Camping
Peaceful four-acre field just outside the village of Long Melford
A 10-minute drive to Lavenham; 50 minutes to Cambridge
In the grounds of historic Kentwell Hall, with shop on site
The journey into The Tedding is rather a fabulous one – you’ll pass through the historic Suffolk village of Long Melford, home to England’s longest stretch of 16th-century houses, go over the Roman bridge, pass the village green and arrive at the gates to Kentwell Avenue, a reportedly haunted avenue of lime trees that stretches for three quarters of a mile down to Tudor Kentwell Hall. It's down here at Kentwell Hall that you’ll arrive at your destination – The Tedding is a four-acre field within the grounds of this historic park, which served as an army camp in both world wars (you may well spot the graffiti of World War II soldiers on the gateposts if you know where to look). These days, this is a particularly peaceful spot, surrounded by trees and rural views and with plenty of wildlife to look out for (raptors overhead and muntjac or moles at ground level). The camping field has been left vehicle free, so it’s nicely safe and quiet for all guests. Gates are locked at night for added security. There’s no electricity here, and no public lighting, so it’s a good idea to bring a torch along to help you find your way around after dark. Toilets, a chemical disposal point and water supply are provided, and there’s a unisex disabled toilet about 300 metres away (alongside the estate shop, which is usually open until 5pm). Back in the village centre (a mile and a half away) there are a couple of restaurants and supermarkets, with a tearoom at the foot of Kentwell Avenue as well.
This part of Suffolk is packed with pretty villages and towns to visit – starting, of course, with Long Melford, which is home to Melford Hall as well as your own Kentwell Hall. The half-timbered houses of Lavenham (10 minutes’ drive) are worth checking out too, as is the attractive town of Sudbury (10 minutes). The countryside is equally gorgeous around here – this is ‘Constable country’, after all, and full of the landscapes that inspired the famous artist. The Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is the place to soak some of this up, and particularly the area around Flatford Mill (40 minutes). Hilly Ridge Alpacas (half an hour) and Boydells Dairy Farm (35 minutes) are the places to take the kids if they’re more into cute animals than scenic walks. For more of an urban day out, head to Bury St Edmunds (half an hour) to see the cathedral and abbey ruins or catch the park & ride bus for a wander around Cambridge (50 minutes) to see its famed colleges and have a go at punting along the river.This part of Suffolk is packed with pretty villages and towns to visit – starting, of course, with Long Melford, which is home to Melford Hall as well as your own Kentwell Hall. The half-timbered houses of Lavenham (10 minutes’ drive) are worth checking out too, as is the attractive town of Sudbury (10 minutes). The countryside is equally gorgeous around here – this is ‘Constable country’, after all, and full of the landscapes that inspired the famous artist. The Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is the place to soak some of this up, and particularly the area around Flatford Mill (40 minutes). Hilly Ridge Alpacas (half an hour) and Boydells Dairy Farm (35 minutes) are the places to take the kids if they’re more into cute animals than scenic walks. For more of an urban day out, head to Bury St Edmunds (half an hour) to see the cathedral and abbey ruins or catch the park & ride bus for a wander around Cambridge (50 minutes) to see its famed colleges and have a go at punting along the river.