Sport and Leisure

The town's two parks, maintained by the King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, are The Howdale and the War Memorial Playing Field. The former, a grassy open space in the town centre near the parish church, has the status of a village green. It was acquired for the town in 1932 from the lord of the Manor and its six acres include a children's playground.

In the north of the town is the much larger War Memorial Playing Field forming a very practical memorial to townspeople who died in the Second World War. It includes a Garden of Remembrance with a monument that commemorates the names of the fallen .

Cricket, football and rugby can be played at the War Memorial Playing Field and here, too, are hard tennis courts, squash courts and an excellent pavilion and club room. The rather unusual feature of a petanque area is one result of the town's twinning with Civray in France.

Also in this area is the Town's heated swimming pool, used by the general public, school children and clubs. Elsewhere in the town are three active bowls clubs, tennis and badrninton clubs, and a variety of others.

Opened in September 1994, a new Sports Centre in Bexwell Road provides an excellent and much needed sports facility for the area. With one of the largest single-court sports halls in the County, the Centre is capable of hosting County events. It includes a fitness suite and aerobics area, and a comfortable area for drinks and snacks

About a mile south of the town is the 9-hole parkland course of the Ryston Park Golf Club, which welcomes visitors both to its course and clubhouse.

The many waterways of the Fens,are well stocked with coarse fish and there are several angling clubs in the area. Shooting, too, is a popular pastime especially on the larger estates to the north, south and east of the town. At Denver Sluice, two miles to the south, is an active sailing club.

The Town Hall, one of the finest in Norfolk, is much used for the production of plays and concerts and for dinners, dances, bingo sessions and a whole range of other events. The main hall has a sprung dance floor and also within the building are an assembly room, reception area, bar and large kitchen that is well equipped for catering. As the centre of social activity, the Town Hall is one of the town's greatest assets.

Spring Bank Holiday week is the date of the town's annual Festival. During this week events of all kinds are held, with the Carnival, on the Bank Holiday Monday being the highlight. Visitors to Downham Market during this week are surprised by the bewildering variety of the programme and the support that is attracted.

Throughout the year local clubs and organisations cater for all ages and interests and there is always something going on in the town. The nearest cinema is at King's Lynn and there are professional theatres, all within an hour's reach, at Cambridge, Peterborough, Norwich and Bury St. Edmunds.

There are many well-signposted footpaths and bridleways around the town and these afford pleasant walks to such neighbouring villages as Wimbotsham, Denver and Bexwell or along the tidal River Ouse. The views are often striking and the paths offer plenty of opportunities to observe wildlife.

In April 1976 Downham Market Town Council signed a twinning charter with Civray, a town in the department of Vienne in France. like Downham Market, it is the centre of a thriving agricultural area, with light industries, most of them aimed at serving the farmers of the region. Over the years strong links have developed between the twinning clubs, the schools and football clubs, leading to an energetic programme of exchanges.

Downham Marquette's, (Members ir the United Kingdom Frederation of Majorettes), Established January 1999.