Prior to 1300 much of this area was a flood plain (i.e. less than 10 metres above sea level).Excavations outside the White Hart pub in 1991 discovered part of a causeway - probably dating from the late Saxon period. A piece of oak pile from these excavations is in the Halesworth & District Museum.

There are fine examples of 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th century buildings in the Thoroughfare.

Number 8 is a former ironmongers and it is this shop which belonged to the grandfather of Sir David Frost. The Thoroughfare is home to many specialist shops and cafés as well as playing host to events throughout the year.

Number 6, on your right as you come through the brick archway, is a noteable 14th century building, sometimes referred to as Dame Margery's as it may have been the home of Margaret de Argentein. The unusual carving at first floor level is called bressumer. It rests on the joists of the first floor and the central shield is blank but the two lion supporters suggest it may have held the Royal Arms.

The left hand figures are almost certainly Ganymede, holding a cup or glass, being seized by Jupiter, in the form of an eagle, to be cup bearer to the Gods. This neatly parallels the role of cup bearer at Royal coronations held by the Argenteins until 1424 and by the Allingtons until 1706. The figures on the right are less obvious but probably depict a scene from the Reynard the Fox stories which were popular in the Middle Ages. Reynard the physician is holding a basket of medicinal herbs, and the hare, his swift-footed messenger, holds a flask. The far right figure could be the sick lion licking his wounds.

Number 14 is thought to have been the childhood home of George Lansbury - leader of the Labour party 1931-1935 and one of its founding fathers. His granddaughter is the well-known actress Angela Lansbury.

A block of four shops next to this was originally built in 1474 as The Guildhall. This was the home of the Guild of St John the Baptist and Guild of St Love and St Anthony. The original line of the building can be seen. In 1475 it was held by Robert Norton and others, with the rents going to support the poor of the town. It was refaced in the late 17th century and in the late 1980s a mummified cat was found. It had been put there to bring good luck to the workplace. It was replaced after alterations were complete.

A similar mummified cat can be found at the Halesworth Museum. This cat came from one of the Maltings in the town. The mummified cats were placed to ward off rats and mice from the grain, or to bring good luck.

Walk along towards the Angel Hotel but note the Cross Ram office on your left which was built in the 18th century and has long been the home and offices of Attornies and Solicitors. It became the home of the Jermyn family (1708-1857) and was rebuilt in the mid 19th century. Peter Jermyn was an Attorny and Treasurer of the Blyth Navigation which built the Town Quay and financed the river route to Southwold. He was also Clerk to the Turnpike trust which took over and maintained the Turnpike roads in and out of Halesworth. Robert Crabtree (1772-1840) married a niece of Peter Jermyn and was partner in the business. Robert was also an Attorney and took over the practice in 1840 being joined by Frederick Cross, his son-in-law.

Once at the Angel Hotel you are back to the beginning of the Town Trail.