Somerleyton Hall by John Fielding
SOMERLEYTON
An overnight stay on the River Waveney to visit the idyllic little village of Somerleyton and its magnificent stately home – Somerleyton Hall - is a must. Somerleyton Staithe – a long, grassy river bank flanked by marshes and wooded hills - is a beautiful mooring overlooking one of the last remaining railway swing bridges on the Broads. The double tracked bridge, which replaced an earlier single track bridge, was built in 1905 to enable trains travelling from Norwich to Lowestoft to cross the river without causing sailing boats to lower their sails. You can walk along a wild riverside path from Somerleyton Staithe through species rich marshes to the Grade II listed Herringfleet smock mill. The octagonal, three storey mill was built in 1820 and was used until 1956 before being later restored to working order. A short track from the staithe takes you to the Duke’s Head pub and restaurant. Continue for half a mile through the village to reach the pictureperfect village green surrounded by fine timber frame thatched houses. There is a children’s play area on the green plus a water pump dating back to 1859 and the village sign. This pictures a Viking on a long ship – hinting at the Norse roots to Somerleyton’s name. Opposite the green is a large column commemorating engineer Christopher Cockerell, who invented the hovercraft in the village in the late 1950s.
P50
The village has a train station plus a cycle hire shop, which may be able to arrange a pickup from the staithe 01502 732004, www.somerleytoncycles.com. Standing in stunning parkland at the edge of the village is Somerleyton Hall, which is one of the finest Victorian stately homes in England. While it is still the residence of Lord and Lady Somerleyton, visitors can take a guided tour of the hall and explore its 12 acre ornate garden, which includes a finely restored parterre and famous maze (open from the end of March until the end of October on Tuesdays, Wednesdays [garden only], Thursdays and Sunday Bank Holidays www.somerleyton.co.uk). The 15th century St Mary’s church is on the edge of Somerleyton Hall’s parkland.
