Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2025
At Ancient House

Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 July, 10am to 5pm

Step back in time at Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life to find out about Maharajah Duleep Singh and his family. Explore the brand-new displays including miniature models of rooms at Elveden Hall where the Maharajah lived. In honour of the Festival, there will be free entry all weekend! Drop-in, no booking required.

Ancient House Secrets Museum Trail

Explore our Tudor timber-framed building saved for the people of Thetford by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh to win a small prize.

New Displays at Ancient House

Maharajah Duleep Singh’s son, Prince Frederick, gifted Ancient House to the people of Thetford and it opened as a museum in 1924. To mark the centenary, there are new displays telling the story of Maharajah Duleep Singh, his parents, Maharajah Ranjit Singh and Maharani Jind Kaur, and his first wife, Maharani Bamba. See items from the private collection of Peter Bance, Sikh historian relating to the Maharajah’s children.

Meet the Duleep Singh Family Event

On the Sunday you are invited to this special event with lots of extra activities at the museum – meet costumed characters, handle real historic artefacts, and enjoy a drink.

• Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life, White Hart Street, Thetford, IP24 1AA
• Free entry all weekend!
• Drop-in, no booking required

Campaigning Princesses and the East Anglia Suffrage Movement

Saturday 12 July, 11am and 2pm

Melissa Hawker, Learning Officer at Ancient House, will explore the role of Princess Sophia and Princess Catherine Duleep Singh in the campaign for Votes for Women. Melissa will set them in the context of local revolutionaries and other local campaigners, including Thetford’s very own Thomas Paine. Free talk, booking essential.

• Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life, White Hart Street, Thetford, IP24 1AA
• Free, booking essential:
• To book email melissa.hawker@norfolk.gov.uk

Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2025
Thomas Paine Curry Night

Saturday 12 July 6pm onwards

Gez and Rosie Chetal invite you to their annual curry night, offering a lavish three course Indian meal with entertainment from Bhangra Dhol players the Jaggi Brothers, and Bhangra and Bollywood music.

• Tickets: £55 per head
• Thomas Paine Hotel, 33 Whitehart St, Thetford, IP24 1AA
• For further information and bookings contact Gez on 07940 57084

Thetford Mela

Sunday 13 July 1-5pm

We’re once again taking over the grounds of Thetford Grammar School for this year’s Thetford Mela! Join us for a cross-cultural celebration inspired by the people of Thetford and the Duleep Singh family, the last Royal Family of the Punjab who lived in nearby Elveden.

Featuring the Heritage Brass Band from India, the Dhol masters Jaggi Brothers, the legendary Heera Group Dhami & Kumar, the traditional all-female Punjabi folk dancers G.I.D.A Kent, Circus Raj, Sikh martial arts from Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara, BEE2 Bhangra Star, and a whole host of local talent.

The day will also feature the brand new Colours of Thetford exhibition, Indian food, Henna Art, arts, crafts and heritage stalls.

Main Stage presented by Sunrise Radio
with a special appearance by presenters Raj Ghai and Paul Shah.

• All are welcome to this free family event.
• Drop-in, no booking required.
• Venue: Thetford Grammar School, Bridge Street, Thetford, IP24 3AF – Please use Grammar school gates opposite Thetford Green and Light Cinema (next to the Bridge)