Former almshouses, Halesworth

Image: © Evelyn Simak Taken: 9 Jul 2011

The row of almshouses seen at left dates from the late 17th century - constructed with money left in the will of William Cary (d. 1686), who wanted to provide a home for a dozen poor single men and women. According to Cary's will the inhabitants were prohibited from smoking, but renovations to the property revealed a cache of smoking implements hidden in a wall cavity. The almshouses are currently home to a Charity shop and an antiques shop. An art gallery is located on the upper floor. The Halesworth and District Museum (it has displays on the witchcraft trials here in 1645, when 4 residents of Halesworth were hung) has moved from here to the former Halesworth railway station building. Halesworth was granted market town status in 1222 and is a town rich in heritage and history dating back to the Middle Ages. It reached the peak of its prosperity when the River Blyth, on which it sits, was made navigable in 1756, greatly increasing the town's trade particularly for the maltsters and brewers. Halesworth boasts the largest green in the UK, consisting of 43 acres of grazing land that is part of the Blyth Valley Environmentally Sensitive Area, and is a haven for wildlife.

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