Acle and the Bure Valley
The name Acle comes from an old Saxon word meaning oak grove, and this ancient settlement is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as having 23 villagers, 38 smallholders, three slaves and 40 pigs. Later, as the town continued to thrive, its occupants needed to travel further afield to sell their wares and buy other commodities, so a bridge was built in 1101 and named Weybrigg. An Augustinian cell was founded near by in 1225, and took its name from the bridge to become Weybrigg Priory. The priory fell victim to the Dissolution in 1536, and the stone from its walls was taken by locals. Acle continued to prosper in the 13th century, when it was granted a charter to hold a market. People still flock to the town on Thursdays, when the market is held. In the 19th century Acle developed a lucrative boatbuilding trade and boat yards sprang up all along the River Bure between Acle Bridge and Boat Dyke. It must have been a spectacular sight in 1890 when Acleâs first regatta was held and 150 yachts took to the water. In 1883 the Great Eastern Railway opened a link between Acle and Great Yarmouth, and today Acle is a gateway to the Broads for cyclists and walkers.
While you're there: Acle is a good place to begin visits to Halvergate Marshes and Breydon Water. Thrigby Wildlife Gardens to the north-east has tigers and crocodiles, as well as a collection of birds. In nearby Tunstall the village pond is said to lead directly to hell!
What to look out for: The Church of St Edmund has a 13th-century tower and a Norman doorway. Its most unusual features are two porches, both with upper and lower floors. Portrayed on the north porch are two people praying. One is possibly Robert Bataly, who left 20 marks (a little over Â£6) for a new porch in 1497.
Where to eat and drink: Acle offers a variety of places to eat and drink, including the Kingâs Head in the town centre. At Upton there is the charming White Horse. The Bridge Inn, where the A1064 crosses the River Bure, serves good food, as does the Weaversâ Way tea and coffee shop next door. The Riverside Inn has delightful river bank gardens.
Directions:
Leave the car park, turn right on to Bridewell Lane, and look for Pyebush Lane on your right. Walk down this, passing the recreation ground on your right, to the cemetery at the end. Turn left where the gravel track soon becomes a narrow path through fields. It is well signposted, but the isolated little church at Fishley is a useful landmark.
When you draw level with the church, continue along the footpath and walk through a vast field, then a smaller one. The path then becomes enclosed by hedges and trees. It jigs right and emerges on to a lane next to a large pink house. Turn right, then go left when you reach The Green.
Go right, along Boat Dyke Road, and keep right at the junction with Back Lane. When you see a âNo Through Roadâ sign, go left into the car park and head for Upton Staithe. Bear right and aim for the path along the right-hand side of the water. Go straight ahead, along the staithe that eventually reaches the River Bure. You can see at least five drainage mills from here - Palmerâs, Tall Mill, Oby, Clippesby and Fleggburgh.
At the end of Upton Dyke, the path swings right along the river. This is a great place for boat watching, which can be restful or amusing, depending on the experience and skill of the captains. Pass the Northern Rivers Sailing Club, keeping straight on, walking along the river bank. Continue until you see Acle Bridge (once graced with an arch dating to 1830, but this was replaced by steel in 1931). When you reach the boatyard, follow the path to the right, then the left and cross the A1064 (carefully) and aim for the Bridge Inn, which was once part of Weybrigg Priory, founded by Henry III. You can try going under the bridge, but be warned that it involves some serious steps and may be blocked by boat tackle.
Make your way through the pub gardens, looking for the public footpath markers near the sign âNo Glasses Beyond this Pointâ. This is the Weaversâ Way, and you walk along a raised grassy bank for a few steps before it becomes lined by tall reeds. It jigs inland for a short distance, but then rejoins the river until you reach Acle Dyke. At this point, the path is forced right.
Walk along the path, past boats bobbing at their moorings, until you reach a tiny gate. Go through this, cross a track and go through a second gate. This leads to a lane. The Weaversâ Way heads away to the left, but you continue straight ahead until you reach the Hermitage Restaurant and Public House. Cross the road ahead, bear left, then immediately right and walk along the pavement of The Drive. At the junction bear right on to Bridewell Road, following the signs for the car park, which is on your right.
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