If you are attending, be sure to review important general information about the 2020 CFA Reunion.
For maps and various helpful links, be sure to check out Visit Long Melford.
2020 will mark the 7th Sextennial Reunion of the Clopton Family Association in Long Melford, County Suffolk, England. The Friends of Long Melford Church Building Trust, our British hosts, have been hard at work for three years on terrific plans for our reunion week, with Clopton arrivals in England being met at Heathrow Airport the morning of 29 June and transported to Long Melford by chartered bus. However, we must make our own flight and lodging reservations, so those who've made the trip before offer this advice.
Make certain everyone in your group has a passport that has not expired. If you are planning onward travel after departing the UK, note that many other countries require at least six months' remaining validity on your passport to enter.
Group hotel rates have been arranged at reunion headquarters - the Bull Hotel, but the number of rooms is limited. Other options are available and may provide a Clopton Reunion rate, so be sure to mention you will be attending the reunion when reservations are made. For convenience, we’ve compiled a list of lodging options in Long Melford; breakfast is included in the lodging price at many hotels and B&Bs. Also, view a business map provided by Long Melford B&Bs (2019 Long Melford Business Map.pdf) to orient yourself before making your lodging decision.
American Clopton cousins attending the reunion should plan to depart the USA no later than Sunday, 28 Jun 2020, on cruises or overnight flights, as we must arrive at Heathrow Airport by Monday, 29 June. Our hosts have chartered a bus for the morning of the 29th, which will transport us from Heathrow Airport to Long Melford. Those who are not flying into Heathrow must arrange their own cab or airport shuttle to Heathrow in time to ride the chartered bus to Long Melford.
Those who intend to fly home at the end of the first week should make a reservation at an airport near Heathrow for Sunday night, 5 July, and make a flight reservation to return to the USA on Monday, 6 July, because the bus from Long Melford will take us to Heathrow but will not deposit us at the airport in time for a Sunday flight.
Likewise, if you will stay with us for the second week post-reunion tour, be sure to make your hotel reservation at an airport hotel for Saturday, 11 July, and a return flight reservation to the USA for Sunday, 12 July.
Advice on hotels at or near Heathrow is offered in our Travel Advice - London article.
It's worth stating that travel insurance, which is offered by a variety of companies, may be a good idea in case your plans must be changed or cancelled.
If you have any questions, please contact: