IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Bridge Street, THETFORD, IP24 3AD

Christmas night and Thetford's town centre is deserted. Traditionally, this is the one night of the year when pubs stay closed, although the bar of the Bell Inn (just ahead on the right) was open - but hardly very busy. A few of the town's Polish food stores were also open but did not appear to be doing much trade.

Numbers 12 and 14 were built as shops with accommodation above in the early 19th century in knapped flint with gault brick dressings. Number 14 had a fine mid 19th century shop front whilst number 12 has a late 20th century shop front. Listed, grade II, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1195950 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.

A view of Town Bridge which carries Bridge Street over the River Little Ouse. On the right is Bridge House Image and on the left the Bell Inn and the church of St Peter Image The bridge in detail is seen at Image and there is a descriptive information board Image The bridge is listed, grade II, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1195954 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.

Grade II listed, early 19th century shops with accommodation above

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1207462?section=official-list-entry and https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1195950?section=official-list-entry

Built as two shops with accommodation above the building at numbers 6 and 8 Bridge Street now houses two shops and seven flats at numbers 1 to 7 Bridgate Court. Constructed in the early 19th century in flint, brick and clunch and fronted in gault brick. The two shop fronts are late 20th century. The conversion to flats took place in the late 20th century. Listed, grade II, with details at: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1195949 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.

Quiet on a bank holiday Monday, it is hard to believe that Bridge Street was once a part of the A11 London - Norwich road. The modern part of the Bell Inn is on the left.

The original main road from London to Norwich. St Peter's Church stands ahead. The Bell Inn on the right can apparently claim its own ghost story.