Stalham is a market town and civil parish on the River Ant in the English county of Norfolk, in East Anglia. It covers an area of 2.82 sq mi (7.3 km2) and had a population of 2,951 in 1,333 households at the 2001 census,[1] the population increasing to 3,149 at the 2011 Census.[2] It lies within the Norfolk Broads, about 15 miles (24 km) north-east of Norwich on the A149 road. For local government, it falls within the district of North Norfolk. The parts of the parish lying adjacent to the river fall into the executive area of the Broads Authority.

Stalham was once served by a railway station until it was closed in 1959. The nearest railway station is now Worstead.

Through the 1960s Stalham's economy sank from a reduction of the agricultural labor force as a result of improvements in agricultural technology. Beginning in the 1970s, though, housing developments attracted people who took up residence in Stalham but worked elsewhere.

The Museum of The Broads moved to Stalham in 2000 and is situated on Stalham Staithe. It 'aims to bring the history of the Broads alive for locals and visitors to Norfolk' and is open to the public throughout the summer.[3]

In 2002 Tesco built a supermarket in Stalham, with considerable controversy, with many residents fearing that it would "kill the high street".[4] Despite this, the High Street contains a wide range of independent traders.

It's a little gem of a town that's very easy to miss as you pass by on the A149.

But locals are determined to ensure Stalham is firmly marked on the tourist map.

And the latest initiative is a town trail documenting historical and important sites around the area.

Nine interpretation boards are dotted around the town, including at the historic Stalham Staithe, where trading began, using wherries as the principal transport.

Di Cornell, from the town trail working party, said: "We have spent the last two years working on the trail boards, telling different aspects of the town.

"These are focused on railways, farming, the High Street, St Mary's Church, notable Baptists, the Richardson's boatyard, pubs, schools, and the staithe."

A paper leaflet with a walking trail around the town was launched by the working group last year.

A DVD of Stalham through time is also part of the project, and the final part will be a new website telling stories of the town and the people of Stalham.

Stalham may be a small town but has a lot of history.

It was a settlement in Saxon times and was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086.

In Victorian times the High Street was a bustling place with saddle makers, bakers, a stonemason, drapers, milliners, wine shops, pubs, basket makers, an auctioneer, a surgeon, a post office, watchmakers, plumbers, blacksmiths, and haberdashers. The town also had two corn mills.

The town trail launch was attended by North Norfolk candidate Norman Lamb, who said it was good to see Stalham taking the initiative.

He added that other towns in the area were thinking of producing their trails.

It was a great idea as both local people and visitors could find out about the town and get fit at the same time, he added. The launch was also attended by North Norfolk District Council leader Tom FitzPatrick.

The afternoon ended with high tea in the town hall, which was built in 1855, and is still in use today.

The project was completed thanks to £16,000 funding from North Norfolk Big Society Fund, Town Close Charity Norwich, Richardson's boatyard, and Stalham Town Council.