Dereham

Dereham
The market place on High Street
Dereham
Dereham shown within Norfolk
Area	21.51 km² (8.31 sq mi)
Population	18,609 (2011 census)
• Density	865/km² (2,240/sq mi)
OS grid reference	TF988132
District	Breckland
Shire county	Norfolk
Region	East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	DEREHAM
Postcode district	NR19, NR20
Dialling code	01362

Police	Norfolk
Fire	Norfolk
Ambulance	East of England
EU Parliament	East of England
UK Parliament	Mid Norfolk
List of places UK England Norfolk 52°40′52″N 0°56′24″E / 52.681°N 0.940°E / 52.681; 0.940Coordinates: 52°40′52″N 0°56′24″E / 52.681°N 0.940°E / 52.681; 0.940

Dereham (/ˈdɪərəm/), also known as East Dereham, is a town and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated on the A47 road, some 15 miles (25 km) west of the city of Norwich and 25 miles (40 km) east of King's Lynn. The civil parish has an area of 21.51 km² (8.31 sq mi) and in the 2001 census had a population of 15,659 in 6,941 households, the population at the 2011 Census increasing to 18,609. For the purposes of local government, Dereham falls within, and is the centre of administration for, the district of Breckland. The town should not be confused with the Norfolk village of West Dereham, which lies about 25 miles (40 km) away.

Since 1983 Dereham has been twinned with the town of Rüthen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is also twinned with Caudebec-lès-Elbeuf, France.

A Neolithic polished greenstone axe head was found near the town in 1986, with a Neolithic axe head, flint scraper and other tools and worked flints also found in local fields during the 1980s. There is evidence that the area was occupied during the Bronze Age, with burnt flints from a pot boiler site being found in 1976 and another burnt mound site located in 1987.

In 2000, an enamelled bridle bit dating from the Iron Age was discovered, with pottery sherds also being found by field walkers in 1983. The town is believed to be on the Roman Road linking the Brampton with the major east-west Roman Road of the Fen Causeway. Some pottery and furniture remains have been found in local fields.

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