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In 1584 Queen Elizabeth I gave Beccles Marsh or Fen to the people of the town by granting a charter, now depicted on the Town Sign to commemorate the event. The Town Council, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and the Broads Authority maintain the marsh as a haven for wildlife and have provided three waymarked trails of 1½ (white walk), 3 (red walk) and 4 miles (green walk). 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Fact FileLocation: Beccles is 40 miles north of Ipswich and 9 miles west of LowestoftStart: Broads Authority Information Centre at The Quay, Ordnance Survey map ref. TM 421911 Length: 4 miles (plenty of other routes available) Conditions: Well defined riverside path, fen paths and tracks, very easy walking, one stile. How to get there: - Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 08459 583358 By Road: From Ipswich on A12 and A145, from Lowestoft or Norwich on A146 Car Parking: Free at Fen Lane car park and other car parks in the town Refreshments: A wide range of local pubs, shops and restaurants available in the town Public Toilets: The Quay Map: Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure sheet 40 The Broads Publications: Beccles Marsh Trail leaflet available free from Broads Authority Information Centre (seasonal) and Town Library Infopoint Information: Except for the Public Right of Way along the River Waveney, The Marsh Trail is closed every other Saturday from 25 October to 31 January 2004, see also http://www.beccles.info/leisure/marsh-trail.asp#history Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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