A place of calm and charm, Southwold Sailors’ Reading Room first opened in 1864 as a refuge for fishermen and mariners to meet when they weren’t at sea – the hope was that it would encourage them in Christian ideals and keep them out of the local pubs.

The building was funded by Mrs Frances Rayley in memory of her husband, Captain Rayley RN who lived for part of his later life in Southwold where he was involved with a number of local organisations, including the Southwold Union Book Club. His widow felt that building a reading room would be a suitable memorial to her husband.

During its first 100 years, ownership of the property changed hands four times until, in 1972, local sisters Miss Nancy Fox and Mrs Joan Philpot purchased the Reading Room building, and the charity Southwold Sailors’ Reading Room was formed.

Today, displays of a seafaring nature line the walls and fill glass cabinets, while a large table is a popular resting place for those who want to read the daily newspapers. Pictures and portraits of local fishermen and seascapes, model ships and maritime paraphernalia offer a fascinating insight into Southwold’s connections with the sea while, in an inner room – reserved for members – a snooker table has been in place since 1901.