Thetford History

Thetford is Breckland’s main town and is situated where the rivers Thet and Little Ouse meet. After the Danes invaded in the 9th century they made Thetford their capital and it was the See of East Anglian bishops until 1091. These days it cannot make such high-flown claims, however it is still worth a visit.

The Church of St. Mary the Less is unusual in that it is a part Saxon, part Norman structure and there are other historical sites around the town. Castle Hill is an Iron Age earthworks and Norman castle mound, there are the 12th century ruins of Thetford Priory and the 15th century Ancient House which is now a museum of local history.

Thomas Paine, author of the Rights of Man, was born in Thetford and his statue now stands in King Street. However, the town has not always celebrated its most famous son; he fled France and then America when he was accused of sedition.

Nearby Thetford Forest is a man made creation started by the forestry commission in the 1920s, who planted eighty thousand acres with trees. Today you can take advantage of the forest walks, hides, play area, bike hire camping and BBQ facilities as you explore the forest.

Brandon is England’s centre for the world’s oldest profession (no, not THAT profession), flint knapping. The town is built upon flint and for thousands of years arrowheads and tool shave been fashioned from the contiguous stone.