Downham Market was a Saxon settlement, whose name derives from the Anglo-Saxon words ‘dun’, meaning hill and ‘ham’, meaning dwelling place. The ‘market’ part of the name came later, when Edward the Confessor granted the town market status in 1050.
These days’ markets are held on Fridays and Saturdays but be warned, the town can get quite congested. Situated approximately where the Fens meet the Brecklands there is still evidence of the drainage scheme started by the Dutch engineer Vermuyden in attempt to reclaim the land for agriculture.
Charles I stayed in hiding at the White Swan Inn after his defeat at the Battle of Naseby, the hotel is still open today and is situated the High Street. Lord Nelson is said to have attended his first school in Downham Market, though opinion is divided on exactly where the school was.
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