Local Information
Brief History
Thetford and the area around it is one of the most ancient settlement areas of the county of Norfolk. The flint mines at Grimes Graves, to the north of the town, show that there was much activity in the area in the Neolithic period, some 2500 years BC. The ancient route of the Icknield Way had already been established by then. Earth fortifications were built by the Iceni people about 500BC and by 40AD a major ceremonial complex had been built on what is now known as Gallows Hill.
Thetford Today
Today Thetford retains many much evidence of its past. A town re-development scheme instituted in 1957 led to the influx of many new residents, the majority moving from London. This has led to considerable growth in the size of the town, and many modern houses and industrial areas, but the core of the ancient town remains for the visitor who parks their car and sets off to explore.
Shops
The centre of Thetford can now be kept traffic free and provides a pleasant place to walk and shop. The modern road surface does however remind us of the many coaches that rattled their way to and from Norwich and London in times past. Lifting ones eyes above the modern shop facades reveals a rich variety of buildings from earlier centuries.
Links to check out
In-depth History about the historic town
General tourist information (attractions etc)
Photograph website containing around 30 large pictures of the town