Norfolk & Suffolk Borders
The land of South Norfolk and North Suffolk is effectively a plateau, with a series of old market towns containing elegant timber framed cottages, Tudor, Georgian, Dutch and Victorian houses. The Broads meander south from Norwich to Beccles; Britain's finest wetland area, the Broads is designated as a National Park.
Both Suffolk and Norfolk have a long and fascinating history as maritime counties. East Anglian men were well represented on the Mayflower, Suffolk shipwrights built ships to fight the Spanish Amada and Lord Nelson hailed from Norfolk. Suffolk and Norfolk had a thriving fishing industry. So good were the herring catches in the late 18th and early 19th centuries that Scottish women came to the area to help gut the fish. One of the busiest fishing ports was Lowestoft.
Trawlers still chug into Lowestoft Harbour to disgorge their catches of North Sea fish and the harbour area is well worth a visit - there are guided tours available throughout the summer. The Lowestoft & East Suffolk Maritime Museum will give you a real insight into the history of Lowestoft.
Lowestoft is the mostly easterly town in the country and home to England's oldest lighthouse (built 1609). famous for its South Beach with its wonderful golden sands, safe swimming and two piers.
Moving inland some 5-miles is Herringfleet; its parish church is splendid with its Saxon round tower, thatched roof and delightful glass. Herringfleet windmill a beautiful black-tarred smock mill, is the last remaining working mill of its kind on the Broads.
Just 4 miles north of Lowestoft is the village of Blundeston, the fictional birthplace of Charles Dicken's David Copperfield. A delightful village with the tallest, narrowest Saxon round church tower in East Anglia.
Beccles lies at the southernmost point of the Broads, on the buff of the Suffolk bank of the River Waveney, where you can hire boats. Make time for a walk along the river bank, from where you will get wonderful pastoral views. An ancient market town it has an excellent museum, good shopping area and market. The streets and lanes are peppered with fine Georgian houses and wonderful Dutch-style gables; the Beccles and District Museum being a particularly fine example. Luxury cottages nearby include The Black Barn a 4 star self catering cottage.
Nearby is Bungay, which stands on a loop of the river Waveney, it is an attractive and thriving market town, with many historic buildings. The centre of religious protest in the 15th century, the town was largely rebuilt in the 18th century after most of the wooden houses had been burnt down. Older buildings do survive including the Holy Trinity Church, with its round Norman tower. Close by are the ruins of the 12th century Bigod's Castle, the ancient Buttercross - where a market is held each Thursday, and the old Borough well. The Fisher Theatre, a 19th century building has now been fully restored and has a busy year round programme of plays. An area where there is lots to do whether you are visiting as a couple of a large group. For 4 star and 5 star large, luxury properties see Becks Green Barn and Marsh Farm
