Blakeney Guildhall

Blakeney Guildhall preserves a rare fragment of the village's prosperous medieval port, set back from the quayside near the junction of High Street and Back Lane. Probably built as a merchant's house, it was used by the guild of fish merchants by 1516 and later served purposes ranging from coal storage to a temporary mortuary for shipwrecked sailors. Its most distinctive feature is the brick-vaulted undercroft, supported by a central row of octagonal stone columns. The upper storey has largely disappeared, leaving the building's history to be pieced together from the surviving masonry and interpretation. The interior is currently closed, so plan for exterior viewing and a look through the grille rather than a tour of the undercroft. Visitors generally regard it as a brief addition to time spent in Blakeney. Use the pedestrian approach from the village streets, with public parking and toilets available nearby.