SOHAM  , a

town in the Newmarket parliamentary division of Cambridgeshire, England, 5 M . S.E. of Ely by a: branch of the Great Eastern railway . Pop . (1901), 4230 . It lies in the midst of the flat fen country . To the west a rich tract, still known as Soham Mere, marks the place of one of the many wide and shallow sheets of water in the district now drained . The church of St Andrew is cruciform and had formerly a central tower; the existing western tower is of fine and ornate Perpendicular work . The body of the church, however, is mainly transitional Norman with additions principally Decorated) including a beautiful east window, much ancient woodwork, and other details of interest . The grammar school dates from 1687 . The road from Soham to Ely was constructed as a causeway across the fens by Hervey le Breton, first bishop of Ely (1109-1131), The trade of the town is agricultural, fruit-growing and market-gardening being largely carried on in the vicinity .