Little Hall, Lavenham

Little Hall’s connection to art and design goes back to 1924, when twin brothers Thomas and Robert Gayer-Anderson purchased Little Hall and set about its restoration to turn it into their family home. Once the work was completed, they then set about furnishing it. They had no specific style or period of interest, if they liked something, they bought it. The brothers were also great collectors of antiquities, including ancient Egyptian artifacts, and Little Hall became the place they stored many of these items. For example, in what is now known as the Panelled room, the twins had the lids of beautifully decorated 18th or 19th century Persian bridal boxes split in half and these were then used to decorate the panelled doors, behind which some of their collections of ancient artefacts were stored.

Thomas was also a practising artist and talented furniture maker, who was also skilled in the production of bronzes and cast masks and models. Robert wrote poetry and his home in Cairo, the Bait-al-Kretliya – a Mamluk house founded in 1631, was a place where many writers, artists and actors of the day would congregate. Thomas met many of these people during his visits to his brother and some came to visit them at Little Hall. Amongst these guests were the painters Glyn Philpot, his partner Vivian Forbes, Reginald Brill and his wife Rosalie.

The twins’ connection to art and design continued after their deaths when, in 1960, they bequeathed Little Hall to Surrey County Council for it to be run as an art hostel for students from the Richmond and Slade Schools of Art, under the wardenship of their friend Reginald Brill.

Little Hall’s legacy of art and design continues to this day, and we are pleased to announce that we will be holding an Artisan Market on Friday 26th May – Monday 29th May 2023

Stalls will include a blacksmith, a wood turner, a botanical artist, a basket maker and textile artists to name but a few. Entry to the house is free that weekend so, please come and browse the unique artisan items on sale and meet the people who make them whilst enjoying Little Hall and its garden as a beautiful backdrop.

For more information, please consult www.littlehall.org.uk

Owned by Suffolk Buildings Preservation Trust