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{{Short description|Town and civil parish in Cambridgeshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
|country = England
|coordinates = {{coord|52.664|0.160|display=inline,title}}
|official_name = Wisbech
|population = 33,933
|population_ref = ''(2021)''
|civil_parish = [[Wisbech Town Council|Wisbech]]
|shire_district = [[Fenland District|Fenland]]
|shire_county = [[Cambridgeshire]]
|region = East of England
|constituency_westminster = [[North East Cambridgeshire (UK Parliament constituency)|North East Cambridgeshire]]
|post_town = WISBECH
|postcode_district = PE13, PE14
|postcode_area = PE
|dial_code = 01945
|os_grid_reference = TF4609
|static_image_name = North brink wisbech.jpg
|static_image_caption = The North Brink
}}

'''Wisbech''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɪ|z|b|iː|tʃ}} {{respell|WIZ|beech}}) is a [[market town]], [[inland port]] and [[civil parish]] in the [[Fenland District|Fenland]] district in [[Cambridgeshire]], England. In 2011 it had a population of 31,573. The town lies in the far north-east of Cambridgeshire, bordering [[Norfolk]] and only 5 miles (8&nbsp;km) south of [[Lincolnshire]]. The tidal [[River Nene]] running through the town is spanned by two road bridges. Wisbech is in the [[Isle of Ely]] (a former administrative county) and has been described as "the Capital of The Fens".<ref>{{cite web|title=Wisbech|url= https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/peckover-house-and-garden/features/places-to-visit-in-wisbech|accessdate=5 November 2021|website= National Trust}}</ref>

Wisbech is noteworthy for its fine examples of [[Georgian architecture]], particularly the parade of houses along the North Brink, which includes the [[National Trust]] property of [[Peckover House and Garden| Peckover House]] and the [[The Crescent, Wisbech| Crescent]], part of a [[crescent (architecture)|circus]] surrounding [[Wisbech Castle]].

==History==

=== Toponymy ===
The place name "Wisbech" is first attested in the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'' for the year 656, where it appears as ''Wisbeach''. It is recorded in the 1086 [[Domesday Book]] as ''Wisbeach''. The name Wisbech is popularly believed to mean "on the back of the (River) Ouse", Ouse being a common [[Celtic languages|Celtic word]] relating to water and the name of [[River Great Ouse|a river]] that once flowed through the town. A more scholarly opinion is that the first element derives from the [[River Wissey]], which used to run to Wisbech, and that the name means 'the valley of the river Wissey'.<ref>[[Eilert Ekwall]], ''The Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names'', p.526.</ref>
A wide range of spellings is found on trade tokens in the Wisbech & Fenland Museum and in newspapers, books, maps and other documents, e.g. ''Wisbece'', ''Wisebece'', ''Wisbbece'', ''Wysbeche'', ''Wisbeche'', ''Wissebeche'', ''Wysebeche'', ''Wysbech'', ''Wyxbech'', ''Wyssebeche'', ''Wisbidge'', ''Wisbich'' and ''Wisbitch'',<ref>{{cite journal|last=Devenish|first=David|title=Trade Tokens of Wisbech|journal=Annual Report|volume=53|pages=28–33|year=1992|publisher=Wisbech Society}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000237/18810909/010/0006?noTouch=true|title=To the Editor|newspaper=Stamford Mercury|date=9 September 1881}}</ref>
until the spelling of the name of the town was fixed by the local council in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite web|title= Numismatics|url= https://www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk/collections/|website= www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk|accessdate= 3 April 2021}}</ref>

=== Pre-Roman ===
During the [[Iron Age]], the area where Wisbech would develop lay in the west of the [[Britons (historical)|Brythonic]] [[Iceni]] tribe's territory. Icenian coins have been found in both [[March, Cambridgeshire|March]] and Wisbech.<ref>{{cite book|title=A History of Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely |volume=VII |editor-first1=J.J. |editor-last1=Wilkes |editor-first2=C.R. |editor-last2=Elrington |publisher=Oxford University Press|year= 1978 }}</ref> A reference, in the Red Book of Thorney, to "a settlement in the middle of a vast wood," may have been Wisbech's earliest incarnation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=The Story of the Fens |date=January 1961 |publisher=Wisbech Advertiser |year= |editor-last=McCann |editor-first=Shaun |series=Saturday Pictorial |location=Wisbech |publication-date=January 1961 |pages=1-7}}</ref> 

=== Anglo-Saxon ===
Like the rest of Cambridgeshire, Wisbech was part of the [[Anglo-Saxon England|Anglo-Saxon]] Kingdom of [[East Anglia (Kingdom)|East Anglia]]. It served as a port on [[The Wash]].<ref>{{cite book|title= Anglo-Saxon Hydraulic Engineering in The Fens|author= Michael Chisholm|year= 2021|page= 27|publisher= Shaun Tyas}}</ref>

The earliest authentic references to Wisbech occur in charters. in 657 it appeared in a charter of the Mercian King [[Wulfhere of Mercia|Wulfere]],<ref name=":0" /> and in another dated 664 granting the Abbey at [[Medeshamstede]] (now [[Peterborough]]) land in Wisbech<ref>{{cite book |title=Cemeteries, Graveyards And Memorials | author= Bridget Holmes | publisher= The Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust Ltd | year= 2010 }}</ref> and in 1000, when Oswy and Leoflede, on the admission of their son Aelfwin as a monk, gave the [[vill]] to the monastery of [[Ely, Cambridgeshire|Ely]].<ref>J. Bentham, Hist. Ely, 87.{{full citation needed|date=February 2020}}</ref>

=== Norman ===
The folktale of [[Tom Hickathrift]] or Wisbech Giant is sometimes set about the time of the [[Norman Invasion]].

In 1086, when Wisbech was held by the abbot, there may have been some 65 to 70 families, or about 300 to 350 persons, in Wisbech manor. However, Wisbech (which is the only one of the Marshland vills of the Isle to be mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]]) probably comprised the whole area from [[Tydd Gote]] down to the far end of [[Upwell]] at [[Welney]].<ref>Wisbech: Manors', A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 4: City of Ely; Ely, N. and S. Witchford and Wisbech Hundreds (2002), pp. 243–245.</ref>

A castle was built by [[William I of England|William I]] to fortify the site. At the time of Domesday (1086) the population was that of a large village. Some were farmers and others were fishermen.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.localhistories.org/wisbech.html|title=Wisbech|website=Local Histories|access-date= 24 August 2019}}</ref>

[[Richard I]] gave Wisbech a charter exempting the residents from paying tolls at markets across England.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=Samuel |title=A Topographical Dictionary of England |date=1848 |location=London |pages=625–629 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-dict/england/pp625-629 |access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref> King [[John of England]] visited the castle on 12 October 1216 as he came from [[King's Lynn|Bishop's Lynn]]. Tradition has it that his baggage train was lost to the incoming tide of [[The Wash]]. Treasure hunters still seek the lost royal treasure.<ref>{{cite book |title=The mystery of King John's treasure |author= Shirley Carter |year= 2018 }}</ref>

On 12 November 1236 the village of Wisbech was inundated by the sea. Hundreds were drowned, entire flocks of sheep and herds of cattle were destroyed, trees felled and ships lost.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1236-11-12 |url=https://www.surgewatch.org/events/1236-11-12/ |access-date=28 March 2022 |website=SurgeWatch |date=12 November 1236 |language=en-US}}</ref> The castle was "utterly destroyed" but was rebuilt by 1246 when the constable or keeper was William Justice.

King [[Edward II of England|Edward II]] visited Wisbech in 1292, 1298, 1300 and 1305.<ref>{{cite book |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Vol 4, City of Ely, N. and S. Witchford and Wisbech Hundreds |pages=251–252 |publisher=Victoria County History |year=2002}}</ref>

[[Wisbech Grammar School]] dates back to 1379 or earlier. The register of Bishop [[John Fordham (bishop)|John Fordham]] of Ely records the appointment of a Master of the Grammar Scholars in 1407.

===Early Modern===

[[Edward IV of England|Edward IV]] visited Wisbech in 1469.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lysons|first=Samuel|date=18 August 2018|title=Magna Britannia;: Being a Concise Topographical Account of the Several Counties of Great Britain|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-zwJAAAAIAAJ&q=Edward+I+and+Edward+IV+visits+to+wisbech&pg=PA289|access-date=18 August 2018|publisher=T. Cadell and W. Davies|via=Google Books}}</ref>

In 1549, Wisbech was incorporated as a [[ancient borough|borough]] under a [[municipal charter|charter]] from [[Edward VI]].<ref name=commissioners/> In the same year, William Bellman gave a plot of land for the [[Wisbech Grammar School]] schoolhouse.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Victoria History of the count is of England: Cambridge and the isle of Ely vol II | first= LF | last = Salzman| publisher = Dawson's of Pall Mall | year=1967 }}</ref>
In 1333–4 the kiln in the town was producing 120,000 bricks. There were several fisheries belonging to the manor of Wisbech and in the 1350s the reeves of Walton and Leverington each sent a porpoise to Wisbech Castle, and the reeve of Terrington a swordfish.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PVATDAAAQBAJ&q=plague+wisbech&pg=PA30|title=Decision making in Mediaeval Agriculture|via=google.co.uk|access-date=1 November 2019|isbn=9780199247769|last1=Stone|first1=David|date=29 September 2005|publisher=OUP Oxford }}</ref>

During the reigns of [[Elizabeth I]], [[James VI and I|James I]], and [[Charles I of England|Charles I]], there was a state ecclesiastical prison in Wisbech for Catholics, many of whom died there owing to the insanitary conditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisbech-society.co.uk/castle.html |title=The Wisbech Society & Preservation Trust, The Castle|website=Wisbech-society.co.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>
A dispute arising amongst the Catholic prisoners was widely known as the [[Wisbech Stirs]].
In 1588 it is claimed that [[Robert Catesby]] and [[Francis Tresham]] were committed to Wisbeach Castle on the approach of the [[Spanish Armada]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Memoirs of the court of James I|url= https://archive.org/details/memoirscourtkin07aikigoog| author= Lucy Aikin|publisher= Longman|year=1822}}</ref> Among those held there was [[John Feckenham]], the last [[Abbot of Westminster]]. The palace was demolished and replaced with [[John Thurloe]]'s mansion in the mid-17th century, and Thurloe's mansion demolished in 1816 by [[Joseph Medworth]], who also developed The Circus comprising [[The Crescent, Wisbech|The Crescent]], Union Place and Ely Place with Museum Square and Castle Square familiar as the settings in numerous costume dramas.

In 1620 former Wisbech residents William White and Dorothea Bradford (née May) sailed on the [[Mayflower]] to the [[New World]] with her husband [[William Bradford (governor)|William Bradford]] later to be Governor Bradford.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mayflower400uk.org/education/mayflower-passengers-list-an-interactive-guide/|title=Mayflower passenger list|website=www.mayflower400uk.org|access-date= 25 August 2019}}</ref>

=== English Civil War and Commonwealth ===
Across the Eastern Counties, [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s powerful [[Eastern Association]] was eventually dominant. However, to begin with, there had been an element of [[Royalist]] sympathy within Wisbech. Bishop [[Matthew Wren]] was a staunch supporter of [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] but even in 1640 was unpopular in Wisbech, after discovering his absence from a '[[Commission of Sewers]]' meeting at the Castle, a crowd of soldiers plundered shops of some of his supporters. The town was near the frontier of the [[Parliamentary]] and Royalist forces in 1643. The Castle and town were put into a state of readiness and reinforced. A troop of horse was raised. Locally based troops took part in the [[Siege of Crowland]] in 1642. The town controlled the route from Lincolnshire to Norfolk particularly during the Siege of [[King's Lynn]] in 1643 as it prevented reinforcements by land of the Royalists holding the Norfolk port.<ref>{{cite book|title=A history of Wisbech Castle|author= George Anniss|publisher= EARO|year=1977}}</ref>

A town library was founded {{circa|1653}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://specialcollections-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk/?p=16064|title=Special Collections|website=Cambridge University Library|date=24 April 2018 |access-date= 23 August 2019}}</ref>

In 1656 the bishop's palace was replaced by [[Thurloe]]'s mansion however after the Restoration the property reverted to the Bishops of Ely.<ref>{{cite book|title=A history of Wisbech Castle|author= George Anniss| publisher= EARO|year=1977}}</ref>

===Eighteenth century===
Soap was taxed and manufacturers such as the Wisbech Soap Company required a licence. Based in an Old Market property facing the river, they were able to receive oil from the blubber yards of King's Lynn as well as coal, wood for casks and olive oil used in making the coarse, sweet and grey (speckled) soaps they produced from 1716 to about 1770.<ref>{{cite book|title=37th Annual Report| author=anonymous|publisher=The Wisbech Society|year=1976}}{{page needed|date=February 2020}}</ref>

Wisbech's first workhouse was located in Albion Place and opened in 1722. It could accommodate three hundred inmates and cost £2,000.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Somerville|first=Eric|title=The Poor Laws and Poor Relief in Wisbech|journal=Discovering Wisbech|volume=13|page=26|publisher=Discovering Magazines}}</ref>
[[File:Peckover-house-wisbech.jpg|thumb|[[Peckover House]] on North Brink by the Nene]] [[Peckover House|Bank House]], with its walled garden, was built in 1722 and purchased by the [[Quaker]] Peckover banking family in the 1790s. The Peckover Bank later became part of [[Barclays Bank]]. The house is now owned by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] and known as Peckover House.

In the 17th century, the inhabitants of the Fens became known as the "Fen Tigers" for their resistance to the draining of the common marshes.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Boyce |first=James|title=Imperial mud : the fight for the Fens|date=2 July 2020|isbn=978-1-78578-651-8|publisher=Icon Books Ltd. |location=London|oclc=1158215738}}</ref> But the farmland created by drainage transformed Wisbech into a wealthy port handling agricultural produce. It was from this period that much of the town's architectural richness originates.

Wisbech sat on the estuary of the [[River Great Ouse]], but silting caused the coastline to move north, and the [[River Nene]] was diverted to serve the town.

