The History of Harleston

Like most towns, the history of Harleston has been influenced most greatly by its location. Seen as an ideal resting place for the weary traveller passing through the area, the establishment of traveller's lodging place was followed by the town growing into the thriving market town which we can see today.

The two World Wars briefly brought an international flavour to the area, with many soldiers flooding into the region. The arrival of the railway was another notable but essentially transitory event, with the town's railway service now being just a memory. Normal life has always been resumed shortly after any changes however, as the town has consistently returned to being what it has been for centuries; an interesting market town set in remarkably pretty countryside.