The former Stonemason's Arms

Image: © Evelyn Simak Taken: 13 Jul 2008

The first licensee (in 1851) was John Freeman, a stone and marble mason. The public house was put on the market in spring 2001 and has since been converted into a private residence, now called The Old Stonemasons. http://www.norfolkpubs.co.uk/norfolka/aylsham/aylssm.htm Not having experienced any disastrous 17th or 18th century fires, the medieval street pattern and many or the houses in the historical core of Aylsham have survived and there are 240 listed buildings here (accounting for 20% of all listed buildings in the district of Broadland). The Millgate area to the northeast of the town, however, was developed during the late 18th century, when the completion of the Bure navigation canal (Aylsham Navigation) brought further wealth to the town. One of the important features of Aylsham houses (and buildings in surrounding parishes) is the use of bricks for building, influenced by the nearby Blickling Hall. The development of Flemish bond brickwork and Dutch shaped gables influenced builders in the area and a cluster of early to mid 17th century brick buildings can be found within a five mile radius around Blickling, in an area where flint was the commonly used building material.

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