Downham Market
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unique landscape. landscape. unique agriculture. and around Downham Market. Look out for St Winnolds Winnolds St for out Look Market. Downham around and several moorings along your voyage to stop and enjoy the the enjoy and stop to voyage your along moorings several to protect the area from flooding and to reclaim land for for land reclaim to and flooding from area the protect to annual festivals annual hosted in in hosted and events regular are There navigate. Cruise along the river to Denver, where there are are there where Denver, to river the along Cruise navigate. from when the Fens were first drained in the 17th Century Century 17th the in drained first were Fens the when from on the Howdale. Howdale. the on certainly feel at home here with plenty of waterways to to waterways of plenty with here home at feel certainly primarily centred on a farming community, this originating originating this community, farming a on centred primarily the sports fields or just simply sit and enjoy the summer sun sun summer the enjoy and sit simply just or fields sports the great outdoors. great Sailing and boating enthusiasts will will enthusiasts boating and Sailing wide vistas can be enjoyed. Historically, the Fens has has Fens the Historically, enjoyed. be can vistas wide In Downham, enjoy lazy days watching local matches on on matches local watching days lazy enjoy Downham, In experience the the experience Downham Market is the perfect base to to base perfect the is Market Downham coastline in the north, and fertile fens to the west, where where west, the to fens fertile and north, the in coastline landscapes landscapes to hearty pub meals, fish and chips to gourmet restaurants. gourmet to chips and fish meals, pub hearty to including heathland to the east, unspoilt unspoilt east, the to heathland including countryside to explore fascinating nearby villages. nearby fascinating explore to countryside variety of of variety appetites in and around Downham Market, from tea shops shops tea from Market, Downham around and in appetites The surrounding countryside has a a has countryside surrounding The nickname ‘Gingerbread Town’ and saunter through the the through saunter and Town’ ‘Gingerbread nickname foodies , there are plenty of places to satisfy all all satisfy to places of plenty are there , For architecture. Discover why Downham Market has its its has Market Downham why Discover architecture. Centre at Welney. Welney. at Centre historic buildings historic and amazing amazing and of full brim is area The bridleways. bridleways. Gardens and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Visitor Visitor Trust Wetlands and Wildfowl the and Gardens tranquil and countryside idyllic the through trek effortless Rare Breeds Centre, Oxburgh Hall, Gooderstone Water Water Gooderstone Hall, Oxburgh Centre, Breeds Rare is plenty to do. to plenty is out out golf clubs and angling sites. Horse riders can enjoy an an enjoy can riders Horse sites. angling and clubs golf with something for everyone such as Church Farm Farm Church as such everyone for something with visiting attractions or discovering the Fen Rivers Way, there there Way, Rivers Fen the discovering or attractions visiting routes and footpaths and routes great days days great to discover along with sailing clubs, clubs, sailing with along discover to There is a wealth of nearby attractions for for attractions nearby of wealth a is There around the busy market and unique independent shops, shops, independent unique and market busy the around walking walking A chance to get active, there are countless countless are there active, get to chance A hether it be strolling strolling be it hether W enjoy. to place fascinating and on the town square. town the on the heart of the region, Downham Market is a traditional traditional a is Market Downham region, the of heart the at Welney. at performances in the Town Hall, morris dancing and music music and dancing morris Hall, Town the in performances dating back to Saxon times. With the River Great Ouse at at Ouse Great River the With times. Saxon to back dating Centre Visitor Trust Wetlands and Wildfowl the at swans on ceremony. Smaller events include craft fairs, fairs, craft include events Smaller ceremony. on Norfolk’s oldest market towns market oldest Norfolk’s bird watching bird , , of one Market, Downham opportunities, see the spectacular display of of display spectacular the see opportunities, Market Water Festival, and the Christmas lights switch switch lights Christmas the and Festival, Water Market On the banks of the River Great Ouse stands the town of of town the stands Ouse Great River the of banks the On The special environment of West Norfolk provides fantastic fantastic provides Norfolk West of environment special The Day and St. George’s Day celebrations, the Downham Downham the celebrations, Day George’s St. and Day Downham Market Downham Welcome to Welcome Downham Market MINI GUIDE Heritage Centre Market Days The Heritage Centre is well worth