Explore South Norfolk market towns, Naturally

South Norfolk has some of the county’s most scenic and peaceful countryside, punctuated by Norman and Saxon churches, picturesque market towns and villages with thatched cottages, welcoming pubs, vineyards, tea rooms, antique shops and boutiques.
Waveney River Centre Waveney Valley South Norfolk

Nestled between the meandering river Waveney, the cultural delights of Norwich and touched by the Broads National Park, South Norfolk is a wonderful location for a get-away-from-it-all break where there is so much to see and do.

With excellent long and short distance walking and cycling routes across gently rolling countryside, there’s a lot to do for outdoor enthusiasts, anglers and nature-lovers. There are 51 conservation areas in South Norfolk ensuring that village greens, historic buildings and ancient woodland are protected for future generations.

On its southern border Harleston is a great base from which to explore the Waveney Valley, a natural habitat that presents a wonderful opportunity for sightseeing, walking, cycling, canoeing and many other leisure activities.

Old coaching inns, like the Swan Hotel, remain as a legacy from the days when Harleston was on the main coaching route from London to Great Yarmouth and the town was an important trading centre. In 1620 Edward Fuller set off from Harleston with his family, boarded the Mayflower, and became one of the Pilgrim Fathers, ambitious to build a brave new world in America. You can discover many of Harleston’s distinctive historical treasures and stories by walking the town’s Discovery Trail.

Local traders have always been an important part of community life. Wednesday has been market day in Harleston since 1259, when the town was granted charter status. Harleston remains a vibrant, bustling market town and has been voted Norfolk’s town of the year due to its excellent array of individual speciality shops and eating places.

Diss makes the perfect gateway to the Waveney Valley and is host to one of the deepest natural inland lakes in the country, known locally as the Mere. The history of this lovely market town can be traced back to the Domesday Book.

The town has an eclectic selection of medieval, Georgian and Victorian buildings, whilst the Mere Park offers the perfect place to relax. Diss is also the start of the popular Boudicca Way walking path to Norwich, which goes past the old Roman town of Venta Icenorum, literally ‘the market place of the Iceni’.

The Control Tower at Thorpe Abbotts, home of the 100th Bomb Group, focal point of the Tom Hanks-Steven Spielberg mini-series Masters of the Air.

For a distinctive shopping experience, why not visit Diss Auction Rooms or farmers’ market? The Grade II-listed Corn Hall offers a diverse cultural experience including film, theatre, and art exhibitions. For an insightful view into the town’s history visit Diss Museum.

Nearby are Bressingham Gardens and Steam Museum and the airfield buildings of the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum at Thorpe Abbotts, part of The Friendly Invasion story.