Living in Debenham
Nestling in the heart of Suffolk is the beautiful village of Debenham whose name is thought to derive from the Anglo Saxon 'deopan hamme', which translates roughly as 'village in a deep valley'. It seems that the village, possibly located on the major route through the East Anglian Kingdom, achieved some degree of prominence under the Anglo Saxons.
Many of the fine medieval buildings that survive in Debenham today owe their fortunes to the wool trade. This is evidenced by the timber framed merchant houses dating from the 14th Century, also the market cross and village sign are indicative of Debenham's wool trading status.
Schools
Debenham is home to both a primary and a high school. The high school is consistently achieving standards which are among the highest in England. During January 2007 Debenham High School was one of the top 100 schools in England for exam results and overall improvement. Otley College with its further and higher education courses it just up the road.
Shopping
There are all the local village shops you'd expect to find, from a newsagent to a fish and chip shop, plus some wonderful antique shops to browse in your leisure time. The main shopping centres of Woodbridge, Bury St. Edmund's and Ipswich are close by.
Transport
Debenham is situated within twelve miles of six of the largest towns in Suffolk - Ipswich; Stowmarket; Woodbridge; Eye; Framlingham and Needham Market, yet the beautiful Suffolk coast is only twenty miles away. The A140 trunk road is within five miles, with the A14 close by providing excellent links to London is within easy reach.
Health
The Central Suffolk Primary Care Trust offers a full range of health services within Debenham and the surrounding areas. The main hospital for the region can be found in Ipswich, 10 miles away.
Leisure
There are plenty of sports and activities to keep you busy in Debenham, from archery and kick boxing to bowls and chess. The Leisure and Community Centre, much of which has recently been refurbished, features squash courts, badminton courts, a sauna, fitness and dance studio.
