Framlingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Framlingham |
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 Framlingham Castle |
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 Framlingham
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| Area | 18.97 km2 (7.32 sq mi) |
| Population | 3,342 (2011) |
| • Density | 176/km2 (460/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | TM283634 |
| Civil parish |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WOODBRIDGE |
| Postcode district | IP13 |
| Dialling code | 01728 |
| Police | Suffolk |
| Fire | Suffolk |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Framlingham is a lively market town and civil parish in Suffolk, England. It has a long history, going all the way back to the Anglo-Saxons. The town was even mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, which was like a big survey of England.
In 2011, about 3,342 people lived in Framlingham. By 2019, this number grew to an estimated 4,016. Some nearby villages include Earl Soham, Kettleburgh, Parham, Saxtead, and Sweffling.
Contents
Exploring Framlingham
Framlingham is full of interesting places and history. Its story began with several small estates, or "manors," mentioned in the Domesday Book.
Framlingham Castle
The amazing Framlingham Castle is a major landmark and a popular spot for visitors. This old Norman castle is looked after by English Heritage. It was first written about in 1148, but some experts think it might be even older, perhaps from the 11th century.
A very important event happened here in 1553: Mary Tudor, daughter of King Henry VIII, was declared the first Queen of England at this castle!
The castle is also famous because it's mentioned in the 2017 song "Castle on the Hill" by singer Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran grew up right here in Framlingham!
Next to the castle is a large lake, called a mere. In the past, this mere provided fish for the castle. Today, it's managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and you can enjoy a nature walk around it. There's also a big field next to the castle where outdoor events and shows take place in the summer. It's a great spot for a picnic!
St Michael's Church
The Church of St Michael the Archangel is another important building in the town. It dates back to the 12th century, though most of what you see today was rebuilt in the late 1400s and 1500s. The church has eight bells, some of which are very old. It also has a rare organ and tombs of important nobles. The church and other parts of Framlingham are featured in the mystery novel Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz.
Unique Town Features
Framlingham has some special features:
- It's home to two of the oldest working Post Office pillar boxes in the UK. They were put up in 1856 and are marked "V. R." for Queen Victoria. You can find them on Double Street and College Road.
- The town also has one of Britain's smallest houses, known as the "Check House." It used to be a bookmaker's office and was turned into a tiny two-story home. The ground floor is only about 6 meters (20 feet) long and 2.2 meters (7 feet 3 inches) wide!
Markets and Festivals
A traditional English market takes place in the town square, Market Hill, every Tuesday and Saturday morning. You can find fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade bread, fish, cheese, and other tasty treats. There's also a small museum inside Framlingham Castle.
Framlingham is surrounded by farms and countryside. It's about 22.5 kilometers (14 miles) from the coast at Aldeburgh and 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Southwold. It's also close to the famous Snape Maltings music center and the historic Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo.
In 2006, Country Life magazine even named Framlingham the best place to live in the country!
The town is a Fairtrade Town, meaning it supports fair trade. An oak tree planted in 1911 to celebrate the Coronation of King George V still stands outside the old railway station, which is now a pub called The Station. Framlingham was also the main filming location for the BBC comedy show Detectorists.
A popular family-friendly sausage festival is held every October. Butchers from Framlingham and nearby villages compete to make the best sausage. The town closes to traffic, and people follow a map to try different sausages and vote for their favorite. There are also market stalls and entertainment on Market Hill. Other festivals and events happen throughout the year.
Education in Framlingham
Framlingham has several schools, from primary to secondary.
Framlingham College
Framlingham College is an independent school for both boarding and day students. It opened in 1865 as Albert Memorial College, honoring Albert, Prince Consort. Its younger school, for preparatory students, is at Brandeston Hall.
Thomas Mills High School
Thomas Mills High School is much older, dating back to 1751. It's a public secondary school for students aged 11–18. It became an "academy" in 2011. Famous singer Ed Sheeran attended this school!
