlooking the landscape that inspired Thomas Gainsborough. Discover historic Bakers Mill beside the meandering Stour, ancient Danes Hole where Boudicca’s army defeated the Romans (possibly!), and chalk cliffs that gave rise to Sudbury’s brick-making industry. The views over Sudbury and the surrounding landscape are breathtaking and a rare treat in an otherwise flat suffolk! Cornard_26 Cornard_3 Cornard_25 Cornard_26 1/16 Photos following Gainsborough Trail: Cornard Walk. download route guide & map the talbot trail Circular town trail - easy / accessible Start Point: Sudbury Heritage Centre, Town Hall (Gaol Lane), Sudbury, CO10 2EA The Talbot Trail is a series of 14 statues around Sudbury that depict various fascinating episodes in the town’s history over the centuries. The trail is an excellent way to navigate your way around Sudbury with many of the town's ancient natural, historical and architectural gems to enjoy on route. From peasants' revolting to Elizabethan actors jigging, walk in the footsteps of some fascinating local characters from Sudbury's unique past. The first statue 'The Town Gaol' and the beginning of The Talbot Trail is situated adjacent to Sudbury Town Hall, in Gaol Lane, near the impressive Victorian doorway that forms the entrance to Sudbury Heritage Centre & Museum. view route guide & map Download Family Guide suffolk threads: sudbury Circular town trail - 3.5 miles easy / accessible Start Point: St Peter's and Market Hill, Sudbury, CO10 2EH In the 15th and 16th century, the fate of a handful of Suffolk towns was changed forever by the wool trade: Lavenham, Long Melford, Hadleigh, Clare and Sudbury. By the early 14th century Sudbury was one of England’s wealthiest towns, largely thanks to the woollen industry. Much of this wealth was spent on fine timber-framed houses, and rebuilding and decorating churches. By the 1520s religious conflicts disrupted continental markets. However, Sudbury’s spinners and weavers turned to producing lighter fabrics - today Sudbury's status as the UK's capital of silk remains intact. This walk leads you through the bustling old town with its historic buildings and ancient streets, into Sudbury Meadows. Find out more about The Wool Towns (Video by Dedham Vale AONB) Download guide & map Melford Hall to Sudbury: Three Mills walk 5.5 miles - moderate route Dog friendly - please be aware of grazing cattle on Sudbury Water Meadows from May - September. Start Point: Melford Hall, Long Melford, Sudbury, CO10 9AA A very pleasant country walk along part of the old Great Eastern 'Stour Valley Railway' which once connected Long Melford to Sudbury, starting from the magnificent Melford Hall. With some fine architectural marvels on route including the three mills that remind us of Sudbury's industrious heritage: Borley Mill, Brundon Mill and Sudbury Mill (now The Mill Hotel). The walk ends in Sudbury town centre via the ancient Sudbury Common Lands. A very pleasant walk with plenty of places to eat and drink for refreshment in Sudbury when you finish. The Mill Hotel Sudbury, Photo: Sue Longhurst View of Ballingdon from The Valley Trail Brundon Mill, Sudbury. Photo: Matt Byham The Mill Hotel Sudbury, Photo: Sue Longhurst 1/10 view guide & map gainsborough's sudbury Circular town trail - easy / accessible No prescribed route, enjoy the landmarks at your leisure, a central start point is the Gainsborough Statue. Start Point: Gainsborough Statue, Market Hill, Sudbury, CO10 2EH Walk in Gainsborough's footsteps and discover the Sudbury that the great painter would have known in the 18th Century. From the Indpendent Meeting House on Friars Street where Gainsborough was baptised, the ancient water meadows that ingnited his passion for landscape painting, not forgetting Gainsbourgh's House - the Artist's birthplace & public museum dedicated to his life and work - currently undergoing an ambitious redevelopment project: ‘Reviving an Artist’s Birthplace – a national centre for Gainsborough’. Read more here. Prefer to walk in Gainsborough's Footsteps with an expert Guide? Take a look at our upcoming guided tours. Download guide & map railway walk: the valley trail long melford to sudbury 3 - 3.5 miles, linear route - easy This route is also used by cyclists, the Valley Trail is largely accessible. Accessible route version download here. Start Point: Melford Country Park, 3-4 Borley Rd, Long Melford, Sudbury CO10 9HH This trail follows the disused section of The Stour Valley Line railway. To bookend the rail theme of this walk, you can start at the former Long Melford Railway Station (now a private residence) or at Melford Country Park. Explore the beautiful Country Park before you embark on The Valley Trail - there are some very scenic viewing points across the River Stour. Look out for the 18th Milestone on Rodbridge Corner before you turn into Borley Road for The Valley Trail. To start The Valley Trail, proceed past the picnic benches close to the Country Park car park embankment and go through the entrance on your right signed "To Valley Trail". It is almost a straight walk into Sudbury, along the 2.7 mile disused railway line. Try the Meadow Walk (Gainsborough Trail) for further exploration. Footage