In 1781 Wisbech Literary Society was formed at the house of Jonathan Peckover.<ref name="History of Wisbech and Neighborhood">{{cite book|first=Frederic John |last=Gardiner|title=History of Wisbech and Neighborhood, During the Last Fifty Years – 1848–1898|publisher=Gardiner & Co|year=1898|url=https://archive.org/stream/historywisbecha00gardgoog/historywisbecha00gardgoog_djvu.txt|access-date=3 October 2019|via=archive.org}}</ref>

Theatres in both Pickard's Lane (a barn) and North End and a third (temporary structure) in the High Street are referred to.
A new theatre (now part of the [[Angles Theatre]] had been built in Deadman's Lane (later Great Church Street, now Alexandra Road) now [[Angles Theatre]] c. 1790. It was used to hold the auction of the contents of the castle, part of the estate of Edward Southwell on 8 November 1791.<ref>
{{cite news|title=To be sold by auction|newspaper=Stamford Mercury|date=4 November 1791|page= 2}}</ref>

One of the earliest Female Friendly Societies was the Wisbech [[Female Friendly Society]] instituted on 1 February 1796.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30999082255&searchurl=an%3Dwisbech%26sortby%3D17%26tn%3Dfemale%2Bfriendly%2Bsociety%2Bnotice&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title1#&gid=1&pid=1|website= Abe Books|title= Wisbech Female Friendly Society|accessdate= 20 October 2021}}</ref>

===Nineteenth century===
Wisbech and Ely shared the Isle of Ely [[Assizes]], as a result the 1819 trial of Israel Garner and James Colbank, two local men, took place in Ely and sentence of hanging took place in Wisbech.<ref>{{cite news|title= Law Intelligence|newspaper= Statesman (London) |date= 17 July 1819|page= 4}}</ref>
Wisbech Regatta was first held in 1850.<ref>{{cite news|title= Wisbech Regatta|newspaper=Peterborough Advertiser|date= 10 August 1850|page=3}}</ref>

June 1858 The Russian Gun.
—During the past week a brass plate has been added to the Russian Gun, bearing the inscription: — "This trophy of the late Russian War, presented by Queen Victoria to the Burgesses of Wisbech. Thomas Steed Watson, Mayor, 1858.<ref>{{cite news|title= The Russian Gun |newspaper= Cambridge Independent Press |date= 19 June 1858 |page= 7}}</ref>

The ''Isle of Ely and Wisbech Advertiser'' was founded in 1845.<ref>{{cite book|title=Wisbech Charter Celebrations|author= Wisbech Borough Council|publisher=Balding and Mansell}}</ref>

The [[Wisbech & Fenland Museum]] opened in 1847 and continues to collect, care for and interpret the natural and cultural heritage of Wisbech and the surrounding area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk|title=Wisbech Museum|website=Wisbech and Fenland Museum|access-date=24 August 2019}}</ref>

On 1 March 1848 Eastern Counties Railway opened Wisbeach (''sic'') station (later renamed [[Wisbech East railway station]]). It closed on 9 September 1968.

In the 1853–54 cholera epidemic 176 deaths were reported in the town in 1854.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The History of Cholera in Great Britain|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine|volume=41|issue=3|pages=165–173|doi=10.1177/003591574804100309|pmid=18905493|pmc=2184374|year=1948|last1=Underwood|first1=E. Ashworth}}</ref> The Wisbech death rate (49 per 10,000) was the fourth highest in the country. The following year saw £8,000 expenditure on sewerage works and £13,400 on water supplies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol4/p261|title=Wisbech: Epidemics, sanitation|website=British History Online|access-date=11 September 2018}}</ref>

New public buildings such as the Exchange Hall and Public Hall (1851) provided modern larger venues for theatrical and other events. [[Fanny Kemble]] gave Shakespearean readings in 1855 at the Public Hall.<ref>{{cite news|title= Mrs Fanny Kemble|newspaper= Cambridge Independent Press |date= 20 January 1855|page= 8}}</ref>

On Sunday 29 June 1857 a mob entered the town and broke the corn exchange's windows and seized corn and demanded money from shopkeepers. On July the gentry and traders recruited about 500 men and went to Upwell, captured 60 people and placed them in irons. On 4 September a report was made to the lords justices of 14 malefactors condemned at Wisbech for a riot; two were sentenced to be executed the following Saturday and twelve for transportation.<ref>{{cite news|title=June 29|newspaper=Stamford Mercury|date= 21 August 1857|page= 6}}</ref>
The Wisbech Working Men's Club and Institute was formed in 1864. It was once considered one of the most financially successful of its type in England. It remains one of the oldest.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol4/pp268-269|title= Miscellaneous institutions|website= British History Online|accessdate= 24 September 2021}}</ref>

In 1864 the castle estate was purchased by Alexander Peckover. In 1932 his descendant Alexandrina Peckover gave to the borough council a piece of land to be laid out as an ornamental garden adjoining the War memorial.<ref>{{cite book|title=A history of Wisbech Castle|author= George Aniss|publisher= EARO| year= 1977}}</ref> The town hosted the [[British Archaeological Association]]'s annual Congress in 1878.<ref>{{cite news|title= Archaeology at Wisbech|newspaper= Illustrated London News |date= 24 August 1878|page= 10}}</ref>

In August 1883 [[Wisbech and Upwell Tramway]] opened. It eventually closed in 1966 (passenger services finished in 1927). The steam trams were replaced by diesels in 1952.

The ''[[Archant|Wisbech Standard]]'' newspaper was founded in 1888 and ceased printing in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/home/about-us|title=About Us|website=Wisbech Standard|access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2022/news/newsquest-says-no-plans-to-shut-more-papers-amid-further-print-closures/|website= www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk|accessdate= 30 October 2022|title= Closures}}</ref>

===Twentieth century===
In April 1904 the borough council contracted with the National Electric Construction Company Ltd for the installation of electric street lighting.<ref>{{cite news| title= Electric Light for Wisbech| newspaper= Eastern Daily Press| date= 9 April 1904|page= 8}}</ref>

On 30 October 1913 the [[Riot Act]] was read by the mayor in response to civil unrest in response to the death of the popular surgeon Doctor Horace Dimock. He had been arrested on charges of criminal libel on the information of Dr Meacock. On hearing that Dimock had taken his own life a crowd formed and smashed the windows of Meacock's residence on the North Brink. The police charged the crowds and cleared the streets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enidporterproject.org.uk/content/villages/wisbech/mayor-reads-riot-act-wisbech|title=Riot Act| website=enidporterproject.org.uk}}</ref>

The [[Wisbech Canal]] joining the River Nene at Wisbech was subsequently filled in and became the dual carriageway leading into the town from the east (now crossing the bypass).<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.cambstimes.co.uk/what-s-on/photos-of-wisbech-in-the-1960s-70s-and-a-history-of-wisbech-canal-to-go-on-show-1-3040558|title=Photos of Wisbech in the 1960s–70s and a history of Wisbech Canal to go on show|first=Elaine| last=King| website=Cambstimes.co.uk| date=27 November 2013|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

Wisbech War Memorial was unveiled on 24 July 1921.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Cambridgeshire/Wisbech1914-19.html|title=Wisbech War Memorial| website=roll-of-honour.com| access-date= 5 September 2019}}</ref>

In 1929 The Wisbech Pageant was held at Sibalds Holme Park on 4–5 September. The Pageant Master was Sir [[Arthur Bryant]] who had experience with the Cambridgeshire Pageant 1924, Oxfordshire Pageant 1926 and London Empire Pageants of 1928 and 1929. The Wisbech total attendance was estimated in excess of 25,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalpageants.ac.uk/pageants/1242/|title=Wisbech Pageant 1929| website=historicalpageants.ac.uk| access-date= 5 September 2019}}</ref>

In 1939 Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust was founded to safeguard the history and heritage of Wisbech.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbech-society.co.uk|title=Wisbech Society| website=Wisbech Society| access-date=24 August 2019}}</ref> In 

In 1949 the borough celebrated the 400th anniversary of receiving its charter. The Pageant in Sibalds Holme Park, Barton Road featured over 600 performers.<ref>{{cite book| title=Wisbech Charter Celebrations 1549–1949|author=Cyril Swinson| publisher= Balding & Mansell| year= 1949}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalpageants.ac.uk/pageants/1333/|title=The Pageant of Wisbech 1949|website=historicalpageants.ac.uk| access-date= 5 September 2019}}</ref>

The first Wisbech Rose Fair was held in 1963 when local rose growers sold rose buds in the parish church in aid of its restoration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisbech-rosefair.co.uk|title=Wisbech Rose Fair| website=wisbech-rosefair.co.uk| access-date= 5 September 2019}}</ref>

The following year the borough twinned with [[Arles]] and set up a Wisbech-Arles twinning club.<ref>{{cite news| newspaper= Fenland Citizen| title= New Chair for Wisbech-Arles Twinning Club| date= 31 August 2021|page= 5}}</ref>
The first purpose-built council-run Caravan Site that accommodates travellers in the UK was built in 1975.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://eafa.org.uk/work/?id=780453|title= First purpose-built gypsy camp in Britain| website= EAFA| access-date= 15 November 2021}}</ref>

On 21 September 1979, two [[Harrier jump jet]]s on a training exercise collided over Wisbech; one landed in a field and the other in a residential area. Two houses and a bungalow were demolished on Ramnoth Road, causing the death of Bob Bowers, his two-year-old son Jonathan Bowers, and former town mayor Bill Trumpess.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/21/newsid_2525000/2525419.stm|title=1979: Harrier crash kills three| date=21 September 1979|access-date=18 August 2018|publisher=BBC}}</ref>

The 5-mile (8&nbsp;km), £6&nbsp;million [[A47 road|A47]] Wisbech/West Walton bypass opened in spring 1982. The Horsefair shopping centre opened by [[Noel Edmunds]] in 1988 is on part of Hill Street and the site of the old [[Horse Fair]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.horsefairshoppingcentre.co.uk| title= Horsefair| website=www.horsefairshopingcentre.co.uk|access-date=9 January 2020}}</ref>

===Contemporary===

In 2009 Oxford Archaeology East (OAE) organised a dig at [[Wisbech Castle]] to search for remains of the Bishop's Palace.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/uncovering-wisbech-castle-s-quot-lost-quot-bishop-s-palace-1-136037|title=Bishop's Palace|website=peterboroughtoday.co.uk|access-date=26 May 2019}}</ref> Large numbers of local volunteers took part and hundreds of children visited the dig site. Later in the year a group of volunteers formed Fenland Archaeological Society (FenArch)www.fenarch.org.uk. The Society has carried out a number of digs including the [[Manea, Cambridgeshire|Manea]] Colony dig organised by Cambridge Archaeology Unit (CAU).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/big-fenland-dig-uncovers-the-mysteries-of-the-manea-colony-1-4718336|title=Manea Colony|website=cambstimes.co.uk|date=2 October 2016|access-date=26 May 2019}}</ref>

An initiative to deal with the issues of derelict buildings in the town was initiated in 2013. This led to the £1.9M four-year Wisbech High Street project. {{as of|2022}}, a number of sites in the high street are covered in scaffolding whilst work is in progress. The [[Wisbech & Fenland Museum]] currently was closed whilst scaffolding supported the roof replacement, it reopened in February 2022.<ref>{{cite web|title= Wisbech|url= https://www.highstreetwisbech.org.uk|website= www.highstreet.org.uk|accessdate= 2 April 2021}}</ref> Following the publication of the Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museums series of booklets ''Images of Wisbech'' contains images taken by [[Geoff Hastings]], research uncovered an archive of images from the Wisbech Borough council, some of these were incorporated in ''Lost Images of Wisbech'' published in 2020.<ref>{{cite journal|title= Lost Images of Wisbech|last= Fletcher|first= Taleyna|publisher= Discovering Magazines|volume= 33|year= 2020|journal= Discovering Wisbech|pages= 10–11}}</ref>

The town is well known for horticulture, in 2018 the town won the business improvement district (BID) category gold award at the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s (RHS) annual [[Britain in Bloom]] awards ceremony.<ref>{{cite book|title=Wisbech Official Guide and Map|author=anonymous| publisher= Wisbech town council| year=2019}}</ref> In 2019 the town received Gold Award in the large town category in the RHS Anglia in Bloom completion. Waterlees was 'Best in Group' and Gold Award in Urban category and St Peters Gardens a Gold Award in the Small Parks category.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/news/list-of-winners-from-anglia-in-bloom-1-6261825|title=Anglia in Bloom|website=wisbechstandard.co.uk|access-date= 9 September 2019}}</ref> The town mayor for 2020-2021, a licence holder of Elgood's Angel Inn breached Covid19 regulations in December 2020. A meeting of the Fenland District Council licensing committee removed the licence.<ref>{{cite news|title= Fate of Mayor's pub licence hangs in the balance|newspaper= Wisbech Standard|page= 4|date= 19 March 2021}}</ref>

== Governance ==
[[File:The Town Hall on North Brinks (geograph 4990882).jpg|thumb|[[Wisbech Town Hall]], part of the same building as the town's Corn Exchange]]
There are three tiers of local government covering Wisbech, at [[civil parish]] (town), [[non-metropolitan district|district]], and [[non-metropolitan county|county level]]: [[Wisbech Town Council]], [[Fenland District Council]], and [[Cambridgeshire County Council]]. The district and county councils are also members of the [[Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority]], led by the directly elected [[Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough]].<ref name="gov">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cambridgeshire-and-peterborough-set-for-new-mayor|title=Cambridgeshire and Peterborough set for new mayor| publisher=Government of the United Kingdom| access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> The town council is based at [[Wisbech Town Hall]] on North Brink. Town council responsibilities include [[Allotment (gardening)|allotments]] and the market place.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wisbech Town Council |url=https://www.wisbechtowncouncil.gov.uk/ |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref> In 2018 the council took a lease on [[Wisbech Castle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/news/wisbech-town-council-agree-34-per-cent-precept-rise-1-5369056|title=Acquiring Wisbech Castle to put up town's local council tax by over 30 per cent – but do they have the skills to run the castle?|first=John| last=Elworthy| website=Wisbechstandard.co.uk| date=25 January 2018|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

===Administrative history===
{{further|Municipal Borough of Wisbech}}
Wisbech was anciently a [[feudal]] vill within the Wisbech [[Hundred (county division)|hundred]] of Cambridgeshire. The Wisbech hundred formed part of the [[Isle of Ely]], which was historically a [[Liberty (division)|liberty]] under the secular jurisdiction of the [[Bishop of Ely]]. The bishop's jurisdiction was ended by the Liberty of Ely Act 1837.<ref>Liberty of Ely Act 1837 (7 Will 4 & 1 Vict c. 53).</ref> The vill of Wisbech was divided around 1109 into two [[manorialism|manorial]] properties, which subsequently became the two parishes of [[Wisbech St Mary]] and Wisbech St Peter (the latter including the town itself).<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Pugh |editor1-first=R. B. |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 4 |date=2002 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=232–238 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol4/pp232-238 |access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref> The two were treated as separate [[civil parishes]] from an early date, but remained a single [[ecclesiastical parish]] until 1854.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gardiner |first1=Frederic John |title=History of Wisbech and Neighbourhood, During the last fifty years 1848–1898 |date=1898 |page=240 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MLUuAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA240 |access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Youngs |first1=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England: Volume 1 |date=1979 |publisher=Royal Historical Society |location=London |isbn=0901050679 |page=55}}</ref>

On 1 June 1549, [[Edward VI]] granted Wisbech a [[municipal charter]], incorporating it as a [[ancient borough|borough]]. The borough covered the same area as the civil parish of Wisbech St Peter and therefore included the town itself plus an extensive rural area stretching some {{convert|7|miles|km}} south-west of the town, including the hamlet of [[Ring's End]].<ref name=commissioners>{{cite book |title=Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Municipal Corporations in England and Wales: Appendix 4 |date=1835 |pages=2551 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MHBTAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA2551 |access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Diagram of the Administrative Counties of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely, 1900 |url=https://maps.nls.uk/view/241241641 |website=National Library of Scotland |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref>

