Aldeburgh, Suffolk
The Mill Inn in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, across from the Moot Hall.
In Slaughden, Aldeburgh’s harbour at the mouth of the river, ships were built that took on the Spanish Armada in 1588. Sir Francis Drake's ships Greyhound and Pelican (later renamed Golden Hind) were both built in Aldeburgh. Around 1600 the number of inhabitants had risen to about 1500; they made a reasonable living from fishing and shipping. Ships from Aldeburgh would go as far as Iceland to catch codfish; sprats from Aldeburgh were always on the menu when the Lord Mayor of Londen organised a banquet. When larger ships needed to be built than could be accommodated on the beach and in Slaughden's harbour, people moved away. The number of inhabitants during queen Elizabeth's reign had dwindled to about half by around 1800. From that time the town became a spa, in particular for rich patrons, such as the Marquess of Salisbury, who did look for the pleasures of a spa like Brighton but without the crowds who were after improving their health and amusement. Although the town never reached the appeal and popularity of resorts like Brighton or Weymouth, it acquired a good reputation and attracted successive generations from families who would return to Aldeburgh every vacation; some even settled there permanently.
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