A Circular walk to Geldeston Locks from Beccles
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Sunday, 7 December 2025
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6 comments |
Riverside walk to the Geldeston Locks pub
A scenic riverside walk linking Beccles with the historic Geldeston Locks pub, this route offers meadow paths, peaceful stretches of the River Waveney, and glimpses of Norfolk’s rich folklore and heritage. Perfect for an afternoon outing, it combines gentle countryside walking with a memorable stop at one of the region’s most characterful pubs.
A Circular walk to Geldeston Locks from Beccles - Essential Information
Walk Statistics:
- Start location: Beccles
- Distance: miles ( km)
- Total Gain: ft ( metre)
- Total Descent: ft ( metre)
- Min Height: ft ( metre)
- Max Height: ft ( metre)
- Walk Time:
- Walk type: Circular
- Walk Grade: Easy
- Terrain:
Maps:
The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.
- Ordnance Survey Explorer Map
- OS Explorer 231 - Southwold & Bungay
- GPX Route File
Route Verification Details
- Date of Walk: 2023-08-07
- Walk Time: 10:00 to 15:00
- Walkers: Griffmonster, Kat
- Weather Conditions: Warm, sunny but some clouds, and very wet and muddy underfoot
Walk Notes
This charming walk through the Waveney Valley connects the bustling market town of Beccles with the renowned Geldeston Locks pub, an atmospheric riverside inn steeped in history and local folklore. The route meanders along meadows, woodland edges, and quiet riverbanks, offering wide views of the surrounding marshes and frequent encounters with wildlife. Along the way, walkers can spot traces of the area’s past, including old railway bridge supports, the remains of Barsham Hall, and the legendary Roos Hall—said to be one of England’s most haunted houses.
The highlight of the journey is the visit to The Geldeston Locks, a centuries-old pub accessible by footpath and beloved for its rustic charm, candlelit interior, folk music, and riverside garden. Whether enjoyed as a short out-and-back walk or as part of a longer route toward Bungay, this is a rewarding excursion that combines natural beauty, historical intrigue, and the welcoming atmosphere of one of Norfolk’s most iconic pubs.
It should be noted that the riverside path can become extremely muddy during times when the river is blocked by storm surges at sea. The path across the meadows from The Angles Way to the Geldeston Locks can become quite waterlogged during the winter months.
There is also the Big Dog Ferry that links Beccles Lido with the Geldeston Locks Inn. This is a popular river journey and can be integrated with a walk in one direction and the ferry in the other. It should be noted that places aboard the ferry are limited and you do need to check before making the journey.
Directions
The Angles Way follows paths and tracks to the south of the River Waveney. Just beyond Barsham Hall, a footpath leads across the meadows to The Geldeston Locks pub, and the return route follows the public footpath alongside the river.
Beccles to Geldeston Locks
From Beccles Quay, walk up Northgate and turn right into Pudding Moor. Continue through to the main road, turn right, and follow it past Roos Hall. Take the right turn down a track, following it until just past the wood beyond Barsham Hall, where it becomes a footpath. As the path enters a grassy field, turn right, cross the stile, and follow the field boundary beside the wood. Continue along this as it curves left. The footpath descends alongside the meadows. When you see a marker post for The Geldeston Locks on your right, take this route, walking beside the dyke and over the wooden bridge. Continue onto the metal footbridge, which leads into the grounds of the pub.
Geldeston Locks to Beccles
From the pub, take the track up to the road. Turn right and follow the road around, taking the right-hand junction into Geldeston. Turn right opposite the Wherry Inn and follow the path down the side of Geldeston Dyke, continuing along the riverside all the way back to Beccles. Cross Beccles Old Bridge and turn left down to the Quay.
Pubs
Geldeston Locks, Geldeston View in OS Map | View in Google Map
- Address
- Geldeston Locks, Geldeston
- Website
- https://www.instagram.com/thelocksgeldeston/?hl=en
The Geldeston Locks began life in the 1560s as a mill-keeper’s cottage before later becoming the residence of the lock-keeper. This section of the River Waveney was part of a private navigation, owned throughout the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries by a succession of merchants trading in coal, grain, and malt. Even beyond that period, wherries—the standard cargo vessels of the Broads—hauled goods between Bungay and the ports of Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.
The building became a public house in the 17th century, serving river traffic and locals using the marsh footpaths. In more modern times, trade came from the Broads leisure industry, which flourished until the late 20th century, after which dwindling custom led to many years of closure. This was remedied when the Green Jack brewery took on the pub, improved access, and promoted the unspoilt character of the place—with its riverside garden, award-winning ales, regular live music, real pub food, roaring fire, and warm welcome. In 2018 the pub passed to the local Grain Brewery, which continued to offer good food, great beer, excellent music, and a unique setting. After only 17 months—including a major refurbishment—the Locks was put up for auction. Fortunately, a community group has since taken it on, promising to make it the best pub in the world
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During the mid-20th century, the eccentric landlady Susan Ellis kept winter custom alive with her ghost stories. In those days, beer was brought up from the cellar in large jugs, and she often asked customers to add up their own bills. She was particular about her clientele, and anyone she deemed undesirable was promptly asked to leave. She also kept a pet goose named Grumpy Ellis that followed her around. Some say her ghostly presence can still be felt. One tale from 1989 tells of a camper who awoke in the night to relieve himself and saw an old woman carrying a candle in a jam jar crossing the lock footbridge, a goose following close behind. The pair vanished beside the closed doors of the inn.
