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About Dereham, Norfolk

The thriving market town of Dereham, previously called East Dereham, lies in the heart of Norfolk adjacent to the A47 trunk road. Being surrounded by rich farmland Dereham's economy was traditionally based on agriculture. Nowadays the 15000 population rely on a much more diverse economy including light industry, food processing and retailing. The many shops supermarkets banks, estate agents, etc serve not only the population of Dereham but also the surrounding villages. Ease of free parking makes Dereham a popular shopping centre, though, Norwich, 17 miles away, is the counties main shopping centre.

The town sign, shown below, was erected in 1954 to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the founding of the towns first Christian Church. It depicts the story of how St Withburga confronted a malevolent overseer who tried to thwart her plans. On her death she was buried in Dereham but the Bishop of Ely stole the body 300 years later. A spring of water gushed from the empty grave. The empty grave and spring still exist behind St Nicholas parish Church.

Another resident of Dereham was Bishop Bonner, infamous for burning heretics during the reign of "Bloody" Queen Mary. The 16th century cottage adjacent to the parish church is said to have been his home. It is now a museum.

William Cowper, poet, letter writer and translator died in Dereham in 1800. The Congregational Church in the Market Place was built on the site of his former home as a memorial to him.

 The discoverer of the elements palladium and rhodium, William Hyde Wollaston, was born in Dereham in 1766.

George Borrow who wrote about Dereham in "Lavengro" was born at nearby Dumpling Green in 1803.

During the First World War Dereham was attacked by a Zeppelin resulting in five deaths and the destruction of a pub.

In the Second World War many Dereham men were in the Norfolk Regiment and became Japanese prisoners of war. Many airfields were constructed in Norfolk and north Suffolk, Dereham was surrounded by bases of the American 8th Air Force, so numerous were the American servicemen that the area was known as "Little America".

During much of the 20th century three world renowned companies were the main employers in the town. Cranes made trailers, Metamec made clocks, and Hobbies made fretwork kits. Metamec Clocks no longer exists and Hobbies and Cranes trade on a much smaller scale.

The former RAF Station at nearby Swanton Morley is now home to the Light Dragoons.

Because of it's central position Dereham is an ideal base for exploring Norfolk. The fine city of Norwich, the unspoiled North Norfolk coast and the Norfolk broads are easily accessible. Closer by are the Mid Norfolk Railway and Gressenhall Museum of Rural Life

Dereham has all the recreational facilities associated with a thriving modern town, including swimming and health centre, golf, football, rugby and hockey clubs, bowling alley, cinema, etc. There are numerous pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Norfolk has a great history of aviation in the area and there are many old WW2 American air bases within easy reach of the Dereham area. Watton and Hingham being especially near. For more info on airfields in Norfolk visit Norfolk air fields.