Pretty little market 'gingerbread town' that's been named among UK's best places to live

Nestled on the banks of the River Great Ouse, a pretty market town awaits visitors looking for a serene day out.

Located just 16 miles south of the Royal Family's Sandringham Estate, the charming Norfolk town of Downham Market offers  everything visitors would hope to find in a traditional town in rural England.

Downham Market was founded during Saxon times, making it amongst the county's most ancient market towns. Throughout the Middle Ages, the town gained recognition for its butter marketplace and horse fair, drawing merchants from across the region.

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This heritage of hosting magnificent markets continues today, with stallholders catering to customers on Fridays and Saturdays, reports the Express. But the town's historical significance doesn't stop there.

During May Day in 1646, it is reported that King Charles I used the town as a hiding place to evade Parliamentary forces following the Battle of Naseby. The King hid in an inn that once stood where the Swan Inn is now located, disguised as a clergyman.

Visitors can learn more at the town's Heritage Centre, and will notice diverse architectural designs spanning Georgian and Victorian structures. There are also delightful thatched properties, grounding the town back in its rural setting.

The Downham Market Town Hall, erected between 1887 and 1888, serves as the settlement's most notable feature. Construction utilised local white brick alongside carrstone, which was quarried nearby, making the town hall a genuine representation of the area's building traditions.

The carrstone usage earned Downham Market the nickname "Gingerbread Town", though few use this term nowadays. In 2013, The Times recognised it amongst Britain's finest places to reside.

The location offers superb transport connections, delightful architecture and, importantly, fairy priced housing. Rightmove data shows the average property price over the past 12 months stands at £291,258.

As of December 2023, the national average house price in England was £302,000, according to the ONS.

Nestled in the stunning Norfolk countryside, Downham Market is a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. The serene waters of the River Great Ouse wind their way through the town, offering picturesque walking trails and opportunities for boating and fishing.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the RSPB's Welney Wetland Centre, provide an opportunity to observe diverse bird species and immerse oneself in the region's natural beauty.