Wisbech was reformed to become a [[municipal borough]] in 1836 under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], which standardised how most boroughs operated across the country.<ref>{{cite book |title=Municipal Corporations Act |date=1835 |page=461 |url=https://archive.org/details/statutesunitedk35britgoog/page/460/mode/2up |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref> The borough boundaries were reviewed in 1934. The borough gained part of the parish of [[Walsoken]] from Norfolk, including the more built-up area that had effectively become an eastern suburb of Wisbech, but leaving the church and the rural parts of Walsoken parish in Norfolk.<ref>{{cite journal|title= A Wisbech Wedding|last= Monger|first= Garry|journal= The Fens|page= 20|issue= 50|year= 2022|publisher= Natasha Shiels}}</ref> A boundary marker in Wisbech Park was erected to record the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.british-ohistory.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol4/pp266-268|title=Wisbech: Schools|website=British History Online|access-date=13 January 2019}}</ref> At the same time, the more rural part of the old borough, including Ring's End, was transferred from Wisbech to the neighbouring parish of [[Elm, Cambridgeshire|Elm]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol4/pp180-186|title=Wisbech Hundred: Elm|website=British History Online|access-date=18 February 2019}}</ref>

Between 1889 and 1965, the [[Isle of Ely County Council|Isle of Ely]] was an [[administrative county]] with its own county council, whilst also forming part of the wider [[Ceremonial counties of England#Geographical counties 1889–1974|geographical county]] of Cambridgeshire. Between 1965 and 1974, the administrative county covering Wisbech was called [[Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wisbech Municipal Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10073327#tab02 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref>

The borough of Wisbech was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]]. District-level functions passed to the new Fenland District Council. A [[successor parish]] called Wisbech was created covering the area of the abolished borough, with its parish council taking the name Wisbech Town Council.{{efn|The single [[urban parish]] within the borough prior to the 1974 reforms had been called 'Wisbech St Peter', although the borough itself was just called 'Wisbech'. The successor parish created in 1974 covering the same area as the borough was just called 'Wisbech'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/wisbech.html|title=Wisbech Registration District| publisher=UKBMD| accessdate=21 January 2023}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Local Government (Successor Parishes) (No. 2) Order 1973|year=1973|number=1939}}</ref> In 1990 further county boundary changes brought a small area of Walsoken, Norfolk into Wisbech.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1990/228/made|title=1990 Order no 228|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|access-date=18 February 2019}}</ref>

==Transport==
=== Waterways ===
{{see also|Port of Wisbech}}
Wisbech sits on either side of the [[River Nene]],<ref>{{cite book|title=Fenland River: The Story of the Great Ouse and its Tributaries|author=Rodney Tibbs|publisher=Terence Dalton Ltd|year=1969}}</ref> and its port is Cambridgeshire's only gateway to the sea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fenland.gov.uk/wisbechportandyachtharbour|title=Yacht Harbour and Wisbech Port|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|access-date=18 August 2018|date=27 November 2014}}</ref> Schemes to connect the River Nene and the River Welland are proposed, allowing boats a fresh-water connection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor |url=https://waterways.org.uk/waterways/discover-the-waterways/boston-to-peterborough-wetland-corridor |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Inland Waterways |language=en-GB}}</ref> In the past, the [[Port of Wisbech]] could accommodate sailing ships of 400 tons, but its prosperity declined after 1852 when extensive river works impeded navigation.<ref>{{cite book |title=Victorian & Edwardian Cambridgeshire |author= F. A. Reeve |publisher= Batsford | year= 1976}}</ref> In the previous decade it had been described as England's most important port for the export of wheat.<ref>{{cite news|title= The New Museum|newspaper= Cambridge Chronicle and Journal |date= 28 August 1847|page= 2}}</ref> It had in its day been referred to as 'the Milch cow of the corporation'.<ref>{{cite news|title= Wisbech Corporation Annual Frolic|newspaper= Cambridge Independent Press |date= 18 August 1855|page= 7}}</ref>
Now, a river-side yacht harbour provides 128 berths for vessels, and Crab Marshboat yard operates a 75-tonne boat lift. Following the 1978 flood, in which one resident drowned, flood walls and flood gates were erected and in later years built higher.<ref>{{cite journal|journal= The Fens|page= 20|title= Highs and Lows|first= Garry|last= Monger|year= 2022|issue= 52}}</ref> In December 2013, the town's river flood defences were tested when an unusually high tide threatened to top the recently improved walls and flood gates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3773390|title=Mud from the flood|website=geograph.org.uk|access-date=25 August 2019}}</ref>

===Roads===
In 1831 the construction of a lifting bridge at [[Sutton Bridge]] finally provided a means to travel directly between Norfolk and Lincolnshire.<ref>{{cite book|title=Fenland: A Landscape made by Man| author=Peter Hewett| publisher = The Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust| year=2000}}</ref> The town stood at the crossing of two Class A roads: from Peterborough to King's Lynn ([[A47 road|A47]]) and from Ely to Long Sutton (A1101). The [[A1101]] now crosses the river at the newer 'Freedom bridge' taking some traffic away from the older 'Town Bridge'. The A47 now bypasses the town. The former part of the A47 inside the town (Lynn Rd and Cromwell Rd) is now the [[B198]].

Current public transport provision to and from Wisbech is provided by several [[First Bus East of England|First Eastern Counties]] bus routes, including their long-distance [[Excel (bus route)|Excel routes]] which call at Wisbech between Peterborough and King's Lynn before continuing to Norwich.<ref>{{Cite web |title=excel - Norwich - Dereham - Swaffham - Kings Lynn - Wisbech - Peterborough {{!}} First Bus |url=https://www.firstbus.co.uk/norfolk-suffolk/routes-and-maps/excel-norwich-dereham-swaffham-kings-lynn-wisbech-peterborough |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=www.firstbus.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>

===Railways===
Wisbech once had three passenger railway lines, served by [[Wisbech East railway station]], [[Wisbech North railway station]] and [[Wisbech and Upwell Tramway]], but they all closed between 1959 and 1968. There is an active campaign to reopen the March–Wisbech [[Bramley Line]] as part of the national rail network, with direct services to Cambridge and possibly Peterborough. It is supported by Wisbech Town Council and subject to reports commissioned by the county council in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport-funding-bids-and-studies/railway-between-march-and-wisbech/|title=Railway between March and Wisbech|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> The line is currently Wisbech East railway station (2019) at GRIP 3 study stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kintecglobal.com/news/what-is-the-grip-process-41806/|title=What is the GRIP Process?|date=17 March 2016|website=Kintecglobal.com|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> A report published in 2009 by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) indicated that this was viable.<ref>Connecting communities:Expanding Accra to the rail network 2009</ref> The line has been identified as a priority for reopening by [[Campaign for Better Transport (United Kingdom)|Campaign for Better Transport]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Reopen these rail lines and put 500,000 people in reach of the railways |url=https://bettertransport.org.uk/media/05-february-2019-rail-reopenings-report |website=Campaign for Better Transport}}</ref>

==Demography==

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! style="width:150px;"|Parish population<ref>{{NOMIS2011|id=1170212281|title=Wisbech Parish|access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref>
!1981
!1991
!2001
!2011
!2021
|-
|align=left|Wisbech
| style="text-align:center;"|22,932
| style="text-align:center;"|24,981
| style="text-align:center;"|26,536
| style="text-align:center;"|31,573
| style="text-align:center;"|32,489
|}

Several official places (libraries, surgeries, local council) provide translations into Lithuanian, as well as Polish, Latvian, Russian and Portuguese.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/11073/K-reikia-dti--atliek-des-Lithuanian|title=Ką reikia dėti į atliekų dėžes? (Lithuanian)|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|access-date=18 August 2018|date=April 2017}}</ref>

===Lithuanian community===
The Lithuanian community in Wisbech has grown significantly since Lithuania's accession to the European Union in 2004. Drawn by employment opportunities in agriculture and food processing, many Lithuanians have settled in the area, contributing to the town's cultural diversity.

By 2014, estimates suggested that approximately 6,000 Lithuanians resided in Wisbech, comprising a substantial portion of the town's population of around 30,000. This demographic shift has led to the establishment of various cultural and community initiatives. For instance, the Wisbech Lithuanian Community organises events such as [[Užgavėnės]], the Lithuanian pre-Lenten festival, which has been celebrated in collaboration with local institutions like the Wisbech and Fenland Museum.<ref>[https://www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk/uzgavenes/ Užgavėnės: Lithuanian Mardi Gras]</ref><ref name="v333">{{cite news| last=Harris | first=John | title=Fear and anger in once-wealthy town divided by insecurity and immigration | work=The Guardian | date=16 June 2014 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jun/16/fear-anger-wisbech-cambridgeshire-insecurity-immigration | access-date=22 July 2025}}</ref>

The Lithuanian community has faced challenges, including instances of labour exploitation and substandard housing conditions. Reports have highlighted concerns over illegal gangmasters and overcrowded accommodations affecting Eastern European migrants in the region.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/oct/08/wisbech-migrant-workers-exploited-gangmasters-eastern-europe Wisbech: the end of the road for migrant workers]</ref>

In December 2024, members of the Lithuanian community in Wisbech created Baltic-themed Christmas decorations for the town’s market square, using recycled materials to craft items such as gonks, stars, and baubles.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99eedg7782o Lithuanians create town's Christmas decorations]</ref>

In April 2025, the Wisbech Lithuanian Community Acorn (WLCA) group decorated a tree in the market square to celebrate Easter.<ref name="o543">{{cite news| last=Devine | first=John | title=Lithuanian group's Easter tree brings joy to Wisbech | work=BBC News | date=15 April 2025| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8g7mvvjxlo | access-date=22 July 2025}}</ref>

==Economy==

=== Historical ===
Before the draining of the Fens was completed, livestock was grazed on the common land and were marked to identify their owners; this was also the case with [[swans]], which were usually marked on their bills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V19/V19_N11/V19_N11_P262_273_A052.pdf|title=British Birds|website=britishbirds.co.uk|access-date= 17 February 2019}}</ref> The riverside location and fertile soils surrounding Wisbech allowed the town to flourish.

A thriving pipe-making business was being carried out in the town by Amy White in the 1740s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Two pipe makers|date=2 April 1747|newspaper=Stamford Mercury|page=4}}</ref> Soap-making was also taking place in the 1740s<ref>{{cite news|title= Soap Office| newspaper= Stamford Mercury |date= 17 April 1746|page= 4}}</ref>

A number of breweries existed in the town; the last one remaining is Elgood's on the North Brink. Established in 1795 and remaining a family-owned business, the [[brewery]] and gardens are a popular location for tourists to visit.<ref>{{cite book|title=Wisbech: Official Town Guide and Map 2019|author=anonymous|publisher=Local Authority Publishing Co.Ltd|year=2019}}</ref>

The first half of the 19th century was a very prosperous time for the town and an annual average of 40,000 tons of goods passed through the port, consisting mainly of coal, corn, timber and wine. The surrounding land produced large quantities of [[sheep]] and [[oxen]] as well as [[wool]], [[hemp]] and [[flax]].<ref>{{cite book|title=The history of Lynn|volume=I|page=104|author=William Richards M.A.|year=1812}}</ref> Such was the trade with [[Denmark]] that a consul was based in North Terrace in a Queen Anne house sometimes called the Danish House.<ref>{{cite book|title=The 37th Annual Report|author=anonymous|publisher= The Wisbech Society|year=1976}}{{page needed|date=February 2020}}</ref> In 1851 the population was 9,594. It decreased to 9,276 in 1861 and picked up to 9,395 in 1891. A [[National Provincial Bank]], on the North Brink and a [[Savings Bank]] was built in Hill street in 1851 (it later became a Liberal Club, it is currently (2023) The Magwitch)<ref>{{cite news|title= New Banking Offices|newspaper= Stamford Mercury|date= 26 September 1851|page= 3}}</ref> In 1853 the Wisbech and Isle of Ely Permanent Building Society was established.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000421/18680104/132/0006|title=Wisbech and Isle of Ely Permanent Building Society|newspaper=Cambridgeshire Times|access-date= 25 September 2019}}{{subscription required|via=britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk}}{{full citation needed|date=February 2020|reason=A minimum of title=, date=, newspaper= is required}}</ref>

Ropemaking took place at the [[Ropewalk]] and tent-making also took place in the town at W. Poppleton's, Nene Parade. Customers included the visiting J.W. Myers circus in 1881.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001122/18810823/103/0008|title=J.W.Myers Circus|access-date=30 September 2019}}{{subscription required|via=britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk}}{{full citation needed|date=February 2020|reason=A minimum of title=, date=, newspaper= is required}}</ref>

The Wisbech Fruit Preserving Company Ltd was wound up in 1894 and the site put up for sale.<ref>{{cite news|title= For Sale|newspaper= Leeds Mercury|date= 20 April 1895|page= 12}}</ref>

In October 1906 the first of the annual [[mustard (condiment)|mustard]] markets of the year took place where the harvest of 'brown' and 'white' seed took place. Regular annual Buyers included Messrs [[Colman's]] of [[Norwich]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000237/19071025/032/0006|newspaper=Stamford Mercury|title=Coleman of Norwich|access-date =21 September 2019}}{{subscription required|via=britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001995/18891025/055/0005|title=Coleman of Norwich|newspaper=Wisbech Standard|access-date=4 October 2019}}</ref>

The Wisbech Mustard market held on four Saturdays in October was claimed to be unique, in 1911 it had been running for over forty years. Buyers from the major mills and producers attended and traded in and near the Rose and Crown.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001122/19111031/071/0005|title=Wisbech Mustard Market|newspaper=Spalding Free Press|access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref>

Large numbers of workers were needed to pick fruit, in 1913 due to the great influx of pickers, the police had to find accommodation for 500 'homeless' workers each night. Until 1920 the train companies provided special rail fares for fruit pickers coming to the area.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002217/19130705/164/0008?noTouch=true|title=Fruitpicking|newspaper=The Tewkesbury Register and Agricultural Gazette|access-date=1 November 2019}}{{subscription required|via=britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk}}</ref>

[[Liptons]] had one of their jam factories in the town in the 1920s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000762/19240802/029/0002|newspaper=Bury Free Press|title=Liptons|access-date= 26 September 2019}}</ref>

Samuel Wallace Smedley (1877-1958) bought the old [[Crosse and Blackwell]] jam making factory. Wisbech Produce Canners (formed in 1925), on Lynn Rd, was the first in England to produce frozen asparagus, peas and strawberries. The Wisbech Producer canners in 1931 became part of the National Canning Company. 
It was renamed Smedley's Ltd in 1947, later [[Smedley HP Foods Ltd]] and later taken over by Hillsdown Foods. It is presently (2021) owned by [[Princes Group]].<ref>{{cite book|author= Michael Smedley|title= What Happened to Smedley's?: Pioneers of British Canned and Frozen Foods: An Industrial History, 1925-1975|publisher= Michael J Smedley|year= 2012|isbn= 978-0-9571830-0-1}}</ref>

=== Contemporary ===
The Metal Box company established their largest manufacturing unit at Weasenham Lane in 1953. The site provides processed food cans for fruit, vegetables, soups, milk and pet foods. The workforce grew to over 1,000 before reducing as a result of automation and redundancies. Steel was brought from Welsh steelworks and also from overseas. The site had its own rail yard before the Wisbech to March line closed. The site is now part of Crown Cork.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crowncork.com|title=Crown Holdings|website=crowncork.com|access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref>

English Brothers Ltd, another long-established company in Wisbech, are importers of timber brought in at Wisbech port.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Wisbech Regency Town Book| author= anonymous| publisher= Regency Town Books| year= 1969}}</ref> In 1900 they manufactured wooden troop hits for the war in South Africa.<ref>{{cite news|title= Wisbech|newspaper=Stamford Mercury|date= 28 September 1900|page= 4}}</ref> During World War II they produced wooden munitions boxes.<ref>{{cite book|title=Lilian Ream : a life in photography|author=anonymous|publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council|year=1992}}</ref> Shire Garden Building Ltd based in Wisbech and Sutton Bridge have been manufacturing wooden buildings since the 1980s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shiregb.co.uk/about-us|title=Shire|website=shiregb.co.uk|access-date=15 February 2019}}</ref>

In 2010 Dutch based Partner Logistics opened a £12m frozen food warehouse on Boleness Road, employing over fifty staff. The 77,000 pallet, fully automated "freezer" centre had contracts with [[Lamb Weston]], [[Bird's Eye]] and Pinguin Foods.

