History of Aldeburgh

The name ‘Aldeburgh’ derives from old English ald (old) and burgh (fort), though much of this ‘old’ Aldeburgh has long since been lost to the sea. In fact, there is not a great deal of historical record of the town pre-16th century. However, the Domesday Book (1086) records this part of Suffolk as one of the most highly populated parts of the country. There is also archaeological evidence indicating the earlier presence of Romans and Saxons.

With the large port of Dunwich, just down the coast, Aldeburgh was a small and relatively insignificant fishing village until the 1500s when it became a prominent port and home to a growing shipbuilding industry. The flagship of the Virginia Company, the Sea Venture, and two of Sir Francis Drake’s most famous ships – the Greyhound and the Golden Hind - were also built here.

As the river began to silt up Aldeburgh’s importance declined as larger ships were no longer able to access the port. However, it survived as a fishing village into the 19th century when it became a trendy seaside resort. That said, fishing is still very much part of everyday life here with small boats still heading out from the shore and selling their catch from huts on the beach.

In more recent history Aldeburgh became the first English town to elect a female Mayor, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, in 1908 and was, of course, famously the home of composer Benjamin Britten.