Why Sudbury is the ideal place to call home
Sudbury is a thriving market town on the River Stour, surrounded by picturesque countryside near the Essex/Suffolk border. Sudbury is an increasingly popular choice for homebuyers with the railway station enabling residents to reach London in a little over an hour, and Colchester, Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich easily accessible via the A14.
Sam Pentney, Branch Manager of our Sudbury office explains why he believes the town is growing in popularity: “Fenn Wright has had a branch in Sudbury for over eight years now which has gone from strength to strength. It is a beautiful market town with lots to offer and it still provides good value for money. The twice weekly market held on Market Hill brings with it a strong sense of community and there are plenty of groups, clubs and events to join, whatever your hobbies may be.”
The town is surrounded by stunning countryside and the renowned water meadows, with direct access to the Stour Valley Path which runs from Newmarket to Cattawade, on the outskirts of Manningtree. Sudbury has a great selection of modern and period properties within easy reach of the town centre, with a variety of high street and independent shops, restaurants, bars and coffee shops.
Sudbury is well-known for being a ‘wool town’, but you may not know, it is also recognised as the ‘Silk Capital’ of the UK, producing much of the country’s high-quality silk from four operational mills. The town was also made famous by renowned artist Thomas Gainsborough who was born in Sudbury in 1727, and the museum in his name, Gainsborough’s House, stands as a testament to his legacy. Around the same time, the town was a busy and thriving river port. Today, however, you are more likely to see paddleboards, canoes and kayaks on the river.
For those who enjoy water sports, Sudbury holds strong appeal. The River Stour Trust, formed in 1968, has its headquarters in the town, and there is a purpose built visitor centre at Cornard Lock. The trust operates electric-powered boats from the Granary in Quay Lane, to Great Henny, a beautiful village (with a fantastic pub, The Henny Swan), a few miles downstream. Each September, the River Stour hosts hundreds of sailing and rowing enthusiasts in a weekend event called Sudbury to the Sea. There is also an established rowing club which hosts Sudbury Regatta on the first Saturday of August each year.
There are excellent sporting facilities including football and cricket, and the well-known Valley Walk cycle route, which starts at the Sudbury water meadows and continues along the disused railway track, finishing close to Long Melford Country Park. Long Melford is one of many beautiful villages that surround Sudbury and it’s just a short drive to picturesque Lavenham, one of England’s best preserved medieval villages.
Sam adds: “Sudbury offers something for everyone – whether you are a first time buyer, growing family or looking to downsize. There are a good selection of schools which boast good Ofsted ratings and West Suffolk College offers further education and adult classes.”
Here are a couple of great properties currently on the market in Sudbury to give you an idea of what’s available:
Friars Street, Sudbury – Asking price £700,000
This charming 3 bedroom Victorian property retains many period features and has been sympathetically extended, with an impressive kitchen/dining room and spacious sitting room. Unusually for a town centre property, it has a generous lawned garden, courtyard garden – and a rather cool parking turntable!
Head Way, Sudbury – Guide price £325,000 – £335,000
Located in a popular area on the outskirts of town, this 4 bedroom family home offers well-presented accommodation and a lovely outlook over the facing greensward. The rear garden is partly laid to lawn, with a patio and seating area, and the property benefits from allocated parking.
