Wymondham

Wymondham (pronounced Windham) is an attractive, historic Norfolk market town with its red roofs and the massive towers of the Abbey church set against green fields of the Tiffey Valley. While Wymondham has changed with the times, it has maintained its market town atmosphere with an attractive town centre, some outstanding old buildings, a good range of shops and other facilities. Like many East Anglian towns, Wymondham earned its wealth from wool, but another industry which survived in the town was the making of small wooden objects - spoons for example - and some of the streets of Wymondham take their name from this, such as Spooner Row. Wymondham has a magnificent, twin tower Abbey, founded in 1107 by William d'Albini and has been adapted over the centuries. Finally, make sure your do not miss Wymondham railway station - which has been restored and its buildings house a museum, gift shop, themed restaurant and tea room.

Wymondham town sign depicts scenes from the towns past wood turning industry

The Market Cross was built in 1617 at a cost of £25! and yet repairs in 1989 cost £95,000!

Wymondham contains some lovely mid-seventeeth century properties and narrow medieval streets

Colourful houses in Wymondham

At the top end of town is the Wymondham Heritage Museum at the Bridewell. This building was a former prison (until 1827), women's house of correction (until 1878), a police station (until 1963) and a magistrates court (until 1991). It is now a museum showing local Wymondham history.

Wymondham Heritage Museum

At the lower end of town is Becket's Chapel, which was founded in 1174 by William d'Albini, son of the founder of the Abbey. It was used as a grammar school in 1559 and then as coal store from the early 1800's. It is now houses the Wymondham Arts Centre.

Becket's Chapel

Wymondham Abbey was founded in 1107 by William d'Albini and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Alban, this was later changed to St Mary and St Thomas of Canterbury. When built, the church was intended to serve both Benedictine Monks and the parishioners of Wymondham. However, quarrels between the two groups over issues such as bell ringing lead to each faction building their own tower! At the Dissolution in 1538 the Abbey church was granted to the people of Wymondham and a wall was built blocking up the Monks tower! Sir Ninian Cooper designed a great gilded screen, and dedicated it to the young men who had fallen in the First World War.

Wymondham Abbey

Part of the inside of the Abbey

The Guilded Screen dividing the Abbey

Wymondham railway station was built in 1845 and on the Norwich to Ely line, the station once employed over 100 staff! The station still links Norwich, London, Cambridge and the Midlands with train services. This award wining station has been restored and contains a railway carriage themed restaurant called "Station Bistro".

Wymondham Station

The Station Bistro restaurant at Wymondham Station

Wymondham Tourist Information Centre, The Market Cross, Market Place, Wymondham, NR18 0AX. Tel: 01953 604 721

Car-parking can be found behind Market Street (pay).

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