The overlooked village with a quaint high street that's 'one of the prettiest in the UK'

The UK is home to many stunning villages. There are charming coastal spots in counties like Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, but for anyone looking for a relaxed feel they might be a bit too overcrowded. Luckily, there is a lot to choose from all over the country. And, one often overlooked village happens to be situated in Suffolk.

Just a few miles from Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds, the peaceful village sits in the heart of the countryside and offers a slower pace of life. But despite its beauty and history, many tourists seem to skip past it. The village is called Lavenham, and it's often described as "England's finest medieval village". It's home to more than 300 listed timber-framed buildings and a High Street that genuinely feels like stepping back in time.

There are lots of independent shops, cafés and galleries to explore, many of them housed inside the village's historic buildings.

Visitors can find many interesting establishments ranging from traditional butchers and bakeries to high-end gifts, artwork, and custom jewellery.

And it hasn't gone unnoticed. Back in 2024, the Daily Mail included Lavenham in a list of the 32 best high streets in Britain.

The newspaper said: "Considered to be Britain's best preserved medieval village, Lavenham's colourful high street features wonky, film-set style timber-framed buildings, unique shops and a sense of stepping back in time.

"This is particularly true at the eye-catching 15th century 'Crooked House' antiques shop and tearooms which is located, as the same name suggests, in a crooked orange-timbered building."

Shoppers can also browse local produce, pies, cheeses and deli counters.

And those who have visited have been full of praise saying how easy and peaceful it was to explore the village, thanks to free parking and the option of picking up a complimentary village map.

The village also has several spots to eat and drink, with tearooms, pubs, and restaurants offering everything from homemade food to fine dining.

Other highlights include the National Trust-owned Lavenham Guildhall, the Little Hall museum, and the impressive Church of St Peter and St Paul.

Walkers can follow paths leading straight from the village into the surrounding countryside.

It, therefore, can't come as much of a surprise that Lavenham's High Street left a lasting impression on those who visited it.

One person wrote on TripAdvisor: "We've been all over the UK, and Lavenham has to be one of the prettiest villages we have ever seen. The High Street is just incredible, if not the prettiest high street in the UK, it has to be a very close contender. The beautiful medieval houses and unique, independent shops create such a charming and memorable atmosphere."

Another added: "Lavenham is an amazing place to visit. The High Street is so gorgeous, full of beautiful old buildings. It's a great place for a walk and to look at the unique shops. We had a great time and would definitely recommend it."

A third visitor commented: "What a charming and historic village! Lavenham in Suffolk is a place that everyone should visit. The High Street is simply gorgeous, with its wonky houses and interesting shops. We had a great time walking around and soaking in the atmosphere."