Dereham is known as the heart of Norfolk, and is 15 miles west of Norwich on the A47.

Known for its markets on Tuesday and Friday it has become a prime example of how market towns are fighting back against the pull of retail centres such as Norwich.

Major multiples such as Tesco, Morrisons, Argos and Homebase sit amongst more local retailers such as Roys of Wroxham, QD and Palmers. The specialists like Halfords, New Look, Wilkinsons, Edinburgh Woolen Mills, Mackays, Peacocks and Bon Marche are also here.

However as Just Kitchenware is a prime example of how independent retailers provide quality service as well as value for money, we would suggest you visit some of the other independents in town like Wooden Tops, Hobby World, and Game Cave.  

History

Dereham derived its name from the deer that roamed the forests here in earlier times and at one point it was known as Deerham.

Dating back to Saxon times it was probably founded in the seventh century when St Withburga founded a monastery. She was the youngest daughter of Anna, King of East Angles who was killed in battle in 654.

Withburga became a nun and settled with other holy women in Dereham, which they had picked as a site for a holy religious foundation. When she died she was buried in Dereham Churchyard, but her body was stolen by monks sent by the Abbot of Ely. It was re-interred near those of her royal sisters St Ethelreda and St Saxburga.

 
St Withburga's well is meant to be the place where Withburga's body was wrenched from the earth and a spring started to flow with healing properties. 

Among the major events in Dereham's history were the great fires in 1581 and 1659.  During the Napoleonic wars a French prisoner of war called De Nardethe escaped from the local gaol but was captured and later shot 

Several well known people were associated with the town including poet William Cowper, who settled in the town in the late 18th century, author George Borrow, who was born at Dumpling Green and antiquary John Fenn, who discovered and transcribed the Paston Letters and lived at Hill House.  More recently one of the stars of the Harry Potter films, Chris Rankin (Percy) has heralded from Dereham.

One "hidden" feature of Dereham is the purpose built bunker under the Guildhall which only opened in 1992 as an Emergency centre for Breckland Council.

Dereham Windmill

Where Just Kitchenware is - click here

If you want to stay in Dereham try

The George Hotel

The Phoenix Hotel

 Pubs in Dereham

   Bull
Cherry Tree
Churchill Club
Coachmakers
Cock
Gemini
Kings Head Hotel
Millwrights Arms
Plough & Furrow
Railway Tavern
Red Lion
Royal Standard
Toftwood Social Centre
Twin Brothers

The Wellington

Dereham is rightly proud of its sporting inhabitants and on our What's On page you will see links to our golf club, football club cricket club and hockey club.

Come on you Magpies!