Approaching Stokesby by Hilary Franzen
STOKESBY With charming cottages clustered along the River Bure and a pretty village green it’s easy to see why the residents of Stokesby call the village their ‘little piece of heaven’. Moor for the night, enjoy the riverside pub or let the kids play on the green to see what makes the village so special! As you approach Stokesby you are greeted by quaint riverside houses, a small Broads Authority mooring and the Ferry Inn, which stands on the site of a historic ferry crossing. This has customer moorings next to its beer garden, which is the ideal place to enjoy sweeping views across wild marshes, watch for marsh harriers and enjoy spectacular sunsets. While in the pub don’t miss the takeaway counter selling delicious homemade cakes and chocolates. It’s also worth checking if a craft fair is being held in the thatched barn behind the pub, where local artists display their work a few days per week during the summer and you can buy local arts, crafts and produce.
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Nearby is a traditional village green, where there is a children’s play area. A noticeboard near the
green details an excellent 7km Bure Valley Circular walk. This takes you along the riverbank towards Acle, branches off along Muck Fleet and returns through marsh and woodland. Alternatively take the riverside walk downstream past the pub towards Great Yarmouth to reach a derelict mill. It’s also worth checking what’s happening at the village hall and social club, which holds a wide range of popular events including a beer festival. The thatched St Andrews Church is in an idyllic location just outside the village. Make sure you look inside this historic 13th century building for its ornate carvings on the pews and medieval brasses.
