Everything about Thetford totally explained
Thetford is a
market town and
civil parish in the
Breckland area of
Norfolk,
England. It is on the
A11 road between
Norwich and
London, just south of
Thetford Forest. The civil parish (area of
29.55 km²) has a population of 21,588
History
Thetford is traditionally thought of as the royal residence of
Boudica, Queen of the
Iceni. The Iceni were a Celtic tribe living in Norfolk and parts of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Archaeological evidence suggests that Thetford was an important tribal centre during the late Iron Age and early Roman period. A ceremonial 'grove' was uncovered there during excavations.
In the
Anglo-Saxon period, Thetford was the home of the monarchs of
East Anglia and was seat of a
bishopric. The
Domesday Book lists William of Bello Fargo as the Bishop of Thetford in 1085.
Castle Hill, to the south-east of the town centre, is the highest Norman motte in England though no trace remains of the castle which once surmounted it. The mound (motte) is open to the public, and provides excellent views of the town from its summit and extensive earthworks. It is situated in a public park, near the Three Nuns Bridges and close to the town centre overlooking the rivers.
Thetford also contains the ruins of a 12th century
Cluniac priory. The
Priory, open to the public, was closed during the
Reformation. Both the Priory and the Bell Inn, also in Thetford, were featured for their alleged hauntings on the television series
Ghosthunters.
Thetford was the birthplace of the radical
Thomas Paine and a statue of Paine stands on King Street, holding a quill and his book
Rights of Man, upside down.
Thetford, an important crossing of the Little Ouse River, draws its name from the Anglo-Saxon
Theodford or
peoples ford. The nearby River Thet was later named after the town.
Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk and other early
Tudor Dynasty officials were once buried in Thetford before removal to
Framlingham.
Today, the surrounding
Breckland has been largely replaced by the
Thetford Forest though Thetford Chase remains. The town has become known for its
Portuguese and
East European shops and cafes.
Events and sports
Thetford hosts an annual
Autumn Equinox Festival for
astronomy. The festival has featured
Patrick Moore of
The Sky at Night. Thetford is also the site for the UK's Star Party, as it's centrally located in a rural area with dark night skies. An annual concert, STORM, also calls Thetford home.
The Thetford & District Sunday Football League, now known as the Breckland & District Sunday Football League, encompasses teams from within a 20 mile radius of Thetford.
Transportation
Thetford is just off the
A11 road between
Norwich (28
miles) and
London (86 miles). The A11 previously ran through the town but a bypass was constructed in the 1990s.
It is served by
Thetford railway station, with
National Express East Anglia running services between Norwich and
Cambridge, and East Midlands Trains from Norwich to
Liverpool (via
Sheffield and
Manchester). From Cambridge, regular services run to
London King's Cross. A branch line to
Bury St Edmunds was closed in the 1960s under the
Beeching Axe. The remnants of
Thetford Bridge railway station on the southern side of the town can still be seen.
The National Cycle Route 13 links Thetford to Gately, near Fakenham.
Industry
Thetford has been home to Tulip International, large-scale manufacturers of
bacon and
pork. The factory opened its doors in 1966 and was one of the biggest bacon production factories in the UK. In 2007 the factory ceased production of fresh bacon and pork with the loss of 350 jobs, although cooked bacon and fried products are still made in the factory.
Dad's Army
The external scenes for the
BBC-1 TV series
Dad's Army were filmed in and around the town with Thetford's
flint buildings doubling for
Walmington-on-Sea.. In December 2007 it was announced that a statue of
Arthur Lowe who played the leading character
Captain George Mainwaring may be erected in the town .
Sister Towns
Further Information
Get more info on 'Thetford'.
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