A small, historic town set in the Gipping Valley with many fine
buildings - Needham Market was originally part of the Parish of Barking, which belonged to the Bishop of Ely.

The town and market were deliberately founded in about 1245 to take commercial advantage of the road from Ipswich to Bury St. Edmunds. By the 1400s the cloth trade was flourishing, and cloth merchants trading with London and the Continent owned many of the larger houses. As the town remained prosperous, many of these timber-framed houses were given brick facades to keep them up to date.

The Town Trail starts and ends at Needham Lake, where there is ample parking, so be sure to visit the lake, nature reserve and picnic site. One of the many interesting buildings to see along the trail is the 15th C. Church of St. John the Baptist, which possesses one of the most superb hammer beam roofs in England.

The town boasts many unusual, independent and specialist shops. Nearby is Alder Carr Farm with a farm shop, pottery, tearoom, gift shop and monthly farmers´ market. From here cycling breaks and holidays can be arranged into the beautiful surrounding countryside.

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