Carlton Meres Counrty Park - Saxmundham
Saxmundham is an historic market town at the centre of the Heritage Coastal region in Suffolk, England. Saxmundham, or 'Sax' as it is known locally, has many local shops and businesses, sports and leisure facilities, as well as good rail links and the A12 trunk road that put the town within easy reach of Ipswich, Norwich, London, and the whole of mainland Europe.
Saxmundham's first market charter was granted in 1272 by King Edward I to John De Ramsey, Lord of the Manor. There has been a market in the town ever since, probably in the same location as it is held today. The oldest building in the Market Place is the former 16th century Angel Inn. Prior to conversion a small cobbled yard, with pump horse trough and stables backed onto the old A12 road. During conversion many interesting features were exposed and retained, such as the mullioned window under the eaves.
At the southern end of the Market Place is the Is the old bank house, Saxmundham's first bank built in the early 19th century by Gurneys the Norfolk quaker family.
The town pump has recently been restored and placed near to the entrance of the Market Place car park. It was cast by Garrett's of Leiston and given to the town by William Long in 1838.
