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The market town of Halesworth expanded rapidly in the 18th century when it was connected to Southwold by the canalised River Blythe. A century later further expansion took place when the East Suffolk Railway brought about a more rapid form of transport, connecting the town with Ipswich and London. Start from the Angel Hotel (1), an ancient coaching inn that has also been used as the town's court and council meeting place. Opposite is an ornate terracotta fronted building (2) originally designed as a bank. Turn left and follow the road around the corner to the Arboretum (3) and war memorial, developed on the site of a house that burnt down in 1899. Next door, along the Thoroughfare, are the Parish Rooms, used by the town council until 1977, and at the next junction, the former White Lion pub (4), previously also called The Boar and in use until 1966. The walk has now reached London Road, known as Pound Street until 1880 and the original location of a pound where the Lord of Halesworth Manor kept stray animals. Numbers 1 and 2 (5) on the left were built in the 15th century and later became one house as the home of the Bedingfield family until 1705. From 1816 to 1889 the house was Harvey's Academy for Boys. Turn right up Steeple End to the former Almshouse (6), funded by money left by William Carey who stipulated that it house 12 poor single men and women. Across the road is St. Mary's church (7), of Saxon origin and recorded in the Domesday Book, with Ulf the parish priest. Turn right by the church and follow the path through to the Market Place. At the top of the market to the left stands the former Three Tuns pub (8), a 16th century building that was once a post house and is currently the Halesworth and District Social Club. On the other side of the market stands an Italiante style building (9) that was a department store until the 1960s and now houses a number of shops. The building to the right of these shops is the former Mansion House (10), birthplace of Sir Benjamin d'Urban, Governor of the Cape of Good Hope who gave his name to the city of Durban. To the left of the shops is an archway where old flax and hempworks buildings (11) can be seen, later used for stabling by the department store. Turn left along Chediston Street (12), were there were once many pubs and small breweries, the area was known as Cherry Bow. After a short distance turn right into the narrow Rectory Lane, noting the charming crinkle crankle wall (13) on the right. After crossing the river the Old Rectory can be seen behind the wall on the left, part 16th century with 18th and 19th century additions. One former occupant of the rectory from 1822 to 1831 was Rector Richard Whately, a critic of slavery who became Archbishop of Dublin in 1831. On reaching Rectory Road turn right to Bridge Street then left past the new library, crossing the road by the former Hawk pub (14) to the shops opposite. The open land behind these buildings was the site of the former Suffolk Carriage Works that in 1868 employed 100 people and later built motor cars to special order. Cross Saxon Way to Hooker House (15) on the other side. Originally Brewery House, it was the home of Sir William Hooker, renowned botanist and the first director of Kew Gardens. It is also the birthplace of Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker who was the second director of Kew Gardens and a close friend of Charles Darwin. Cross Quay Street to the United Reform Church (16) and turn left around the corner to Norwich Road, walking up the hill to turn right along New Cut. The large brick building on the left is the former Prince of Wales Brewery (17), now The Cut Arts Centre. Turn left up Station Road (18), a street with an interesting mix of houses, Magnolia House on the left was the home of Sir William Aitken MP. At the top of the road stands Halesworth Station (19), built in 1859 and now housing the Halesworth Museum. In 1888 the station was provided with a moveable platform, designed to allow traffic along the road, and restored in 1999. This was also once the junction with the Southwold branch line that opened for business in 1879 until it finally closed in 1929. Return down Station Road to Quay Street and turn left for about 50 metres. Turn right into the wide access approach to Ridgeons, walking through the steel arch over the path between the fences to a bridge over the river. This is the site of the original Town Quay (20), once a bustling area that supported five public houses and many storage areas for the coal, iron, corn, bricks, timber and other goods carried on the river from 1761 until 1882. Follow the path over the second bridge into the Town Park (21) and straight on to the underpass under Saxon Way by the side of the river, eventually emerging in the Thoroughfare. Before 1300 much of this area was flood plain and details of the early history can be found in the Halesworth Museum. In the Thoroughfare there are examples of 15th, 16th, 18th and 19th century buildings. No 6 (22) with the carved beam over the door is believed to be 14th century and the home of Dame Margery, the widow of Lord of the Manor Richard de Argentein, the beam carries part of the de Argentein coat of arms. Turn left up the Thoroughfare to a block of four shops on the left that are housed in a building that was once the Guildhall (23). Built in 1474 it housed the Guild of St. John the Baptist and Guild of St. Loye and St. Anthony. A few more steps up the Thoroughfare and you are back at the start of the walk at the Angel Hotel. Fact FileLocation: Halesworth is 25 miles north east of Ipswich, 12 miles south of BecclesStart: Halesworth Angel Hotel Length: 1 mile Conditions: Town footways and road, no steps or stiles How to get there: - Public Transport: Check for details with Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 08459 583358 or Anglia Railways - 01473 693469 By Road: From Ipswich north on A12 and A144 to Halesworth Car Parking: Town centre pay and display car parks off Saxon Way and Angel Link Refreshments: Wide range of facilities for all tastes in the town Public Toilets: Market Place, Norwich Road and Town Park Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 231 Southwold and Bungay Information: Halesworth Town Trail leaflet from local shops, information boards at start of walk Other Town Trails: Suffolk Town Trails by Michael Anderton ISBN 095434250X £5.95 Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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