About the Walk s5

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Kings Head New Market, Beccles, Suffolk, NR34 9HA Tel. 01502 712147

Overview Walk Details Minimum Time: 2.0 hours This walk around Beccles Marsh is well marked and follows the River Waveney th Distance: 4.5 miles for much of its route. Finish at the Kings Head which is a 16 Century inn situated in pedestriansed centre of Beccles. It serves local real ales and a Level/grade: Easy and good selection of home-cooked food. It is one of a handful of inns owned by level with just one stile and Elizabeth Hotels and also offers accommodation. a few steps (optional) to car park. In 1584 Queen Elizabeth I gave Beccles Marsh or Fen to the people of the Paths: Riverside and fen town by granting a charter, now depicted on the Town Sign to commemorate paths and tracks. the event. The Town Council, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the Broads Authority Landscape: Riverside, maintain Beccles Marsh as a haven for wildlife and have provided three fens, farmland. waymarked trails. The walk described here is all the way around the marsh on the 4 mile Green Trail, but various routes and starting points can be made up to suit whatever distance you prefer. The se directions are based on the Beccles Marsh Trail recorded by Michael Anderton.

Directions to Start

From Ipswich on A12 and A145, from Lowestoft or Norwich on A146. Parking is free at Fen Lane car park and other car parks in Beccles. The walk directions start at the Broads Authority Information Centre at The Quay where public toilets can also be found.

OS MAPS really enhance enjoyment of pub walks and taking one with you is highly recommended. We recommend the laminated and durable The Broads (OS Explorer Map Active) at 1:25000 scale which is best for showing all the footpaths. Grid Ref – TM 421911

The Walk

1. From the Broads Authority Information Centre at The Quay, cross the water of the yacht station via the footbridge and turn left along the quayside path on the other side. At the end of the Tarmac path turn right along the bank of the River Waveney and under the bridge carrying the A146 Beccles by- pass. Just before passing under the bridge there is a map on the fencing showing a plan of the marshes and the routes of the trails.

2. Walk on past Beccles Sailing Club where there is a junction of the paths and the point where the red walk turns right off the main green walk. Continue along the riverside, now on a grassy path on the bank, following the path for some considerable way until you reach another path junction giving access again to the red walk.

3. The green walk continues straight on along the riverside embankment. This section of path is also part of the Angles Way, a 77 mile path from Great Yarmouth to Knettishall Heath Country Park following the valleys of the River Waveney and Little Ouse. The next feature you will come across is the pumping station, used to regulate the water level in the dykes of the fen and, a little further on, the My Favourite Pub Walks .com

Dedicated to Pub Walkers across the UK

site of the old swing bridge that once carried the railway over the river. The railway from Beccles to Great Yarmouth was built across the fen and river in 1854 but proved to be expensive to maintain and was eventually closed in the 1960s, the bed of the track across the marsh now used for access.

4. After walking along an open section of riverside path you will reach a path junction. Turn right down the embankment between the willow trees away from the river. Follow the path as it meanders through the fen and between the trees, following the Worlingham Wall marking the eastern boundary of the marsh separating the Beccles level from Worlingham.

5. Follow the path at a right turn over a footbridge and then straight on to the right of a dyke, to a gate and a willow tree lined track. At the end of a long straight and a junction of tracks turn left and then follow round to the right at the next junction, heading for the farm buildings ahead. At the farm, at a junction of the tracks, turn left past the cattle pens, now walking on the former bed of the old railway through the trees.

6. After passing through a gateway at the pits there is another board with information about the marsh and the trails. Turn right under the height barrier on the grassy track to reach another gate with a stile at the side and leading out to a small car parking area. Walk along the waste site access road and straight on past the allotments to the next bend where the track turns sharply right.

7. Turn left on the path alongside the fencing and up a few steps to the main road. Cross with care and walk down the steps at the other side to reach the Fen Lane car park. Turn right across the car park and follow the waterside path along the edge of the grass area to reach the footbridge at the start of the walk.

8. To reach the Kings Head, you need to proceed to the centre of Beccles so keep going past the footbridge and follow Fen Lane as it turns sharp left (away from the marina). Continue straight across at the crossroads onto Northgate and then follow this past the Old Market square and continue as it becomes Saltgate and then The Walk. This leads to New Market where the Kings Head can be found.

9. After your refreshments, retrace your steps back to The Quay or to your chosen car park.

10. Information about the history of the town, river, surrounding area and appropriate publications, including a town trail, are available from the Broads Authority Information Centre (seasonal), the Town Library Infopoint, the Leman Museum and the Town Council.