A guide to living in Haverhill

Set in the chalk hills of the Newmarket Ridge, Haverhill dates back to Saxon times and is recorded in the Domesday Book. The majority of its historical buildings were lost in a fire in the town in 1667, but one notable Tudor house remains which was given to Anne of Cleeves as part of her divorce from Henry VIII. Haverhill’s real change in fortune came in 1856 when a local family, the Gurteens, built a factory and installed 32 power looms driven by a steam engine. At this point, Haverhill became the fastest growing town in West Suffolk, doubling in size between 1851 – 1901. Originally a London overspill town, Haverhill offered a new way of life for those living in the cramped conditions of the capital. It was targeted for expansion throughout the 1950’s and the population increased fourfold from 1956 to today. Haverhill still offers a port in a storm for overstretched buyers, looking for value for money and a family-friendly lifestyle. 

Haverhill is a family-orientated town. Its sports clubs are second-to-none, with the likes of East Town Park and Haverhill Rovers football clubs providing a community focus with regular events. Also on offer are Haverhill Rugby Club, the running club, indoor bowls and cricket.

Out of town, Long Melford Hall is a National Trust gem, with Beatrix Potter connections and family days out throughout the year. The house is set in the heart of Long Melford, one of Suffolk’s prettiest villages. A great destination for local shopping, the village is host to boutiques, an unbeatable antiques centre and a handful of pubs and restaurants.

Lavenham is also well worth a visit. Having been an integral  part of Suffolk’s ancient wool industry, it is now one of the UK’s most finely preserved medieval villages. Home to elegant independent shops and with a smattering of high-end hotels, it’s cobbled streets are well worth a wander.

Haverhill is packed with restaurants, pubs and bars. One of the town’s favourites is Baltic Amber Restaurant and Bar which is a family-owned business, serving modern food in a comfortable interior. Another spot well worth a visit is Nine Jars, offering coffee by day and cocktails by night, as well as light bites and world tapas. Ceo’s Turkish Kitchen is another restaurant popular with the locals, offering high-end traditional Turkish food.

In the surrounding villages, there are some great traditional pubs including The White Horse in Withersfield, The Red Lion in Sturmer, The Plough in Radwinter and The Three Horseshoes in Helions Bumpstead.

Baythorne Hall, only three miles from the centre of Haverhill, is a destination for food and wine lovers. It's home to an independent wine merchant, a smart café, a farm shop, deli, butchers and garden and antiques shops. An easy way to while away an afternoon, Baythorne Hall is well worth the trip.

Within Haverhill itself, the butchers Jamies Meat Inn offers locally sourced meats at great prices, as well as pre-packed barbecue kits. Those with a sweet-tooth should head to the Original Haverhill Sweet Shop. 

In the country

Haverhill sits on the edge of the Stour Valley, an area made famous by John Constable. Along the banks of the river Stour, Haverhill is a good place to start the Upper Stour Walk, which is a four-mile leg stretch into the rolling hills of the Suffolk landscape.

Other key spots around Haverhill include the wool towns of Suffolk such as Lavenham, Long Melford and Clare to the west, whilst Finchingfield, Great Bardfield and Thaxted to the south are also worth a visit.

Buying or renting a house in Haverhill

Anyone considering buying or renting a house in Haverhill or the surrounding area would do well to visit the Cheffins office on the High Street. The team is one of the most established in the town and can give plenty of advice on which areas to consider. We recommend driving around the town centre and visiting some of the nearby villages to get the full flavour of this lovely part of Suffolk. Cheffins sells and lets properties in Haverhill town centre and the surrounding villages with a great selection of both second-hand homes and new builds available.

For more information on Haverhill, or to view the properties on the market with Cheffins Haverhill and the surrounding area, click here.