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About Melford Hall
The octagonal towers with their stately onion domes rise above this russet brick building towards the broad Suffolk skies. Melford Hall is a handsome house of the 16th century, it was built for Sir William Cordell, a man of considerable fortune who became Speaker of the House of Commons and Master of the Rolls. The house originally belonged to the Benedictine monks at Bury St.Edmunds. Following the dissolution of the monasteries the house and land was granted to Sir William. He maintained some of the old building, but is responsible for the splendid facade of the house with its two great wings flanking the central courtyard.
Queen Elizabeth I visited Melford in 1578 when she was entertained on a grand scale. Today, the house still possess the charm and warmth of those days, and in spite of various owners making slight changes, the house remains largely unaltered.
Melford Hall suffered during the Civil War, and centuries later in the 20th century a fire of 1942 took its toll, but overall the house and its contents reflect the changing times, tastes and history of its occupants so that visitors get a real feel for what this great house must have looked like during every stage of its history.
The House changed hands in 1786. It was purchased by Sir Harry Parker a member of a family with Naval traditions. The Parkers enhanced rooms with paintings from their exploits and memorabilia brought back from foreign shores.
In a series of fascinating rooms visitors can see Chinese porcelain, paintings of both the Cordell and Parker families, 18th and 19th century naval paintings, and a collection of objects belonging to Beatrix Potter who was a frequent visitor to the house. Her cousin was the wife of the 10th Baronet.
There is a small garden with lawns sweeping to the brick wall bordering the road. Parts of the old moat form an attractive sunken garden and there is a bowling green terrace.
Melford Hall was given to the National Trust in part payment of death duties owed to the Treasury in 1960. Until then it had remained the property of the Parker family.
The house is open to the public from April until September.
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Recommended towns & villages near Melford Hall | (0.9 miles, 1.4 km) The picturesque village of Long Melford lies in the heart of the beautiful valley of the Stour River... Information | Pictures (53) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages |  | (2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction S) Sudbury is an ancient market town full of evocative memories. It was the birthplace of Gainsborough one of England's greatest painters... Information | Pictures (9) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages |  | (3.6 miles, 5.8 km, direction NE) Wonderful clusters of fine Tudor houses, all gracious in age, offer the visitor a glimpse of just how a prosperous wool town must have looked during its' hey-day in the middle..... Information | Pictures (119) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages |  | (7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction N) This pleasant place is found amidst the rolling countryside of Suffolk and is but a few short miles from lovely Bury St. Edmunds... Information | Hotels | Holiday Cottages |  | (8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction SW) Set in enchanting border countryside where the fine old counties of Suffolk and Essex meet, lies the delightful village of Castle Hedingham which has pleasant buildings and an historic castle to explore... Information | Pictures (26) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages |
All towns in SuffolkComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandRecommended attractions near Melford Hall | (2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction S) An unusual and elegant joining of two old fashioned properties from the 1500's made this an attractive home for the Gainsborough..... Information | Hotels |  | (2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction S) Dedham Vale is also known as "Constable Country", it is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), and the place..... Information | Pictures (18) | Hotels |  | (3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction NE) Built by Corpus Christi, Lavenham's Guildhall is a magnificent 16th century timber-framed tudor building, now maintained by The..... Information | Pictures (5) | Hotels | | (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction W) .. Information | Hotels |  | (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction SW) .. Information | Pictures (24) | Hotels |
All attractions in SuffolkComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandHotels near Melford HallHotels near Melford Hall Cottages near Melford Hall Bed & Breakfast near Melford Hall  |  The Black Lion Hotel And RestaurantLong Melford, Suffolk, England (0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Overlooking the green, the Black Lion Hotel has an award-winning restaurant and views of Melford Hall. Rooms are furnished with antiques and modern artefacts from around the world. Most rooms overloo...
More info and book online.. Price from £87.00 |  | The Crown Inn HotelLong Melford, Suffolk, England (0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
The Crown Hotel is a family-run historic inn and restaurant, built in 1610. It retains many interesting features, such as Tudor cellars and exposed internal beams. The Crown Hotel is in the centre of...
More info and book online.. Price from £42.00 |  | Bull HotelLong Melford, Suffolk, England (0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Built in 1450 the Bull Hotel is a timber house in the charming East Anglian village of Long Melford. The former Coaching Inn offers en suite rooms and fine food. Reflecting the Bull’s history, bedr...
More info and book online.. Price from £49.00 |  | The George & Dragon InnSudbury, Suffolk, England (0.8 miles, 1.3 km)
Situated in a small town, this inn provides real ale, good home-cooked food from local suppliers, a fine wine menu and live entertainment on a regular basis. The George & Dragon has a selection of co...
More info and book online.. Price from £49.00 |  | The Cock InnGlemsford, Suffolk, England (2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction W)
In the ancient village of Glemsford, this 17th-century inn is surrounded by beautiful Suffolk countryside. The Cock Inn offers home-cooked food, a terrace garden and free Wi-Fi....
More info and book online.. Price from £40.00 |
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