The ancient market town of Framlingham is nestled in the Suffolk countryside and a firm favourite with visitors and locals alike. Indeed, in 2006 it was voted ‘the best place to live in the country’ by Country Life magazine.
Framlingham is the perfect town for a stroll, shop and glimpse of history – there’s even a Town Trail marking all the primary sites of historic interest. Market Hill is the Town’s centre and still hosts markets on Saturday and Tuesday offering great local produce together with trinkets and collectibles. There are excellent shops too, for gifts, food, fashions and antiques and mouth-watering selection of cafés, tea shops, pubs and restaurants.
A short walk from Market Hill takes you to Framlingham Castle, once the home of Mary Tudor and the place where she waited to hear if it would be she or Lady Jane Grey who would be crowned queen. Today, the 12th Century curtain-wall structure remains, giving visitors the chance to walk around the castle walls for magnificent views of the surrounding town and countryside. Look out of music and theatre events in the grounds of the castle too.
Surrounding the Castle is The Mere, a natural haven full of wildlife and popular with walkers, where dogs are allowed. The Mere is property of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and contains over 290 species of plants and 80 species of birds. It lives up to its name, though – Mere means ‘lake’ – so remember your wellies if you’re going to walk its banks during winter months.