Blakeney, on the north Norfolk coast, used to be a major port, but the harbour has been silting up for centuries and is now little more than a creek. However, some remnants of its once international role can still be seen, including the Guildhall. It never was a guildhall, of course, but is actually the remains of a 15th century merchant's house. It once stood two storeys high and what is now visible was a basement store room.
It has some fine vaulting and there is a chute in the outer wall that once provided an outlet for the privy. It must have been a bit smelly, because the tide never came that far in! (Except occasionally when strong winds and spring tides combined. You can see markers on a nearby wall that show quite how far the tide still comes in from time to time!)
It's now in the care of English Heritage and you can see the outside at any time. Inside is open daily at sensible hours.
There are three more plaques above that - but they were too high up to photograph!
I missed this when last in Blakeney, but will mark it for a future visit now. Curiously enough, was talking about that possibility the other day!
ReplyDeleteWe both absolutely love Blakeney (especially the hotel!) and found some really interesting places to visit while we were there. Thanks for the reminder. It is not too far for us to go if we break the journey in Lincoln for a day or two, always a good idea from my point of view.
ReplyDeleteThis is an area of Norfolk that I'm not familiar with but I shall make a point of going up there next year. The Guildhall looks rather splendid.
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