Santon Downham

Introduction

Historically known as Downham Santon and recorded in Domesday as "Dunham". It appears on John Speed's 1610 map as "Dowenham". The village's underlying geology and location lead to it experiencing extreme cold, hot and wet weather, leading it to be described as the Topsy-Turvey weather capital of the UK. It's often either the hottest or coldest place in the country.

The village is home to the East of England headquarters of Forestry England (formerly the Forestry Commission).

A hoard ot 107 silver Icenian coins were found in Santon Downham in 1869; many other artefacts from the Palaeolithic, Roman and Mesolithic periods have also been uncovered.

Between 1665 and 1670 a series of sandstorms threatened to overwhelm the village; so bad was one in 1688 it was known as the Great Sand Flood.

Golden pheasant were first introduced into England here in the early 18th century. The area around here is still one of the bird's strongholds, and although they're not present in great numbers, the Breckland breeding population is considered the most important outside their native China…

Acknowledgements

Some historical information from English Heritage's National Monuments Record.