Whispers From The Deben

I was living in Tenerife with my toddler, on the lookout for a safe and affordable place to raise him as Tenerife just wasn’t working out for us anymore.

My parents had just moved to Debenham, Suffolk, and after seeing some photos of the area I decided that was were I had to be. I packed up our bags, hopped on the plane and made my new home here.

Debenham is a beautiful little village and I wanted to share some of the history with everyone, so come and join me on this journey into the past.

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Where It All Began… Maybe?

Debenham’s rich history stretches back centuries, beyond the picturesque exterior are tales of kings, commerce and culture.

Believe it or not, folks were already chilling in Debenham way back in the Iron Age, centuries before Romans ever appeared around here. Archeologists have found evidence such as pottery and tools, which mean my new neighbours may have some real ancient roots!

Roman Influence In Debenham

Fast forward to the 1st Century BCE, some historians believe Debenham may have been a site of a Roman settlement called Sitomago which they think to have been a significant Roman town, although the exact location of Sitomago still remains in debate. Unfortunately it is likely the rebellion against the Romans by Boudicca had a negative impact on the town.

With the Romans out of the picture, in the 5th and 6th centuries AD, the Britons faced some ongoing threats, which meant they needed some warriors to help them out, and in came the Angles to do just that! In fact, they loved the place so much, they decided to make Debenham their new home. The English we speak today was probably paved by the Angles all those years ago.

A Hub For Christianity

To begin with, Angles were pagan, but in the 7th century, missionaries like St. Felix and St. Fursey started promoting Christianity and they slowly started believing in a new god. It is said that a Minister church was built in Debenham during this time, suggesting that Debenham would have been an important location in the early days of Christianity.

The importance of Debenham was still present during the Anglo-Saxon period, suggesting Kenton Hall and it’s surroundings being a strategic location and a center of power within the Anglo-Saxon kingdom in East Anglia.

During the medieval period, Debenham had two beautiful churches, which would imply the growing population and devotion to Christianity. There were thriving markets which also solidified Debenham’s place as a commercial town. It is believed to have had influence in the wool trade, being still visible in the architecture of some of the villages buildings.

Debenham Today – A Village With Something For Everyone

Debenham today, still keeps its charm, with glimpses of a bygone era mixed in with the present. The River Deben continues to flow through the village as it has for centuries maintaining a unique character with beautiful farming landscapes surrounding.

Having lived here for a year now, I can tell you that the community spirit is something else! From charity events that bring everyone together to the friendly face of Harry the Bearded Postie (practically a local celebrity!), and a magical parish pantry that fills many fridges, there’s a genuine warmth here. Add pubs, shops, parks – everything a village heart desires – and you’ve got the perfect place to call home.

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If you’d like to dive deeper into Debenham’s history, The Debenham Local History Society is an amazing place to start! I would recommend a visit through the streets and historic buildings that allow you to connect with the history that has shaped Debenham over the centuries.

Places of Interest In Debenham

• Debenham Website
• Debenham Village Facebook Page
• River Green Cafe & Deli
• Debenham Fish and Chip Shop
• Debenham Sports & Leisure
• The Debenham Lion (Pub)
• The Woolpack (Pub)
• Bruford’s of Debenham (Cafe)
• Zeera (Indian Takeaway)
• Palfrey & Hall (Butchers)
• David Shacklock Books (Bookstore)
• Robbins Flowers (Florist)
• Henry Abbott (Hardware Shop)
• W A Ward (Greengrocers)
• Spiral Gallery (Jeweller & Art Gallery)
• Hair by Stephen Anderson (Hairdressers)