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Before the bypass was built in the mid 1970s, the main route from Norwich to Lowestoft took you straight through the small town of Loddon. If you have time to spare, it is well worth taking a detour to visit its many attractions.

On the bridge over the river Chet stands Loddon water mill, the remains of a grain and seed dressing business at its height at the beginning of the l0th century. Wherries carried all manner of loads, including grain, timber, wool, and coal, up and down the river until before the last war. The Mill now houses a reproduction furniture business and the adjoining Mill House a pine furniture and gift shop. The river Chet, connecting to the Yare at Hardley Cross, and thence to the Broads via Breydon Water, was straightened and dredged to accommodate the wherries and is now a thriving centre for holiday cruisers in the summer months. The area around the staithe is an attractive, quiet place to sit and watch the river.

Continuing up this old street one comes to the church of Holy Trinity facing the Church Plain. Built, it is believed, close to the site of a Saxon chapel of St Mary, Holy Trinity was completed in only three years in the early 1490s. Sir James Hobart, Attorney General to Henry VII, was the chief patron of the church and lived at nearby Hales Hall. The church has a beautiful stained glass window showing the coats of arms of the old wealthy families of the area. The church also houses what is alleged to be the original poor box from the old Saxon church, but, in fact, it probably dates from Tudor times. Above the church porch, approached via a steep, stone spiral staircase, is the Priests' Room Local History Display. Here the history of the village has been recorded, in pictures and words, for all to read and enjoy. The Church in Loddon has been an ecumenical ministry for over 20 years with St John's church in George Lane also playing a vital role.

At the further end of the High Street is the tiny Farthing Green where the town sign stands. Modelled by a local artist and cast in bronze it depicts Alfric de Modercope, a Saxon lord of the manor, who gave land on which Loddon is built to the Abbey of Bury St Edmunds. His hand rests upon a replica of the church poor box.

The old flint-faced building facing Church Plain was once the village school. Built in the 1850s, at public insistence, and with public money, it is now the branch library. Three modern schools have taken its place to provide for today's youngsters.

Domestic buildings in the town range from, what is probably the oldest, a 16th century farm house near Church Plain, through some fine 17th and 18th century town houses to award-winning council houses and, of course, a great deal of modern expansion. Somehow this modern growth does not detract from Loddon's village character, and the occupants, of course, contribute to its still thriving shopping centre.

NB
The village information above is taken fromThe Norfolk Village Book, written by members of the Norfolk Federation of Women's Institutes and published by Countryside Books. Click on the link Countryside Books to view Countryside's range of other local titles.