Lowland Village

About the film

A study of the architecture, farming, and crafts found in and around Lavenham, Suffolk.

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Details

  • Release year - 1943
  • Director - Darrel Catling
  • Production company - G.B. Instructional Limited
  • Cinematographer - Jack Parker
  • Supervisor - G.J. Cons
  • Running time (minutes) - 09 mins 43 secs

Original description

'The description of a typical lowland village, Lavenham in Suffolk, once a centre of the wool industry. The Guildhall stands in the market place, surrounded by the fifteenth-century houses. Lavenham is both mediaeval and up to date. It lies in the heart of fertile arable lowlands, and on farming its life depends.'

(Films of Britain - British Council Film Department Catalogue - 1944-45)

Did you know?

  • The Angel Hotel pictured in the village square is still open, and now run by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.
  • The grand church of St Peter and St Paul seen in Lowland Village is very large, given the size of the village and, with a 43 metre-high tower, is the highest village church tower in Britain.
  • Lavenham village square has been a popular filming location for many years including Witchfinder General (1968), John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Apotheosis (1970), and Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Part 2 (2011) - though it appears Lowland Village may be among the earliest examples of the village on film.

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