Saxmundham Town Trail
The historic buildings and features of most
interest...
| The trail starts at the
Railway Station (1), but if you are parked in the Somerfield
car park you can start the trail at the Church (5) or in Fromus
Square (6).
|
Saxmundham is an historic market town set in the valley of the
river Fromus, a tributary of the Alde. The town name derives from
the Saxon 'Seizmonds Home'. The earliest recorded mention of Saxmundham
is in the Domesday Survey of 1086 which mentions three churches.
The town trail takes about 1 – 2 hours to complete.
Click here to view
and print larger map.
The Railway Station
|
The trail starts at the Railway Station (1): The Railway
reached Saxmundham in 1859, and boasted not only a thriving goods
yard but was also the junction for the branch line serving industrial
Leiston, and the holiday resorts of Thorpeness and Aldeburgh. The
Railway public house nearby was built as a refreshment room for
rail passengers , hence its nickname ‘The Fresh’. The
nearby Police Station was built on the site of the old town gas
works which closed in the late 1960s.
Across the railway line in Albion Street is a row of cottages built
to house railway employees. The old Victorian Police Station opposite,
now a private dwelling, still has its old nick. Continue to the
top of Albion Street noting the flint cottages on the right.
The old post-mill tower, now a private
house |
On reaching the top of Albion Street, bear right and then turn
left into Rendham Road. There you will see in front of you the grey
brick roundhouse of the old Post-mill (2) which worked until
1907 and now converted into a private house. The earliest map showing
a mill on this site is dated 1824 but there was probably a mill
on this site long before then. The Post-mill was the most common
type in Suffolk, and originally built entirely of timber. It was
heightened to 51ft to the roof ridge when surrounding buildings
obstructed the wind, making it one of the tallest in Suffolk.
At this stage you can either carry along Rendham Road and turn
left into the top of Mill Road (recommended for those in a wheelchair
or with a pushchair), or go back to the top of Albion Street and
go down the steps leading down to Mill Road, thought to have been
constructed as an access to the water pump which stood at the bottom
on the right. There is another interesting flint cottage at the
bottom of the steps.
Turn left along Mill Road and over the railway line into Chantry
Road. Chantry Cottages on the right are early 18th century timber
framed cottages. The adjoining Chantry House was built in
1850 on the site of a much older house. The Chantry is reputed to
have been connected with the Wingfield and De Pole families. On
the other corner note the unusual gable end of No. 1 High Street,
the ornate gables, some of Dutch style, some with crow steps, and
S-shaped roof plates which are common in Suffolk - look for more
in the Market Place.
The town sign in South Entrance |
Turn right at the crossroads into South Entrance. In front of the
Chantry is the Town sign (3) erected in 2003 depicting Suffolk
sheep and cattle, the parish church, market hall and on top a crown
to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee (look out for the
other town sign in North Entrance). Further along South Entrance
notice the unusual frontage of the off-licence (a wine shop for
over 100 years), and opposite the driveway to Hurts Hall, home of
the Long family until 1957, and patrons to the town since 1716 (the
hall is best viewed from the main road leading south out of the
town). Further along on the right is an impressive three story house
built in Suffolk yellow brick in the early 19th century with Greek
Doric portico.
Monks Cottages |
The three story house nearby is much older
being 17th century timber framed and plaster, it was probably refronted
when the larger house was built. Further out of town on the right
are Monks Cottages (4) which are undoubtedly some of the
oldest dwellings in Saxmundham. Note the panelled pargetting in
a checker pattern, a reproduction probably of the original 17th
century pargetting. Close by can be found the Victorian mail box
and Park Cottage, where in 1858 the artist Henry Bright (1810–1873)
and his family lived.
