Thetford buildings [4]

Image: © Michael Dibb Taken: 8 Sep 2020

Originally a merchant's house, this magnificent building at number 21 White Hart Street, is now a museum. Built circa 1490 and extended at the rear in the early 17th century, it became two shops with accommodation above in the early 19th century. Restored in 1924 and converted to a museum. The house has a parallel post-hall plan with the timber frame exposed above a flint and brick plinth. The house is famous for the lavish decoration of its bridging beams. Listed, grade I, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1297789 Once the ancient capital of East Anglia, Thetford is a market town established at a crossing of the River Little Ouse. A major centre of Boudica’s Iceni tribe with an Iron Age fort. Later came a Norman castle and an important priory. Thetford is the birthplace of 18th century radical Thomas Paine, whose thinking encouraged American independence and the abolition of slavery. After World War II, Thetford became an "overspill town", taking people from London.

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