Welcome to Wisbech

Wisbech is located on the River Nene, in the county of Cambridgeshire, approximately 95 miles north of London and 14 miles south-west of King's Lynn.

The town has a population of around 26,800. Administratively it is within the local government district of Fenland which covers an area of approximately 546 sq kms and which has a population of around 86,000.

It is an attractive fenland town with some of the most beautiful Georgian architecture in the country, indeed the North Brink, beside the river, has been described as, 'one of the most perfect Georgian streets in England’. Locations in the town were used for the BBC costume drama David Copperfield. Some of its notable historic buildings include The Castle, a Regency villa built in 1816, and Peckover House a fine town house built in 1722.

Although there was earlier settlement here, the town's history really began with the building of the original Norman Castle in 1072. Wisbech has been operating as a port since medieval times but flourished commercially, following the draining of the Fens in the 17th century, when local agricultural produce began to be handled. At this time Wisbech was on the estuary of the River Ouse, but silting caused the coastline to move north, and the River Nene was diverted to serve the town.

Historically the town's economy was based upon agriculture and its port. Brewing and the manufacture of  farm machinery also took place. Today canning, brewing and light engineering are important and Wisbech is also home to Elgoods Brewery. The port remains busy, and is also now an important centre for leisure craft, especially yachts.

The name Wisbech means 'mouth of the Ouse', referring to the river which used to run through the town.