Constructed in the early 16th century, Moot Hall features exposed timber beams, wattle and daub construction, and intricate brick nog infilling. The exact date of its construction remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from 1520 to 1550. The hall’s development coincided with a period of prosperity for Aldeburgh that lasted approximately 150 years, marking it as a significant part of the town’s civic and social life.
The building’s exterior is noteworthy for its asymmetrical frontage facing Market Cross Place. The ground floor has six arched openings, originally housing small shops. The upper floor, jettied over the pavement, features mullioned casement windows, adding to the hall’s distinctive appearance.
The ground floor of Moot Hall is now home to the Aldeburgh Museum, which displays a collection of artifacts that tell the story of this seaside town. Exhibits include Anglo-Saxon finds from the Snape ship burial, Roman artifacts, and items related to the vanished port of Slaughden, as well as the notorious Aldeburgh Witches trial of 1645. The upper floor retains its historical function as a meeting chamber and now offers an attractive display area for the museum.
Moot Hall has a storied history, including its use as the site for the trial of seven alleged witches by the infamous “Witchfinder General,” Matthew Hopkins, in 1645. Aldeburgh’s political history is also intertwined with Moot Hall. It served as the meeting place for the town’s borough council and was the venue for the mayor-making ceremony in 1908, when Elizabeth Garrett Anderson became the first female mayor in England.
