Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Lakenheath has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Lakenheath.
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Sights in Lakenheath
Lakenheath is a small town located in Suffolk, England. It is situated on the River Lark, close to Thetford Forest. The town is in the East Anglia region and has a population of around 4,500 people.
The town has a long history and was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. It was originally a market town and was granted a charter by King John in 1214. The market is still held every Wednesday and is one of the biggest draws to the town.
The town has a number of historic buildings including the Church of St. Edmund, the Lakenheath Poors’ Land Charity building and the Lakenheath Guildhall. There are also several pretty parks and gardens including the Riverside Park and the Heathland Nature Reserve.
Lakenheath is well known for being the site of the largest US Air Force base in the UK. The base covers around 8,000 acres and is home to around 4,500 military personnel. The base is a major employer in the town and brings in a lot of tourists too.
Overall, Lakenheath is a lovely town with plenty to see and do. Whether you’re interested in history, nature or the military, there’s something for everyone.
History of Lakenheath
Lakenheath is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, England. The village is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) northeast of Brandon, and 18 miles (29 km) northwest of the county town of Ipswich. The parish includes the hamlets of Beck Row, Brandon Bank and Heathrow.
The village is home to Lakenheath Fen, the largest remaining fen in West Suffolk, and a nature reserve which is noted for its rare and endangered flora and fauna.
Lakenheath was originally an AngloSaxon settlement, and is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Lachesheth. The name means “homestead or enclosure in the heathland”.
Lakenheath was the site of a Benedictine Abbey, founded in 1146 by Roger de Lacy, Lord of Eudo La Zouche of Ashby, for monks from the Abbey of St Edmund at Bury St Edmunds. The Abbey was dissolved in 1539 during the reign of Henry VIII, and the Abbey Church was demolished in 1540.
Lakenheath later became famous as the site of the Battle of Lakenheath, fought on 16 August 1643 during the first year of the English Civil War. Parliamentary forces under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax defeated a Royalist army led by the Earl of Norwich.
Lakenheath airfield was established in the early 1940s as a Royal Air Force bomber base. It was used by RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War, and by the United States Air Force (USAF) Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Cold War.
The airfield is currently used by the USAF 48th Fighter Wing (48 FW), and is the largest US military airbase in the UK.
Lakenheath is twinned with:
Feltwell, Norfolk, England
Lossiemouth, Moray, Scotland
Staden, Germany
Ichelhofen, Germany
Leiston, Suffolk, England
Vacation in Lakenheath
Medieval Lakenheath has much to offer the vacationing traveller. The city was founded in the 11th century as a strategic garrison town, and its architecture and history reflect its military past. Many of the buildings in the city date back to the medieval period, and there are a number of museums and historical sites that can be visited.
Lakenheath is also home to a number of beautiful parks and gardens, perfect for a leisurely stroll or picnicking on a sunny day. For the more active traveller, there are a number of outdoor activities to enjoy in the nearby countryside, including hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Whatever your interests, Lakenheath is sure to have something to offer. So come and explore this wonderful city and discover its hidden treasures for yourself!
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