a visit, located in the historic Town Hall at Downham Market has a regular and popular outdoor market every Friday* and the heart of the town. The centre is manned by the Downham Market and Saturday on the Market Place, next to the Town Hall 8.00am - 4pm. (*except District Heritage Society and is FREE admission. The centre has fascinating Good Friday). displays and exhibits telling the historic story of Downham Market and the The town is also host to a craft and collectables market where there is a great surrounding Fens. variety of locally produced hand made items and crafts from pottery to jewellery. Opening Times: Friday and Saturdays 10am – 12noon. Held on Fridays and Saturdays on the Town Square. Tel: 01366 388887 E-mail: [email protected] For further information on the town’s markets contact Downham Market Town Web: www.downhamheritage.org.uk Council, 15 Paradise Road, Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9HS. Town Council opening times: Monday to Friday 10am – 1pm Boating Rules Tel: 01366 387770 E-mail: [email protected] Navigation authority licence fees are required for boats using waters controlled Web: www.downhammarkettowncouncil.org.uk by the Environment Agency. The agency produces a comprehensive navigation guide covering the Downham Market area. Tourist Information Centre (TIC) Contact details: PO Box 544, Rotherham S60 1BY Situated in the Priory Centre, off Priory R oad, the Tourist Information Centre Telephone: 03708 506506 (Monday-Friday 8am-6pm) offers a wide variety of visitor information including nearby accommodation and Web: www.gov.uk/environmental-management/boating attractions. Tel: 01553 763044 (King’s Lynn TIC) E-mail: [email protected] North of Denver Sluice, the tidal River Great Ouse provides access onto the Nene Ouse Navigation Link at Salters Lode. TIC opening times: Monday to Thursday 9am – 5.00pm, Fridays 9am - 4.45pm Contact Details: Middle Level Commissioners, Middle Level Offices, 85 (all year). Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. Whittlesey Road, March, Cambs PE15 0AH. Tel: 01354 653232 TIC Services Available: Accommodation booking service for visitors to the Web: www.middlelevel.gov.uk TIC; information on places of interest, attractions and local events, heritage trail leaflets, souvenirs, national guides and maps of the area. Angling Information A free guide to fishing the waters in the region is available from most tackle Places to Stay shops or visit the King’s Lynn Angling Association’s comprehensive website There are a number of accommodation providers in the Downham Market and Web: www.klaa.co.uk West Norfolk area. Call into the TIC to request an accommodation guide or visit www.visitwestnorfolk.com Events Downham Market is host to a number of fun events throughout the year. Public Transport Information A diary of events can be found on www.downhammarkettowncouncil.org.uk Explore by bus: See the map inside for the main bus stop in the town centre. and www.visitwestnorfolk.com or call into the Tourist Information Centre. For local and national bus information phone Traveline: 0871 2002233 or visit: (contact details on back cover). www.travelineeastanglia.org.uk Explore by train: Govia Thameslink Railway operates services from London Local Produce King’s Cross to Downham Market and King’s Lynn, hourly (half hourly at peak You will find many local butchers, bakeries and food producers in the area, times). For further information contact Govia Thameslink Railway particularly on market day. There are also a number of farm shops, the larger Tel: 0345 0264700 Web: www.thameslinkrailway.com ones being at Hilgay, Stowbridge and on the A1122 south of Downham Market. Alternatively contact National Rail Enquiries for timetable information. Take a drive west across the fens from Stowbridge where you will come across Tel: 08457 484950 Web: www.nationalrail.co.uk local produce sold direct from the farms. Early Closing Day Shopping in the Town Officially half day closing is Wednesday, but most shops do stay open. Produced by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk 2015. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the information contained Explore the historic town on foot and you can find plenty of shops to browse, within this publication is accurate, the Borough Council cannot accept responsibility in respect of any error, misstatement or alteration which may have occurred. All images and maps are protected by copyright law and should not be reproduced or used in any format without the including craft shops, delightful independent stores and boutiques. Combine permission of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. these local businesses with well-known retailers and department stores and you are in for a pleasurable shopping experience. For a directory of many local If you would like a large print businesses, visit: www.downham-market-online.com version of this leaflet, please telephone 01553 763044 1390-77-2 www.visitwestnorfolk.com www.visitwestnorfolk.com 3 The Market Place Bustling Market Town............