In recent decades the closure of the Clarkson Geriatric hospital (1983), Bowthorpe maternity hospital (c. 1983), Balding & Mansell (printers) (c. 1992), Budgens store<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/breaking-news-wisbech-budgens-store-to-close-on-thursday-1-7853869/|title=Wisbech Budgens store to close on Thursday|website=fEnlandcitizen.co.uk|access-date=18 August 2018|date=7 March 2017}}</ref> (formerly Coop) (2017) and horticultural college (2012),<ref name="Student reunion">{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/news/student-reunion-held-to-mark-the-closure-of-the-wisbech-horticultural-station-1-1445503|title=Student reunion held to mark the closure of the Wisbech horticultural station|date=14 July 2012|work=Wisbech Standard|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> Bridge Street post office (2014), as well as gradual reductions in workforce by CMB, indicate a decline in the economy.

Small family businesses such as Bodgers (2013),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/news/two-new-fast-food-outlets-in-centre-of-wisbech-to-bring-60-full-and-part-time-jobs-to-the-town-1-3612226|title=Two new fast food outlets in centre of Wisbech to bring 60 full and part time jobs to the town|website=Wisbechstandard.co.uk|date=28 May 2014|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> Franks butchers (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-31573914|title=Butcher's shuts after 107 years|date=22 February 2015|access-date=18 August 2018|publisher=BBC}}</ref> and local bakeries have given way to the supermarkets.

The larger employers in Wisbech include Nestle Purina PetCare, Cromwell Rd<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/environment/scalding-steam-five-suffer-burns-in-factory-horror-1-64968|title=SCALDING STEAM: Five suffer burns in factory horror|website=Peterboroughtoday.co.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> and Princes, Lynn Rd.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4217181|title=Princes, Lynn Road, Wisbech (C) Richard Humphrey|website=Geograph.org.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

In April 2018 plans for an £8m redevelopment of the [[North Cambridgeshire Hospital]] were announced.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.wisbech2020vision.co.uk/article/13319/NHS-Trust-launches-redevelopment-plans-for-North-Cambridgeshire-Hospital-Wisbech|title=NHS Trust launches redevelopment plans for North Cambridgeshire Hospital, Wisbech|website=Wisbech 2020 Vision|access-date=18 August 2018|date=19 April 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Museum Square. - geograph.org.uk - 1091228.jpg|thumb|[[Wisbech & Fenland Museum|Museum Square, Wisbech]]]]

===Tourism===

[[National Trust]] property [[Peckover House and Garden]] attracts tourists and locals. The [[Wisbech & Fenland Museum]] draws in visitors to see the [[Charles Dickens]] manuscript, [[Thomas Clarkson]] memorabilia and other exhibits. The [[Octavia Hill]] Birthplace House also attracts those interested in the National Trust, army cadet force or social housing. The [[Angles Theatre]], The Light and [[The Luxe Cinema]] also attract audiences from outside the town.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} The [[port of Wisbech]] and marina attract boating enthusiasts. [[Wisbech Castle|The Castle]] has a programme of public events and activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbechtowncouncil.gov.uk/wsbech-castle.html|title=Wisbech castle|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|access-date= 13 January 2019|date=29 November 2018}}</ref>

==Religious sites==
The Anglican [[St Peter and St Paul's Church, Wisbech|Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul]] dates back in part to the 12th century. The tower contains the third oldest full peal of 10 bells in the world, cast by William Dobson in 1821; the bells are still in use.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Wisbech | author= wim Zwalf |publisher= Wisbech Society| year=1997}}</ref> St Augustine's church on Lynn Rd was erected in 1868–9 and consecrated on 11 May 1869. An associated school building is now the Robert Hall [[scouting]] hall. In 1997 a new parish centre was created when the church was linked to its nearby hall.<ref name=Pugh1953p250>{{cite book|editor-last=Pugh|editor-first=R. B.|year=1953|title=The Victoria History of the County of Cambridge and The Isle of Ely, Vol. IV |place=London|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=250}}</ref>

Catholic [[Our Lady & Saint Charles Borromeo Church]] has been the site of worship for [[Roman Catholics]] since 1854. [[Wisbech Castle]] the site of the [[Wisbech Stirs]] has also been a minor site of pilgrimage.

Other places of worship are: Baptist, Hill St; King's Church, Queens Rd; [[Jehovahs Witnesses]], Tinkers Drove; Trinity Methodist, Church Terrace; [[Spiritualism (movement)|Spiritualist]], Alexandra Rd; and [[United Reformed Church|United Reform]], York Row.<ref>{{cite book |title=Wisbech Official Town Guide & Map |publisher= Wisbech Town Council |year= 2020}}</ref> The [[Society of Friends]]' meeting-house, North Brink, has a burial ground which contains the reputed grave of [[Jane Stuart (Quaker)|Jane Stuart]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Wisbech|url= https://ukga.org/index.php?pageid=850|website= www.ukga.org|accessdate= 7 April 2021}}</ref>

A Chapel of Ease (Octagon Church) was built in 1827, completed in 1830 and controversially demolished in 1952.<ref>{{cite web|title= Octagon Church|url= https://wisbech.ccan.co.uk/content/catalogue_item/the-chapel-of-ease-in-wisbech-usually-know-as-the-octagon-church|website= CCAN|accessdate= 19 October 2021}}</ref> The large lantern was based on that of [[Ely Cathedral]]. The churchyard remains and has been opened up for public access.<ref>{{cite book|title= Wisbech Chapel of Ease. The Octagon Church|author= Kevin Rodgers|year= 2021|publisher= Kevin Rodgers}}</ref>

==Education==

[[File:Wisbech Grammar School.JPG|right|thumb|alt=A colour photograph of an unusual Victorian house with a small spire on the top. To the left is a set of old-fashioned schoolrooms with large sash windows. In front of the house is a small lawn, covered in snow. |[[Wisbech Grammar School]] on North Brink]]

An infant school for two to six-year olds was established in the great hall of the workhouse in 1839.<ref>{{cite news|title= Wisbech|newspaper= Lincolnshire Chronicle - Friday 17 May 1839|page= 3}}</ref> Primary schools in Wisbech include: Clarkson Infant and Nursery School, St Peters Church of England Junior School, Orchards Church of England Academy, Peckover Primary School, The Nene Infant School, Ramnoth Junior School and Elm Road Primary School. There are also specialist schools, Meadowgate Academy, Cambian Wisbech School, The County School & Trinity School.

Wisbech has two [[secondary school]]s: the [[Private schools in the United Kingdom|private]] [[Wisbech Grammar School]], which was founded in 1379, making it one of the [[List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom|oldest schools in the United Kingdom]], and the state-funded [[Thomas Clarkson Academy]]. There is also a [[further education]] centre: the [[College of West Anglia]], formerly the [[Isle College, Wisbech|Isle College]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Wisbech Official Town Guide & Map 2019 |publisher= Wisbech Town Council |year= 2019}}</ref>

==Sport==

As the [[River Nene]] and other waterways are located in the area, water sports are popular. The rivers and canal provide opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. As an example of organised water sport, in 1955, the Wisbech Yacht Club opened their new clubhouse at Lattersley Pit, Whittlesey.<ref>{{cite news|title= Yacht club opens| newspaper= Peterborough Advertiser |date= 22 April 1955|page= 11}}</ref> Football was played in the town even before Wisbech Park was opened in 1869. The nearby St. Augustine's club evolving into [[Wisbech Town F.C.|Wisbech Town]]<ref>{{cite book|title= Early Football in Wisbech|author= Gordon Smith|publisher= Gordon Smith|year= 2006|isbn= 0-9544560-1-7}}</ref>

== Culture ==

=== Georgian Angles Theatre ===
The [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] theatre, Deadman's Lane (now the [[Angles Theatre]] on Alexandra Rd) was built c1790 as part of the Lincoln circuit. This is now used by community theatre groups and touring companies. The theatre is run by the Wisbech Angles Theatre Council, a registered charity. The Wisbech Players (now The Wisbech Theatre Players) formed in 1953, are now an integral part of the theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://wisbechplayers.org.uk|title= The Wisbech Players|website= www.wisbechplayers.org.uk|accessdate= 11 August 2021}}</ref>

=== Museums ===
[[Wisbech & Fenland Museum]], Museum Square opened on its current site in 1847. The [[Friends of Wisbech and Fenland Museum]] supports the museum with Grants for acquisitions, and assists with research programmes, conservation, publishing and new technologies throughout the Museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk/about-us|title=About us|website=wisbechmuseum.org.uk|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> [[Wisbech Castle|The Castle]] was donated to the [[Isle of Ely County Council]] by the family of the former education director and is now run by the town council. It is used as a community asset and hosts educational and other activities. The contents include furnishings, books and other items of interest. [[Octavia Hill Birthplace House]] opened with the purpose of housing items linked to the various philanthropic activities of [[Octavia Hill]] and her family. The Wisbech Working Men's Institute and Social club's origins date to 1864.<ref name="History of Wisbech and Neighborhood"/>

=== Inns, taverns, beerhouses, breweries and beer festivals ===
The town's licensed premises have a long history of providing leisure facilities from bowling greens, cock-fighting pits and skittle alleys to darts, cards, chess and other board games as well as social events. In 1853 the 'Wisbech Brewery' (Phillips, Tidbits and Phillips) on the riverside owned 20 pubs and hotels in the town and about 30 outside.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001669/18530514/025/0001|newspaper=Norwich Mercury|title=Wisbech Brewery|access-date=21 September 2019}}</ref>

Elgood's brewery located on the North Brink supplies its tied-houses the Angel Hotel, King's Head, Hare and Hounds hotel, Red Lion and Three Tuns Inn in the town and others in the surrounding area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elgoods-brewery.co.uk/our-history/|title=Our history|website=elgoods-brewery.co.uk|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> Others include the Black Bear, Globe, Locomotive, Rose Tavern and White Lion.
In 1950 [[Arthur Artis Oldham]] researched and produced in very limited numbers ''Pubs and Taverns of Wisbech''.<ref>{{cite journal|title= Inns & Taverns|last= Monger|first= Garry|journal= The Fens|volume= 39|year= 2021|page=20|publisher= Natasha Shiels}}</ref> Last reprinted in 1979 by Cambridgeshire Libraries as ''Inns and Taverns of Wisbech'' and now (2021) superseded by the series ''Wisbech Inns, Taverns and Beer-houses: Past and Present'' by ABN Ketley.<ref>{{cite book|title= Wisbech Inns, Taverns and Beer-Houses: Past and Present - Volume 1 |author= Andrew BN Ketley|publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum|year= 2021}}</ref>

The Rose and Crown hotel on the marketplace is one of the oldest buildings in the town and featured in [[The Hotel Inspector]] TV series in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1619569/|accessdate= 8 October 2022|title= The Rose and Crown|website= www.imdb.com}}</ref>
Underneath there are brick-barrel vaults dating from Tudor times.<ref>{{cite book|title=Timpson's Towns of England & Wales|author=John Timpson|publisher=Jarrold|year=1989|isbn=0-7117-0419-8|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/timpsonstownsofe00timp}}</ref>

=== Annual festivals and events ===
March. The annual [[Showmen's Guild of Great Britain| Showmen's Guild]] fair known as the Wisbech Mart is held in the town.<ref>{{cite web| title= Wisbech| url= https://www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk/flip_guides/wisbechguide/index.html|website= www.localauthoritypublishing.co.uk|accessdate= 8 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title= King's Lynn Mart| url= https://www.kingslynnonline.com/history-2/kings-lynn-mart|website= www.kingslynnonline|accessdate= 8 April 2021}}</ref>

June. On [[Armed Forces Day]] the marketplace is taken over by military vehicles and units and veterans associations. In 2023 the event moved to Wisbech Park. A Sunday service is held with a parade and march past.

*Wisbech Rose Fair is held.<ref>{{cite book| title=Cemeteries, Graveyards and Memorials in Wisbech| author=Bridget Holmes| publisher=Wisbech Society| year=2010}}</ref> It originated in 1963 as a flower festival when local rose growers sold rose buds in the Parish Church of SS Peter and Paul in aid of its restoration fund. The church used this annual occasion to raise funds for the upkeep of the ancient building, and over the years, the Rose Fair grew into a Town Festival. It developed into an event that encompassed many of the charities and other organisations in the town and district running stalls and events including two parades of floats starting from Queens Road. The event's flower festival and float parades ceased in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wisbech-rosefair.co.uk|title=Wisbech Rose Fair| website=wisbech-rosefair.co.uk| access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/news/wisbech-rose-fair-2018-1-5587860|title=Rose Fair| website=wisbechstandard.co.uk| date=9 July 2018|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/what-s-on/entertainment-news/mayor-misses-biggest-day-of-the-year-1-6146029|title=Biggest ado of the year| website=wisbechstandard.co.uk| date=6 July 2019|access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> 

* The Annual Concerts run by The Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum, in 2021 and 2022 at [[Wisbech Castle]] then moving to The Old Chapel, North End from 2023. It raises funds for the museum.<ref>{{cite journal| title= 175 Years of Fenland History| journal= The Fens| page= 20|volume= 47|year= 2022|last= Monger| first= Garry}}</ref>

August. Wisbech Rock Festival is a [[Free Festival]] held in Wisbech Park and is managed by the town council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.visitcambridgeshirefens.org/whats-on/wisbech-rock-festival-562|title=20Wisbech Rock Festival| website=visitcambridgeshirefens.org| access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> Wis-Beach day was originally held on the marketplace. The seaside comes to the town for the Sunday and donkey rides, [[Punch and Judy]] shows, sand, beach chairs and amusement rides filled the centre of the town. Recently it merged with the festival in the park.
Friends of Wisbech Park Bandstand host a series of musical events at the [[bandstand]] on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer and winter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/what-s-on/entertainment-news/first-of-season-for-bandstand-concerts-1-6008936|title=Wisbech Bandstand|newspaper=Wisbech Standard|access-date=22 December 2019}}</ref> Many local gardens are open to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme Open Days.

September. The town participates in Heritage Weekend when many buildings are open to the public for tours. The [[Showmen's Guild of Great Britain|Showmen's Guild]] Wisbech Statute Fair is held in the town. The Elgoods Beer Festival takes place when musical events accompany the wide range of drinks on offer.

October. Wisbech Museum and the Horse Fair stage [[Halloween]] events.<ref>{{cite news|title= Events|url= http://wisbechcastle.org/events/|website= www.wisbechcastle.org|accessdate= 8 April 2021}}</ref>

November. Christmas Lights Switch On takes place on the Market Place.

