Stay at a historic village inn overlooking Long Melford Green
The Black Lion occupies a prominent position overlooking Long Melford Green, at the northern end of Long Melford, one of the most historic villages in Suffolk. This characterful Georgian inn combines individually styled accommodation with a welcoming bar, restaurant dining and a setting surrounded by some of the county's finest historic buildings. With Holy Trinity Church, Melford Hall and Kentwell Hall nearby, The Black Lion provides an appealing base for a short break exploring the village, its heritage and the surrounding countryside.
The inn offers ten individually furnished bedrooms, ranging from cosy Snug rooms to larger bedrooms and a spacious suite overlooking the village green. Interiors combine traditional furnishings, comfortable beds and contemporary touches, with selected rooms offering views across the historic surroundings. The Best suite includes a separate sitting area, while a family bedroom provides additional space for those travelling with children. The individually designed accommodation makes The Black Lion particularly suited to couples spending two or three nights discovering Long Melford and the neighbouring Stour Valley.
Food and hospitality are central to the experience. The Black Lion's restaurant serves seasonal British dishes, drawing on regional ingredients and traditional cooking, with menus covering relaxed lunches, evening dining and Sunday roasts. The bar offers local ales, wines and cocktails, while open fires and comfortable seating create an inviting setting during the colder months. In warmer weather, guests can enjoy the garden and outdoor seating. The inn also welcomes dogs, making it an attractive choice for visitors exploring Suffolk with their four-legged companions.
The location is particularly rewarding for those interested in history and architecture. Directly opposite the inn, Long Melford Green stretches towards Holy Trinity Church, one of England's great medieval wool churches, celebrated for its scale, architecture and remarkable stained glass. Nearby Melford Hall, now cared for by the National Trust, offers an opportunity to explore a Tudor house with connections to Beatrix Potter, while Kentwell Hall is known for its historic interiors, gardens and living-history events. Together, these landmarks make the northern end of Long Melford one of the most rewarding places to explore on foot.
A walk south along Long Melford's historic high street reveals antique shops, independent businesses, galleries, traditional pubs and cafés housed among centuries-old buildings. Beyond the village, Long Melford Country Park offers woodland paths, ponds and open green spaces, while the Valley Walk, Long Melford to Sudbury follows a former railway corridor through the countryside towards Sudbury. The nearby Stour Valley Path provides further opportunities to explore the landscape of meadows, farmland and riverside villages associated with the River Stour.
Long Melford is also well placed for discovering other historic destinations in Suffolk. Lavenham, with its remarkable collection of medieval timber-framed houses, Lavenham Guildhall and Little Hall, makes an excellent excursion. Further north, Bury St Edmunds offers Abbey Gardens, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, independent shops and a lively restaurant scene. Visitors interested in longer walking routes can explore sections of the St Edmund Way, which connects historic settlements and countryside across this part of Suffolk.
With its village-green setting, comfortable bedrooms and restaurant dining, The Black Lion is particularly suited to a two or three-night stay. Spend a morning exploring Holy Trinity Church and Melford Hall, enjoy an afternoon walking through the surrounding countryside and return for dinner beside the fire or a relaxed evening in the bar. A second day offers time to visit Kentwell Hall, explore Sudbury or discover the medieval streets of Lavenham. Combining the character of a traditional Suffolk inn with the convenience of accommodation and dining in one place, The Black Lion provides a welcoming base for discovering Long Melford and the wider Stour Valley.
Walk • Stay • Explore
Walk across Long Melford Green towards Holy Trinity Church, explore the grounds of Melford Hall and follow countryside paths through Long Melford Country Park or along the Valley Walk, Long Melford to Sudbury. Stay at The Black Lion, with ten individually styled bedrooms, seasonal British dining, a welcoming bar and views across the historic village green. Explore Kentwell Hall, the antique shops and historic buildings of Long Melford, nearby Lavenham and Bury St Edmunds, or discover more of the Suffolk countryside along the Stour Valley Path and St Edmund Way.