Welcome to Wymondham
Heritage Trail
This is Wymondham the land of rebels and heroes with stories to tell – explore the Heritage Trail and discover our history.
Click or tap on any of the plaque images below to find out fascinating facts, interesting historical features and details of additional ‘looped trails’ revealing some of Wymondham’s special spots.
The self-guided Heritage Trail takes about 60-90 minutes at a regular pace and is suitable for all ages. Start at 1: Market Cross or at any point – pick up a free step-by-step walking guide at Wymondham Tourist Information Centre, view the guide here or download here
Explore medieval streets, a steam train station, and the magnificent Wymondham Abbey. Extend your exploration by following the Loop Trail in green to Toll’s Meadow Nature Reserve and The Lizard.
Wymondham’s past is marked by rebellion – Robert Kett led a peasant uprising in 1549, defying the King. He was a truly modern thinker who stood up for the rights of poor workers, gathering thousands of peasants in Wymondham and led them into battle in Norwich against the King’s men. It didn’t end well for Kett, and his story ended gorily at the Abbey.
Discover local history at Wymondham Heritage Museum, enjoy our cafes, historic pubs, restaurants and independent shops, perfect for picking up a unique souvenir of Wymondham or to purchase unusual gifts! Enjoy!
1 Market Cross
The original cross was probably erected in the late 13th century and was of the shaft-on-steps type.
2 The Market Place
The focal point of the eastern end of Wymondham. From this ‘hill high point’ streets radiate outwards and downwards.
3 Bridewell Street
Most of the present buildings were erected immediately after the fire of 1615.
4 National Memorial Church of Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW)
The only church of its kind in the world.
5 The Bridewell (Wymondham Heritage Museum)
Constructed in 1785 along lines suggested by the notable prison reformer, John Howard.
6 The Fairland
This grassy open area on the edge of the old town was once the site of thrice-yearly fairs and the cattle pound..
Loop Trail to Wymondham Station & Toll’s Meadow
Historic railway station built in 1845, decorated with Brandon flint work with nearby nature reserves to explore.
7 Fairland Street
Known in the 19th century as Fairstead Street, its appearance has changed little during the last 200 years.
8 Brewery Lane
A picturesque quality and considerable historic value as the last remaining example of ‘medieval rear-servicing’ - the place at the back of the house for carrying out trade..
9 Damgate Street
‘Gate’ is the old Norse word for street, so this should be known simply as Damgate. There are many historic buildings to admire all along this ancient road.
10 The Town Sign
Erected in 1969 by the Women’s Institute in their Jubilee Year, the sign was designed and carved by Harry Carter of Swaffham.
11 Church Street
Once Churchgate Street. The family of William Kett, the rebel, owned two meat shops in this street in the mid-16th century.
12 The Chapel, of St. Thomas à Becket - Becket’s Chapel
Founded in 1174 by William d’Albini, son of the founder of the Abbey, most of the present building dates from c.1400.
13 The Green Dragon
Dating from the late 15th century, this is one of the earliest and best preserved secular buildings in Wymondham.
14 Churchgate House
Churchgate House was granted to the Grammar School master, Richard Clarke, his family and boarders, by Robert Dey in 1672.
15 The Precincts of The Abbey Church
Stop at the Abbey to see its amazing interiors, explore the medieval herb garden and its historic grounds.
16 Becketswell Road
No longer accessible to visitors, is the small spring called Becket’s Well. This attracted thousands of pilgrims in the Middle Ages.
17 Wymondham Abbey Station
Part of the Wymondham to Dereham railway run by Mid Norfolk Railway, the longest heritage railway in East Anglia.
18 Vicar Street
A street of great charm and character contains a fine group of houses and cottages dating from the 17th to 19th centuries.
19 War Memorial
The War Memorial was built on land donated by Mrs H L Cautley, and unveiled on 24 July 1921 by Major H L Cautley OBE.
20 Town Green & Cock Street
The Sports Bar was the original Public Hall built in 1888. Used for meetings & entertainments, it became the first town cinema.
21 Middleton Street
Georgian in character. Houses of the mid-18th century, such as Beech House, Caius House and No 14 help give the street a grand atmosphere in terms of scale and quality.
22 Market Street
A complete mixture of styles and ages of construction from the 16th century onwards; often later facades hide older buildings.
23 Back Lane (Car Park)
An impression can still be formed of how Back Lane once divided the houses in Market Street, with their backhouses and walled yards, from the fields to the north
The logo for the Wymondham Heritage Trail is the wooden spoon and wooden spigot. Wymondham was once celebrated for the manufacture of wooden spigots, spoons, and other turnery ware.
Words by the Wymondham Heritage Society and photography by ETT Photography.
This project has been funded by the UK Government with a Pride in Place Grant, administered by South Norfolk Council.
