Breckland

Properties and events in Breckland

Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries for last-minute changes.

Print selected events below

Bishop Bonner's Cottages Musuem

St. Withburga Lane, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1ED
In person
Pre-booking not required

A little gem of a museum housed in Dereham's oldest domestic building, a row of three thatched cottages that survived town fires in 1581 and 1679 and a Zeppelin raid in 1915

St. Bart.’s, Brisley: Heritage Festival

Church Street, Brisley, The Gables, Gateley Road, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 5AA
In person
Pre-booking not required

A celebration of local history and village life. Learn about both well-known and lesser-known individuals and families from days gone by, and the heritage of village organisations, places and buildings, and their connections with Brisley in 2024.

St Nicholas Church, Dereham

St Nicholas Church, Church Street, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DN
In person
Pre-booking not required

We will explore the journey of St Withburga from Holkham to Dereham in 654AD. Exhibition of St Withburga and her sister, St Etheldreda of Ely.

Former Atomic Weapons Bunker Tours

61G Gorse Industrial Estate, Barnham, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PH
In person
Pre-booking required

Tour a Scheduled Monument to the Cold War, where the Atom bombs Blue Danube and Red Beard were maintained including a voluntary climb up a 25ft watchtower!

Dereham Windmill

Dereham Windmill, Greenfields Road, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 3TE
In person
Pre-booking not required

Dereham Windmill is a Grade II listed windmill set in extensive grounds with a picnic area. On each of the five floors there are illustrated explanations on what happened in each area, when the mill was full of noise and floor dust.

Cowper Memorial Congregational Church

36 Market Place, 36 Market Place, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2AP
In person
Pre-booking not required

The Cowper Memorial Congregational Church, located between Boots and the Coop Supermarket, is locally known by Dereham residents as "The Church in the Marketplace." it commands prominence in the centre of the town.

Dereham Routes

Church House, Church Street, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DN
In person
Pre-booking required

A walk around sites in the town, visiting current and former road and rail routes and associated features.

Dad's Army Museum

Dads Army Museum, Guildhall, Cage Lane, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2DS
In person
Pre-booking not required

Discover the Dad's Army Museum this Heritage Open Days.

Dereham Assembly Rooms

Dereham Assembly Rooms, Ruthen Place, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2TX
In person
Pre-booking not required

The Dereham Assembly Rooms were built in 1756 and are not normally open to the public. Come along and imagine the early encounters of Jane Austen’s Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy in just such an impressive setting.

Dereham’s rail links - in war and peace

Station Road, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DF
In person
Pre-booking not required

Trains, talks, that old station atmosphere, and more. Something for everyone, including crafty kids!

Mid Norfolk Family History Society - Immigration and Emigration - Comings and goings in history.

Church House, Church Street, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1DN
In person
Pre-booking not required

This year, we are looking at how people travelled around in the past. Contrary to popular belief, our ancestors often went looking for work and opportunities to better themselves. Just how far some Dereham folk went will surprise you!

Oxburgh Estate

Oxburgh Hall, Oxborough, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE33 9PS
In person
Book on day

Make the most of free entry to Oxburgh Estate on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September. Especially for Heritage Open Days, enjoy 'Curiosites and Cabinets' in the house and take in the wonderful views from the gatehouse roof.

Great Ellingham One-Place Study presents 'GREAT ELLINGHAM CONNECTED'

The Crown Public House, 30 Church Street, Great Ellingham, Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 1LE
In person
Pre-booking not required

An imaginative exhibition exploring some of Great Ellingham’s fascinating history. Displays showing village roads and ancient footways, connected village families and community interaction by way of former clubs, societies & meeting places.

Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse

Gressenhall, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 4DR
In person
Pre-booking not required

Visit Gressenhall for free as part of Heritage Open Days - and see some object conservation up close as part of the day's events!

Transportation Exhibition

The Guildhall, The Marketplace, Thetford Town Council, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2DS
In person
Pre-booking not required

Come and take a wonder around our exhibition dedicated to all those poor unfortunate souls who were transported to Australia in the 1700s . Art work, Photography and creative writing.

Thetford Open Studios

Maker's Cottage, 20 Magdalen Street, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2BN
In person
Pre-booking not required

Meet the Makers and Artists! We have a lovely selection from local makers and artists, who will be exhibiting their work. Some will also be demonstrating and all are always pleased to chat about their work.

The Guildhall Regalia Display

The Guildhall, The Marketplace, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2ds
In person
Pre-booking not required

Thetford has 800 years of mayoralty and the regalia will be on display in the council chamber, along with other civic items. The sword and mace take pride of place within Thetford's Mayoral regalia.

Thetford Guided Heritage Walk

Leaping Hare, Belmont House, 20 King Street, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2AP
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Come with us as we explore a little of Thetford's varied and fascinating history of making.

River Heritage Trail

School lane Car Park, Thetford, Norfolk, ip24 2ag
In person
Pre-booking required

Come on a guided walk of the Town including the history of our Rivers.

Transportation tales, trials and tribulations

The Guildhall, The Marketplace, Thetford Town Council, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2DS
In person
Pre-booking preferred

Join us for an evening of theatre all about the convicts transported over to Australia from Thetford and Norfolk.

St Peter and St Paul Church, Scarning

St Peter and St Paul Church, Dereham Road, Scarning, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2PF
In person
Pre-booking not required

Scarning Church, dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, stands proudly at the crossroads in the centre of the village. It is Grade 1 listed and has some very fine features.

Trinity Methodist Church, Theatre Street, Dereham, NR19 2ER

28 Theatre Street, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2ER
In person
Pre-booking not required

The Grade II listed church will be open from 10am on Saturday 14th September 2024. Stewards will be on hand to show you around and answer any questions. Information about the history will be available.

Narborough Bone Mill

Belgrave House, Main Road, Narborough, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE32 1TE
In person
Pre-booking not required

See our 16 foot waterwheel turning, original brick floors & remains of Victorian mill buildings, model of mill, finds uncovered during excavations in our visitor centre which is a mini replica of the original building. Have a guided tour of the site.

A hidden gem – County School Station

County School, North Elmham, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 5LE
In person
Pre-booking not required

A chance to explore this classic Great Eastern Railway junction station and discover how the station linked to the rest of the world through rail and maritime connections.