03/09/2026
A fact you might not know about Long Melford… 🥥👀
You might be familiar with Suffolk’s famous wool trade, but did you know Long Melford also had a thriving coconut trade?!
In the 19th century, coconut husks were brought all the way from the Indian subcontinent to be made into coconut matting in the village. The industry became an important source of work for Long Melford, particularly as the traditional wool trade began to decline.
And Long Melford wasn’t alone in feeling the impact of the changing wool industry. While nearby Lavenham is famous for its wealth from wool, its industry couldn’t adapt to the coconut trade in the same way, helping Long Melford find a rather unexpected new source of prosperity! 🥥
So next time you wander through Long Melford, look out for the Coconut House on Hall Street, a little reminder of this fascinating chapter in this village’s history. 🤎
