Lavenham in Suffolk is much visited and celebrated as one of the most picturesque villages in the country, having over 320 buildings of historic significance (
Link National Trust). Historically it was a busy, thriving and for many years a prosperous medieval and Tudor town and by the 16th century this picturesque village was the fourteenth wealthiest town in Britain, paying more tax than populous cities such as York and Lincoln, thanks to the quality of its renowned blue woollen cloth, which was in great demand (
Link National Trust).
Now maintained by The National Trust, The Lavenham Guildhall was originally the Guildhall of the wool guild of Corpus Christi. Its prime location, at the centre of the village overlooking the market square, suggests that it was probably the most exclusive and important of the Lavenham guilds. It is a Grade I listed building, described in the listing text as “A superb early C16 timber-framed building with plaster infill (circa 1529). It was the hall of the Guild of Corpus Christi, founded in 1529, and one of the 4 mediaeval guilds of Lavenham. It is one of the finest examples of half timbering in this part of the country” (
Link British Listed Buildings).
Since the decline of the wool trade, the guildhall building has served variously as a prison, workhouse, almshouse, wool store, nursery school and a 'welcome club' for American servicemen during World War ll. It is now a museum with displays of local history, gift shop and tearooms.