SUDBURY is a charming ancient town in Suffolk that people may not realise was the inspiration for a hit Disney film.
Locations in Sudbury, like the drinking fountain and horse trough by St Peter’s Church featured in – because the author lived nearby.
Dodie Smith, who was famous for writing the classic 101 Dalmatians, spent her adult life living in the village of Finchingfield.
As a result, she used to regularly visit Sudbury, which was half an hour away, to do her shopping.
Parts of Sudbury was used for the setting of the classic children’s story, including the drinking fountain and horse trough by St Peter’s Church.
It is mentioned as the place where Pongo and Perdita stop to have a drink while trying to track down the lost puppies.
The town is even named in the book, it reads: “Just before midnight they came to the market town of Sudbury. Pongo paused as they crossed the bridge over the .”;;
Walt visited Dodie at her home in Finchingfield called The Barretts.
It’s rumoured theGrade II listed Georgian manor Greys Hall, in the nearby village of Sible Hedingham, was the inspirationfor Cruella de Vil’s home.
101 Dalmatians is honoured in The Talbot Trail – which is a series of 14 statues around Sudbury.
The trail depicts the town’s , other statues include the town gaol.
On Gaol Lane is the statue that was thegateway to Sudbury Court where prisonerswere locked up toawait trial.
There’s also ‘The Running Boy’ which tells the story of James Bigmore, a boy who ran alongside a coach, all the way fromSudbury to in six hours.
Another is the fearsome Queen ofthe Iceni, Boudicea as well as the artist Thomas Gainsborough.
Sudbury is also home to the property.
It re-opened after a big makeover in 2022 – with its property and gardens all aimed at entertaining kids
Unlike most properties, children are encouraged to go wild, run around and touch everything with no roped-off areas.
Whilefeaturesof the historic country home can still be enjoyed, the new wing includes everything from interactive displays to a dressing-up room.
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