History of the area

Swaffham

The Market Place, framed by many fine buildings and donimated by the graceful outline of the parish church, has been the focal point of life in Swaffham for centuries.

The Saturday market, held by permission of a Royal Charter granted prior to the 13th century, attracts bargain-hunters from miles around. Stalls sell local produce, clothes, bric a brac and other wares, and there is a weekly auction.

The greater part of the church of St Peter and St Paul dates from the 15th century and is inextricably linked with the legendary Peddler of Swaffham, John Chapman. Chapman is said to have found two pots of gold buried under a tree in his garden after receiving a message in a dream.

History confirms that a John Chapman did exist and was a churchwarden in 1462. The tower and north aisle of the church are believed to have been made possible largely through his generosity.

The other well-known features of the Market Place are the Butter Cross and the Assembly Rooms - an important public meeting place for the town. The Butter Cross was built in 1783 by the Earl of Orford and comprises eight stone columns supporting a dome, which is topped by a figure of the goddess, Ceres. The Assembly Rooms were re-built in 1817.

Although railway transport through Swaffham ceased in 1968, when the Norwich-King's Lynn fell victim to the Beeching axe, the town continues to serve as an important crossroads in Norfolk's road network. It is already bypassed by the A47 travelling east-west but increased traffic volumes in recent years have prompted calls for a north-south relief road.

Watton

Watton's history can be traced as far back as the Doomsday Book.

However the present town is unlikely to be on the same site as the original settlement - called Wadetuna. Detailed research by a team of experts suggests that Watton was laid out in 1204 when the town was granted its market charter by King John.

But there is a slight quirk about its design as the parish church of St Mary's is located approximately half a mile outside the town centre. The church is situated on a road which would have run to the site of the old settlement.

There has been much speculation by historians over the years as to why St Mary's is positioned so far outside Watton. Theories have ranged from a plague causing the abandonment of the town, to the building being constructed so it could be used by two manors.

The centre of Watton was destroyed in 1674 by a terrible fire which demolished 60 houses along with a number of barns, stables and outhouses.

During the latter part of the twentieth century Watton's economic future did not seem very promising: the town is not served by any major roads or railway lines and the RAF base closed.

But a new tourism initiative set up by the Wayland Partnership hopes to boost the prosperity of Watton and eight of the surrounding parishes.