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Pictures of Wisbech

a Historic Market Town in the county of Cambridgeshire

Wisbech at night

About Wisbech

Wisbech stands on the River Nene, almost 12 miles from the sea, at one time it was closer but changing river patterns over the passing years have altered its position in relation to the Wash.

This lovely market town is full of character and history, its story goes back to when it was first mentioned in a charter of the Saxon King Wulphere in 664. A castle was erected here by King William I in 1086, and the hapless King John is said to have stayed here in 1216 when his treasure was lost in the Wash.

The town shows many beautiful Georgian terraces of graceful architecture in a variety of Georgian styles. Some of the finest properties can be clearly seen from a bridge spanning the Nene. Here the view is of North Brink and South Brink, were the wealthy merchants and landowners built splendid homes. The most famous house on the banks of the river is Peckover House, built in the 1720's, it is an important example of domestic architecture of the period and now belongs to the National Trust, it is open to the public, and shows fine decorative work in plaster and wood.

The large church dedicated to St.Peter and St.Paul is unusual in that it has twin naves and aisles. It's 16th-century tower carries much decoration, and inside the church visitors can see a wealth of church treasures including a huge monument in brass to Sir Thomas de Braunstone, it depicts an armoured figure of over 7ft long.

Prosperity came to Wisbech when the fens where finally drained leaving behind rich agricultural soil, ideal for growing an abundance of produce, flowers and fruit. There are signed routes to enable motorists to see as much as possible of the beauty of the spring blossom, and later the fruit orchards and fields of ripened corn.

Fenlanders are hardy people, they have garnered a living from the rich fertile soil for centuries, the produce causes great diversity to the landscape as visitors see long vista's of fields full of ripened crops, fruit and flowers. In the 17th-century the men and women of the Fens stood almost shoulder to shoulder against the drainage of the land, but it is this that has made Wisbech the lovely place we see today, and what has earned it the title "Capital of the Fens".

Interestingly, the town was the birth-place of Octavia Hill, who was born in Wisbech in 1838. She was co-founder of the National Trust as well as being a champion of Social Reform. Her birth-place is now a museum.

Wisbech offers visitors an interesting time, with plenty to see and do. The most famous sights include; Peckover House, the Market Place, The Clarkson Memorial, The Wisbech and Fenland Museum, St.Peter and St.Paul's Church, The Crescent and Castle, and Elgoods Brewery.

There is good shopping, plenty of hotels and a wide range of cafe's, inns and restaurants


Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Wisbech

The Butterfly & Wildlife Park(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction N)Pictures
Tales of the Old Gaol House(11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction NE)Pictures
Crowland Abbey(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction W)Pictures
Castle Rising Castle(15.7 miles, 25.3 km, direction NE)Pictures
Flag Fen Bronze Age Centre(16.0 miles, 25.7 km, direction SW)Pictures
Peterborough Cathedral(18.0 miles, 28.9 km, direction SW)Pictures
Oxburgh Hall(18.3 miles, 29.4 km, direction E)Pictures
Sandringham House(18.5 miles, 29.7 km, direction NE)Pictures
Oliver Cromwell's House(19.0 miles, 30.6 km, direction S)Pictures
Ely Cathedral(19.2 miles, 30.8 km, direction S)Pictures
Freiston Shore Nature Reserve(20.8 miles, 33.5 km, direction N)Pictures
Iceni Village & Museum(21.1 miles, 33.9 km, direction E)Pictures
Ferry Meadows Country Park(21.1 miles, 34.0 km, direction W)Pictures
Castor Hanglands NNR(21.9 miles, 35.2 km, direction W)Pictures
Brandon Country Park(25.2 miles, 40.6 km, direction SE)Pictures

All attractions in Wisbech
All attractions in Cambridgeshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Wisbech

Newton-in-the-Isle, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cambridgeshire (3.4 miles, 5.4 km, direction NW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

March, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cambridgeshire (8.5 miles, 13.6 km, direction S)
A curiosity of the town is the tradition of the March, March march. This is when a group of Cambridge students gather in the town to walk back to Cambridge stopping at all convenient inns to quench their thirst!
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Downham Market, a Historic Market Town in the county of Norfolk (10.4 miles, 16.7 km, direction E)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Welney, in the county of Norfolk (10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction SE)
For many decades now, Welney has been famous for it's Wild Fowl Refuge overlooking the Flood Planes of the Wash.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Holbeach, in the county of Lincolnshire (11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction NW)
A small market town in the middle of a famous bulb growing region, there is a cluster of small streets and a central main street where the dominant feature is the church of All Saints.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Moulton, in the county of Lincolnshire (13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction NW)
Set in the heart of the famously beautiful fenlands of Lincolnshire is the pleasant town of Moulton.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Whittlesey, a Historic Market Town in the county of Cambridgeshire (14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction SW)
Whittlesey is an old area of Cambridge, it is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Spalding, in the county of Lincolnshire (15.2 miles, 24.5 km, direction NW)
In springtime, the town of Spalding, in it's favoured position on the banks of the River Welland becomes a riot of blazing colour as tulips, daffodils and other glorious spring flowers come into bloom.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Castle Rising, in the county of Norfolk (15.9 miles, 25.7 km, direction NE)
The sea has long since withdrawn from this one-time port, but the superb Norman castle built to protect it still stands.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wolferton, in the county of Norfolk (16.7 miles, 26.9 km, direction NE)
There is much in Wolferton to remind visitors of the magnificence of by-gone days. The station was sold and is preserved as a private home and a lovingly restored museum containing many original features.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Peterborough, a Historic City in the county of Cambridgeshire (18.0 miles, 29.0 km, direction SW)
The magic of Peterborough lies in the richness of its beautiful Cathedral. It is a glorious historical treasure house, it is unique and quite beyond compare.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Sandringham, in the county of Norfolk (18.7 miles, 30.2 km, direction NE)
Enchanting estate of over 7,000 acres of breath-taking countryside surrounding a magnificent house which has been the home of four generation of British Sovereigns since it was bought in 1862 for the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Dersingham, in the county of Norfolk (19.1 miles, 30.7 km, direction NE)
The village almost fringes the Queen's Sandringham Estate, it also lies quite close to the sea which gives it an almost jaunty, nautical atmosphere.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ely, a Historic City in the county of Cambridgeshire (19.2 miles, 30.8 km, direction S)
The early life of Ely began with a monastry and town situated on an island in the midst of a vast expanse of marshland in the middle of the Fens.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Gosberton, in the county of Lincolnshire (19.5 miles, 31.4 km, direction NW)
This old village sits inland from the Wash just above the point where the River Welland enters into the open sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Cambridgeshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

March Station(8.0 miles, 12.8 km, direction S)
Watlington Station(9.4 miles, 15.1 km, direction E)
A1(M) Junction 17(21.7 miles, 35.0 km, direction SW)
A1(M) Junction 16(22.1 miles, 35.6 km, direction SW)
Cambridge Airport(31.9 miles, 51.3 km, direction S)
Norwich Airport(47.3 miles, 76.2 km, direction E)
Wisbech to London(81.0 miles, 130.3 km, direction S)

Hotels & Accommodation in Wisbech

Hotel NameApproximate distance from Wisbech center
The Rose And Crown Hotel(0.1 miles, 0.1 km)
The White Lion Hotel(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
The Chequers Hotel(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction NW)
Ramada Kings Lynn(11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction NE)
Hotel Elizabeth Dukes Head(11.7 miles, 18.9 km, direction NE)
Stuart House Hotel (Ltd)(11.9 miles, 19.1 km, direction NE)
Best Western Knights Hill Hotel(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction NE)
Metro Inns Peterborough(17.1 miles, 27.6 km, direction SW)
Aaron Park Hotel(17.8 miles, 28.7 km, direction W)
Bull Hotel(18.0 miles, 29.0 km, direction W)
All hotels in Wisbech

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