December. Wisbech Christmas Fayre takes place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbechtowncouncil.gov.uk/local-events.html/|title=Local events|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|access-date=29 August 2019|date=14 January 2020}}</ref>

=== Literature ===
Local nonfiction authors include [[William Godwin]], [[Thomas Clarkson]], [[William Ellis (British missionary)|William Ellis]], William Watson, FJ Gardiner, N Walker and Prof. T Craddock, [[Arthur Artis Oldham]], Andrew C Ingram, Robert Bell, George Anniss, Roger Powell, Bridgett Holmes, Kevin Rodgers, Andrew Ketley, Peter Clayton and William P Smith, and fiction writers John Muriel, [[John Gordon (author)|John Gordon]], Rev. [[Wilbert Awdry]], Diane Calton Smith and Marie Tierney.<ref>{{cite book| title= In the Wash| author= Diane Carlton Smith| publisher= New Generation Publishing| year= 2020|isbn= 978-1-80031-744-4}}</ref>

=== Poetry ===
The town nearly added the poet [[John Clare]] to its residents when he visited for a job interview.
Fen speak ran a series of events funded by the [[Arts Council]], Metal Culture and [[John Clare Cottage]]. The town hosted Fenland Poet Laureate awards (2012 – Elaine Ewerton; 2013 – Leanne Moden; 2014 – Poppy Kleiser; 2015 – Jonathan Totman; 2016 – Mary Livingstone; 2017 – Kate Caoimhe). The Fenland Poet Laureate Awards were relaunched with funding from the Arts Council in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fenlandpoetry.co.uk/fenlandpoetlaureate|title=Fenland Poet Laureate|website=fenlandpoetry.co.uk|access-date = 2 September 2019}}</ref>
Charlotte Beck, 13 and CJ Atkinson were announced as the 2019–2020 Young Fenland Poet Laureate and Fenland Poet Laureate.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wisbech Standard|url=http://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk|date=2 December 2019}}</ref>
'Stanza' poetry group holds regular events at [[Wisbech Castle|The Castle]].

=== Art ===
Wisbech Art Club was formed in 1933 and holds exhibitions at venues in the town including Wisbech & Fenland Museum. Regular meetings are now (2024) held at the Walsoken Village Hall.

=== Photography ===
Wisbech & District Camera Club was formed in 1950 and closed in 2024. Early and well known photographers in the town included [[William Ellis (British missionary)|William Ellis]], [[Samuel Smith (photographer)|Samuel Smith]],<ref>{{cite book|author=Michel Millard|publisher=Ward Lock Ltd|year=1974|isbn=0-7063-1855-2|title=Victorian Townscape: The Work of Samuel Smith}}</ref> [[Lilian Ream]], [[Valentine Blanchard]]<ref>{{cite journal|title=Valentine Blanchard - Pioneering Photographer|last=Somerville|first=Eric|year=2020|journal=Annual Review |volume=81|publisher=Wisbech Society|pages=14–17}}</ref> and [[Geoff Hastings]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Images of Wisbech no.1|author=Andy Ketley|year=2019|publisher=Friends of the Wisbech and Fenland Museum}}</ref>

=== Music ===
The Corn Exchange (long since closed) provided a venue for musical events. Big names that appeared included the [[Rolling Stones]], [[Jerry Lee Lewis]], [[Adam Faith]] and [[Gene Vincent]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cambstimes.co.uk/news/step-back-in-time-to-the-bands-who-played-in-4883884|website= Cambs Times|title= Step back in time|date= 29 November 2016|accessdate= 17 April 2022}}</ref> Contemporary local rock bands include The Brink.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://myglobalmind.com/2019/05/09/cambridge-rockers-the-brink-announce-debut-album/|website= My global mind|title= Cambridge Rockers|date= 9 May 2019|accessdate= 15 April 2022}}</ref> The Bandstand in the park is a venue for summer concerts and the park also stages the annual Wisbech Rock Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/gallery-live-music-returns-to-wisbech-bandstand-for-first-time-since-lockdown-9117542/|website= Fenland Citizen|title= Live Music|date= 27 July 2020|accessdate= 15 April 2022}}</ref>

=== Embroidery ===
Mia Hansson, from [[Skanör]], Sweden, now living in the town, started a [[Bayeux Tapestry]] reproduction on 13 July 2016. {{As of|July 2022}} she had completed 37 metres, saying that she expected to finish in some five years. Hansson takes part of her replica out for talk and display events. In September 2020 she published ''Mia's Bayeux Tapestry Colouring Book'', with hand-drawn images from the tapestry.<ref>{{cite book |first=Mia |last=Hansson |title=Mia's Bayeux Tapestry Colouring Book |publisher=Eyrie Press |location=March |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-913149-11-6 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/1139246322780314/ |title=Mia's Bayeux Tapestry Story |last=Hansson |first=Mia |website=Facebook |access-date=6 February 2019}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
=== Notable buildings and monuments ===
[[File:28 and 29 Old Market, Wisbech (geograph 5748361).jpg|thumb|27-30 Old Market|alt=row of houses on Old Market, from 27 to 30]]
Wisbech is particularly noted for its fine examples of Georgian architecture. 

{{Blockquote|text="Most English towns built beside rivers had a habit of turning their backs on them, but at Wisbech the river is the centre of the picture giving the town a foreign appearance."|author=|title=Wisbech Advertiser, The Story of the Fens (January 1961)|source=p.1}}

It has over 250 listed buildings and monuments, concentrated mainly along the river and known as [[The Brinks]] (North and South Brinks) and around the Old Market, Market Place and the circus around [[Wisbech Castle|The Castle]] known as [[The Crescent, Wisbech|The Crescent]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wisbech |url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/wisbech-fenland-cambridgeshire |access-date=29 August 2019 |website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref> These include:

==== Georgian ====
*[[Peckover House and Garden|Peckover House]] (1722), North Brink, owned by the [[National Trust]]; in its grounds are the remains of the White Cross of The Low.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1331633|desc=Remains of White Cross in garden of Number 15 (Peckover House)|access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref>
*[[Octavia Hill]] Birthplace House (formerly Bank House), South Brink.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Monger|first=Garry|date=June 2018|title=The Manea Colony Dig|url=https://issuu.com/thefensmagazine/docs/thefenswisbechjune2018_lowres|magazine=The fens: Wisbech & Surrounding|publisher=Natasha Shiels|issue=3|page=18|access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>
*[[Wisbech Castle|The Castle]] - a Regency Period villa (1816) built on the site of a Norman castle. 
*Former New Inn, Union St dating to about 1500.<ref name="Pugh1953">{{cite book|editor-last=Pugh|editor-first=R. B.|year=1953|title=The Victoria History of the County of Cambridge and The Isle of Ely, Vol. IV |place=London|publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|num=1279266|desc=Tallow Court|access-date=10 September 2019}}</ref>
*Rose and Crown hotel, located on the market place, is an early 17th century coaching inn. A date of 1601 and trumpet and pheasant are visible on the exterior of the building. It is listed grade II* by [[Historic England]].
*[[Elgood's Brewery]], The brewery was founded in 1795 and bought soon afterwards by the Elgood family.[[File:Elgoods-brewery-wisbech.jpg|thumb|Elgoods Brewery on North Brink in Wisbech]]
*Ely House, an early 18th century farmhouse. A grade II listed building.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1331636|desc=Ely House|access-date=5 December 2019}}</ref>
*The [[Angles Theatre]], a typical Georgian playhouse built c1790 owned by [[Thomas Shaftoe Robertson|Thomas Shaftoe Robinson]]. Grade II listed.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Angles Theatre|num=1125904|access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref> Acknowledged as the eighth oldest working theatre in England.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History|url=https://www.anglestheatre.co.uk/history.html|access-date=6 July 2021|website=www.anglestheatre.co.uk}}</ref>
*Mill Tower formerly known as Leach's Mill, located on Lynn Road, is remarkable on account of its height and age. Built on a mound and eight storeys in height, it had eight sails. It dates to at least 1778, although the initials SH and 1643 are reputed to have been on a beam inside the mill. The last miller used it in the 1930s. The adjoining flour and provender roller mill suffered a fire in the 1970s. The mill minus the sails is now used as a residence. None of the other dozen or so mills survive.<ref>{{cite book|author=Robert Stevens|title=Cambridgeshire Windmills and Watermills|publisher=Cambridgeshire Wind and Watermill Society|year=1985}}</ref>
[[File:Wisbech-clarkson-memorial--.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|The [[Clarkson Memorial]] in Wisbech in 2013, in memory of the [[abolitionist]] [[Thomas Clarkson]]]]

==== Victorian ====
*[[Wisbech & Fenland Museum]] (1847); extensive collections of local records and other items. Notable artefacts include: [[Napoleon]]'s [[Manufacture nationale de Sèvres|Sèvres]] breakfast service, said to have been captured at the [[Battle of Waterloo]]; [[Thomas Clarkson]]'s chest, containing examples of 18th century [[African textiles]], seeds and leatherwork which he used to illustrate his case for direct trade with Africa; and the original manuscript of [[Charles Dickens]]' ''[[Great Expectations]]''<ref>{{cite book|title=An Illustrated Guide to Wisbech St Peter and neighbourhood|author= T W Foster|publisher= TV Sumfield|year= 1867}}</ref>
*Thomas [[Clarkson Memorial]], Bridge St (1881)
*[[Richard Young (MP)|Richard Young]] MP Memorial (1871) [http://media.geograph.org.uk/view.php?id=1029 sited in Wisbech Park] (1870).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cambstimes.co.uk/cambridgeshire-life/letters/richard-young-memorial-started-life-as-a-drinking-fountain-1-1705221|title=Richard Young Memorial started life as a drinking fountain.|first=Elaine|last=King|website=Cambstimes.co.uk|date=22 November 2012|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>
*Drinking fountain erected to the memory of Mr & Mrs G. D. Collins in the Old Market in 1897. Relocated to Lynn Road.<ref name="History of Wisbech and Neighborhood" />
*former Grammar School for boys, South Brink opened in January 1898 to replace the old Grammar School for boys in the ancient town hall in Hill Street.
*[[Our Lady & Saint Charles Borromeo Church]] (1854)

==== Church architecture ====
Wisbech and its surrounding villages also boast some interesting church architecture.

* [[St Peter and St Paul's Church, Wisbech|Parish Church of St Peter and Paul]] (restored in 1858 and a clock added in 1866)<ref>{{cite web|title=Cambridgeshire Churches|url=http://www.druidic.org/camchurch/churches/wisbechpeter.htm|access-date=18 August 2018|website=Druidic.org}}</ref>
* [[Guyhirn Chapel of Ease]]
*Wisbech St Mary's Parish church<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101161226-church-of-st-mary-wisbech-st-mary|title=Church of St Mary, Wisbech St Mary, Cambridgeshire|website=Britishlistedbuildings.co.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.druidic.org/camchurch/churches/wisbechmary.htm|title=Cambridgeshire Churches|website=Druidic.org|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

==== Lost architecture ====
Architecturally noteworthy buildings have been demolished, sometimes controversially. These include:

* Thurloe's Mansion, built by [[John Thurloe]] (see Notable Residents section) in 1658. To do so he demolished the Norman Castle. It was "a noble house in the manner of the times." It was later demolished by Joseph Medworth.<ref name=":1">Parker, John K., "The Beauty of a Town", The Story of the Fens, pp.4-5, (Saturday Pictorial, 1961). </ref> 
* The Octagon Church, a Chapel of Ease of a Gothic Revival style on the Old Market place. Built in 1831, it was designed by William Swansborough, as a reinterpretation of the Octagon Tower of Ely Cathedral, with later additions by Bucker (the architect of the Wisbech and Fenland Museum). It was controversially demolished in 1952, to by replaced by the [[Trustee Savings Bank|Trustees Savings Bank]]. This was described thereafter as "a cloven-hoof trampling the town's heritage into the dust." <ref name=":1" /> 

[[File:ECR(1851) p68b - (Wisbech) Corn Market.jpg|thumb|The Octagon Chapel in Wisbech Old Market, demolished in 1952]]

==Notable residents==

=== Deceased ===
==== Royalty, nobility and public office ====
*[[John Thurloe]], MP (1616–1668), Solicitor-general, Lord Chief Justice, Secretary of State and lawyer. Cromwell' spymaster. He replaced the bishop's palace at Wisbech with a mansion.
*[[Jane Stuart (Quaker)|Jane Stuart]] (c1654-1742), a daughter of [[James II of England|James II]] joined the Society of Friends on the North Brink and lived on the Old Market, she died aged 88 in Wisbech and is buried in the Friends' graveyard.<ref name="History of Wisbech and Neighborhood" />
*Sir [[Charles Wale]] (1765–1845), General and Governor of Martinique, attended [[Wisbech Grammar School]].
*[[James Crowden]] (1927–2016). Chartered surveyor, Olympian, Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely. Wisbech J.P. Born in Tilney All Saints.

==== Church and religion ====
*[[John Alcock (bishop)|John Alcock]] (c1430-1500), bishop appointed to the [[see of Ely]] in 1486 he died in the bishops palace in Wisbech and is buried in [[Ely Cathedral]]
*[[John Feckenham]] (c1515-1584), Abbott of Westminster, imprisoned in The Bishop's palace from 1580 until his death in 1584. At his own cost he arranged the repairs of the road and erected a market cross in the town.
*[[Theophilus Buckworth]], [[Bishop of Dromore]], born and died in Wisbech<ref>"An Historical Account of the Ancient Town and Port of Wisbech, in the Isle of Ely" Watson,W. p452: Cambridgeshire H. and J. Leach, 1827</ref> a [[Fellow]] of [[Trinity College, Cambridge]], was an Irish [[Anglican]] priest:<ref name="HBOBC">{{cite book |author1=Fryde, E. B. |author2=Greenway, D. E. |author3=Porter, S. |author4=Roy, I. |title=Handbook of British Chronology |edition=3rd |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |year=1986 |isbn=0-521-56350-X |pages=348–350}}</ref>
*[[Thomas Herring]] (1693–1757), [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] (from 1747), was educated at [[Wisbech Grammar School]].
*Rev. [[William Hazlitt (Unitarian minister)|William Hazlitt]] (1737–1820), minister at the Presbyterian meeting house here in 1764–66, became an influential [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] minister. He was father of the essayist [[William Hazlitt]] and the portrait painter [[John Hazlitt]]. While resident at Wisbech he married Grace Loftus.

