Pulham Market

Pulham Market is a village and civil parish in Norfolk, England, about 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Diss and 14 miles (23 km) south of Norwich. The parish covers an area of 12.08 km² (4.66 sq mi) and had a population of 977, at the 2011 census,^[1] almost unchanged from 999 in 443 households at the 2001 census.^[2]

Pulham Market
St Mary Magdalene Church, Pulham Market
Pulham Market Location within Norfolk
Area	12.08 km2 (4.66 sq mi)
Population	977 (2011)
• Density	81/km2 (210/sq mi)
OS grid reference	TM196862
Civil parish	Pulham Market
District	South Norfolk
Shire county	Norfolk
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	DISS
Postcode district	IP21
Dialling code	01379
Police	Norfolk
Fire	Norfolk
Ambulance	East of England
List of places UK England Norfolk 52.43°N 1.23°E / 52.43; 1.23

History

Village sign

The earliest recorded spelling is Polleham. Pulham is referenced in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a single manor (including both Pulham Market and Pulham St Mary as we know them today) and being part of the Earsham hundred. The name Pulham is thought to mean the farmhouse, homestead or enclosure by the pool, water meadow or stream.^[3] There is a 'beck' (Norfolk dialect for a small watercourse) that flows by both villages.

Village green and sign

Older maps and documents name the parish or village "Pulham Saint Mary Magdalene" after the dedication of its parish church. The neighbouring parish and village was historically known as "Pulham Saint Mary the Virgin" after the dedication of its own parish church, though it is these days typically abbreviated to Pulham St Mary. In modern times the two villages of Pulham St Mary and Pulham Market are often together described as The Pulhams, including on road signs in the surrounding areas.

The village was struck by an F0/T1 tornado on 23 November 1981, part of the record-breaking nationwide tornado outbreak on that day.^[4] Another tornado later struck nearby Pulham St Mary.

As of 2019, the village has a primary school, a doctors' surgery, two pubs (The Crown and The Falcon), a shop/post office, and several other community facilities.^[5]

Transport

As of May 2024, the 36A/B bus service run by FirstGroup links the town of Harleston and Norwich City Centre, passing through the village;^[6] on weekdays there is a limited 584 service to Diss, run by Simonds CountryLink.^[7]

The nearest railway station is Diss. Pulham Market once had its own station on the Waveney Valley Line which is now closed. The long-distance footpath Boudica's Way runs through the village.

See also

• RNAS Pulham