Pictures of Melford Hall

a Historic Building in the town of Long Melford, in the county of Suffolk

Melford Hall Picture Tour Hotels near Melford Hall Submit a history of Melford Hall Nearby Attractions Nearby Towns Melford Hall Reviews Submit pictures Melford Hall Map Add to favourites

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.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Melford Hall.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Melford Hall and uploading your pictures.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Melford Hall

Gainsborough's House	(2.4 miles, 3.8 km, direction S)	Pictures
Dedham Vale	(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction S)	Pictures
Lavenham Guildhall	(3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Clare Castle Country Park	(5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction W)	Pictures
Hedingham Castle	(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction SW)	Pictures
East Anglian Railway Museum	(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction S)	Pictures
St Edmundsbury Cathedral	(11.2 miles, 17.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Dedham Art and Craft Centre	(14.1 miles, 22.6 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Hengrave Hall	(14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction N)	Pictures
High Woods Country Park	(14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction SE)	Pictures

All attractions in Suffolk
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Melford Hall

Long Melford, in the county of Suffolk (0.9 miles, 1.4 km)
The picturesque village of Long Melford lies in the heart of the beautiful valley of the Stour River.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sudbury, a Historic Market Town in the county of Suffolk (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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Lavenham, a Picturesque Village in the county of Suffolk (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...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Bildeston, a Picturesque Village in the county of Suffolk (7.7 miles, 12.5 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Whepstead, in the county of Suffolk (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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Castle Hedingham, a Picturesque Village in the county of Essex (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.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Kersey, in the county of Suffolk (8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction E)
Quintessentially English village of a style for which Suffolk is renowned. Winding streets full of exquisite properties, some dating back to Tudor times.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Polstead, in the county of Suffolk (9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction SE)
This delightful village has all the charm of a picture postcard. Almost overlooking the main village street and the village pond is the beautiful church dedicated to St. Mary which has the only medieval stone spire in Suffolk.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Nayland, in the county of Suffolk (9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction SE)
The heady beauty of Suffolk has been the inspiration of artist's for centuries and the village of Nayland, in the hear of Constable country is no exception.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Halstead, in the county of Essex (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction S)
This busy little town lies surrounded by delightful Essex countryside. It is perhaps best known for the beautiful old white weatherboarded three-story mill built on the banks of the River Colne in the 18th century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Suffolk
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Sudbury Station	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction S)
Bures Station	(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction S)
M11 Junction 9	(23.3 miles, 37.6 km, direction W)
London Stansted Airport	(25.0 miles, 40.2 km, direction SW)
Cambridge Airport	(25.0 miles, 40.3 km, direction W)
M11 Junction 10	(25.1 miles, 40.4 km, direction W)
Melford Hall to London	(54.1 miles, 87.0 km, direction SW)

Accommodation & Hotels near Melford Hall

Hotel Name
The Black Lion Hotel And Restaurant	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
The Bull Hotel	(0.6 miles, 1.0 km)
Tarantella Hotel & Restaurant	(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction S)
Hotel Elizabeth The Mill	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction S)
The Black Boy	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction S)
The Swan	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction NE)
The Boathouse Hotel ****	(3.3 miles, 5.4 km, direction S)
The Olde Bull Hotel	(3.3 miles, 5.4 km, direction S)
The George	(4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction W)
The Bell Hotel	(6.3 miles, 10.2 km, direction W)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts