Nedging Hall Estate acquires The Angel Lavenham
- Lynda Croft
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
We are pleased to share that one of our group businesses, Nedging Hall Estate, has acquired The Angel in Lavenham, a pub that has been at the heart of this Suffolk village for more than 600 years.
The Angel is steeped in history, with timber-framed charm and local character. It was first licensed as a hostelry in the year 1420, when Lavenham was a wealthy cloth-making town. The Angel overlooks the market square in Lavenham, just across from the National Trust operated Guildhall. Lavenham is often cited as one of the best-preserved medieval villages in the UK, with many visitors travelling to see the 300+ listed buildings.
Nedging Hall Estate has a proven track record in hospitality businesses, with their portfolio including the Bildeston Crown and Lindsey Rose local pubs, Mauldons Brewery in Sudbury and Nedging Hall, which is let as an exclusive use country house. The local clientele will be encouraged to see it being taken on by a family business with strong Suffolk roots and a clear long-term commitment to hospitality.
The Angel has been closed for nearly a year after the previous owners ran into financial difficulty. It will require significant work, and there is a clear understanding that restoring a building of this age and character takes time, patience and respect for what has come before. We’re proud to be supporting the team as plans are developed to bring the pub back into use in a way that honours its heritage, while ensuring it can thrive for years to come. We know everyone will be keen to get through the doors when it reopens but it's likely to be a few months yet. Keep an eye on The Angel Lavenham Facebook page to follow their progress. Rest assured that Mauldons will be on tap!
This announcement comes at a particularly challenging time for the UK pub sector, with closures continuing at an unsettling pace as costs rise and trading conditions remain tough. Against that backdrop, investing in a historic pub and committing to significant restoration work is no small decision. It speaks volumes about their belief in community-led hospitality, and their determination to see places like The Angel thrive rather than disappear. Managing Director of Nedging Hall Estate, Charles Buckle, has a positive outlook on this, “We feel that pubs are an essential part of a community, providing social benefit as well as local employment. We’re optimistic about The Angel’s future in Lavenham as the village is very special, drawing many visitors. There’s also a great sense of community here and we can’t wait to support that.”
With more than six centuries of history in its walls, there may even be a little guidance on hand from previous residents. Local folklore suggests a previous landlady still keeps a watchful, benevolent eye on the place from the bar, sometimes relaxing in a rocking chair after closing time. Nedging Hall Estate may find they have an extra, if invisible, guardian quietly approving of their efforts to bring The Angel back to life.
We hope that with their track record, combined with local knowledge and thoughtful stewardship, Charles Buckle and his wife, Harriet, will give this much-loved village pub the best possible chance of success. Harriet, who grew up in Lavenham and has always loved The Angel, says, “To now own The Angel in the beautiful market town of Lavenham surrounded by so much heritage is a dream come true. We are so pleased to be joining this wonderful community.”
Keeping a village pub alive, relevant and welcoming is no easy task, but we’re optimistic that The Angel has found the right owners to keep it firmly on the map in Lavenham.
