Melford Hall

About the museum

Melford Hall was built in the 16th century, though it is not clear exactly when or by whom. It may have been begun by John Reeve, the last abbot of the Benedictine abbey of Bury St Edmunds, which had owned the manor since before the Norman Conquest, or by Sir William Cordell, who acquired it after the abbey was dissolved. Cordell entertained Queen Elizabeth I here in 1578. The house later passed through several families, was plundered during the Civil War and was bought by Robert Cordell in 1649.

In the 18th century Sir Cordell Firebrace modernised it, pulling down the east range to leave the present U-shaped building and giving the interiors a rococo style with French and Dutch furnishings. In 1786 the estate was sold to Sir Harry Parker and became the home of the Hyde Parker family, a distinguished naval family who still live in the South Wing. Beatrix Potter was a cousin of the family and often stayed in the West Bedroom, trying out her stories on the children and bringing small animals with her. Her visits inspired drawings that can be seen in the house, along with a model of Jemima Puddle-Duck.

During the Second World War the house was requisitioned by the army. In 1942 a fire gutted the North Wing, which was then restored by the architect Albert Richardson using an internal concrete frame that is still visible. The house is cared for by the National Trust and is shown with its family rooms, naval paintings and Chinese porcelain.

Highlights

• Tudor house with an Elizabethan history and a long link to the Hyde Parker naval family
• Rooms linked to Beatrix Potter, including a model of Jemima Puddle-Duck
• Collection of naval paintings and Chinese porcelain
• Rococo interiors from the 18th century
• Compact garden and parkland with grazing sheep and cattle

Permanent exhibition

• Melford Hall – The family rooms of the house, with naval paintings, Chinese porcelain and Beatrix Potter drawings and mementoes, set in a compact garden and parkland.

Operated by

National Trust

Admission & discounts

Entry is free for National Trust members. Prices shown are standard admission without Gift Aid.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The ground floor of the house is reached by a ramp and parts of the garden are accessible; corridors in the house are narrow. A photograph album of the upstairs rooms is available. An accessible toilet is in the North Wing, and five accessible parking spaces are in the car park by the visitor welcome gazebo. A shuttle bus takes visitors from the car park to the front door. Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed from the house, and two off-road powered mobility scooters can be booked on +44 1787 379228. Induction loops are at visitor reception and in the tea-room. The tea-room is reached by a ramp. Assistance dogs only are allowed in the house and formal garden.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

Families can follow activity trails and ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities in the garden, spot Beatrix Potter stories in the house and walk in the parkland. Baby-changing facilities are in the house. The house is not suitable for pushchairs, but baby carriers are welcome. There is space to play on the lawns.

Getting there & parking

By road the house is 14 miles from Bury St Edmunds and 4 miles from Sudbury.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The tea-room serves hot and cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches and light lunches, with outdoor seating in the garden and a designated indoor seating area. The book shop sells second-hand books.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit