Historic and archaeological Interest
Man's impact on the Wensum Valley has been diverse and continuous; from the Iron Age clearances for farming, to the tanning and milling industries utilising the rivers, and the laying out of large parkland estates in the 17th to 19th centuries. The Valley has been a focus for human settlement in Norfolk, and for developing of lines of communication, with four Roman roads crossing the river, and two 19th century railway lines following the Valley.
On this page you can find information on publicly accessible sites of historic and archaeological interest. Use the links below to skip down the page to the section you want.
North Elmham Saxon Cathedral, Watermills in the Wensum Valley, Dis-used stations and railway lines, Coxford Church, Roman Road Crossings
North Elmham Saxon Cathedral.
In the ninth century thi
s was the ecclesiastical centre of Saxon Norfolk, but the remains of Norman and Medieval building alterations on this moated site indicate its changing fortunes. The Cathedral is situated just off the B1110 with free access at all times. Parking is available near the village sign.
Watermills in the Wensum Valley
There were
once watermills at Bintry, Costessey, Elsing, Fakenham, Great Ryburgh, Great Witchingham, Gressenhall, Guist, Hellesdon, Hempton, Lenwade, Lyng, New Mills in Norwich, Sculthorpe, Swanton Morley, Taverham and Worthing. They are now in varying states of repair, some have been converted to flats, and others are gone completely! Most are not publicly accessible but can be viewed from nearby roads or footpaths.
Masses of information on the history of these mills can be found on the excellent
Norfolk Mills website.
Disused stations and railway lines
Parts of two disused railway networks lie in the Wensum Valley. The Midland and Great Northern (M&GN), which ran from Norwich to Cromer; and the Great Eastern Railway (GER), which ran from Wymondham to Wells. Both lines were the subject of Beeching cuts in the early 1960’s, which led to the networks' subsequent demise.
The old M&GN line has now become the Marriott’s Way footpath, cycle path and bridle path (named after William Marriott who was chief engineer and manager of the system for 41 years). This is a traffic-free trail and is hard surfaced from Norwich (Barn Road roundabout) to Aylsham (21 miles), passing through the Wensum Valley at Norwich, Hellesdon, Drayton, Taverham, Attlebridge and Lenwade. Two of the three original A-frame bridges still survive and are located on the Marriott’s Way at Hellesdon and Drayton.
The exact route can be found on the Norfolk County Council Countryside Access website where you can also print out the map in sections. Alternatively you can contact us for a (less detailed) leaflet. The route is also marked on relevant Ordnance Survey Maps, available from bookshops and tourist information centres.
Local railway enthusiast Peter Boggis has written an account of 4 cycle rides he and his son took on the Marriott’s Way in the 1990s, with interesting historical notes and observations. Please note since the accounts were written there have been some changes such as upgrading of the path surface.
The Train Wood and Barker Street trading estate area in Norwich are located at the beginning of the Marriott’s Way. Up until the late 1960s and 70s they were the location of a railway station (called ‘Norwich City station’). Some features of the old station still exist, such as the ‘coal stage’ which is a brick platform near the Barn Road end of Train Wood and an inspection pit next to the woodland path, which was originally housed in an engine shed.
Two dismantled railway lines pass through Fakenham. They can be seen in places when walking the Norfolk County Council Fakenham Circular Walks, which take you around Fakenham and along the banks of the River Wensum. The routes can be found on the Norfolk County Council Countryside Access website.
The Mid Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust owns the old GER from Dereham to County School Station, (2km north of North Elmham).
The County School Station has now been restored and has a picnic area, orchard and cafe. Displays tell the story of the Watts Naval Training School (later County School) and the Victorian railway station. Free entry, with the grounds open at all times. Cafe open (usually Easter – Sept) every Sunday and some bank holidays with teas from 11am – 4pm.
Coxford Church
A public footpath gives access to Coxford Church in the Upper Valley and a view over a historical landscape.
Roman Road Crossings 
There are four Roman road crossings of the Wensum, with the most significant being at Billingford, where a large Roman settlement existed and a fort lay to the south. Other river crossings are at Lenwade and two in the Toftrees area.