[4] In 1086, the Domesday Book recorded that the town was the property of the Abbot of St Edmunds and had a population of some 64 families.

The town is the subject and namesake of a song by The Shins, as well as being mentioned in passing in the Pink Floyd song "Let There Be More Light" on the 1968 album A Saucerful of Secrets as a speculated location for first contact between humanity and extraterrestrial life: Due to the airfield, Mildenhall currently has the highest concentration of U.S. citizens in the country.

Regular bus services run to the neighbouring towns of Brandon, Bury St. Edmunds, Newmarket and Thetford.

In 2016 the 1st XI won the Two Counties Championship and was promoted to the East Anglian Premier Cricket League.

Notable former players include England internationals Tymal Mills and Tom Westley and Essex Women's Lilly Reynolds.

The Mildenhall Cycling Club is located next to the cricket ground, and has famous previous members such as Victoria Pendleton.

[14] Over the last few years, the Mildenhall community have been inspired to get active through running with the start-up of a 5km parkrun event [15] held every Saturday and a 2km junior parkrun event [16] held every Sunday encouraging runners, joggers and walkers of all abilities to take part for free in an inclusive environment supported by volunteers.

The River Lark runs through the town, and there is a 19-acre open space adjoining it, called the Jubilee Fields.

In 1946, the discovery was made public and the treasure acquired by the British Museum, where it resides today.