Aylsham is a bustling
market town that stands next to the River Bure. There are many fine
17th and 18th century buildings and an impressive mid-Victorian watermill
whose ancestry can be traced back to the Domesday Book; up until 1969
it was still working but became redundant as a result of a business
merger. Aylsham
was famed for its linen and canvas industry during the 14th century
and then later on became renowned for its weaving of woollen and
worstead cloths. Sadly this industry was killed by the development
of the knitting frame.
Standing near to the market place is the flint-faced church of
St Michael. Within its 14th century tower there is a ring of ten
bells, considered one of the finest rings in the county. In the
churchyard, by the south wall of the chancel, is the tomb of Humphrey
Repton, who was a great 18th century landscape gardener.
The town’s market place has stalls trading on most days and
sale-rooms selling antiques.
Aylsham Show is
held annually in Blickling Park on August Bank Holiday Monday and
is one of the largest one-day shows in the country.
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