Diss
Diss is a town in Norfolk, close to the border with Suffolk.
Understand
The town's name is thought to have come from the Saxon word Dice or Disce meaning a pool of standing water or lake and referring to 1 Diss' Mere. This 6-acre (2.4-ha) lake is directly adjacent to the main shopping street (Market Pl/Mere St). It is 5½ m deep with a further 16 m of mud at the bottom. Most think it is the result of past glacial action, though some have suggested other theories about its formation.
Get in
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Diss is 2 miles W from the A140 (Norwich to A14 main road) from which it is well signposted using the A1066 road. The town is well served with cheap and (some) free parking for cars. The town routes into town are relatively cycle friendly. The town lies on the Regional Cycle Route 30 (Lowestoft to Thetford). Diss is also on the main London Liverpool St - Norwich rail line and hence has frequent trains.
- 1 Diss railway station, Station Road, IP22 4HN (1½ miles from town centre). Taxis available.
Several bus services to/from Norwich (but rural routes can be slower).
Get around
Diss is small enough to walk round with ease although you could potentially park the car at either end if you wanted to be near the car.
See
- 2 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum, Common Road, Dickleburgh, IP21 4PH, ☏ +44 1379 740708, 100bgmm@tiscali.co.uk. 1 Mar-31 Oct Sa-Su & bank holidays 10:00-17:00 (plus W May-Sept). Last admission 16:00. World War II artefacts, related to US 8th Air Force in an old control tower. Museum, café and grounds free.
Do
- 1 Angles Way footpath. A 93 mile walking trail from Great Yarmouth to Thetford following the county boundary between Norfolk and Suffolk.
- Boudicca Way footpath. A 36 mile footpath between Norwich and Diss
- 2 Banham Zoo (Zoological Society of East Anglia), Kenninghall Road, Banham, Norfolk NR16 2HE (8 miles away via B1077), ☏ +44 1953 887771. Opening times vary through year. Good sized zoo, wide range of animals, good enclosures, well looked after. Entry price varies with time of year and visitor age.
- 3 Bressingham Steam & Gardens, IP22 2AA (2½ miles to W). Opening times vary - check web site. Steam train rides, fairground dodgems & roundabout. Aimed at children.
- 4 Snetterton Motor Race Circuit, NR16 2JU (13 miles to NW), ☏ +44 1953 887303, snetterton@motorsportvision.co.uk. M-F 08:30-19:00. Sa-Su 08:30-15:30. Motorsport events, race days, experience days.
- 5 Diss Leisure Centre, 106 Victoria Road, Diss, IP22 4JG, ☏ +44 1379 652754, dsfc@s-norfolk.gov.uk. Check website. 25 metre main pool. Learner pool. Gym. Sauna. Steam room. Swimming: Adult £4.50 Child (5–18) £2.25 Child (under 5) Free.
Cycling
The surrounding countryside has many small rural quiet roads without many hills ideally suited to cycling. The network of small lanes will need a map (or GPS or smartphone with mapping) for those not familiar with the area. Most cyclists avoid the busy A1066 running through the town and tend to use the narrower rural lanes. Running past the southern edge of the town is the 6 Regional Cycle Route 30 (Lowestoft to Thetford) which forms part of the UK National Cycle Network.
Buy
Town has expected range of small shops and facilities.
- 1 Tesco (Supermarket), Victoria Rd, IP22 4JN, ☏ +44 345 677 9877. M–Sa 08:00–22:00. Su 10:00–16:00. Supermarket (with ATM, Wi-Fi (free but required registration))
- 2 Morrisons (Supermarket), Victoria Rd, IP22 4XF, ☏ +44 1379 640954. M–Sa 07:00–22:00. Su 10:00–16:00. Supermarket (with Petrol station, Cafe, ATM)
There is a "traditional market" held in 3 Diss Market Place every F 09:30–15:00 and a Farmers Market every 2nd Sa of month 9:00–13:00.
Cyclists
- 4 Madgetts Cycles Ltd, 8 Shelfanger Road, Diss, IP22 4EH, ☏ +44 1379 650419, madgettscycles@aol.com. M 09:00–17:30. Tu 09:00–13:00. W–Sa 09:00–17:30. Bicycle sales, parts and repairs. Highly regarded by local cyclists.
Eat
Diss has a variety of places to eat.
