Take a walk through Mildenhall's history

A three-year long project has finally put buildings with a part in Mildenhall's history on the map.

The Mildenhall Heritage Plaques Trail has been completed in time for the summer holidays thanks to a joint effort by Mildenhall and District Museum and the town's Community Partnership with funding from Forest Heath District Council.

It highlights 13 buildings or sites that have a part in the social history of the town, from its workhouse and jail to one of the country's first cottage hospitals and the watermill that gave Mildenhall its original electricity supply nearly100 years ago.

Mike Croughton, who coordinated the project, said: "The idea came from the museum. What's behind it is that there are a lot of properties in Mildenhall that have a historic and cultural background.

"They're not necessarily listed, but something important has happened there in the past."

Museum trustee Stephanie Palmer said it was something they have wanted to do for several years but had been unable to get backing for it.

But getting the blue plaques in place was no simple matter. Mike explained: "You can only do it with the permission of the property owners and that can be difficult because some properties are tenanted – we couldn't find the owners of some we wanted."

A leaflet for the trail, which includes an explanation of the town sign, will be available from the museum and the bus station's tourist information kiosk, both in King Street, and the library in College Heath Road.