South Norfolk market towns

Diss

Diss is centrally located to access the Norfolk Broads, the Suffolk and North Norfolk coast and is little more than 20 miles from Norwich on the London Liverpool Street train line. It is the gateway to the beautiful Waveney Valley which stretches eastwards from this historic market town.

With its famous Mere, one of the deepest natural inland lakes in the country set within lush green parkland, fine examples of Georgian architecture, the stunning Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin overlooking the town centre and independent boutiques tucked away in hidden yards, Diss is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

A traditional market is held at Diss Market Place every Friday and the Diss Farmer’s Market comes to town on the second Saturday of each month. If you love antiques and collectables, head to TW Gaze's salesrooms. Their auction day is every Friday and is often televised. Or enjoy great entertainment at the Diss Corn Hall from music, comedy and family fun to theatre, film and exhibitions. You can visit the award winning community Diss Museum, open from March to October, every day from 11am to 3pm. Admission is free. Nearby is the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum on the former WWII airfield at Thorpe Abbotts, and Bressingham Steam & Gardens for those who love history, steam trains and beautiful gardens.

Find more information on where to park in Diss.

Harleston

Set in the heart of the Waveney Valley, Harleston is a vibrant market town, filled with historic buildings and plenty of character. Old coaching inns remain as a legacy from the days when the town was on the main coaching route from London to Great Yarmouth.

Home to a delightful array of speciality shopping, bustling market stalls, food and music festivals and a thriving centre for the arts, it's little wonder Harleston was once voted Norfolk Town of the Year. Every Wednesday Harleston hosts two Markets where you can enjoy a variety of interesting stalls selling local goods, delicious and tempting Norfolk food and general household items. The Wednesday market comes to the centre of Harleston from 6am to 4pm. Harleston Country Market is held at King George's Hall from 9:30am until 11am.

If you fancy exploring the beautiful countryside, you can do this on foot with three circular walks starting in the town, or hire a bike to enjoy the Harleston and Waveney cycling routes. You can also enjoy nearby award-winning microbreweries, Grain Brewery and St Peter’s Brewery and for aircraft enthusiasts the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum is the place to visit.

Whether it’s fascinating history, a spot of shopping or just time to unwind you're sure to find something to interest you in this charming market town.

Find more information on where to park in Harleston.

Hingham

Set in the heart of rural Norfolk, the small town of Hingham is ideally placed for exploring the county’s many sights and attractions.

Hingham is a small conservation town well known for the splendid Georgian architecture which surrounds its charming old market place.

The town is an ancient settlement, as indicated by its Saxon name. As early as 925 AD it is recorded as the property of King Athelstan, grandson of Alfred the Great, and it kept many of the privileges resulting from its royal ownership until the beginning of the 18th century.

In the market place stands the town sign which shows some of the parishioners of the early 17th century leaving the town to sail to the new world. One of those who left was Samuel Lincoln, the forefather of president Abraham Lincoln, whose bust is to be found in the beautiful 14th century church of St Andrews.

Loddon

Sitting at the heart of the Southern Norfolk Broads, Loddon is one of South Norfolk’s finest towns. Its lively history is reflected in its Georgian and Victorian architecture; reminders of a commercial age driven by the graceful wherries that once brought trade to Loddon

On the second and fourth Saturday of each month the Loddon Farmers’ Market is held at Jubilee Hall from 9:30am until 1pm, where you can pick up high quality local produce at affordable prices. Nearby is the Wherryman's Way, a 35 mile footpath following the course of the River Yare between Norwich and Great Yarmouth which can be explored by foot, cycle, train or river bus. Look out for unique waymarkers along the route, which include figures, sculpture, information panels and audio points. Alternatively, there are twelve circular walks to enjoy, all based around the Wherryman’s Way walk.

Loddon enjoys a selection of unique shops and a waterside picnic area. In the summer it’s lively with boating holiday makers experiencing the Norfolk Broads, in South Norfolk.

Find more information on where to park in Loddon.

Wymondham

Just ten miles South West of Norwich, sits the bustling market town of Wymondham on the Norwich to Cambridge train line.

With its iconic 17th century Market Cross still standing majestically in the centre of town, Wymondham is also home to the 900 year old Wymondham Abbey, 15th century inn, heritage museum and the popular Wymondham music festival. This charming Norfolk town has a lot to offer in the 21st century.

Every Friday is market day from 9am until 2:30pm, and on the third Saturday of each month, Wymondham Farmers’ Market offers a wide range of beautiful local produce and mouth-watering treats available from 9am until 1pm. 

If you’re planning to visit Norwich make sure you take the short detour along the A11 to Wymondham to experience its lively atmosphere and bags of character.

Find out more information on where to park in Wymondham.

For more information on any of our market towns, please go the Visit Norfolk website or contact the relevant town council.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on what's on in your market towns: 
South Norfolk Facebook
South Norfolk Twitter