The Parish Church
|
Return to the crossroads. Turn right into Church Street - carry
on over the river Fromus to the Parish Church (5) of St John
the Baptist. The Church is said to be built on the site of an earlier
Saxon Church and has portions dating from 1250 (a short guide is
available here). Wander
round the churchyard and on the Eastern boundary note the row of
thatched cottages. These were built by the Long family, as a single
storey church school in 1836. Forty years later a second floor was
added as a library and reading room. The buildings were later converted
into four "tied" cottages for estate workers. Retrace
your steps around the tower. Situated south-west of the tower is
a unique headstone with a sundial incorporated, in memory of John
and Mary Noller (1725 and 1724). Also search for the large stone
tomb of the Thurlow family (on the left as you leave the churchyard)
including Thomas Thurlow (1813–1899) the sculptor.
On leaving the Church cross the river Fromus. On your right is
the Somerfield car park, the site of the old livestock market which
was closed in 1987. Saxmundham’s first market charter was
granted in 1272 by King Edward I to John De Ramsey, Lord of the
Manor. Cross the Somerfield car park and cut through (around the
side of the supermarket) into Fromus Square (6). Opened in
2004, the square is a pleasant resting place and site of the new
War Memorial.
Market Hall
The Bell Hotel |
Exit Fromus Square by the 17th century White
Hart pub (with tall 19th century octagonal chimney stacks) and turn
right into the High Street. The whole of the High Street is a conservation
area, having many Tudor buildings with Victorian facades. Note the
following in the High Street: Jackey L the jewellers shop, formerly
Kerseys established in 1769 by Jerome Bright (the wooden shutters
are still used for security at closing times); H G Crisp the stationery
and booksellers est 1834 and still run by a Mr Crisp; the Market
Hall (7), built as a Corn Exchange in 1846, given to the town
by the Long family (the family coat of arms is above the door and
reads ‘God and my Country’); the Bell Hotel (8)
rebuilt in 1842 on the site which has been occupied by an inn for
centuries, which was a regular stop for the stage and mail coaches
that ran from London to Yarmouth; and Flick and Son, estate agents
est 1833, occupying Ashford House.
Carry on up the High Street, past Wells
the ironmongers est c1830, and beyond this is the former GPO
Telephone Exchange (9) completed in 1954 by T F Winterburn,
now used solely as a Royal Mail sorting office and by other local
businesses. The Town sign here was erected in 2000 and has the same
design as the one in South Entrance, except that on top there is
a ‘dove of peace’ to commemorate 50 years since the
ending of WWII. Pass under the railway bridge into North Entrance.
Several interesting architectural features can be seen here. Lynwood
House has a Gothic fanlight; The Beeches, a parapet, stone coping
and an attractive door surround; 17th century Varley House, carved
doorway. Further on the right is The Doctors Surgery which occupies
the site of the former Lamb Sale and Hiring Fairs. Brook Cottage
(with ornate barge boarding) is believed to have been a school run
by Owen Haxell and attended by artist Henry Bright and the sculptor
Thomas Thurlow.
About a quarter of a mile beyond Brook Farm Road is the entrance
to Carlton Hall, the family home of Richard Garrett III of
the Leiston Works. An interesting detour can be taken by entering
Carlton Park Sports field & Caravan Park, proceeding across
the playing fields to the right of the tennis courts and onto the
remote parish church of St Peter, where Richard Garrett and members
of his family are buried. Carlton Hall can be seen across the fields:
it stood derelict for many years after WWII, but has now been restored
as several private dwellings.
Return back along North Entrance and under the railway bridge.
On your right is The Museum (10) which is well worth a visit.
Opened in 2004, it contains many interesting local artefacts and
exhibits including a 19th century Printers shop, small cinema, period
dress shop and original bakery. The Museum is open 10am –
4pm every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during the summer months.
More details here.
Market Place and Town Pump reinstated
in 2003 |
Continue back along the High Street and bear right into the Market
Place (11), a venue for traders for centuries. The oldest building
is the former 16th century Angel Inn, which has a timber frame and
a medieval window under the eaves. In the entrance to the Market
Place car park can be seen the old Town pump, cast by Garretts
of Leiston and given to the town by the Long family in 1838. At
the other end of Market Place is Old Bank House, Saxmundham’s
first bank which was built by Gurneys in the early 19th century.
Behind this Wingfield House, thought to be as old as the Angel Inn
and desperately in need of renovation. Proceed up Station Approach
back to the Railway Station.
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