A Day out in Beccles and the surrounding Area
Mum and I put this day out together earlier this month. We had a great day exploring, and the Urban Jungle is a must if you love plants! If you do try any of it do let us know what you think or if you find anywhere that we have missed.
Leave the Dairy Barns and head towards Acle, from Acle follow the signs onto Reedham/Reedham Ferry and Moulton. 5 minutes from Acle, you will arrive at Moulton Garden Centre & Nurseries (NR13 3ap). The Garden Centre has many plants, tools, outdoor living, gifts and a great coffee shop. They grow many homegrown products all year round, from fuchsias and geraniums in the spring, to summer flowering perennials, as well as pansies, violas and cyclamen in the autumn.
From here, keep following the signs to Reedham Ferry. As you come to the village, do not follow the signs for the village centre; continue straight following the lane, as the ferry is on the other side. However, if you have time, head into the village centre. There are two pubs alongside the river and plenty of parking on the river green, so you can watch the boats go by. Reedham is also well known for its Victorian Swing Bridge which is still in use carrying with the Wherry railway line between Norwich and Lowestoft which you can see from the rivers edge.
Reedham Chain Ferry is a small three-car ferry that crosses the river as there is no bridge. Once across, follow all signs to Beccles, approximately nine miles. If you want to head to Beccles quickly, head to Acle and then the A47, turning off onto the A146 to Beccles. However, the route described above is the scenic route!
Beccles sits along the river Waveney. There are various small independent shops, cafes, charity shops, and a few chain stores, Friday is market day. There is a large church with a separate bell tower in the middle of the town and the bell tower offers fantastic views. It is open on Saturdays from Easter to October and Wednesday and Fridays in July and August.
Activities in and around Beccles
Boat trips to Geldestone Lock on the Big Dog Ferry. The Big Dog Ferry runs between Beccles Lido and The Locks Inn Community Pub, Geldeston. The ferry offers a relaxing 3-mile boat trip along the River Waveney, with the opportunity to enjoy wildlife including otters, kingfishers and marsh harriers. You can disembark at The Locks Inn Community Pub to enjoy a drink, meal and live music or stay on board for a round trip. If you feel more energetic, book a single trip ticket and walk the approximately. 3.5 miles Angles Way footpath via Shipmeadow or the Norfolk River path via Dunburgh back to Beccles.
Beccles Lido is an open-air swimming pool heated to 28 degrees in the summer months
Just outside Beccles is the Urban Jungle is set under wide-open skies, in the sunny and windy coastal climate of Beccles. Although we are 7 miles from the sea the weather is noticeably sunnier and warmer than inland near Norwich. The display gardens here are full of desert and Mediterranean-style plants, which are happy with coastal exposure. The house plants and pots selection is large and beautiful and includes a small café with great coffee and cake.
Other places nearby
Somerleyton Hall and has Garden with traditional hedge Maze and Raveningham Estate and Gardens.