Loddon

Loddon and nearby Chedgrave contain many architectural and historical buildings and the whole of Loddon's main thoroughfare is designated a conservation area. The earliest written mention of Loddon (Lodne) is in the will of Aelfric Modercope written around 1042. Aelfric held some 450 acres of land in Loddon and was by far the biggest landowner. His manor house is believed to have been close by the church overlooking the river and the fields are known as Manor Yards. He favoured the poor and he has become an icon of Loddon, with his statue standing proud on the village sign. The name Loddon actually means "Muddy River" and the river has always been a source of much of the industry in the town with wherries delivering goods to the various businesses; but over the past century it has become more of a leisure attraction for pleasure boats and is a popular stopping point for visitors on the Norfolk Broads.

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We start our tour of Loddon at Loddon staithe. The water is the River Chet, which joins the River Yare near Reedham. The route takes you through some of the most beautiful water meadow on the Norfolk Broads, especially in summer, when all the flowers burst into colour. Near the staithe is Loddon Watermill which was built in the 18th century with the river diverted to run underneath it. The mill is no longer running and is one of the earliest recorded buildings in the town.

The High Street contains many attractive buildings, most converted to shops and services, including butchers, newsagent, take-away's, estate agents, tea-rooms, chemists and a post office - to name just a few! You will also find 3 pubs, the Swan, the Angel and the Kings Head.

Loddon Holy Trinity Church was built around 1490 by Sir James Hobart and probably replaced an earlier church on the same site. It is a classic Norfolk medieval church, perpendicular in style, with a square tower which is visible for miles over the nearby marshes. Inside, the interior contains a hammerbeam roof, painted rood screen, Jacobean pulpit, Victorian pews with carved poppy-head ends, several table-top tombs and an ancient poor-box. Above the porch of the church is a small room reached by a spiral staircase. This room is known as the Priest's room after it was used for overnight accommodation for visiting Priests and it is now the home of a permanent exhibition of historical information about Loddon, the Church and the local environment.

The Loddon Exhibition, in the Priest's room in the Church

Adjacent to the church is a public footpath across the water meadow called the Wherryman's Way. This leafy path is part of a circular walk that takes you past the church from Loddon to Pyes Mill, a popular picnic and BBQ site.

Loddon summary of what to SEE and DO

Church

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