Major city · United Kingdom
ClareClare, Suffolk
Give Clare half a day plus one night: castle ruins, a wool church and a £1 museum, all within a 10-minute walk of the Market Hill car park.
Clare is a small Suffolk wool town of about 2,300 people on the River Stour, with a ruined castle, a medieval timber-framed house museum and a large church packed into a few streets. There is no railway station, so you arrive by car or bus. Most travellers see it in three to four hours; one night makes it a calm base for Long Melford, Sudbury and the Stour valley.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days)
- Airports
- STN · LHR
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Clare999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Clare, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are unlit rural lanes after dark, fast traffic on the A1092 and slippery castle earthworks.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 112 EU emergency number · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckSTN London Stansted (Nearest large airport, about 45–60 min by car via the A130/A131; check onward bus links.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Sudbury station to Clare£15–25 (≈ US$20–35)
- Metro or bus rideBus fare, short hop£2–4 (≈ US$3–6)
- Museum or sight ticketAncient House museum entryAbout £1 (≈ US$2)
- Budget bedHostel or pub bunk, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedB&B or pub double room, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedB&B or pub double room, a night, per room£190 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- STN London Stansted (Nearest large airport, about 45–60 min by car via the A130/A131; check onward bus links.) · LHR London Heathrow (About 2–2.5 h by car; train via London is slower than driving.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Clare: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
10 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Jul
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes. Buses serve Haverhill, Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds; services are thin, so check times before you rely on them. A car is the practical way to reach the Stour valley villages.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 15–20 min
Car or bus via the A1092
Two large wool churches and a long village green; pair with Clare in one day.
Door to door: About 25–30 min
Car or bus via the A1092
Gainsborough's House and a market town centre; also the nearest railway station.
Door to door: About 45–55 min
Car via the A134
Abbey gardens, cathedral and a bigger choice of food and beds.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car via the A134 and A14
Better as a rail base than a day trip from Clare; buses are slow.
Door to door: About 50 min
Car via the A1092 and A14
Useful rail link, little to see; go only to catch a train.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Market Hill and High Street)
Walk to the castle, museum and pubs; very few rooms, so book ahead.
Callis Street and Cavendish Road
Quiet residential streets 5–10 min on foot from the centre; B&B rooms.
Long Melford or Sudbury
More beds and restaurants 10–20 min away by car; use Clare as a day stop instead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or pub double room1 × 1 night × £120 | £120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85 | £170 |
| Ancient House museum entry2 × £1 | £2 |
| Clare Park Lake golf, 9 holes2 × £10 | £20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £33 |
| Trip total≈ £181 per person per day, bed included | £361≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Clare excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Pint of beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Ancient House museum entry | About £1 (≈ US$2) |
| Clare Park Lake golf, 9 / 18 holes | £10 (≈ US$14) / £18 (≈ US$25) |
| Bus fare, short hop | £2–4 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Taxi Sudbury station to Clare | £15–25 (≈ US$20–35) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No railway station: the nearest is Sudbury, then a bus or taxi.
- Mobile signal is patchy; 5G has not reached the area.
- Rural buses run a few times a day and stop early; check the last return.
- Ancient House museum charges about £1 (≈ US$2) and has limited opening; check before travelling.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- EU emergency number
- 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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ClareClare, Suffolk
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- EU emergency number112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Clare; the US embassy is in London. Consular help for most countries is in London or Edinburgh.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Sudbury station → Clare: £15–25 (≈ US$20–35), about 20 min
- Bus Sudbury → Clare: £2–4 (≈ US$3–6), about 30 min, few services
- Stansted Airport → Clare by car: about 45–60 min
Say or show
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Clare. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, wet, short days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus and rail timetables field-checked for Haverhill, Sudbury and Bury St Edmunds, with last-return times.
- Walking cluster map: Market Hill, Ancient House, castle park and the church, with bench and toilet anchors.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and prices for Ancient House, Clare Priory and the castle park.
- Rain-day fixtures for the museum, the library and the two cafés.
Sources
- officialClare town website
- officialClare Castle Country Park
- officialAncient House museum
- officialClare Priory
- officialSuffolk Libraries — Clare Library
- secondaryWikivoyage: Clare (Suffolk), revision 5194895 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Clare
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