cathedral
Ely Cathedral
Stunning Romanesque and Gothic cathedral dominating the Cambridgeshire fenland, renowned for its unique octagonal lantern tower.
25 km · about 30 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Downham Market
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Downham Market
Downham Market is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Southery, 25km from Ely Cathedral.
Downham Market is in England, United Kingdom, with about 11,000 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Southery, about 9 km away.
Downham Market, sometimes simply referred to as Downham, is a market town and civil parish in Norfolk, England. It is on the edge of the Fens, on the River Great Ouse, approximately 11 miles (18 km) south of King's Lynn, 39 miles (63 km) west of Norwich, and 30 miles (48 km) north of Cambridge.
The civil parish has anRead more
area of 5.20 square kilometres (2.01 sq mi) and at the 2011 census had a population of 9,994 in 4,637 households. It now includes the hamlet of Broomhill, formerly part of Wimbotsham parish to the north of the town.
The town was an agricultural centre, developing as a market for the produce of the Fens with a bridge across the Ouse. During the Middle Ages, it was famed for its butter market and also hosted a notable horse fair. The market is now held Fridays and Saturdays.
Notable buildings in the town include its medieval parish church, dedicated to St Edmund, and the Victorian clock tower, constructed in 1878. The town is also known as the place where Charles I hid after the Battle of Naseby. In 2004 the town completed a regeneration project on the Market Place, moving the market to the town hall car park. The decorative town sign depicts the crown and arrows of St Edmund with horses to show the importance of the horse fairs in the town's history. A heritage centre, Discover Downham, opened in a former fire station in 2016. The town is twinned with Civray, Vienne, France.
Where to Stay in Downham Market
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Downham Market.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Downham Market.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Downham Market?
Within an hour or so of Downham Market: Ely Cathedral (25 km), Snetterton Circuit (41 km), King's College Chapel, Cambridge (48 km), The Backs, Cambridge (48 km).
Are there any good drives near Downham Market?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit.
Where is Downham Market?
Downham Market is in England, United Kingdom, about 9 km from Southery.
Road trip
Drive to Downham Market
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Downham Market. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 10,884
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 52.6071, 0.3837
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Downham Market
4 notable places within an hour's drive.
racetrack
Snetterton Circuit
A fast and flowing former RAF airfield circuit in Norfolk, popular for British Superbike and BTCC events.
41 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
King's College Chapel, Cambridge
Pinnacle of late Gothic architecture with the world's largest fan vault ceiling and Rubens' masterpiece altarpiece, an icon of Cambridge University.
48 km · about 55 min drive
scenic viewpoint
The Backs, Cambridge
The famous riverside meadows behind the Cambridge colleges, offering iconic views of King's College Chapel, the Bridge of Sighs and punts on the Cam.
48 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Downham Market
- 48 kmThe Backs, CambridgeThe famous riverside meadows behind the Cambridge colleges, offering iconic views of King's College Chapel, the Bridge of Sighs and punts on the Cam.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Downham Market.
Plan a trip around Downham Market
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Downham Market.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.