Long Melford

Right now I live here – and it’s a lovely place to live.

Situated on the Suffolk side of the Suffolk / Essex border, Long Melford is what’s known as a “Wool town”, that is; it was a centre of the wool industry in the Middle Ages. There’s been people living in Melford since Roman times – the proof of which was the discovery of the remains of a Roman villa on one of the meadows that lead down to the River Stour, just off Liston Lane. It’s main claim to fame is that it has a large number of Antique shops, and the Lovejoy TV series starring Ian McShane was frequently filmed here. The main street is rumoured to be the longest village street in England and also the widest – this has to be seen to be believed. Heck, I always say to tourists who complain about how far it is to walk to get anywhere in the village: “They don’t call it Long Melford for nothing!” We have two old manor houses – Melford Hall (owned by the National Trust – boo!) and Kentwell Hall (which is privately owned and very much worth seeing as there’s always plenty going on, up there – open air concerts in the summer and a recreation of Tudor life every summer where people dress up and act like people of the time)

And you don’t lack for places to eat – there are eight (I think) pubs (The George and Dragon is recommended!), a fish and chip shop, a couple of rather snooty restaurants (best avoided as they’re expensive!) and an excellent Indian (Melford Valley) and Italian (Spaghetti Junction).

But yeah. It’s a lovely place, worth visiting. Come soon! You won’t regret it!