The market town of Halesworth sits prettily in the curl of the River Blyth with a winding thoroughfare which is traffic free. This market town boasts an open-air swimming pool and golf course.
Halesworth has buildings that date from the Middle Ages as well as from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. In Steeple End there are a row of quaint almshouses.
There is a good selection of shops and a number of pubs and restaurants. We purchased a packed lunch at the deli in the high street and it was amongst the best we have had, the stuffed garlic olives were super.
Halesworth used to grow hemp for sails and ropes for the Royal Navy.
 In the town centre by the shops is an archway where the old flax and hemp works buildings used to be.
The market town has an official town trail.  For holiday accommodation in Halesworth visit our 'where to stay' pages which list hotels - self catering - bed and breakfast - guest houses - inns - camping and caravanning.

The Angel Hotel was an ancient coaching inn and was where the court and council meetings used to take place. 
Hooker House was formerly known as Brewery House, this 19th century house has been reduced in size over the years, gradually losing its once magnificent garden. Sir William Hooker, botanist and maltster, lived here with his son Joseph. 

They were consecutive directors of the famous Kew Gardens in London, with Sir William being the very first director. Joseph Hooker travelled and worked as a surgeon and botanist on a voyage from Antarctica to the Himalayas. 

He was a great friend of Charles Darwin and his work on the distribution of plants seems to be in support of Darwin's theories. He is said to have encouraged and supported Darwin when he wrote 'The Origin of Species'.


Chediston Street - ghost of Squire Baker is reputed to haunt this street it was also the place of a Victorian murder. P.C. Ebenezer Tye was murdered here in 1862 by John Ducker. Ducker was caught tried and sentenced to death he was the last person to be publicly hanged in Suffolk in 1863.