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There has been evidence of a settlement existing in Soham since the Stone Age but the documented history goes back to the year 630 AD when St. Felix of Burgundy 'The Apostle of the East Angles' is said to have founded an Abbey here. St. Felix's Abbey was the first known centre of Latin Christianity in the whole of Cambridgeshire and became a seat of learning way before Universities were built in Cambridge.
When the Vikings made destructive progress across East Anglia during the 9th Century, they destroyed Soham Abbey, stealing its treasures and killing the monks. The Abbey, unlike its later counterpart at Ely, was never rebuilt. A Cathedral and palace was built during the 10th Century by a Saxon nobleman called Luttingus on the original site of St. Felix's Abbey. Traces of the Saxon Cathedral still exist within the fabric of the present day Church of St. Andrew's which was built in the 12th Century. The Bishops Palace existed as a picturesque ruin until the mid 19th century.
For many centuries the route to Ely was by boat across Soham Mere and over the Fens until windmills were introduced to reclaim the land for farming. Soham was a prosperous port and trade centre during this period with excellent water links to the Great River Ouse, River Cam and out into The Wash. The Mere had an abundance of fish and eels which formed a major part of the local economy. Windmills have existed in Soham since the early 18th century and must have presented an inspiring view, however, with the arrival of the steam pumping engines in the late 19th century, the Mere was finally drained completely and only two windmills now remain.
The Parish of Soham has over 50 miles of public right of way. The town also has to its credit three unique commons as well as Horse Fens and Charity Land which are all derived from strip farming methods and land rights that go back to the medieval period. The Commons are still protected by law and not allowed to have developments built on them. They are not known to exist, in quite the same way as they do in Soham, anywhere else in the country.
Soham was saved from certain destruction when a train carrying bombs for the D-day advance caught fire at Soham Station in the early hours of 2nd June 1944. The town was saved by the uncoupling of the burning wagon which took up valuable escape time. The ensuing explosion, which occurred as the train pulled out of the station killed fireman James Nighthall and signalman Frank Bridges instantly while the driver Benjamin Gimbert and guard Herbert Clarke miraculously survived, being blown clear. A cargo of four hundred tons of bombs and the town of Soham remained intact due to the heroic actions of those four men, Gimbert and Nighthall were both awarded the George Medal, Nighthall posthumously.
Soham has a very long, rich and varied history which has been much ignored by tourists and overshadowed by the more predominant towns and cities in the area such as Ely, Newmarket, Bury St. Edmunds and Cambridge.
The present day small town is the centre of a prosperous farming and urban community. It has all the modern services and amenities and a very active and progressive urban life. Although it stands in a low-lying countryside, devoid of the scenic contrasts of hills and valleys, its far horizons and vast sky-scape of ever changing patterns and tints endow this fenland with distinctive charm. Population 10,000
Care Home
Robinson House
Dentist
Goodman Humber & Anderson
Pub and Bar
Angel
Bushel & Strike
Carpenters Arms
Cherry Tree
Churchgate Inn
Fountain
Red Lion
Ship
Restaurant
Ali Taj Restaurant
Angel
Bushel & Strike
Cafe & Traditional English Restaurant
Carpenters Arms
Cherry Tree
Churchgate Inn
Omar Restaurant
Red Lion
Sergio’s Restaurant
Ship
School
Soham St Andrew’s C of E Primary School
Weatheralls County Primary School
Solicitor
Lee & Tallamy
Taxi
Acab
All Airports
Oland Taxis
Sports Clubs
Soham Town Rangers (Amateur Football)
Shops
Simply Flowers
Scampers
Fullers Bakers
The Butcher's Shop
Webbs Stores
Palmers Fruit Shop
The Fresh Network Ltd
Thing-Me-Bobs
Alison Muir Hair & Beauty
Jennifer Hair Designs
Brenda's Flowers
Capture The Magic Ltd
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Calico Crafts
Places to Stay near Soham
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The Golden Boar
(4.51 miles)
The Golden Boar Inn is a stunning 16th century Inn and restaurant offering quality ales and excellent food. The restaurant has recently won the 'First for Fine Dining' Award, 2010 in which Velvet magazine's readers ...
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Meadow House
(4.60 miles)
Outstanding modern house set in two acres of wooded grounds. Open
outlook all around. Family run bed and breakfast, established 1990.
Luxury king size beds, large private car park, generous English
breakfasts. Spacious en-suite family rooms available, including ...
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Baileys at Springfields
(4.60 miles)
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Nominated one of the "Top 20" in the Country. we are set in one acre of wonderfully quiet gardens and orchard, just one mile from Ely City Centre. In the gardens ... more
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Red Lion
(5.05 miles)
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A 16th century Inn in the centre of Stretham - conservation area of A10. All letting rooms are En-Suite. Centrally situated for touring the fenlands. Includes garden, conservatory restaurant. Evening ... more
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Rosery Country House Hotel
(5.17 miles)
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The Rosery Country House Hotel is set in the picturesque village of Exning.
A traditionally family run hotel offering friendly personal service and good quality restaurant food and fine wines.
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Wheatsheaf Inn
(5.23 miles)
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In the sleepy village of Exning, this inn run by a local racehorse trainer is situated just 5 minutes from Newmarket town centre and racecourse.
All food, including a delicious breakfast, is ... more
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Nyton Hotel
(5.33 miles)
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Quiet family hotel, situated in residential road just off the a10. Only 10 minutes walk from the Cathederal and City Centre. The railway station is just a 15 minute walk.
The Nyton ... more
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Lamb Hotel
(5.37 miles)
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The History of the Lamb Hotel dates back to the time of King Richard II. In the year 1416 Bishop Fordham mentions the Inn in a survey he made of ... more
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Cathedral House
(5.40 miles)
Whether your visit to Ely is for business or pleasure, a warm welcome awaits in this Grade II listed home. Within the shadow of the Cathedral and close to Cromwell's House - the Tourist Information ... more
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Ely Guest House
(5.45 miles)
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Ely Guest House is a traditional 18th -19th century inn, which is now a family run guest house and Thai restaurant and is contemporary in style. Ely Guest House is ... more