==== Writers ====
*[[Richard Huloet]], lexicographer and author
* [[William Godwin]] the elder (born in Wisbech, 1756–1836), father of [[Mary Shelley]]; English political writer and novelist<ref>{{cite journal|last=Thurman|first=Dorothy|year=1991|title=William Godwin|journal=Annual Report|publisher=Wisbech Society|volume=52|pages=19–20}}</ref>
*[[Arthur Artis Oldham]] (1886–1980), historian and writer, born in Wisbech. Titles included ''A History of Wisbech River'' (1933), ''Wisbech Bridges, Inns and Taverns of Wisbech'' (1950), ''Wisbech Windmills'', ''Windmills around Wisbech'', ''The Inns & Taverns of Wisbech'' (1979) and ''Windmills in and around Wisbech'' (1994). He married Ellen (Nellie) Fewster and had two children. He retired to Norwich where he died in 1980.<ref>{{cite book|author=Arthur A Oldham|title=Inns and Taverns of Wisbech|year=1997}}</ref>
* [[John Muriel]] (1909–1975), born in Hadleigh, Suffolk, aka as John St Clair Muriel, John Lindsey or Simon Dewes, was an author who taught at [[Wisbech Grammar School]]. His father was John Muriel (1859–1946) a<ref>{{cite book|author=John Gordon|title=Ordinary Seaman p27|publisher=Walker Books|year=1992}}</ref> Novels, autobiographies and short stories include: ''Molten Ember'' (1930), ''Voice of One'', ''Still Eastward Bound'' (1940), ''Suffolk Childhood'' (1959), ''Essex Days'' (1960) and ''When All the World was Young'' (1961). One of his pupils was [[John Gordon (author)|John Gordon]].
*[[W. V. Awdry|Rev. W. Awdry]] (1911–1997), creator of ''[[Thomas the Tank Engine]]'', was Vicar of [[Emneth]] in 1953–65. [[List of The Railway Series characters|Toby the Tram Engine]], one of Awdry's characters, was similar to the small steam trams that ran farm produce on the [[Wisbech and Upwell Tramway|Strawberry Line]] between [[Upwell]] and Wisbech.
*[[John Gordon (author)|John Gordon]] (1925–2017), attended [[Wisbech Grammar School]]. The town and the surrounding [[The Fens|fens]] inspired many of his novels, including ''The House on the Brink'' ([[Peckover House]]) and ''Fen Runners''.
*[[Mick Walker (motorcycling)|Mick Walker]] (1942–2012), born in Wretton, Norfolk. Following ten years in the RAF he became a dealer, importer and race sponsor. After running his motorcycle business he became assistant editor of ''Motorcycle Enthusiast'' magazine and author of over 100 books. He died in 2012, and was survived by his wife Susan and son Steven.

==== Music ====
*[[W. H. Jude]] (1851–1922), composer and organist, attended [[Wisbech Grammar School]].
*[[Russell Arthur Missin]] (1922–2002), born at Gorefield, near Wisbech; organist and master of choristers at [[Newcastle Cathedral]]

==== Performing arts ====
*[[Fanny Robertson]] aka Frances Mary Robertson (1768–1855), actor and theatre manager and lessee of Wisbech theatre (now the [[Angles Theatre]]). Born Frances Mary Ross. Married [[Thomas Shaftoe Robertson]] (1765–1831). Retired to live in Norfolk street and died in 1855.
*Henry Herbert aka [[Master Herbert]] (born in Wisbech in 1829), child actor known as 'The Infant Roscius'. Son of John Herbert.
*[[Anton Rodgers]] (1933–2007), actor, born in London in 1933 and moved to Wisbech during the war. He was president of the Georgian [[Angles Theatre]]

==== Social reform and campaign ====
*[[Thomas Clarkson]], anti-slavery campaigner, was born in Wisbech in 1760 and educated at [[Wisbech Grammar School]]. The [[Clarkson Memorial]] was built in 1833 to commemorate his life's efforts to end slavery in the British Empire. Two local schools and a road are named after him.
*Lieutenant [[John Clarkson (abolitionist)|John Clarkson]] RN (1764–1828), younger brother of Thomas, was another key figure in the British [[Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|abolitionist]] movement. As governor of [[Sierra Leone]] he organised voluntary migration of former slaves freed by the British under a deal to reward their loyalty during the [[American War of Independence]].
*[[Elizabeth Dawbarn]] (died 1839), religious pamphleteer who addressed children and adults
*[[Caroline Southwood Hill]] (née Smith; 1809–1902), writer and educationalist. Eldest daughter of Dr Thomas [[Southwood Smith]]. Became third wife of [[James Hill (banker)|James Hill]] in 1835. Mother of [[Octavia Hill]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Clayton|first=Peter|year=1991|title=Caroline Southwood Hill|journal=Annual Report|publisher=Wisbech Society|volume=52|pages=14–18}}</ref>
*[[Priscilla Hannah Peckover]] (1833–1931), Quaker, pacifist and linguist; founded the Wisbech Local Peace Association, which grew to have 6,000 members
*[[Miranda Hill]] (1836–1910), born in Wisbech, founded the [[Kyrle Society]], a progenitor of the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]]
*[[Octavia Hill]] (1838–1912), born at Wisbech, treasurer of the [[Kyrle Society]], a progenitor of the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]], of which Octavia became co-founder

==== Politics and government ====
*[[Richard Young (MP)|Richard Young]] (1809–1871), MP for Cambridgeshire, a ship owner, five times mayor of Wisbech (1858–1862), JP for the Isle of Ely and Norfolk and a [[Sheriffs|sheriff]] of the [[city of London]] & Middlesex in 1871<ref name="History of Wisbech and Neighborhood" /> He was born in Scarning, Norfolk, the son of John and Mary Younge. He owned more than 40 ships at different times. He died two days after being made Sheriff.<ref>{{cite book|author=Roger Powell|title=Richard Young of Wisbech|publisher=Wisbech Society|year=1995|isbn=0-9519220-3-3}}</ref>
*Sir [[Thomas George Fardell]] MP (1833–1917), English politician and lawyer, youngest son of Rev Henry Fardell, vicar of Wisbech
*[[William Digby (writer)|William Digby]] (born in Wisbech, 1849-1904), English writer, journalist and liberal politician, and first secretary of the [[National Liberal Club]]
*[[John Humphrey (Illinois politician)|John Humphrey]] (1838-1914), American politician born in Wisbech

==== Medicine and the sciences ====
*[[William Skrimshire]] (born in Wisbech, 1766–1829), surgeon and botanist. A walkway, 'Skrimshires Passage' off Hill Street, is named after him.
*[[Fenwick Skrimshire]] (born in Wisbech, 1774-1855), English naturalist and physician to [[John Clare]]
*Professor [[Sir Harry Kroto]] (1939–2016), born in Wisbech, son of Heinz Fritz Kroton and Edith Kathe Dora Kroto; the 1996 [[Nobel laureate]] in chemistry, for the discovery of [[fullerenes]]

==== Photography ====
*Rev. [[William Ellis (British missionary)|William Ellis]] (1794-1872), pioneer photographer, was brought up and went to elementary school in Wisbech. He later went to Homerton college (then in London) and became a missionary, this coupled with his writing and photographic skills led him to become the author of ''History of Madagascar'' (1838), ''Polynesian Researches'' and ''History of the [[London Missionary Society]]'' and other publications.
*[[Samuel Smith (photographer)|Samuel Smith]] aka 'Philosopher Smith' (1802–1892), merchant and pioneer photographer. A director of Wisbech Gas Light and Coke company and a member of the Palaeontographical Society of London. His photos taken in the 1850s and 1860s record the development of the town. Collections can be seen in the [[Science Museum, London]] and [[Wisbech & Fenland Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fadingimages.uk/photoSm.asp|title=Samuel Smith|website= fadingimages.uk|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref>
*[[Lilian Ream]] (1877–1961), photographer, born in West Walton, Norfolk. Aged 17 she became photographic assistant to William Drysdale and went on to dominate the local photographic business. After her retirement her son Roland took the studio and it continued until it eventually closed in 1971. Over 10,000 negatives have survived to form the 'Lilian Ream collection'. This may be the most comprehensive record of its kind in England. In April 2013, the [[Wisbech Society]] erected a blue plaque at 4 The Crescent in her honour.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lilian Ream|url=http://www.lilianream.org.uk/lilian_ream.htm|access-date=13 January 2019|website=lilianream.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Lilian Ream|url=http://www.fadingimages.uk/photoRe.asp|access-date=28 February 2020|website=fadingimages}}</ref>
*[[Geoff Hastings]] (1926-2005), photographer and artist. He used a camera to record the changes in the town during the 1950s and 1960s. Also a journalistic photographer and artist. Many of his large collection of images are held at the [[Wisbech & Fenland Museum]] and reproduced in the Images of Wisbech booklets and other publications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fadingimages.uk/photoHa.asp|accessdate= 18 September 2021|website= fadingimages|title= Geoff Hastings}}</ref>

==== Sport ====
*[[Jesse Pye]] (1919–1984), professional footballer, scored two goals in the [[1949 FA Cup Final]], and played for England, before becoming a player-manager for [[Wisbech Town F.C.|Wisbech Town]] between 1960 and 1966
* [[John Barrie (snooker player)|John Barrie]] (1924–1996), snooker and champion billiards player; born William Barrie Smith in Wisbech<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19501006/102/0005|title=John Barrie|newspaper= Dundee Courier|access-date= 4 October 2019}}{{subscription required|via=britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk}}</ref>

==== Diplomacy ====
*[[Brian Hitch]] (1932–2004), born in Wisbech, Ambassador to Malta and academic

==== Peckover family ====
Over many generations the Peckover family rose from humble Quaker origins to become bankers and peers, and the first family of Wisbech. They were notable for their philanthropic works. 
*[[Alexander Peckover]] 1st Baron Peckover (1830–1919), British [[Quaker]] banker and philanthropist, born in Wisbech
*[[J. Doyle Penrose]] (1862–1932), Irish painter known for his religious and mythological paintings. He married Elizabeth Josephine Peckover, daughter of Baron Peckover. Penrose was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Cambridgeshire in 1903.

==== Other ====
*[[Joseph Medworth]] (born in Wisbech, 1752–1827), builder who developed the [[Wisbech Castle|castle estate]] into a circus including "The Crescent" in Wisbech and redeveloped "Thurloe's Mansion" into the current Regency villa on the castle site
*[[Richard Kelham Whitelamb]], baptised 1765 in Wisbech was 2' 10" tall. His portrait by [[Samuel Ireland]] (1744–1800) is in the [[Royal Collection]]. He was an exhibit at fairs and a handbill dated 23 August 1787 states "he is now in the 22nd year, 34 inches high and weighs 42lbs."<ref>{{cite book|title= Wisbech, Inns, Taverns and Beer-Houses: Past and Present volume 4 The Loaf - The Orchard House Hotel|author= Andy Ketley|publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum|year= 2022|page= 63}}</ref>
*Charles Boucher (died 1866), brewer, lived at '[[Wisbech Castle|The Castle]]' and owned the Union Brewery and 44 public houses
*Rev. [[Chauncy Hare Townshend]] (1798–1868), philanthropist and owner of property in Wisbech. He was a friend of [[Charles Dickens]] and the author's manuscript of ''Great Expectations'' given him by Dickens was left to [[Wisbech & Fenland Museum]].<ref name="History of Wisbech and Neighborhood" />
*Lieutenant [[Robert Pate]], Jr (1819–1895), son of corn merchant Robert Francis Pate, was a [[British Army]] [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]], remembered for his assault on [[Queen Victoria]] in 1850. He was transported to Australia for seven years, where he married and later returned to England.
*[[Philip Vassar Hunter]] (1883–1956), engineer, born in Wisbech
*Sir [[Frank Arthur Stockdale]] (1883–1949), pupil at [[Wisbech Grammar School]], became an agriculturist and colonial agricultural administrator
*[[Tony Martin (farmer)|Tony Martin]] (1944–2025), farmer who shot a burglar dead in 1999, born in Wisbech

=== Living ===
Names in birth order:
*[[Malcolm Douglas Moss]] (born 1943, Lancashire), politician, a Wisbech Town councillor and later conservative MP for North East Cambridgeshire from 1987 until retirement at the 2010 general election. Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office) 1994–1997. Made an Honorary Freeman of Wisbech.
*[[Victoria Gillick]] (born 1946 Hendon), activist and campaigner
*[[Mike Stevens (saxophonist)|Mike Stevens]] (born 1957), musical director, session musician and record producer
*[[Joe Perry (snooker player)|Joe Perry]] (born 1974 in Wisbech), professional snooker player
*[[Jody Cundy]] (born 1978 in Wisbech), Paralympian
*[[Ellen Falkner]] (née Alexander; born 1979 in Wisbech), English international [[bowls|lawn and indoor bowler]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/news/queen-s-birthday-honours-mbe-for-cambridgeshire-lawn-bowls-champion-6608072|title=MBE in Queen's Birthday Honours|newspaper=Wisbech Standard|date=9 October 2020|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref>
* [[George Russell (racing driver)|George Russell]] (born 1998), current [[Mercedes-Benz in Formula One|Mercedes]] [[Formula One]] driver, grew up in Wisbech and attended [[Wisbech Grammar School]]

==Radio, film and television==
[[File:North-brink-wisbech.JPG|thumb|upright=1.25|The North Brink by the River Nene in Wisbech]]
[[File:ECR(1851) p68a - (Wisbech) The Brinks.jpg|thumb|The Brinks, depicted in 1851]]

A 1924 film recorded a day at the [[North Cambridgeshire Hospital]] in the [[East Anglian Film Archive]] (EAFA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/972|title=East Anglian Film Archive: Peeps Into A Day's Work At The North Cambridgeshire Hospital, Wisbech, 1924|website=Eafa.org.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> 1926 street scenes filmed to be shown at the local Electric Theatre. EAFA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/173|title=East Anglian Film Archive: Electrics: Local Pictures including The Mart (version 1), 1926|website=Eafa.org.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> North Cambridgeshire Hospital in the 1930s. EAFA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/174|title=East Anglian Film Archive: The North Cambridgeshire Hospital: Who's Who?, 1930s|website=Eafa.org.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> ''Approaching Wisbech'' an amateur film of a simulated road traffic accident made in the late 1930s. EAFA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/974|title=East Anglian Film Archive: Approaching Wisbech, 1938|website=Eafa.org.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

1932 The 'Capital of the Fens' is brought to a standstill as crowds fill the streets to catch a glimpse of Prince George as he receives the Loyal Address from the Mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-hrh-prince-george-wisbech-1932-online|title=Prince George at Wisbech|website=BFI.org.uk|access-date=10 February 2019}}{{dead link|date=October 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In 1957, the [[BBC]] Radio show [[Have A Go]] was recorded in the town by [[Wilfred Pickles]] with guest Sheila Chesters, founder of the Little Theatre group.<ref>{{cite book|title= Wisbech|publisher= Chalford Oublishing Company|last1= Bowden|first1= Kim|last2= Rayner|first2= David|year= 1996|isbn=978-0-7524-0740-1}}</ref> The same year the BBC filmed Mrs Chester's Little Theatre Group performing in the grounds of Grammar school house, South Brink.<ref>{{cite book|title=Lilian Ream : a life in photography|author=anonymous|publisher=Cambridgeshire County Council|year=1992|isbn=1-870724-82-8}}</ref> It was broadcast as part of ‘'Maypole and Melody'’ on 26 April 1958.

