The village of Lavenham is one of the best-preserved medieval settlements in England — and it carries its own deep connections to the American airmen who were stationed nearby.
A summer walk at the airfield pairs naturally with a visit to the village itself. Many of the 2,894 men stationed at Station 137 spent their passes in Lavenham, and the marks they left are still there to find.
The Swan Hotel
The Swan Hotel in the High Street served as the unofficial local pub for aircrew from the 487th Bomb Group. American airmen filled its bar on stand-down days, and many left their mark — quite literally. The signatures of dozens of crew members were carved and written into the walls of the bar and are preserved under glass to this day. The Swan is now part of a boutique hotel but welcomes visitors to see the signatures. It is a quietly extraordinary connection to 1944.
The Guildhall
The 15th-century Guildhall in the Market Place served as a British restaurant run by the American Red Cross during the war, providing tea, coffee, and food for servicemen visiting the village. Outside, a plaque in the Market Place commemorates the 487th Bomb Group and their service at Station 137. The Guildhall is managed by the National Trust and is open to visitors during the summer season.
The Church of St Peter and St Paul
The magnificent parish church of St Peter and St Paul, which dominates the Lavenham skyline, contains an ‘American Corner’ established in memory of the 487th Bomb Group. The Group donated an electric blower to the church, and the American flag still hangs in the Branch Chapel — a quiet, enduring mark of the bond that formed between the airmen and the village during the war years.
Planning Your Visit
Lavenham is approximately two miles from the airfield meeting point. The village has several excellent pubs, cafes, and restaurants — we recommend combining a morning summer walk with lunch in the village. There is a public car park at the Market Place. The village is popular in summer, so arriving early is advisable at weekends.
For more information about the village, visit the Lavenham village website.