Thaxted Guildhall

About

Thaxted Guildhall is believed to have been built by the townsfolk between 1462 and 1475 and is still in active use today.

It's origins are not, as widely thought, as a Guildhall and the building is more likely to have started life as a moote or mote hall, in other words a civic meeting place.  The building has an open-paved ground floor which would have been used as a market and meeting place.

After falling into a state of disrepair one of the towns existing charities, Yardleys, took over the Guildhall at the end of the 17th century, carrying out a major restoration and equipping it for use as a school.  Thaxted Grammar School operated in the Guildhall until 1878, providing free education for 30 boys, adding education for 20 girls after 1830. In those days, children started school at 8 years and finished at 14, and learned reading, writing and arithmetic - samples of their excellent handwriting are on display in the Guildhall.

This magnificent building houses a permanent display of old photographs and objects relating to the history of Thaxted and a small museum. The building is an impressive survival of a market feature, once common throughout the country.

Thaxted Guildhall is open to the public from 2.00pm to 6.00 pm over Easter on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. After Easter it is open on Sundays and Bank Holidays to the end of September. It is also open all weekend when there is a special exhibition.  Please see our website for booking details.