1961 ''The Wisbech to Upwell Tramway''. EAFA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/139644|title=East Anglian Film Archive: About Anglia: Wisbech Railway, 1961|website=Eafa.org.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> In 1963 Anglia TV recorded a film report on Wisbech Castle. This is also available to download on the East Anglian Film Archive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/2977|title=East Anglian Film Archive: About Anglia: Wisbech Castle, 1963|website=Eafa.org.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> ''The Flood'' a 1963 drama filmed using boats from Wisbech.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/775|title=East Anglian Film Archive: The Flood, 1963|website=Eafa.org.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

1975 Anglia TV report about the first purpose-built traveller site in GB. EAFA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/116931|title=East Anglian Film Archive: First purpose-built gypsy camp in Britain, 1975|website=Eafa.org.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

''A Passage to Wisbech'' (1986) a [[BBC]] documentary on the coaster ships which work around the shores of Britain, followed the voyages of the Carrick, a 30-year-old ship owned and skippered by Rick Waters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b71aaf176|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011303/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b71aaf176|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 February 2019|title=A Passage to Wisbech (1986)|access-date=10 February 2019|website=bfi.org.uk}}</ref>

A 'Wisbech Rock Festival' appears in the 1998 British comedy film ''[[Still Crazy]]'' starring [[Stephen Rea]], [[Jimmy Nail]], [[Billy Connolly]] and [[Timothy Spall]], [[Bill Nighy]], [[Juliet Aubrey]], [[Helena Bergstrom]] and [[Bruce Robinson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvcom/movies/still-crazy|title=Still Crazy|website=TV.com|access-date=10 February 2019}}</ref> Wisbech is noted for its unspoilt [[Georgian architecture]], particularly along North Brink and The Crescent. It has been used in [[BBC One]]'s [[David Copperfield (1999 film)|1999 adaptation]] of [[Charles Dickens]]' ''[[David Copperfield (novel)|David Copperfield]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0167872|title=David Copperfield|publisher=IMDb|access-date= 10 February 2019}}</ref> and [[ITV1]]'s 2001 adaptation of ''[[Micawber (television)|Micawber]]'', starring [[David Jason]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/micawber|title=Micawber|website=Comedy.co.uk|access-date= 10 February 2019}}</ref>

In 2000, BBC One's ''[[Antiques Roadshow]]'' was hosted and recorded at the Hudson Leisure centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/fzy6/antiques-roadshow--series-23---7-vintage-antiques-roadshow-wisbech/|title=Antiques Roadshow – S23 – Episode 7: Vintage Antiques Roadshow: Wisbech|website=Radio Times|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> The 2008 feature film [[Dean Spanley]] starring [[Peter O'Toole]] was largely filmed in Wisbech.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/dec/14/dean-spanley-review|title=Dean Spanley|newspaper=The Guardian|date=14 December 2008|last1=French|first1=Philip}}</ref> 2009 Channel 5's reality TV series ''[[The Hotel Inspector]]'' starring [[Alex Polizzi]] featured The Rose and Crown hotel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel5.com/episode/rose-crown/|title=Rose & Crown|publisher=Channel 5|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

In February 2010, the effect of immigration on the town was featured in the [[BBC]] documentary ''The Day the Immigrants Left'', presented by [[Evan Davis]]. The programme looked at jobs in the town reported to have been "taken over by migrants". In the programme, several local unemployed persons were given the chance to try such jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00r3qyw|title=The Day the Immigrants Left – BBC One|publisher=BBC|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cambridgeshire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8530000/8530168.stm|title=Wisbech: The big migrant job-swap|date=23 February 2010|access-date=18 August 2018|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/bbq_2dai4Hk Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160518093133/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbq_2dai4Hk Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbq_2dai4Hk|title=The Day the Immigrants Left, Part-3/6|date=2 March 2010|access-date=18 August 2018|via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
2018 'Celebrating Nestle Communities – Wisbech' was released in September 2018. This is one of a series of films showcasing communities around the UK and Ireland where Nestle operate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nestle.co.uk/media/newsfeatures/nestle-purina-petcare-wisbech|title=Welcome to Wisbech|website=nestle.co.uk|date=17 September 2018 |access-date=10 February 2019}}</ref> In December 2018 the American TV program ''[[The Late Late Show with James Corden|The Late Late Show]]'' with British star [[James Cordon]] featured a giant inflatable Santa blocking Cromwell Road. This Father Christmas had broken free from its fixings in a garden and it took several hours to catch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/what-s-on/entertainment-news|title=Giant Santa|website=wisbechstandard.co.uk|access-date=7 January 2019}}</ref>
Wisbech ''2019 Made in Minecraft: A different point of view'' was released. It shows parts of the town in a Minecraft format.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collusion.org.uk/projects/minecraft-wisbech/|title=Wisbech 2019|website=collusion.org.uk|access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref>

==Other media==
In ''More English Fairy Tales'' collected and edited by [[Joseph Jacobs]] the tale of [[Tom Hickathrift]] and his battle with the Wisbeach (Wisbech) Giant is retold.<ref>{{cite book|title=More English FairyTales|author= Joseph Jacobs|publisher= G.P.Putnam's Sons|year=1894}}</ref> In other versions the protagonist is described as The Wisbech/Wisbeach Ogre.<ref>{{cite book|title=Thomas Hickathrift|author= Peter Jeevar| publisher= Ketton Publishing|year=1993}}</ref>

[[Isaac Casaubon]] recorded in his diary his visit to Wisbech on 17 August 1611. He accompanied [[Lancelot Andrewes]], bishop of Ely, from the episcopal palace at Downham.<ref name="auto3">{{cite book|title=Wisbech Coronation Year Celebrations| author= anonymous| publisher= Wisbech Borough| year= 1953}}</ref>

[[Samuel Pepys]] recorded in his diary his trip to [[Parson Drove]] on 17 September 1663 to accompany his uncle and cousin to Wisbech in connection with another uncle Day's estate. He visited the church and library at Wisbech on 18 September.<ref name="auto3"/>

[[Daniel Defoe]] ({{circa|1660–1731}}) toured the eastern counties of England in 1723 and commented about Wisbech as a seaport. He had visited the Isle of Ely in 1722 and observed:
"That there are some wonderful engines for throwing up water, and such as are not to be seen any where else, whereof one in particular threw up, (as they assur'd us) twelve hundred ton of water in half an hour, and goes by wind-sails, 12 wings or sails to a mill".

"Here are the greatest improvements by planting of hemp, that, I think, is to be seen in England; particularly on the Norfolk and Cambridge side of the Fens, as about Wisbech, Well, and several other places, where we saw many hundred acres of ground bearing great crops of hemp ".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/travellers/Defoe/25|title=Defoe|website=visionofbritain.org.uk|access-date=29 August 2019}}</ref>

[[William Cole (antiquary)|William Cole]] (1714–1782), the Cambridge antiquary, who passed through in 1772, mentions that "the buildings were in general handsome, the inn we stopped at [the Rose and Crown] uncommonly so...". "But the Bridge," he added "stretching Rialto-like over this straight and considerable stream, with a good row of houses extending from it, and fronting the water, to a considerable distance, beats all, and exhibits something of a Venetian appearance."

[[John Howard (prison reformer)|John Howard]], prison reformer, came to Wisbech to visit the 'Wisbeach Bridewell' on 3 February 1776 and found two prisoners locked up in it. He described it as having two or three rooms. No courtyard. No water. Allowance a penny a day; and straw twenty shillings a year. Keeper's salary £16: no Fees – This prison might be improved on the Keeper's Garden.<ref>{{cite book|title=The State of Prisons in England And Wales, with preliminary Observations, and an account of Some Foreign Prisons|author= John Howard|publisher=Cadell|year=1777}}</ref>

In 1778/1779 Italian author and poet [[Giuseppe Marc'Antonio Baretti]] (also known as Joseph Baretti; 1718–1789) took up residence with a family living at the castle for about a fortnight. Afterwards he published a series of letters ''Lettere Familiari de Giuseppe Baretti'' including a description of his Wisbech visit. He attended horse races, the theatre, public balls, public suppers and assemblies.<ref>{{cite book|title=A History of Wisbech|author=William Watson|year=1827}}</ref>

[[William Cobbett]] (1763–1835), who 'speechified' to about 220 people in the Playhouse [[Angles Theatre]] in April 1830, called it "a good solid town, though not handsome" and re marked the export of corn.

[[William Macready]] arrived in Wisbech on 13 June 1836 and performed in ''[[Hamlet]]'' and ''[[Macbeth]]'' in what is now the Angles Theatre. He recorded his visit which was later published in 1875 in ''Diaries and Letters''.<ref name="History of Wisbech and Neighborhood"/>

[[Charles Kingsley]]'s 1850 novel ''Alton Locke'' has a character Bob Porter referring to the gibbeting of two Irish reapers at Wisbech River after trial for murder. Wisbech and Fenland Museum has a headpiece that was used with the gibbet in a similar case in the 18th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dtldobsvtn.wordpress.com/2012/09/18/alton-locke-by-charles-kingsley-character-list/|title=Alton Locke|website=wordpress.com|access-date= 5 September 2019|date=18 September 2012}}</ref>

Wisbeach and its river Nene (or Nen), wooden piling and riverport, two stations are mentioned by [[Hilaire Belloc]] (1870–1953) who dined at the Whyte Harte hotel, North Brink.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hills and the Sea| url= https://archive.org/details/hillssea00bell| author=Hilaire Belloc| publisher= Charles Scribner's Sons| year=1906}}</ref>

Wisbech was one of eight towns featured in ''Old Towns Revisited'' published by Country Life Ltd in 1952.<ref>{{cite book |title=Old Towns Revisited| editor= Arthur Oswald|publisher = Country Life Ltd |year = 1952}}</ref>

Brian Vesey-Fitzgerald describes his experience of visiting Wisbech in May 1964.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001861/19640509/015/0018|newspaper=The Sphere|title=Capital of Fertility|date=9 May 1964|access-date=27 December 2019}}</ref>

Travel writer [[Nicholas Wollaston]]'s (1927–2007) visit to the town produced a chapter in his 1965 book.<ref>{{cite book|title=Winter in England|author=Nicholas Wollaston|publisher=Huddersfield & Stoughton|year=1965}}</ref>

Wisbech features in [[John Gordon (author)|John Gordon]]'s 1992 autobiography.<ref>{{cite book| title=Ordinary Seaman – A teenage memoir| author= John Gordon| publisher= Walker Books| year=1992|isbn=9780744521061}}</ref>

Local newspaper, the ''Wisbech Standard'' (owned by [[Archant]]),<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.wisbechstandard.co.uk/home|title=Wisbech Standard| website=wisbechstandard.co.uk| access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> is now online only. The ''Fenland Citizen'' (owned by Iliffe Media).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk|title=Fenland Citizen| website=fenlandcitizen.co.uk| access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> is sold in shops and available online.

Several free local magazines are published online and/or distributed: ''The fens'' (monthly),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thefensmag.co.uk|title=The fens| website=thefens.co.uk| access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> ''Discovering Wisbech'' (monthly),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discoveringmagazines.co.uk/wisbech/index.html#|title=Discovering Wisbech Magazine| website=Discoveringmagazines.co.uk| access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> ''The Wisbech Post'' (quarterly),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewisbechpost.co.uk|title=The Wisbech Post| website= thewisbechpost| access-date=29 December 2019}}</ref> and the ''Fenland Resident'' (quarterly).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archanthub.co.uk|title=Resident magazines| website=archant.co.uk| access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref>

According to a study looking into [[immigration]] patterns, Wisbech was once identified as the seventh "most English" town in Britain by [http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1233583,00.html Sky News]. However, on 16 February 2008 a report in the ''[[Daily Express]]'' titled "Death of a Country Idyll" wrote about how the influx of [[Eastern European]] immigrants may have caused an increase in crime. Then on 20 February 2008 ''The Fenland Citizen'' contained an article opposing the ''Daily Express'' article.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fenlandcitizen.co.uk/news/Wisbech-blighted-by-crime.3792478.jp|title=Wisbech: blighted by crime? – Fenland Today|website=Fenlandcitizen.co.uk|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

In June 2018, ''[[Country Life (magazine)|Country Life]]'' magazine ran a feature on Wisbech.<ref>Country Life 20 June 2018</ref>

In November 2018 Wisbech featured in an article in the ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' by Jack Rear entitled "The spirited English town with some of Britain's best forgotten history".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/daytripper-wisbech/|title=The spirited English town with some of Britain's best forgotten history|newspaper=The Telegraph|access-date=5 January 2019|date=24 November 2018|last1=Rear|first1=Jack}}</ref>

''Wisbech Merchants' Trail'' was updated and released as a map and booklet and as a free mobile app in August 2019. There are 17 brass plaques at historical sites around the town.<ref>{{cite web| title=Celebrating the history of a Fenland high street |url=https://www.highstreetwisbech.org.uk |website=highstreetwisbech.org.uk}}</ref>

==Climate==
Like the rest of the United Kingdom, Wisbech experiences an oceanic climate, but Cambridgeshire is one of the driest counties in the British Isles along with Essex. February is the driest month, whilst October is the wettest. In temperature terms, both January and December are the coldest months, whilst August is the warmest.

{{Weather box
|location = Wisbech
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high C = 7
|Feb high C = 8
|Mar high C = 11
|Apr high C = 13
|May high C = 16
|Jun high C = 19
|Jul high C = 21
|Aug high C = 22
|Sep high C = 19
|Oct high C = 15
|Nov high C = 10
|Dec high C = 7
|Jan mean C = 4.5
|Feb mean C = 5
|Mar mean C = 7
|Apr mean C = 9
|May mean C = 12
|Jun mean C = 14.5
|Jul mean C = 16.5
|Aug mean C = 17
|Sep mean C = 14.5
|Oct mean C = 11
|Nov mean C = 7
|Dec mean C = 4.5
|Jan low C = 2
|Feb low C = 2
|Mar low C = 3
|Apr low C = 5
|May low C = 8
|Jun low C = 10
|Jul low C = 12
|Aug low C = 12
|Sep low C = 10
|Oct low C = 7
|Nov low C = 4
|Dec low C = 2
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation cm = 4.5
|Feb precipitation cm = 3
|Mar precipitation cm = 3.3
|Apr precipitation cm = 4
|May precipitation cm = 4.6
|Jun precipitation cm = 4.4
|Jul precipitation cm = 4.8
|Aug precipitation cm = 5.2
|Sep precipitation cm = 5.3
|Oct precipitation cm = 5.6
|Nov precipitation cm = 5
|Dec precipitation cm = 4.4
|Jan precipitation days = 18
|Feb precipitation days = 15
|Mar precipitation days = 15
|Apr precipitation days = 14
|May precipitation days = 13
|Jun precipitation days = 12
|Jul precipitation days = 12
|Aug precipitation days = 12
|Sep precipitation days = 13
|Oct precipitation days = 16
|Nov precipitation days = 17
|Dec precipitation days = 17
|source 1 = World Weather Online<ref name = "World Weather Online" >{{cite web
 |url=https://www.worldweatheronline.com/wisbech-weather-averages/cambridgeshire/gb.aspx
 |title=Wisbech, United Kingdom Weather Averages
 |publisher=World Weather Online
 |access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref>
 |date=1 September 2017
}}

==Twin town==
Wisbech has been [[sister city|twinned]] with [[Arles]] in France since 1964.

