Sudbury Hall

Home of the Vernon family until gifted to the National Trust in 1967, Sudbury Hall contains impressive interiors: a blend of archiectural styles, with remarkable carvings and plasterwork, as well as a fine collection of family portraits, a magnificent carved staircase, and painted murals and ceilings by Louis Laguerre. The ceiling of the long gallery, which runs the entire length of the house (over 138 feet long), contains plasterwork detail ranging from heads of Emperors to shells, palm fronds and seedpods, all centred around a rosette. Several rooms apparently featured in the BBC's production of Pride and Prejudice.

The National Trust Museum of Childhood contains fascinating displays intended to reveal how children lived and worked in the Victorian period. There are interactive discoveries to be made, including exploring a coal tunnel, climbing a chimney, visiting a wealthy family's nursery, and taking part in a Victorian school lesson. Kassie saw a parent punished for bad posture in the schoolroom and passed on that opportunity at least, preferring a quiet game of chess with Daddy in the nursery. Other attractions include an exhaustive collection of toys, games and dolls, a shrinking corridor courtesy of Alice in Wonderland, and Beatrix Potter's illusive Mrs Tiggywinkle.

As well as exploring the Hall and visiting the museum, we managed a walk through the gardens, terraces and to the tree-lined lake. We also strolled around the Church of All Saints (pictured bottom left), thought to date from Norman times.

Date of Our Last Visit: May 2005