The Newmarket, Bury, Thetford and Cromer Road Sport and history on an East Anglian turnpike

Travel back along a once‑bustling turnpike that cuts across the East Anglian heath, where every mile carries the echo of ancient hunters, Roman legions, Saxon farmers and Viking raiders. The author stitches together gossip, local legend and hard‑won facts, offering vivid snapshots of crossroads taverns, river fords and the notorious highwaymen who haunted the shadows. With a tone that swings from amused chuckle to reflective sigh, the opening pages map the road’s evolution from a primitive track to a artery of commerce and communication.

Beyond the tales of travelers, the book celebrates the sporting life that blossomed along the route, from early horse‑racing meetings at Newmarket’s famed clock‑tower to seasonal hunting drives across the rolling fens. Illustrated with the author’s own prints, the narrative brings to life the creaking coach‑wheels, the clatter of mail‑horses, and the fleeting glimpse of curlews and butterflies that still grace the heath. Listeners will feel the road’s rhythm as a living character, inviting them to explore a landscape where history, sport and natural beauty intertwine.