Tucked away in the heart of the Blyth Valley you will find the charming market town of Halesworth. The town's buildings and landmarks reflect its rich heritage and history dating back from the Middle Ages to the present day.
St Mary's Church has late Saxon origins and contains an unusual 18th Century altar as well as various interesting brasses and memorials including an engraved tablet in memory of Sir William Hooker and his son Joseph. They were the first consecutive directors of Kew Gardens and lived in what is now known as Hooker House in the town.
The Halesworth Art Gallery can be found in the 17th Century Cary's Almshouses,
lying alongside the church in Steeple End. This voluntary run, non-profit
making gallery houses a number of changing exhibitions from contemporary
paintings and sculpture to ceramics and textile.
The Cut, a centre for arts in the community, was opened in October 2003 by
the late Sir Alan Bates CBE. This multi-purpose arts venue is located in
a former 19th Century Maltings building and provides a regular programme
of art exhibitions, theatre productions, film shows and workshops, suitable
for all. There is also an in-house café bar open to the public.
Did you know? - The town's railway station's unique movable platforms were originally installed in 1888 and were cosmetically restored in 1999. These are the only surviving example still in their original location.
The Halesworth & District Museum, founded in 1984, is located in the town's railway station building. Here you will find displays dedicated to the town's colourful history along with information on important residents of the town including de Argentein, Sir Benjamin D'urban, Sir William Hooker and his son Joseph.
The town has recently been part of a local regeneration scheme having
received funding from a variety of sources including local, county and
European bodies. The scheme has been able to provide a host of new facilities
for the town including; improvements to the town park with new junior
and toddler equipment and the first skateboard park in the area, an internet
café, monthly produce markets and general town centre and building
improvements. Regeneration work is still being carried out by the Halesworth
and Blyth Valley Partnership who are currently planning a visitor centre
based on the lives and achievements of the Hooker family.
While you are in Halesworth, take the time to explore the town centre. The
award winning pedestrianised Thoroughfare has a veritable array of shops
as well as a good choice of places to eat. Halesworth is an ideal place
to shop for something a little special and then relax with a pint of real
local ale at one of the town's public houses.
Did you know? - Halesworth has the largest millennium green in the UK consisting of 43 acres of grazing marsh land that are part of the Blyth Valley Environmentally Sensitive Area and are a haven for wildlife.
For those of you who enjoy something a little more energetic Halesworth has an outdoor heated swimming pool, bowling green, 18-hole golf course and public park with a variety of play equipment and skateboard park - something for everyone!