==See also==
*[[List of places in Cambridgeshire]]
*[[Elm, Cambridgeshire]]

==References==
{{notelist}}
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
<!-- Please order books alphabetically by the author's last name -->

*{{cite book|title=Medicine in Wisbech|first=Jane |last= Arthur|display-authors=et al|publisher=Seagull Press|year=1996|isbn=0-948147-00-8}}
*{{cite book |title=Wisbech: A photographic history of your town| first= Robert|last=  Bell| publisher= Black Horse Books| year= 2001}}
*{{cite book|title=Wisbech 657-1987|first = Trevor |last= Bevis| publisher= T.A. Bevis|year= 1990| isbn= 0-901680-33-8 }}
*{{cite book|title=A Pocket Guide to The Fenland| first = Trevor |last= Bevis| publisher= T.A. Bevis|year= 1987| isbn= 0-901680-27-3 }}
*{{cite book |title=Wisbech |series=Images of England | editor1=  Bowden Kim |editor2=Rayner, David | publisher= The History Press | year= 2004 | isbn= 9780752407401|url=https://www.abebooks.com/products/isbn/9780752407401/30468254685|via=AbeBooks.com}}
*{{cite book |title=The story of Balding & Mansell | first= Raymond |last= Brown| publisher= Balding & Mansell| year= 1992}}
*{{cite book |title=Cromwell: Lord of the Fens | first= Trevor |last= Bevis | publisher= TA Bevis| year= 2011 | isbn= 978-0-901680-85-3 }}
*{{cite book |title=Octavia Hill 1838–1912 Born in Wisbech |first= Peter |last= Clayton | publisher= The Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust Ltd. | isbn= 0-9519220-1-7 | year=1993}}
*{{cite book |title=The History of Wisbech and the Fens | url= https://archive.org/details/historywisbecha00cradgoog | author1= Craddock, Thomas |author2= Walker, Neil | publisher= Richard Walker | year= 1849 }}
*{{cite book |title=A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 4: City of Ely N. and S. Witchford and Wisbech Hundreds| year= 2002}}
*{{cite book |title=History of Imbanking and Draining of the divers Fens and Marshes both of Foreign Parts and this Kingdom |first= Sir William|last= Dugdale | year= 1651}}
*{{cite book |title=Wisbech Fire Brigade 1845–1949 | first= George |last= Dunlop | publisher= G Dunlop | year= 2007 | isbn= 978-0955598418 }}
*{{cite book |title=Wisbech Fire Brigade 1950–1979 | first= George|last= Dunlop | publisher= G Dunlop | year= 2008 | isbn= 978-0955598432 }}
*{{cite book |title=To Walk in the Dark | first= John |last= Ellis | publisher= the History Press | year= 2011 | isbn= 978-0-7524-6023-9 }}
*{{cite book |title=The Wisbech and Upwell tramway|first= E.J.S. |last= Gadsden| publisher= Branch Line Handbooks | year= 1966 }}
*{{cite book |title=History of Wisbech and Neighborhood, During the Last Fifty Years – 1848–1898 | first= Frederic John |last= Gardiner | publisher= Gardiner & Co | year= 1898 |url=https://archive.org/stream/historywisbecha00gardgoog/historywisbecha00gardgoog_djvu.txt|access-date=3 October 2019|via=archive.org}}
*{{cite book |title=Ordinary Seaman | first = John|last= Gordon | publisher= Walker Books | year= 1992 | isbn= 0-7445-2106-8 }}
*{{cite book |title=The House on the Brink | first= John |last= Gordon| publisher= Childrens Book Club.| isbn= 0060220287 | year=1970}}
*{{cite book |title=Fen Runners | first= John|last=  Gordon| publisher= Orion Childrens. | year= 2009| isbn= 978-1-84255-684-9}}
*{{cite book|title=Images of Wisbech No.1|author1=Hastings, Geoff |author2=Ketley, Andrew |publisher=Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum|year=2019}}
*{{cite book|title=Images of Wisbech No.2|author1=Hastings, Geoff |author2=Ketley, Andrew|publisher=Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum|year=2019}}
*{{cite book|title=Images of Wisbech No.3|author1=Hastings, Geoff |author2=Ketley, Andrew|publisher=Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum|year=2020}}
*{{cite book|title=Images of Wisbech No.4|author1=Hastings, Geoff |author2=Ketley, Andrew|publisher=Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum|year=2020}}
*{{cite book|title= Images of Wisbech No.5|author1=Hastings, Geoff |author2=Ketley, Andrew|publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum|year= 2021}}
*{{cite book|title= Images of Wisbech No.6|author1=Hastings, Geoff |author2=Ketley, Andrew|publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum|year= 2022}}
*{{cite book |title=The Wisbech and Upwell tramway |author1=Hawkins, Chris |author2=Reeve, George | publisher= Wild Swan publications ltd | year= 1982 | isbn= 0906867096 }}
*{{cite book|title=Fenland: A Landscape made by Man| first= Peter|last= Hewett| publisher= The Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust| year=2000| isbn=0-9519220-6-8}}
*{{cite book |title=Extraordinary inundations of the sea: Excavations at Market Mews, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire | author1= Mark Hinman | author2=Elizabeth Popescu | year= 2012 | publisher= EAA}}
*{{cite book |title=The Fenland project No 10:Cambridgeshire Survey:The Isle of Ely & Wisbech | first= D |last= Hall| publisher= EAA. | year= 1996}}
*{{cite book|title=Wisbech's Forgotten Hero|first=Jane |last= Holloway|publisher=AuthorHouse|year=2019|isbn=978-1-7283-8789-5}}
*{{cite book|title=Cemeteries, Graveyards and Memorials in Wisbech|first=Bridget |last= Holmes|publisher=Wisbech Society|year=2010}}
*{{cite book |title=Introduction to the Charter of Wisbech | first= Mann|last= Hutchesson | publisher= W.Nicholson | year= 1791 }}
*{{cite book |title=Branch lines around Wisbech | first= Arthur C |last= Ingram | publisher= Middleton Press | year= 1979 | isbn= 9781901706017 }}
*{{cite book |title=The Wisbech and Upwell tramway Centenary album | first= Andrew C |last= Ingram | publisher= Becknell Books | year= 1983 | isbn= 0907087205 }}
*{{cite book| title=Wisbech 1800–1901|first= Andrew |last= Ingram| publisher=Middleton Press| year= 2002}}
*{{cite book| title= Wisbech Inns, Taverns and Beer-Houses: Past and Present| volume= 1|first= Andrew BN |last= Ketley| publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum| year= 2021}}
*{{cite book| title= Wisbech Inns, Taverns and Beer-Houses: Past and Present| volume= 2|first= Andrew BN |last= Ketley| publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum| year= 2022}}
*{{cite book| title= Wisbech Inns, Taverns and Beer-Houses: Past and Present| volume= 3|first= Andrew BN |last= Ketley| publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum| year= 2022}}
*{{cite book| title= Wisbech Inns, Taverns and Beer-Houses: Past and Present| volume= 4|first= Andrew BN |last= Ketley| publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum| year= 2022}}
*{{cite book| title= Wisbech Inns, Taverns and Beer-Houses: Past and Present| volume= 5|first= Andrew BN |last= Ketley| publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum| year= 2023}}
*{{cite book| title= Wisbech Inns, Taverns and Beer-Houses: Past and Present| volume= 6|first= Andrew BN |last= Ketley| publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum| year= 2024}}
*{{cite book| title= Wisbech Inns, Taverns and Beer-Houses: Past and Present| volume= 7|first= Andrew BN |last= Ketley| publisher= Friends of Wisbech & Fenland Museum| year= 2024}}

*{{cite book |title=A short history of Wisbech High School |first = Charlotte| last= Mahoney |year= 1970 | publisher= Miss M Whitlock }}
*{{cite book |title=The Peckovers of Wisbech | first= Madeline G H |last= McReynolds| publisher= The Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust Ltd.| isbn= 0-9519220-2-5 | year= 1994}}
*{{cite book|title=Victorian Townscape: The Work of Samuel Smith|author1= Millard, Michel |author2=Coe, Brian| publisher= Ward Lock Ltd| year=1974| isbn= 0-7063-1855-2}}
*{{cite book |title=Branch line to Upwell including the Wisbech canal | first= Vic |last= Mitchell|display-authors=etal | publisher= Middleton Press | year= 1995 | isbn= 1873793642 }}
*{{cite journal| title=The last voyage of the Violet|last=Monger |first= Garry|journal= The Fens|year=2020|volume= November|page=20|publisher= Natasha Shiels}}
*{{cite journal| title= Fenland Mole-Catchers|last=Monger |first= Garry|journal= The Fens|year=2021|volume= 38|page=20|publisher= Natasha Shiels}}
*{{cite journal| title= Inns & Taverns|last=Monger |first= Garry|journal= The Fens|year=2021|volume= 39|page=20|publisher= Natasha Shiels}}
*{{cite book|title=The History of the Wisbech River | first=Arthur Artis |last= Oldham | publisher= AA Oldham| year= 1933}}
*{{cite book |title=Pubs and Taverns of Wisbech (out of print)| first=Arthur |last= Oldham| year= 1950}}
*{{cite book|title=Windmills in and around Wisbech |author1= Arthur Artis Oldham |author2=Robert Bell| publisher=Spindrift| year=1994}}
*{{cite book|title=Defending Cambridgeshire | first= Mike |last= Osborne |year= 2013 | publisher= the History Press| isbn= 978-0-7524-9330-5 }}
*{{cite book| title= The Fenland| first= A.K. |last= Parker| author2= K.D. Pye| publisher= David & Charles| year= 1976| isbn= 0-7153-7296-3| url-access= registration| url= https://archive.org/details/fenland0000park}}
*{{cite book|title= Recollections of Wisbech|first= Derrick C |last= Plume|publisher= Derrick C Plume|year= 1991}}
*{{cite book|title= Wisbech|first= Derrick C |last= Plume|publisher= Derrick C Plume|year= 1980}}
*{{cite book |title=Richard Young of Wisbech 1809–1871 | first= Roger|last= Powell | publisher= The Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust Ltd. | isbn= 0-9519220-3-3 | year= 1996 }}
*{{cite book |title=The Wisbech Stirs| editor-first= P. |editor-last= Reynold | year= 1958 | publisher= Catholic Record Society}}
*{{cite book |title=Metal Box | first= W.J. |last= Reader | publisher= Heinemann | year= 1976 | isbn= 0434625000 }}
*{{cite book |title=Victorian and Edwardian Cambridgeshire from Old photographs| first= F.A. |last= Reeve| publisher= BT Batsford Ltd| isbn= 0-7134-3079-6| year= 1976}}
*{{cite book|title=A Brief History of Wisbech General Cemetery|first=Kevin |last= Rodgers|publisher=Kevin Rodgers|year=2001}}
*{{cite book|title=Wisbech General Cemetery 1836–2019|first=Kevin |last= Rodgers|publisher=Wisbech Society|year=2019|isbn=978-0-9519220-9-5}}
*{{cite book|title= Wisbech Cholera Epidemics|first= Kevin|last= Rodgers|publisher= K Rodgers|year= 2019}}
*{{cite book |title=From punt to plough | first= Rex |last= Sly | publisher= Sutton publishing |year= 2003 | isbn= 978-0-7509-3398-8 }}
*{{cite book |title=Fenland Families |first= Rex |last= Sly | publisher= Sutton Publishing | year= 2007 | isbn= 978-0-7509-4327-7}}
*{{cite book|title=Soil in their Souls: A history of fenland farming| first= Rex |last= Sly| publisher= The History Press| year= 2010| isbn= 978-0-7524-5733-8}}
*{{cite book |title=The report of John Smeaton, Engineer, concerning the drainage of the North level of the Fens, and the outfall of the Wisbech river | first= John |last= Smeaton | year= 1768 }}
*{{cite book |title=Webbed feet and wildfowlers - an early history of Wisbech and the Fens| publisher= New Generation Publishing |first= Diane Calton|last= Smith|year=2018 |isbn= 978-1787193215}}
*{{cite book |title=Plague, Flood and Gewgaws - Wisbech and the Fens in Tudor and Stuart Times|publisher= New Generation Publishing|first= Diane Calton |last= Smith|year=2019|isbn=978-1-78955-496-0}}
*{{cite book |title=Pictorial Journey Down The Wisbech Canal | first= William P |last= Smith | publisher= Carrilson Publications | year= 2014 | isbn= 978-0-9543997-3-3 }}
*{{cite book|title=Portrait of the Fen Country| first= Edward|last= Storey | publisher= Robert Hale Ltd| year=1971| isbn= 0-7091-2443-0}}
*{{cite book|title=Wisbech Charter Celebrations 1549–1949| first= Cyril|last= Swinson | publisher= Balding & Mansell| year= 1949}}
*{{cite book |title= With the Cambridgeshires at Singapore |first=  William |last= Taylor | publisher= T.A.Bevis | year= 1971}}
*{{cite book |title=Cambs & Isle of Ely Territorial Recruiting Week Souvenir| first= Lt-Col Louis |last= Tebbutt| publisher= Cambridge Chronicle | year= 1914}}
*{{cite book |title=Wisbech: Forty perspectives of a Fenland town  |author= Thurman, Dorothy|others=with illustrations by Abel, Derek | isbn=0-9519220-5-X | publisher=The Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust Ltd | year= 1998}}
*{{cite book|title=Fenland River: The Story of the Great Ouse and its tributaries| first= Rodney |last= Tibbs| publisher= The Lavenham Press Ltd| year= 1969}}
*{{cite book|title=Wisbech|first =C.N.|last=  Veal|publisher=Charles N.Veal & Co|year=1980}}
*{{cite book |title=An historical account of the ancient town and port of Wisbech | first= William|last=  Watson | publisher= H.&J.Leach | year= 1827 }}
*{{cite book |title=The Clarksons of Wisbech and the abolition of the slave trade | first= Ellen Gibson |last= Wilson |publisher= The Wisbech Society and Preservation Trust Ltd. | isbn= 0-9519220-0-9 | year= 1992}}
*{{cite book|title=Treading The Boards - Actors and Theatres in Georgian Lincolnshire|first=Neil R. |last= Wright|publisher=SLHA|year=2016|isbn=978-0-903582-55-1}}
*{{cite book |title=The Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Wisbech | first= Wim |last= Zwalf| publisher= The Wisbech Society & Preservation Trust Ltd |isbn= 0-9519220-4-1 | year=1997}}
*{{cite book|title=The Church of St Peter and St Paul, Wisbech | first= Wim |last= Zwalf| publisher= Nordic Press| year= 2006}}
*{{cite book|title=The Wisbech Regency Town Book|author=anonymous|publisher=Regency Town Books|year=1969}}
*{{cite book |title=The History of Wisbech | author=anonymous| publisher=William Watts | year= 1833 }}
*{{cite book |title=The catalogue of the library of the Wisbech museum |author =anonymous | publisher= Cambridge University Press |year= 2011 |isbn= 978-1108031189 }}
*{{cite book|title=Wisbech Merchants Trail|author=anonymous|publisher=Wisbech High Street|year=2019}}
*{{cite book|title=Wisbech: Official Town Guide and Map|publisher=Local Authority Publishing Co.|author=anonymous|year=2021}}

{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{EB1911 poster|Wisbech}}
*[https://www.wisbechtowncouncil.gov.uk Wisbech Town Council]

{{Cambridgeshire}}
{{The Fens}}
{{River Nene}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Wisbech| ]]
[[Category:Market towns in Cambridgeshire]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Cambridgeshire]]
[[Category:Fenland District]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in the East of England]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents locations in England]]