To prevent the spread of the disease, the town was chained at either end, which succeeded in its task but at the cost of two-thirds of the populace.

Modern Needham Market contains two road names that are linked to the plague: Chainhouse Road, named after the chains that ran across the east end of the town, and The Causeway, which is a modern variation of "the corpseway"; it is so called because of the route that plague victims were transported out of town, to neighbouring Barking church for interment.

[4][5] Notable buildings in the town include: Like most of the UK, Ireland and much of France, Needham Market has an oceanic climate.

Needham Market railway station is sited on the Great Eastern Main Line, although there are no direct services between London or Norwich.

First Eastern Counties, a sub-brand of FirstGroup, operates the 88 route; this connects the town with Ipswich and Stowmarket every 30 minutes on weekdays.

Needham Lake provides leisure facilities and a wildlife habitat, which is located just east of the railway station.