cathedral
Ely Cathedral
Stunning Romanesque and Gothic cathedral dominating the Cambridgeshire fenland, renowned for its unique octagonal lantern tower.
18 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Lakenheath
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Lakenheath
Lakenheath is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Hockwold cum Wilton, 18km from Ely Cathedral.
Lakenheath is in England, United Kingdom, with about 4,400 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Hockwold cum Wilton, about 5 km away.
Lakenheath is a village and civil parish in the West Suffolk district of Suffolk in eastern England. It has a population of 4,691 according to the 2011 Census, and is situated close to the county boundaries of both Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, and at the meeting point of The Fens and the Breckland naturalRead more
environments.
Lakenheath is host to the largest United States Air Force base in the United Kingdom, RAF Lakenheath.
Lakenheath Fen Nature Reserve, created in 1996, restored wetlands from agricultural fields that were growing carrots. In May 2007, it was reported that cranes were nesting in the site for the first time since the fen lands were drained in the 16th century.
The village has a single Victorian primary school, constructed in 1878, which was extended in 1969, again in 2004 and most recently in 2010/2011. There is a small shopping street on which a variety of multi-cultural shops, restaurants, and services are available. Horse-riding services are also present. The village has a modern library with various amenities. Along this main road there is a small hotel, skate park, and a children's play park.
Lakenheath has one pub (The Brewers Tap) though historically it had at least sixteen more. The Royal British Legion was a members-only club, but closed in April 2012. The Villagers managed to raise the funds to purchase the property, and it now houses The Lakenheath Peace Memorial Hall, with a 130 seat theatre and stage, The Old Legion (Lakenheath) Community centre and bar. It is now dedicated to providing a safe place for families and children of the village to exercise and enjoy.
Lakenheath is remarkable for its medieval church, built about 900 years ago in wood, eventually being rebuilt in the local flint construction style. The church on the exterior has an embattled parapet that has an array of gargoyles and other carved faces at the string course at the base. The interior includes medieval paintings and carvings on the pews. The faces of the church's wooden angels bear the scars of the English Civil War, as none of the angels retained their original facial detail, due to religiously motivated vandalism by puritan soldiers. In early 2009, the church received a large grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and local organisations to restore its rare medieval wall paintings. The wall paintings, depicting local saint St Edmund, angels, and birds amongst other subjects, are believed to date from the 13th century.
As well as the Anglican parish church, Lakenheath has churches representing the Methodist, Strict Baptist and Pentecostal (AOG) denominations. All three of the non-Anglican church buildings are also primarily constructed of local flint, albeit with later modifications in brick.
The recently built pavilion now houses the local cricket club and hosts various events.
Lakenheath also boasts a football club playing at ‘The PIt’ stadium in the village. The club, in 2021 won promotion to the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division, the highest they have ever been and, won the Suffolk Senior Cup for the second time in their history.
Where to Stay in Lakenheath
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Lakenheath?
Within an hour or so of Lakenheath: Ely Cathedral (18 km), Snetterton Circuit (29 km), King's College Chapel, Cambridge (36 km), The Backs, Cambridge (37 km).
Are there any good drives near Lakenheath?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit.
Where is Lakenheath?
Lakenheath is in England, United Kingdom, about 5 km from Hockwold cum Wilton.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 4,369
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 52.4175, 0.5221
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 Lakenheath
5 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.
29 km · about 35 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.
36 km · about 40 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.
37 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Lavenham
Exquisitely preserved medieval wool town with over 300 listed buildings, including crooked timber-framed houses and a magnificent church.
39 km · about 45 min drive
Driving roads near Lakenheath
- 37 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
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