Dalham is 13 kilometres (8 mi) west of the town of Bury St Edmunds and, at the 2001 census, had a population of 191,.[2] increasing to 210 at the 2011 Census.[3] The Icknield Way Path passes through the village on its 110-mile journey from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath in Suffolk. The Icknield Way Trail, a multi-user route for walkers, horse riders and off-road cyclists also passes through the village.
In 1901 the estate of Dalham Hall was bought by Cecil Rhodes. After he died in 1902 without taking possession, his brother Colonel Francis William Rhodes became the owner, and erected the village hall in his brother's memory.[4]