The Gainsborough Experience at The Swan at Lavenham
A unique dinner, bed and breakfast break at The Swan at Lavenham Hotel and Spa
Start
08 May 2026, 3pm
End
11 October 2026, 12am
About this offer
Immerse yourself in Suffolk’s most celebrated landscapes with a unique dinner, bed and breakfast break at The Swan at Lavenham Hotel and Spa, including two tickets to Gainsborough's House's newest exhibition featuring illustrious artists Gainsborough, Constable and Turner.
We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Gainsborough’s House, a historic house museum and art gallery in Sudbury, to celebrate 250 years since the birth of artist John Constable.
Running from 25th April to 11th October 2026, our Gainsborough Experience break is timed to coincide with their major exhibition Gainsborough, Turner and Constable: Inventing Landscape.
This collaboration between The Swan and Gainsborough’s House provides a unique way to experience that story first-hand; combining art, history and a relaxed Suffolk stay in one thoughtfully curated visit.
Guests can choose to drop off their bags early and venture to Gainsborough's House (own transport required) or, if staying for one night, visit on the day of departure.
Gainsborough's House is approximately 16 minutes' drive from the hotel.
Guests are welcome to choose from our selection of room types, the break is not limited to Gainsborough or Constable rooms.
Your Gainsborough Experience includes:
Entry for two guest to Gainsborough's House which can be visited on any day of your stay
Dinner in our two AA rosette Gallery Restaurant (£39 per person allowance)
A one-night stay in one of our bedrooms or suites (guest can choose the room type which suits them)
Full breakfast in the morning
Two hours' access to Weavers' House Spa's outdoor heated vitality pool, steam room, sauna and relaxation spaces
About the exhibition
At its heart is a landmark show featuring more than 40 works by Thomas Gainsborough, JMW Turner and John Constable, alongside pieces by their contemporaries and European predecessors. Many of the works are drawn from private collections and are rarely seen in public.
Highlights include Gainsborough’s Landscape with Cattle, a Young Man Courting a Milkmaid, not exhibited in the UK since 1952, Turner’s Abergavenny Bridge, unseen since its original display at the Royal Academy in 1799, and Constable’s celebrated The Leaping Horse, on display in Suffolk for the first time.
To find out more and book visit The Swan at Lavenham website.
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About the Venue
The Swan at Lavenham is an award-winning hotel and spa set in the beautiful, medieval village of Lavenham, approx. 15 minutes' drive from Bury St. Edmunds.
In 2025 it received Four Silver Stars from the AA, alongside two AA Rosettes for its Gallery Restaurant and AA Recommended status for Weavers’ House Spa.
The village is full of historic timber-framed buildings and often described as 'the best preserved medieval village in England'. With its fine dining Gallery restaurant, The Swan has 45 en-suite bedrooms, 5 Bubble Rated luxury spa, two restaurants (Gallery and Brasserie 487), three meeting/function rooms, garden, cosy lounges and the famous Airmen's Bar, full of WW2 signatures and memorabilia.
RAF Lavenham was the home of the 487th Bombardment Group, 8th USAAF during WW2 and is popular with visitors, who are tracing 'The Friendly Invasion' of US forces in the East of England, during the Second World War.
Lavenham is often used as a film and TV location, famous for being featured in the 1980s TV series 'Lovejoy' and more recently, as the backdrop for a Harry Potter movie.
Non-residents are most welcome to book treatments in the hotel's luxury spa, Weavers' House Spa, and to visit the Airmen's Bar or dine in one of the restaurants for breakfast, lunch, Afternoon Tea or dinner.
The Swan can cater for any dietary requirements - please advise when booking your table or your room. The hotel offers free parking to residents and WiFi is provided free of charge throughout the property. The hotel is dog friendly, whether you're staying overnight or just popping in for coffee or enjoying a drink in the bar.
Lavenham offers a unique shopping experience, with lots of individual shops, art galleries and antique shops. The National Trust's Guildhall is set within the Market Place, as is the historic Little Hall - both well worth visiting.
Lavenham Tourist Information Centre are most helpful, so please pop in to see them, for advice, walking guides etc. Car parking is free throughout the village and there is free coach parking available at Lavenham Village Hall's car park.
Groups are most welcome and history talks can be arranged, if this is of interest to your group. All-in-all, this is a wonderful location to escape to, from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Terms and conditions
Terms and conditions:
Rate and offer subject to date, availability and room type, based on two adults sharing
Available to new bookings only, can be withdrawn at any time and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion
Saturdays may be subject to a two-night stay
Items detailed in package cannot be substituted or swapped for monetary value
A £39 per adult allowance included for food in The Gallery restaurant, drinks to be charged as taken
A £60 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit required per room at booking stage
Admission tickets issued on arrival to the hotel
Feature image credit: Gainsborough’s Garden 2025 © Gainsborough's House | Jacqueline Mellor Photography