- 1 Saracens Head, 75 Mount St, IP22 4QQ (next to St Mary's Church (near the centre of town)), ☏ +44 1379 652853. The Saracens serve excellent home cooked food which is on the pricey side but well worth it.
- Flying Chef. If you fancy something "in your hand" is in Diss on Fridays and Saturdays selling hot dogs. The locally made ingredients combine to form one of the best hot dogs you will ever taste! Some would say they are like angels dancing on your tongue!
- 2 Fair Green Fish Bar (Fish & Chips Take-away), 37 Denmark Street, Diss, IP22 4BE, ☏ +44 1379 642412. M-Th 12:00-14:00 & 16:30-21:30. F 12:00-14:00 & 16:30-22:00. Sa 12:00-22:00. Su 12:00-20:00.
- 3 Diss Tandoori (Restaurant & takeaway), 1-3 Shelfanger Rd, Diss, IP22 4EH, ☏ +44 1379 651685, info@diss-tandoori.com. Su-Th 17:30-23:00. F-Sa 17:30-23:59. Delivery £3 (on orders over £15).
Drink
- 1 The Greyhound Pub, 9 St Nicholas Street, IP22 4LB, ☏ +44 1379 651613. M-Th 11:00-23:00 F-Sa 11:00-01:00 Su 11:00-23:00. is the place to be. A substantial bar menu is available every lunchtime and the pub is the most vibrant place to be on a weekend evening. You will also get a very warm welcome from the landlord, Dale. The first Monday evening of the month plays host to Leeds Mick's Quiz Night, where you will need to be very well educated to obtain a high mark. Other events are available.
- 2 The Angel Café, 1 Baldry’s Yard, Fair Green, Diss, IP22 4NQ, ☏ +44 7437 205853, theangelcafediss@gmail.com. Tu-Su 08:00-16:00. Café and food. Lunch from 11:30. E-mails only checked each evening.
- 3 The Cock Inn (Pub), Lower Denmark St, Diss, IP22 4BE, ☏ +44 1379 643633, thecockinndiss@gmail.com. Pub: M-Th 12:00-23:00. F Sa 12:00-00:00. Su 12:00-22:30. Food: Tu-F 12:00-14:30. Su 12:00-15:00.
- 4 Thatchers Needle, 33 Park Rd, Diss, IP22 4AS, ☏ +44 1379 658905, ThatchersNeedle.Diss@marstons.co.uk. M-Sa 11:30-23:30. Su 11:30-22:30.
Sleep
- 1 Park Hotel, 29 Denmark St, IP22 4LE, ☏ +44 1379 642244, info@parkhotel-diss.co.uk.
- 2 Cobwebs Bed and Breakfast, 6 Riverside, Denmark Street, Diss, IP22 4BE, ☏ +44 1379 641388, cobwebsbandb@yahoo.co.uk.
- 3 [dead link] Bay Tree B&B, 3 Pine Court, Shelfanger Rd, Diss, IP22 4EP, ☏ +44 1379 651245, info@baytreevilla.co.uk. Check-in: 16:30-22:30 (earlier by arrangement), check-out: by 10:30 (later by arrangement). No pets. Free Wi-Fi.
Stay Healthy
- 1 Nearest Accident & Emergency: Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (Casualty or the Emergency Room), Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY (23 miles N of town). 24/7.
- 2 Alternative Accident & Emergency: West Suffolk Hospital (Casualty or the Emergency Room), Hardwick Lane, Bury St. Edmunds, IP33 2QZ (23 miles SW of town). 24/7.
- 3 Lawns Medical Practice (GP/Primary Healthcare), Mount Street, Diss, IP22 4WG, ☏ +44 1379 642021. M 08:00-19:00. Tu W 07:30-19:00. Th F 08:00-19:00.
- 4 Diss Dental Health Centre, 3 Mount St, Diss, IP22 4QG, ☏ +44 1379 642522. M-Th 08:30-13:00 & 14:00-18:00. F 08:30-13:00 & 14:00-17:00.
- 5 Hado Pharmacy, 66 Mount St, Diss, IP22 4QQ, ☏ +44 1379 644001, info@hadopharmacy.co.uk. M-Th 07:00-23:00. Sa 07:00-20:00. Su 10:00-17:00.
Connect
- 6 Diss Post Office, 7 Market Place, Diss, IP22 4AA. M–F 09:00–17:30. Sa 09:00–12:30.
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