Sir Robert Hitcham's Primary School
Framlingham's primary school is Sir Robert Hitcham's Church of England Voluntary Primary School. It has been around since at least 1654. Today, it has about 350 students, plus 26 in its nursery.
Getting Around Framlingham
In the past, Framlingham had its own train line, the Framlingham Branch, which connected it to the main East Suffolk line at Wickham Market. The old station building is now next to the Station Hotel. The train line closed for passengers in 1952 and for goods in 1965.
Today, the closest train stations are Wickham Market (about 11 kilometers or 7 miles away) and Saxmundham (about 13 kilometers or 8 miles away). Both are on the East Suffolk Line.
The town is located where the B1116, B1119, and B1120 roads meet. It's about 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) west of the A12, a major road in Suffolk. You can find information about local bus services on the Suffolk on Board website.
Sports and Fun
Framlingham offers many ways to stay active and have fun!
- The town has a non-League football club, Framlingham Town F.C., which plays at Badingham Road.
- At Badingham Road, there's also a sports club where you can play tennis, archery, badminton, hockey, and croquet. The cycling club meets here too.
- There's a rambling club for walking enthusiasts and an active Scout and Cubs group.
- The modern St John Ambulance Centre is located on Fairfield Road.
Framlingham College has a swimming pool and gym that are open to the public at certain times. You usually need to book ahead and pay a membership fee.
The town has four pubs: The Castle Inn (which was called the "Two Brewers" in the Detectorists TV show), The Railway, The Station, and The Crown (which is also a restaurant and hotel). You'll also find a library, a post office, a pharmacy, a small supermarket, and various unique shops and coffee shops.
Many tourists visit Framlingham, especially in the summer. They come to see the town, the castle, St Michael's Church, the places from the Detectorists TV series, and to enjoy walks in the countryside.
Famous People from Framlingham
Many notable people have connections to Framlingham:
- John Mowbray, 3rd Duke of Norfolk used the castle as his main base in East Anglia.
- Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk (1443–1524), an important politician who served four kings, passed away at Framlingham Castle.
- Theophilus Howard, 2nd Earl of Suffolk (1584–1640), a politician, owned Framlingham Castle until 1635.
- Thomas Danforth, a leader in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was born in Framlingham in 1623.
- Samuel Danforth, a poet and preacher who worked with Native Americans, was born in Framlingham in 1626.
- Nicholas Revett, an architect and writer, was born in Framlingham in 1720.
- Alethea Lewis (1749–1787), a novelist, grew up in Framlingham.
- Edmund Goodwyn (1756–1832), a doctor born in Framlingham, discovered the "diving reflex."
- Robert Hindes Groome (1810–1889), a composer, author, and church leader, was born in Framlingham.
- Henry Thompson (1820–1894), a brilliant surgeon who operated on the Belgian royal family, was born in Framlingham.
- John Cordy Jeaffreson (1831–1901), a writer and lawyer, was born in Framlingham.
- Samuel Cornell Plant (1866–1921), a master sailor and inspector on the Upper Yangtze River.
- Francis Stocks (1873–1929), a county cricketer, passed away in Framlingham.
- Frederick Bird (1875–1965), a county cricketer and church leader, was born in Framlingham.
- Michael Lord (born 1938), a deputy speaker and Member of Parliament for the town, chose the title Baron Framlingham when he became a life peer.
- Charles Freeman (born 1947), a historian and author of books on ancient and Christian history.
- Alice Russell (born 1976), a soul singer, grew up in Framlingham.
- Christina Johnston (born 1989), a classical singer, grew up in Framlingham and went to Framlingham College.
- Laura Wright (born 1990), a classical/popular singer, grew up in Framlingham.
- Ed Sheeran (born 1991), the famous singer–songwriter, grew up in Framlingham and attended Thomas Mills High School. His hit song "Castle on the Hill" is about the town!
Images for kids
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Market Hill, Framlingham
See also
In Spanish: Framlingham para niños
