Moving House Guide: Moving to Thetford

Thetford is a humble market town in the Breckland district of Norfolk. It expanded during WW2 after an overspill of Londoners, and the town has maintained a rich, national identity ever since. Historic buildings and iron statues overlook the town’s bustling shops and attractions. Visitors flock to the ‘Dad’s Army’ museum to pay homage to the acclaimed war sitcom, filmed predominantly in Thetford.

An interesting town in a convenient location, there are many reasons to consider moving to Thetford. This guide will detail all you need to know about the central East Anglian parish.

Why move to Thetford?

Statue of Thomas Paine

Entertainment & Culture in Thetford

Despite being a relatively smaller area of the UK, Thetford is home to a variety of bistros, museums and entertainment venues. Check out some of Thetford’s top attractions:

Tourist attractions

  • Dad’s Army Museum
  • Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life
  • Euston Hall
  • Charles Burrell Museum
  • Grimes Graves
  • Statue of Thomas Paine

Entertainment Venues

  • The Light Cinema Thetford
  • Ice Nightclub
  • Thetford Forest (home to various concerts and shows)

Bars and Restaurants

  • The Mulberry
  • The Wellington Feltwell
  • The Albion Thetford
  • Black Horse

Thetford-specific Events

  • The Annual Autumn Equinox Festival for Astronomy
  • The site for the UK’s Star Party, an annual open-air festival

 

In and Around Thetford

theford castle

At the heart of the town lies Thetford Forest, a fairytale setting spanning 18,730 hectares of land. It is the UK’s largest man-made lowland forest and has become home to a rich variety of plant and animal life. In addition to its gorgeous expanse, Thetford Forest has become a popular location for A-list music concerts. Noel Gallagher, Will Young, James Morrison and Madness are just some of the names scheduled to play at the venue in 2020.

On either side of Thetford are the cities of Cambridge and Norwich, both of which are easily accessible via Thetford transport links. Enjoy a trip to the quaint, cobbled streets of Cambridge, where you can go punting down the river and explore the world-famous university sites. Take a peek at our moving guide to Cambridge for more information. Alternatively, Norwich boasts a combination of cosmopolitan nightlife and stunning rural landscapes. Check out our moving guide to Norwich to learn more about this city.

 

What you need to know before you move to Thetford

train on tracks with sunset

Schools & Education in Thetford

Some of the highest rated schools in Thetford include:

  • Thetford Grammar School
  • The Thetford Academy

Transportation in Thetford

Thetford’s accessibility, locations and transport links are some of the most attractive features for residents. In December 2014, a £102 million project to dual the A11 was completed, meaning the entire A11 is now dual carriageway from where it leaves the M11 in Essex all the way to Thetford and beyond to Norwich.

In addition, Thetford has a railway station and various bus routes that travel between local territories in Thetford and to the wider areas of the UK.

Bus 

  • Thetford to Norwich — 46 minutes
  • Thetford to Bury St Edmunds — 43 minutes
  • Thetford to Great Yarmouth — 1 hour 42 minutes

Train

  • Thetford to London Kings Cross — 1 hour 37 minutes
  • Thetford to Norwich — 32 minutes
  • Thetford to Cambridge — 43 minutes

Airport

  • The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport, which takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes from Thetford by public transport, or 48 minutes by car.

 

Emergency Services in Thetford

You can find many emergency services throughout Thetford. 

The main emergency services in Thetford include:

  • Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service
  • Norfolk Constabulary — Thetford Police
  • Thetford Healthy Living Centre

 

Housing in Thetford

Housing in Thetford is affordable and offers many areas to suit various budgets and requirements.

Average house prices

  • Terraced house – £177,650
  • Semi-detached house – £198,000
  • Detached house – £302,625

Popular areas

Family-Friendly: Fairfields

Perfect for new families, Fairfields sits in a quieter area of Thetford and includes a primary school.

Upmarket: Abbeygate

Abbeygate has been described as ‘posh suburbia’. It is complete with upmarket housing and a range of shops. 

Young & Vibrant: Ladies Estate

Every street in Ladies Estate has been given a female name. Quirky and progressive, this is the perfect place for young people to meet and hang out.

 

The Move to Thetford

simon long removals van

Simon Long Removals helps customers across Norfolk and the surrounding areas move into their new home. Offering 24/7 storage facilities, expert packing services and a team with over 20 years of experience, we can facilitate a smooth transition into your new home. If you’re interested in moving to Thetford, trust in Simon Long Removals to help you through the process. Contact us today for a free no-obligation survey and quotation.