This house was where the artist Gainsborough spent much of his early life, it having been purchased by his father in 1722. It is now predominately an art gallery with the various rooms themed around his life and art. The two downstairs rooms show his work and time in Suffolk. The hall and stairs have mainly portraits of his family and works by his nephew. One of the upstairs rooms predominately shows portraits by him and the other mainly landscapes. When we visited there were additional displays of his drawings and works by other Suffolk artists.
Outside is a relatively small but very attractive garden with period appropriate plants including a venerable mulberry tree – reputed to be over 400 years old. In addition there is an interesting shop which includes local items such as cards.
I would recommend a visit to this house if you are in the area, the staff are all very willing to explain and help if you are not an art connoisseur, the garden is lovely and Sudbury a pleasant Suffolk market town. You have to park in the town centre and enter from Weavers Lane.Their website is “www.gainsborough.org”:http://www.gainsborough.org.
