LET’S MOVE TO Wymondham

THIS COMMUTER TOWN HAS A REBELLIOUS HEART BEATING BELOW THE SURFACE

Wymondham’s most famous son was a 16th-century landowner called Robert Kett. His name crops up in shops, on placards and in schools. Every inhabitant of this Norfolk market town, young and old, can relate to the story of the man who led a peasants’ revolt, demanding land rights for all. While the tale does not end well for Kett, his spirit lives on. As the manager at Kett’s bookshop puts it: ‘We’re a pretty determined bunch. Ten years ago we stopped Asda from building on an ancient meadow. And when this shop was at risk, we came together to save it.’

IN THE ESTATE AGENT’S

WINDOW There may be the odd footballer’s mansion nearby, but generally it’s towns on the Norfolk coast, aka Chelsea-on-sea, that provide the glamour. Wymondham is the more pragmatic choice, where families choose to settle. Three thousand modern homes are being built on the outskirts. ‘Commuters and workers at the nearby science parks create plenty of demand to meet the supply,’ says estate agent David Warner. Budget £165,000 for a two-bed, first-time home, rising to £350,000 for four-beds. BUTCHERS, BAKERS & COFFEE MAKERS A bonny town centre but not overly quaint, there’s a mix of chains and independents here. Roots Community Cafe was set up to combat loneliness with cake and good company. Reno Wine offers refills from wooden casks, and the Green Dragon pub and Station Bistro are also worth a stop. COUNTRY LIFE & CULTURE The star attraction has to be Wymondham Choral Society, which has performed as far afield as New York’s Carnegie

Hall. It’s often heard at the imposing abbey – iconic in the area for its two towers, one of which was added by townspeople when medieval monks evicted them from the other. Free shows at the Arts Centre and occasional silent movies at the Ex-services Club are other highlights. SCHOOLS Wymondham College is an oversubscribed state boarding school rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Wymondham High Academy is rated ‘Good’, while Browick

Road and Ashleigh primaries are ‘Outstanding’ and Robert Kett Primary ‘Requires Improvement’. GET AROUND Wymondham’s well placed for London, Cambridge and Norwich, with the latter only 20 minutes away via the A11. There are hourly trains to Norwich and Cambridge, and direct trains to Stansted Airport. Or take it slow on the nostalgic Mid-norfolk Railway, Britain’s longest heritage line.

IN THE AREA Surrounding countryside offers plenty of easy strolls – see Toll’s Meadow and The Lizard National Nature reserve. Try The Hen House for afternoon tea.

The town centre is steeped in history, with the new builds around the edge