The focus is a 1:25 scale model illustrating modernisation of an old hall house through the centuries and displaying what is under the surface of typical buildings of the age. There is a map showing ancient houses in Harleston and explains how they were made and their position in the town. The model was created for Heritage Open Days 2025 by Colin Brown. There is an associated trail of Hall houses in Harleston: https://www.harlestonhistoricalsociety.org.uk/hall-houses

In 1850 Dr John Candler opened his practice (in the coachman’s house attached to the property now known as Candlers) and continued for 50 years. He was joined by his sons William and George. Dr. John Charles Reynolds Robinson took over Candlers in 1900. His daughter Bertha Reynolds Robinson married Dr Frederick Norton Haylock Maidment in 1916 and he took over the practice at Candlers, until 1938. Their son Dr. (John) Charles Haylock Maidment, also practiced in Harleston. The

The Waveney Valley Line, was authorised by the Waveney Valley Railway Act on 3 July 1851. The line opened in stages, firstly from Tivetshall to Harleston on 1 December 1855, then to Bungay on 2 November 1860, and finally to Beccles. When the line was completed it was incorporated into the Great Eastern Railway. The Waveney Valley Branch line was 19 1/2 miles long and travelled from Tivetshall, through Pulham Market, Starston and Harleston then onto Redenhall, (which closed to

In 1259, Roger Bigod, the 4th Earl of Norfolk, was granted the first Market Charter for Harleston. However, the title and rights repeatedly lapsed as the person with the title left no heir. It was not until late 16th C that evidence can be found of a market place. I strongly suspect that the original market place of more than 10,000 square yards was a broad based triangle with a base at Exchange Street and ending at Box Iron Corner, and more or less matches the footprint

Harleston’s very existence as a town in its own right is deeply rooted in trade. At the time of the Doomsday Census, Harleston was a small hamlet. Although there may have previously been an unregulated market, it was when Harleston was granted a market charter almost eight centuries ago that the foundations were laid for the bustling commercial centre it later became. Stied as it is in rich agricultural lands only 20 miles or so from Norwich, Harleston’s development and chara

Don’t be fooled by the rather lovely late Victorian or Edwardian front to this building. The range you see today fronting on to the ...

Locally known as the Old Bank House, don’t be mis-led by the Georgian exterior – this house is old, very old! There are records going back ...

This was an old house – a very old house that extended a long way back from the gabled end we can see in the old pictures taken from the...

Back in 1838 this building, and the others in the range along Broad Street, were owned by a John Chapman. The left hand end – now skinned ...

Another of those deceptive buildings in Harleston, the front corner of this building is a rare and classic mid Victorian butcher’s shop. ...

The block of buildings adjacent to an old Hall House fronting on to the marketplace and standing on the footprint of what is now the...

This was an old house – a very old house that extended a long way back from the gabled end we can see in the old pictures taken from the...

November 1976. Listed, Grade II. Nos 22 and 24 London Road form a single two-storey 16th- or 17th-century timber-framed building faced in...

Chris Green gave an interview on Park Radio about the Harleston Walks. Listen to a recording.

Harleston Fire Brigade have been active in the town and it’s surrounding area for more than 300 years. In the early 1700’s the parish ordered cromes (curved rake for removing burning thatch), ladders and 25 leather buckets. Paid volunteers were called on when a fire occured, much like the retained firefighters of today. They were also insurance schemes in place for properties. This, mainly pictoral, display highlights some of the most memorable fires they have attended and

Harleston Heritage Open Days would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors; South Norfolk District Council,...

A book was used to capture comments from our visitors. These included: 'Enjoyable, great exhibitions'; 'Excellent'; 'Brilliant'; 'Superb,...

The Library hosted open drop-in sessions to celebrate and learn about the Harleston town residents who travelled on the Mayflower, in...

An exhibition mapped the locations of pubs past and present. Historic and modern photographs, pub artefacts, and games added to the sense...

A rehearsed reading of Private Resistance took an intriguing look at an alternative history and Churchill’s secret guerrilla army, ready...