Beccles Area Guide

Beccles is a charming small market town that sits right on the River Waveney forming the southern tip of the Norfolk Broads.

The town centre is full of independent shops, restaurants and buildings rich in history. The Museum located on Ballygate, which is open from April to October, is a perfect place to start learning about the history of Beccles.

Beccles provides a perfect starting point for exploring the River Waveney and down at quayside, you’ll find Big Dog Ferry which offers trips along the river, the best way for spotting the river wildlife.

If you’re into walking, the marsh, given to Beccles by Queen Elizabeth I, provides a popular series of walks of varying lengths. For children, Beccles also has an outdoor swimming pool, Beccles Lido (open from May to September), a skate park and various play areas. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s also the UK Parachuting centre or Ellough Park Raceway. Beccles also provides easy access to the Suffolk Coast.

Beccles hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the popular Antiques Market, Beccles Duck Race and a beer festival.

If food is more your thing, there’s a wide variety of places to choose from in Beccles, including Graze at The White Horse, Baileys Delicatessen, Wine Vaults and Oakfired at Royal Oak.

Beccles has a railway station on the East Suffolk line between Lowestoft and Ipswich, with connections on to London. There are seven primary schools within three miles of Beccles that feed into two secondary schools, both within the town. There is also The Old School at Henstead, which is a mainstream independent school from pupils aged 3 to 13.