Discover Lavenham: Harry Potter's magical village just 45 minutes from London

We’re always telling you about things to do in London, but we rarely tell you about places to visit nearby.

But the truth is, no matter how much we love the capital, sometimes we do feel the need to escape.

Luckily our epic train routes mean venturing out the Big Smoke is easy peasy.

One of my favourite places to visit is the sleepy village of Lavenham in Suffolk.

Just a 45-minute train journey from London, this chocolate box village is actually steeped in magic.

Lavenham is home to the De Vere House, which fans of Harry Potter will recognise as his parent’s home.

Even better you can now spend the night inside the house, which featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The village is full of higgledy-piggledy timber houses, tea rooms, and antique shops.

One of the most iconic buildings in the village, the Guildhall of Corpus Christi is a fine example of a timber-framed building. It now operates as a museum run by the National Trust, telling the story of Lavenham's history.

You also have to see the famous Crooked House. It’s not hard to see where it gets its name!

Lavenham prospered during the 15th and early 16th centuries, largely due to the wool trade.

It was once among the wealthiest towns in England, and its merchants were key players in the production of Lavenham Blue wool, a highly sought-after cloth exported throughout Europe.

Lavenham is a great place to visit if you are seeking sanctuary away from the bustle of city life.

Of course, you can drive to Lavenham in Sudbury but from London, it’ll take more than 2 hours.

The best way to get there is to hop on the train at Liverpool Street. It takes just 45 minutes and tickets can cost as little as £13.

Make sure you stop for some tea and cake during your visit! I went to the Blue Vintage Tea Room and had the most delicious (and giant) cheese scone.

Another highlight was exploring the interesting and quirky shops full of one-off items.

There is a brilliant bookshop hidden down a side street called Byron and The Bard.

And what I can only describe as a teddy bear emporium called Curiosity Corner. You HAVE to go upstairs.

I can’t recommend a trip to Lavenham enough. It’s easy to navigate and a lovely escape without travelling forever away from London.