Located just over 100 miles north of London, Beccles is accessible by road and rail, and can also be reached by water from the Broads National Park via the River Waveney. It is on National /Regional Cycle Routes and has good public transport connections (bus and train). Packed with info including car parks, taxis and Visitor Information Points, this handy ‘getting about guide’ is ideal for planning your visit, stay and travels.
Norwich: 18 miles
Ipswich: 45 miles
London: 109 miles
Lowestoft: 10 miles
Great Yarmouth: 15 miles
Bungay: 7 miles
Loddon: 7 miles
Oulton Broad: 9 miles
Halesworth: 11 miles
Harleston: 16 miles
Carlton & Oulton Marshes Nature Reserve: 8 miles
Southwold: 7 miles
Lowestoft: 10 miles
Great Yarmouth: 15 miles
Walberswick: 15 miles
Dunwich: 15 miles
Thorpeness: 23 miles
Aldeburgh: 29 miles
RSPB Minsmere: 18 miles
Miles: St Olaves (8); Reedham Ferry (10); Somerleyton (11); Woodbastwick (25); Wroxham (26); Ranworth & Hoveton (27); Potter Heigham (28)
Journey times along the River Waveney from Beccles Quay
Heading west
1 hour – Geldeston
Home to The Locks Inn (Community Pub)
Please note: The River Waveney is not navigable beyond this point, but is suitable for canoes/ kayaks.
Direction Breydon Water, Great Yarmouth & River Yare
Heading east
2.25 hours – Oulton Broad Yacht Station
1.75 hours – Oulton Dyke
2.75 hours – St Olaves
3.75 hours – Burgh Castle
From Ipswich Suffolk / From London: A12 north and turn onto the A145 just north of Blythburgh.
From Norwich Norfolk : A146 south.
From Great Yamouth Norfolk: A143 west.
From Lowestoft Suffolk: A146 east
From Bungay / Diss Suffolk: A143 east.
Pay and display car parks in Beccles:
Free car parks in Beccles:
The map shows key public car parks in /around the town centre.
Long term parking is at
The free to download ‘RingGo’ parking service app from East Suffolk Council allow you to find spaces at selected town centre car parks.
Use it to pay online for parking sessions (where charges apply) or to extend your ticket time online (subject to local restrictions) if you wish.
Car registration number and payment details are required for sign up.
Beccles train station is located on Station Road, Beccles, NR34 9QW
Local East Suffolk Line services run to Lowestoft and Ipswich, via Halesworth, Darsham/ Saxmundham (for the coast) and Woodbridge.
On-going connections
Journey times
All train tickets can be purchased via Greater Anglia.
Handy ESTA Discover Beccles by Train & Bus leaflet with connection maps and information.
Local bus services leave from the bus station located in Old Market, just a couple of minutes walk from Beccles Bell Tower.
Bus services run to a number of nearby towns, including Bungay and Halesworth, and Southwold and Lowestoft on the coast.
Buses to the fine heritage city of Norwich run regularly and take around 30 minutes.
Timetables are available at www.suffolkonboard.com
Handy ESTA Discover Beccles by Train & Bus leaflet with connection maps and information.
Beccles is served by a number of local taxi and private hire businesses.
These include:
Community transport services operate in and around Beccles and the Waveney Valley, supporting travel to hospital appointments etc.
BACT
Community cars, minibuses and dial-a-ride service
01986 896896 / 895665
Beccles is on the round-Suffolk route, the Wolf Way and has a great network of cycle paths which feed into the National Cycle Network serving the coast, countryside and many Norfolk and Suffolk towns.
Signage around Beccles town and quayside supports access to National Cycle Route 1 and Regional Route 30.
Beccles is on the long distance Angles Way Path (93 miles/150 kms).
A network of public footpaths, bridleways and byways link the town with local villages.
If you are walking in this area, relevant OS Maps are
The above stock leaflets, maps and more information about things to do, see and visit in and around Beccles, the Waveney Valley, Broads National Park and the coast.
Wayfinding information boards with maps are located at car parks and key points around Beccles town and quayside.
