About

The heritage market town of Beccles sits on the River Waveney at the southern point of the Suffolk and Norfolk Broads National Park, just a few miles from top nature reserves, the much-loved coastal town of Southwold and the award-winning beaches of family seaside favourite, Lowestoft.

A beautiful boating destination, water-activities hub and fascinating, friendly town-and-country location for short breaks or longer stays, historic Beccles is an ideal base for walking, cycling, touring, exploring and enjoying time out on, or alongside, the river.

Bell Tower and Tavern Lane Beccles Suffolk

Heritage town Beccles

Walk up from Beccles Quay or around the old town on the river-cliff and there are signs of Beccles’ rich history around every corner. An early river-port and flourishing market town since Anglo-Saxon times, Beccles ranked third in Suffolk after Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds in the Middle Ages.

The mighty bell tower would have been even taller, if it hadn’t have been for the Reformation. Monks from St Edmundsbury Abbey built it and just one penny bought it for the Borough Council back in 1972!

From St Michael’s stone church to the museum’s flint-faced, Grade 1 listed home, Beccles is full of architectural interest – look out for the insightful plaques courtesy of The Beccles Society.

Picturesque inns and houses on Beccles Old Market Suffolk

Market town Beccles

Beccles has two market places by name and a time-honoured tradition of weekly markets, monthly farmers’ markets and occasional special market events.

Friday markets take place in the heritage setting of  New (in the 1500s!) Market. Whereas Old Market (older by 500+ years!) was the site of the original fish market.

One of the nearby streets, ‘Saltgate’, suggests that folk salted fish here too – hardly surprising when Beccles was paying a tithe of 60,000 herring a year to the Abbey of St Edmund after 1066!

Beccles antiques shopping credit Lindsay Want

Shop Beccles

Fairtrade town Beccles has a real reputation for its unique and interesting shops, many of which are independent retailers.

Around New Market, semi-pedestriaised Exchange Square and the town’s streets and lanes you’ll discover traditional  butchers and greengrocers offering locally sourced products, plus a selection of shops selling flowers, gifts and jewellery, homewares, pet supplies, clothing and accessories, antiques, vintage items and art and craft supplies.

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Here’s a fishy Beccles fact for you…

Mighty wherry boats were once a common sight, transporting cargo up and down the River Waveney and along the waterways of the Broads. They were recognisable by their big black sails – but they were not always that colour…

The boat sails originally red, stained with herring oil rather than pitch – until rats got a taste for their fishy flavour!

A handful of these traditional craft may still be seen around the waterways and quays of the Broads National Park and the Waveney Valley. Norfolk wherries have also lent their names to some fine local ales!

Some curious Beccles connections … Nelson & Napoleon

England’s greatest naval hero, Lord Horatio Nelson, has links to Beccles through his parents. His mother, Catherine Suckling, was born at nearby Barsham where her father was the local rector and she later got married at the mighty fine medieval St Michael’s Church in Beccles to Rev. Edmund Nelson who had once been a curate there.

Napoleon Bonaparte’s final defeat was celebrated by the people of Beccles with a great bonfire party on The Common in 1814. The spot is still known to this day as ‘Boney’s Island’ (not accessible to the public).  Unfortunately the celebration was a little premature – his final defeat was actually the following year at the Battle of Waterloo following his escape from imprisonment on the island of Elba!

Beccles Quay Boats credit Lindsay Want

Beccles Quay on the River Waveney

Popular Beccles Quay is the Southern Gateway to The Broads – the wildly beautiful part of East Anglia, made up of land, shallow artificial lakes and waterways.

A firm favourite with residents and visitors who enjoy being on or beside the river, Beccles Quay is also host to a number of events and part of town that’s much-loved by families, walkers and anyone with an interest in wildlife.

The River Waveney marks the border between Norfolk and Suffolk for much of its 59 mile journey from its Suffolk source near Redgrave to the North Sea at Great Yarmouth. Once navigable to Bungay, today Geldeston (just west of Beccles) is the furthest point of travel for boats. Thereafter the quiet river is ideal for paddlecraft only.

Paddleboarding on the Waveney /Beccles Broad

Stay & play this way…

Beccles is a fab place to stay afloat, go for a paddle or put a toe in the water.

Daytime or overnight moorings at Beccles Quay are easy to organise and you can even hire houseboats and floating glamping pods at a local boatyard.

There are a number of paddlecraft providers along the river at Beccles too, so learning to canoe, kayak or paddleboard or setting off on your own or guided water-born adventures are all on the menu.

The Big Dog  Ferry offers gentle boat trips between the town and Geldeston Locks. And if you fancy a swim the riverside Beccles Lido outdoor swimming pool is a family-friendly must, with pools for all ages and abilities, plus play and picnic spaces too.

Beccles Marsh Trails credit Lindsay Want

Beccles Fen & The Common

Beccles Fen is a green space for nature by the river with a fascinating history. It can be easily explored via several circular Marsh Trails.

Over the years the Fen has been underwater, home to an Iron Age motorway and Victorian railway line, as well as a life-saver to locals via common grazing/ access rights.

Together with Beccles Common, Beccles Fen was part of lands granted by charter to the town of Beccles by Queen Elizabeth I in 1584 – as depicted on the town sign.

Today the Beccles Fenland Trust manages the lands, with Beccles Town Council acting as sole trustee.