Living and Working in Thetford

Thetford is a market town in the South West of Norfolk. Brimming with history, the town offers the perfect balance between community-based town living and tranquil, rural life.

Considering a role at Queensway Infant Academy and Nursery and thinking about living in the town or its surrounding areas? Here’s a little insight into what you can expect from a life in Thetford…

HISTORY

Thetford is steeped in history, much of which stands today having survived countless raids and destruction from the Vikings and monarchies throughout its 800+ year-old history. There is evidence to suggest that there has been settlement in Thetford since the Iron Age and parts of the town predate the Norman Conquest. Most notably, Thetford was home to warrior Queen Boudicca, as she planned her battle to overthrow the Romans. 

In Saxon times, Thetford was the capital of East Anglia and it was a prosperous place to live, with a focus on pottery production and other craftworking, which led to it having its own mint, its coins being found as far afield as Scandinavia. By 1086, the Domesday Survey estimated Thetford's population had grown to between 4,000 and 4,500 people, making it the country's sixth biggest town at the time. 

Thetford Castle was built in the 11th-century but was replaced in the 12th century by a much larger motte and bailey castle. This was destroyed in 1173 by Henry II, although the huge motte, the second largest man-made mound in England, remains intact as part of the local park known as Castle Park.

The town's Ancient House Museum, situated in a quirky 500 year-old structure, gives an insight into what life was like throughout its history, with a variety of exhibitions, archeological finds and interactive displays.  

Down the road sits the Charles Burrell Museum, housed in the Grade II listed, former paint shop of Charles Burrell & Sons, the museum provides a look into the legacy left by the namesake inventor of steam engines and agricultural machinery.
 

LIFESTYLE

The area is best known for Thetford Forest, 18,730 hectares of pines, heathland and broadleaves. Home to a rich variety of animal and plant life, the area also offers a variety of year-round events and activities including outdoor play facilities at High Lodge. There are also a vast amount of peaceful walks to enjoy for dog walkers, birdwatchers, casual walkers and hikers alike, including Santon Downham and Lynford Stag. 

Across the town there are plenty of things to do for children, including leisure centre and pool Breckland Leisure Centre & Waterworld, soft play and activity centre Fun 2 Play, role play and sensory centre Tiddlywinks Thetford, and a large number of bike paths in and around Thetford and its Forest.

Children can also enjoy nearby attractions such as Banham Zoo which is a 20 minutes journey by car, Go Ape just 17 minutes drive away, and 30 minutes from National Trust sites Oxborough Hall and Ickworth. 

Parents can decompress with a spa break at the Aqua Sana Spa situated at Centre Parcs Elveden which is just a 15 minute drive away. 

The town’s performing arts theatre, The Carnagie provides regular live music events and theatre performances to enjoy, and fans of British comedy Dad’s Army can explore its dedicated museum, situated in the location where the majority of the external scenes were filmed.

TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT LINKS

Thetford is located just off the A11, a main road that runs between Norwich and London. 

Thetford railway station is served by the Breckland line and is one of the best surviving pieces of 19th-century railway architecture in East Anglia. The train station continues to provide regular routes to the nearby city of Norwich, as well as Cambridge, London and Stansted Airport. 

The county of Norfolk benefits from 90 miles of unspoilt coastline and The Broads, around 40 miles from Thetford town centre, offering nearby days out and local holiday spots in abundance. There’s nowhere better to achieve the perfect balance between work and life for you and your family.

HOUSE PRICES (RIGHTMOVE - SEPTEMBER 2023)

Properties in Thetford had an overall average price of £242,615 over the last year.

The majority of sales in Thetford during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £197,082. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £233,250, with detached properties fetching £348,150.

Want to know more about our school? We’re happy to have a chat - give us a call at 01502 525300. Take a look at our latest vacancies here.