History of the area

Wymondham

Wymondham is the largest town in south Norfolk. Its name may have Saxon, Celtic or Norse origins.

During its history the community has flourishing wood-turning, brush-making and textile industries. In the mid-19th century there were thought to be 600 weaving looms operating in local cottages.

Robert Kett, who in 1549 led Kett's Rebellion - the Norfolk uprising against social injustice - can lay claim to the title of Wymondham's most famous son.

He was executed as a traitor with his brother William 450 years ago.

A magnificent abbey was built in the 12th century, the surviving ruins indicating the sheer scale and significance of the site. The interior has massive columns and twin towers of the abbey church dominate the skyline.

The historic Bridewell was a former model prison and courthouse. It was recently restored and converted into a museum, citizens advice bureau, charity shop and flats.

Another imposing building is the timber-framed Market Cross, a meeting place for generations and now housing Wymondham's tourist information point.

Attleborough

Attleborough was listed in the 1086 survey of the Domesday Book, although the settlement's history can be traced back to Saxon times. The “borough” in the name indicates that it was probably fortified at an early date.

The medieval church has examples of Saxon work as well as Norman. Much of the town was destroyed by fire in 1559.

On Buckenham Road, Bunn's Bank, is also thought to be Saxon in origin and was used as a defence against invading Danes.

St Edmund, the Saxon King of East Anglia, lived in Attleborough for a year and gave his name to several town areas.

A market was established in 1226 and is still held every Thursday. It was once held at the square close to the church, which was named Queen's Square after Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, an event recorded on the pump on the green.

In this square there are buildings representing many different architectural styles. A former farmhouse now occupied by a restaurant boasts an ancient chimney. Cyprus House, now an art gallery, is recorded in Pevsner's book on Norfolk buildings. A livestock market used to be held on the site of St Edmund's residential home for the elderly.

Attleborough was a convenient place to change horses on a journey from Norwich to London. The Griffin Hotel is left as a reminder of the coaching days.

The railway came to the town in 1845 and still links Attleborough to Norwich today.

The traditional industry of turkey-rearing still takes place here. The turkey on the town sign is said to depict the days when Attleborough turkeys had their feet dipped in tar to withstand the journey along roads to the London markets.