A truly outstanding pub—both in its location and in its ale, hospitality, and rustic character. During this visit the Easter Beer Festival offered a fine selection of brews and music. The Crouch Vale Brewer’s Gold was exceptional: hoppy, well balanced, and pure nectar to the taste buds. I could easily have spent the rest of the day drinking this and listening to the music. When I asked the bar staff to recommend an ale to rival it, they suggested Dorset Coastguard, and once again I was not disappointed—a well-hopped golden ale that was a pleasure to drink. Even when there isn’t a festival on, the pub stocks a good range of Green Jack ales, which I highly recommend. Beer, music, and a rustic old pub—I can’t think of a better way to spend my time.
Features
Barsham Hall and The Legend of Old BlunderhazzardView in OS Map | View in Google Map
Just off to the right of the track leading away from Roos Hall toward Shipmeadow are a few cottages and barns beside a wood. These are what remain of Barsham Hall, built on an ancient moated site and once home to the Lord of the Manor of Barsham. According to legend, this is the track along which the ghostly coach pulled by headless, fire-breathing horses is said to thunder each Christmas Eve, carrying Old Blunderhazard on his journey to Hasset’s Tower in Norwich and back. See The Legend of Old Blunderhazard for more information about the legend.
The Hall is thought to have been built in the 15th century by the Echingham family and later passed to John Blennerhasset (b. c.1515) when he married his second wife, Mary Echingham, the younger daughter of Sir Edward Echingham. The building once enclosed a quadrangle, with exterior walls measuring 142 feet on each side. On one of the remaining structures, the Blennerhasset arms, dating from 1563, can still be seen above a doorway.
It was the Blennerhassets who erected a nearby conical-roofed tower, known as Blennerhasset's Tower (not to be confused with Hasset’s Tower in Norwich, now known as Cow Tower). This thatched, two-storey circular structure, 20 feet in diameter, was built of flint with a spiral staircase. Some say it was a dovecote; others think it was a granary or gunpowder store. Little remains: it was reduced in height and re-roofed in 1890, then demolished completely in 1948 along with the last inhabited cottages of Barsham Hall.
Thomas Blennerhasset, John’s eldest son, sold the property in 1598 to a London alderman, Robert Lee, though he continued living there until his death the following year. He had only resided there for 20 years, and the reason for selling remains unknown. Many believe he inspired the ghostly legend of Old Blunderhazard, but why he should be cursed to ride to Norwich and back each Christmas Eve is a mystery. Something clearly occurred to prompt such a tale, but we can only speculate. Perhaps he was tyrannical, or perhaps he was shunned for selling the family home. Whatever the reason, the story persists and has become a part of Norfolk folklore.
Sir John Suckling purchased Barsham in 1613, and the estate remained in the Suckling family for more than 350 years, until the 1990s. During the English Civil War, Cromwell stationed cavalry at the Hall. Later, Barsham New Hall was built, and the Old Hall fell into decay, serving as a barn and cattle shed for over two centuries. Barsham New Hall was itself demolished in the 1940s.
Barsham Old Hall was restored in 1993, with part of it converted into holiday accommodation and opened to the public for a few days each year under the East Anglia “Invitation to View” programme. During restoration, a previously hidden chamber was discovered within the house.
References
Roos HallView in OS Map | View in Google Map
Roos Hall (also known as Rose Hall) is a Grade I listed red-brick Tudor manor house dating from 1583, set in medieval parkland with river frontage. It is said to be among the most haunted houses in England. One legend claims that each Christmas Eve at midnight a ghostly carriage drawn by four horses and driven by a headless coachman arrives at the Hall. A beautiful woman steps down, but anyone who dares look into her eyes is said to be driven mad or killed instantly, a fate reportedly suffered by two poachers in the late 19th century.
A guest room is also said to be haunted, and the Devil’s hoof mark is supposedly visible on a wall inside the Hall. There is also a tale of a particular window that can never be kept closed. Even after a blacksmith permanently fixed it shut with iron, it was found open the following morning.
In the grounds stands an old oak tree, once the site of a gibbet where criminals were hanged in chains as a warning to others. Their ghosts are said to haunt the area. Legend has it that if you walk around the oak tree six times counter-clockwise, the Devil himself will appear and ask your business.
Links and Bibliography:
Gallery
Below are a selection of images taken from from the photo album for this walk. Feel free to browse through these or click on an image to view a larger version in the Gallery.
Summary of Document Changes
Last Updated: 2025-12-07
Angles Way , Circular Walk , Distance:Medium , Features:Folklore , Features:Manor Houses and Halls , full-detail , Norfolk , OSmap:231 , Riverside Walk , Suffolk
6 comments:
past Roos Hall and then left down a track..............Do you mean RIGHT down a track?
Cross over Geldeston Old Bridge and turn left back down to the Quay............GILLINGHAM Old Bridge?
Thank you for pointing these inaccuracies out. According to the OS Map it is Beccles Old Bridge. I really should have known this as I travel over it most days of the week! I have adjusted the post accordingly. Once again, many thanks for your observations.
Did this walk today. Beccles to Geldeston is less scenic when grey and your instructions were pretty much spot on. The Locks pub looks like it's being renovated. The highlight was the three Rivers part as you walk back to Beccles along with the river. A sunny spring day came out too! Lovely!
Justin, thanks for your comment. Sunshine always brightens up the walk and it is worth revisiting this on a brighter day. The Locks pub has changed hands and I believe is now owned by the local Grain brewery so I assume the renovation is part of this takeover
Try to walk this Thursday was so over grown and muddy had to turn round
It should be noted that during exceptional tides the riverside path can become very muddy. I walked this on 7th August 2023 and it was a quagmire in places, taking a lot longer than expected to negotiate and resulting in having to come up to Dunburgh road to get past the final section to the Locks Inn
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