Suffolk Building Preservation Trust Ltd

A registered charity Number. 265212. Company Number. 1089324

Little Hall, Lavenham

lavenham office

SPS Office,
Little Hall,
Lavenham

A late 14th Century Hall House on the main square, it mirrors the history of Lavenham over the centuries. First built in the 1390s as a family house and workplace, it was enlarged, improved and modernised in the mid 1550s, and greatly extended later. By the 1700s it was giving homes to six families. It was restored in the 1920s/30s.

In 1975, Surrey County Council offered the Trust Little Hall, a late C14 hall house containing the Gayer-Anderson collection of pictures and artefacts, together with two cottages. Before selling the cottages, the Trust was able to restore Little Hall. It was opened to the public in 1978 and now operates as a museum.

Opening times

From Easter to the end of October, furnished and friendly Little Hall, with its beautiful garden, delights all visitors.

Open on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 2.00 - 5.30p.m., and Bank Holidays, 11.00a.m. to 5.30p.m. Admission charge - adults £2.50; children with the family free.

Groups may be booked outside these hours at any mutually convenient time.

School parties 50p each and accompanying staff free, Adult groups £2/head.

To arrange a group booking, please phone David Harris at Little Hall, 01787 247179

Our role

Historic buildings are often best conserved by opening them to the public. The Suffolk Preservation Society set up the Suffolk Building Preservation Trust to encourage the protection of the historic built environment in 1973. The objects are to "further the preservation in appropriate settings for the benefit of the nation, buildings or other structures, or land, of special beauty or special historic or architectural interest". The Trust's first project was the purchase, restoration and sale of five C16 cottages, Grade II listed in the conservation area of Rickinghall, in 1973.

With the Trust owning two properties, it decided to concentrate its efforts on managing them. The Suffolk Architectural Heritage Trust was set up in 1997 as a revolving fund to acquire, restore and sell listed properties.

Essential repair and redecoration work click here for news

Chair: [Martin Lightfoot]

Pakenham Water Mill

The Mill was built in the late 18th Century, replacing a previous Tudor water mill. Restoration was completed in the early 1980s, and won a prestigious Europa Nostra award in 1985. Recently a contiguous building has been purchased for development into a study centre.

Near Ixworth, it has been restored as a working mill and will soon incorporate the farm house next door. It is run by an enthusiastic team of millers who produce and sell wholemeal flour.

Opening times 2008

March 21 - September 28

Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays - 1.30 - 5.00pm

Thursday - 10.00am - 4.00pm

(milling demonstration first Thursday morning of each month)

also - Half Term weeks 2008:

May 26 - 30 1.30 - 5pm

October 25-31 1.30 - 4pm

Admission charge - Adults £3.00 Senior Citizens £2.50

Children £1.50

Special rates for prebooked parties - welcome all year round by prior arrangement. Telephone 01284 724075 or 01359 232025.

Special Events held throughout the year

Appeal

The Trust is currently running an appeal for funds to repair, develop and enhance the Mill as a visitor attraction. Further information about how you can help or make a contribution can be obtained from

Sarah Grieveson

( Below: Internal mechanism of the Mill)

Internal Mechanism of the Milll

The Suffolk Preservation Society, with the aid of a substantial anonymous donation, bought Pakenham Watermill in 1978. Following its restoration, it was opened to the public, and transferred to the Trust. The mill earned a Europa Nostra Diploma in 1985. The farmhouse adjacent to the mill was acquired in 2000, and this has greatly enhanced the opportunity to develop the complex.

Map for the Mill

Drawing of the Mill

| Suffolk Building Preservation Trust | Suffolk Architectural Heritage Trust |