following the Valley Trail from Long Melford to Sudbury. Credit: LakeDistrick-Walks.co.uk View route Accessible route guide explore belchamp brook 9 miles or short cut north 6.5 miles / short cut south 6 miles - circular route Start Point: At any point along the Valley Trail between Ballingdon Bridge and Brundon or join at Quay Lane, CO10 2AN Enjoy Belchamp Brook on a circular walk in this remote corner just over the Essex border from Sudbury and explore the undulating, unspoiled and ancient countryside of the Stour Valley and this tributary. The walk (with a short cut) traverses the extensive common lands that are such an attractive feature of the western side of Sudbury. Join the walk anywhere along the Valley Trail in Sudbury then follow the Belchamp Brook up through the water meadows to Belchamp Walter and Bulmer, returning via Little Henny and Middleton. A number of ancient churches, mills and characterful historic architectural features can be explored on route including the breathtaking Belchamp Hall - if it looks familiar it appeared frequently as the fictional Felsham Hall in popular TV series Lovejoy. Belchamps sign Borley Belchamp Hall Entrance to Belchamp Hall Belchamps sign Borley 1/8 Download route map & guide The gainsborough branch line walks This varied series of walks follow the Marks Tey to Sudbury rail branch line, known as 'The Gainsborough Line'. They are an excellent way to discover some of the most beautiful and historically fascinating parts of the Stour Valley on foot via linear routes, each walk starts and ends at a rail station for a great car-free day out. Ramble Number 2: Sudbury Station to Bures Station: 6-7 miles Start Point: Sudbury Station, Station Road, CO10 2RD This is the area which gave both Gainsborough and Constable their inspiration, but the history of the valley you traverse has its roots much deeper in history than this, as evidenced by the Anglo-Saxon place names themselves: Sudbury – South Fort, Cornard – Corn Land, Lamarsh – Lambs Marsh, Alphamstone – Aelfhelms Farm, Bures – cottages. Ramble Number 8: Bures Station to Sudbury Station Start Point: Bures Station, Station Hill, CO8 5DX This walk follows the heights bordering the eastern side of the Stour Valley through a countryside unspoilt by factory farming. It starts off on quiet Suffolk roads, and crosses the Stour at Henny where it continues via the picturesque hamlet of Middleton and its surroundings before reaching Sudbury via the beautiful water meadows bordering the River Stour. If you have time before you set off (Ramble 2) or on your return (Ramble 8) Sudbury Town Centre is a great place to grab some ramble rocket fuel or to round off your walk with a well deserved meal or refreshing drink - fsearch cafes, restaurants and pubs in Sudbury here. DOWNLOAD RAMBLE 2: SUDBURY TO BURES DOWNLOAD RAMBLE 8: BURES TO SUDBURY useful links - planning your visit SUFFOLK ON BOARD & cycling CHAMBERS BUSES ROUTES & TIMES PARKING IN SUDBURY GAINSBOROUGH LINE (ESSCRP) GREATER ANGLIA TRAIN TIMES STOUR VALLEY PATH FULL ROUTE ST EDMUND WAY FULL ROUTE eating & drinking in sudbury

Download the guide Saturday 28th March 2026 10am - 3pm at Sudbury Town Hall & Sudbury Arts Centre That's a wrap! What. A. Turnout! Sudbury On Show 2026 has concluded and we couldn't have asked for a better turnout! Seeing the amount of support for local charity and community groups goes to show just how passionate the people of Sudbury are about their town. If you're curious, you can still find the list of groups by downloading the guide. Massive thanks to the team at Sudbury Arts Centre for their partnership and use of their space for this event! Founded by the late, great Andrew Phillips, OBE - Sudbury on Show is a biennial celebration of the many community organisations that make Sudbury unique. The event is organised by Sudbury Town Council, and since 2024, has been organised and hosted in partnership with Sudbury Arts Centre. "We live in challenging times! Driven by the assumption that ‘bigger is better’ the overlooked reality is that contentment and fulfilment mostly depend on a sense of belonging and a communal life rich in relationships, otherwise people tend to feel lonely – even anonymous’. ‘Sudbury on Show' is a chance for us all to celebrate the many great things still going on in our wonderful town and district. Above all we hope it encourages people to get involved and so contribute to our general wellbeing" Andrew Phillips, OBE (1939 - 2023) Sudbury on Show Founder Unveiling of Andrew Phillips OBE Memorial Plaque Prior to Sudbury on Show 2024 opening to the public, together with The Mayor of Sudbury, Olly Phillips and Sam Thornton, Chair of The Sudbury Society we unveiled the Andrew Phillips Memorial Plaque which sits proudly on the beautiful facade of Sudbury Library (formerly The Corn Exchange). Andrew Phillips was instrumental in saving the Corn Exchange from demolition and its subsequent conversion into the library. Just one of many local projects to ensure Sudbury's heritage is preserved whilst never resisting change for the betterment of our town. Sudbury owes a debt of gratitude to the work of this great man - he has left an indelible mark on Sudbury.