Breckland

Breckland is a local government district in Norfolk, England. Its council is based in Dereham. The district had a population of 130,491 at the 2011 Census. The district derives its name from the Breckland landscape region, a gorse-covered sandy heath of south Norfolk and north Suffolk. The term "Breckland" dates back to at least the 13th century. The district is predominantly rural, with five market towns - Dereham, Thetford, Attleborough, Swaffham and Watton - and over 100 villages (full list below). History Breckland District was formed on 1 April 1974 by the merger of the municipal borough of Thetford, East Dereham Urban District, Swaffham Urban District, Wayland Rural District, Mitford and Launditch Rural District, and Swaffham Rural District.