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• Beccles Fact File

The market town of Beccles, situated on the River Waveney, was once a flourishing Saxon seaport. Nowadays you will see an array of pleasure boats and small yachts cruising through the peaceful Broads.




The parish church of St Michael's with its imposing detached bell tower, dating from the early 16th Century, serves as a landmark for miles around. For opening times telephone Beccles Town Council on 01502 712109. It was at St Michael's in 1749 that Catherine Suckling married the Reverend Edward Nelson and later gave birth to one of the greatest seafarers in history - Lord Horatio Nelson. 2005 marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Lord Horatio Nelson.

Did you know? - It was at St Michael's Church in 1749 that Catherine Suckling married the Reverend Edward Nelson and later gave birth to one of the greatest seafarers in history - Lord Horatio Nelson.

Sir John Leman was a successful local businessman whose interests grew across the district and eventually extended to London where, in 1616 he became Lord Mayor. He retained a strong link with the town and provided for a free school in his will of 1631. The 17th Century Leman House in Ballygate, a Grade I listed building, was once the John Leman School and it's wall still bears the motto: 'Disce aut Discede' (roughly translated as 'learn or go' - a warning to reluctant scholars perhaps!). Today the town's museum is situated in Leman House (pictured here), and the town's high school still bears his name.

1984 saw the town of Beccles celebrating its 400th anniversary of the granting of its Charter by Queen Elizabeth I, to the first Port Reeve of Beccles.

Modern Beccles is a popular base for touring the local countryside with provision for walking, cycling and boating with mooring facilities at the Quay.

Did you know? - That Beccles was once at the edge of the coastal area. As one stands at the St Michaels church wall over looking the Gillingham marshes, all that could be seen was water. These waters receded over the years, the fear now is that with climate change all these waters will return.

The town centre caters for many fine independent outlets, retailing everything from art & crafts, antiques, furniture and food. These are alongside to the services that you would expect from a market town, such as chemists, newsagents and supermarkets.

Head to the marshland on one of the many trails that takes in the peaceful grazing land - a marvellous place to spot wetland birds and plants. Or explore the many attractions this market town has to offer.