22/04/2026
We are very close to the Norfolk border here at Willow Barn and Thetford is just a stone’s throw away (18 min 🚗).
We enjoyed a walk along the river walking past Thetford Mill, which is a Grade II listed, 19th-century corn mill, it was famously used by the Ibex Coffee Company and R. Twining & Co. before ceasing operations in the late 1950s.
Thetford is known for its Iron Age roots, Saxon history as the capital of East Anglia, and its role as a “London overspill” town after World War II. Key attractions include Thetford Priory, Castle Hill, the Dad’s Army Museum, and the expansive Thetford Forest.
Dad’s Army was filmed primarily in Thetford. The town doubled as the fictional Walmington-on-Sea, and the cast famously stayed at the Bell Hotel.
The revolutionary writer Thomas Paine was born in Thetford. His gilded bronze statue is located outside King's House on King Street.
There is a large Portuguese community in Thetford and you can find traditional coffee & pastry cafes along with a large supermarket We bought pastries from their bakery, where they have a large selection along with our favourite - Pastel de nata.
We stopped for a coffee in O Cabaz - a shop, restaurant & cafe. The upstairs restaurant serves authentic Portuguese food.
You can also enjoy a drink sitting by the river at the outdoor cafe - The Riverside Kiosk which also serve hot food, ice cream & cake.
