22: Market Street

At the beginning of Market Street, some of the north side was rebuilt after the fire of 1615. It presents a complete mixture of styles and ages of construction from the 16th century onwards; often later facades hide older buildings.

As the main artery of the town it contains two former coaching inns, the Griffin, now shops, and the White Hart. Both were visited in the 19th century by coaches running between London and Norwich. The early Georgian facade of the White Hart conceals the timber-framed inn of the early 17th century.

Opposite, the Fire Station, built in 1883 serves today as the entrance to Market Street car park. The carved stones above the arched entrance indicate its former use. The keystone above the circular window shows a knife and spoon. To the left is a wagon and to the right a fire engine, with a salamander beneath. Above the two windows are keystones showing hoses, and at the bottom two firemen in their high helmets frame axes.

WALK>> from Market Street take the alleyway to the left of the White Hart Pub opposite the Fire Station arch to Back Lane.