Framlingham Smuggling and Transport

Aside from its castle, there is a long history of witchcraft, smuggling and transport in and around the surrounding villages.

A Long History of Smuggling

One Roman road leading in from the Suffolk coast was well used for transporting contraband, a fact that was recognised by the authorities. One of the villages nearby to Framlingham, Earl Soham, was on this popular route, and one of its residents – a doctor, William Goodwin – recorded a number of occasions of contraband passing through. In less than a week in 1785 he had noted 20 cars carrying 2,500 gallons of spirits passing through.

The reason why this road was so popular is in part due to the fact that it was in such good condition compared to many other British roads. Roman roads, criss-crossing the country, were the best way of transporting any heavy goods without getting stuck in mud.

Other stories in the local area include the fact that the sexton of the local church as a village close to Wickham Market was in league with smugglers. One smuggler, James Marr, also beat and robbed a Mr Hard at Letheringham in 1791. Though he was apprehended, Marr hanged himself before reaching trial.

The Local Railway

The East Suffolk line first linked Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds to London in 1846, and now runs from Ipswich to Lowestoft. The success of this line led to new rail connections to Framlingham in 1922. By the 1960s these branch lines were closed.

The Framlingham Line had run from Wickham Market to Marlesford and Parham to Framlingham giving the villages new freedom to travel, where transport had always been difficult. This line meant that travel to the seaside was easier than ever.