Talk of the town: Reepham
9th November 2024
Rachel Bowles takes a tour of Reepham in the first of her columns exploring North Norfolk towns, sharing her must-dos and favourite finds
Reepham is a sometimes-overlooked destination, but it’s a beautiful historic town which lies between the Bure and Wensum Valleys. It has held Market Town status since 1277, with a market still taking place every Wednesday morning.
Start your day… with a trip to Bread Source in The Dial House, which is in a prominent position overlooking the market square. This magnificent two storey red brick building dates back to the 17th century and was once a brewery. Bread Source is an award-winning artisan bakery serving up delicious baked goods, pastries, cakes and some of the best bread around. Sip on your coffee and admire the view across the square from the front courtyard on a mild day.
Explore… the churches. There are two in one churchyard here, but there were once three and there’s only one other place in Europe which can make this claim. The churches of St Mary’s and St Michael’s remain, but the Church of All Saints sadly burned down in the Great Fire of Reepham in 1543. An ancient myth has it that three sisters were responsible for building a church each, and this is depicted in the town sign which you can find in the entrance to the churchyard. Step inside St Mary’s and you will find the elaborately carved medieval tomb of Sir Roger de Kerdiston on the North Wall. There is also a lovely heritage detective trail leaflet you can pick up to learn more about the churches and artefacts here.
Peruse… the wonderful independent shops in the market square. Norfolk Farm Shop is a great place to pick up local and seasonal fresh produce and also has an extensive range of dry store and frozen items from local businesses including Brick Pizzas, Swannington Farm to Fork, Lakenham Creamery and Ketts Hill Bakery. Next door you will find Robertson’s family butchers which has been trading there for over 30 years, and also Motts Pharmacy. Head over the square to Reepham Antiques where you may pick up a treasure to take home as a keepsake.
Discover… the collection of diesel and steam engines at Whitwell & Reepham Railway Station, along with memorabilia from the old railway line in the small on-site museum and shop. Refreshments are available in The Sidings cafe and bar and you can sit out at the tables on the platform. Diesel engines run along the track each weekend but keep an eye out for their popular Steam Sundays on the first Sunday of each month when the steam engines provide the rides. More adventurous visitors can even have a go at driving the train themselves with a 30-minute driver experience (pre-booking required). Full details of events can be found at www.whitwellstation.com, along with opening times and prices.
Visit… Salle Moor Hall Farm, a working estate farm spanning 132 acres with a visitor car park, and cycle and footpaths running throughout. Here you will find several independent producers and service providers. Sample delights from the All Day Brewing Company, try the tasty cakes from Drip Drop Bake Stop or have a go at glass beadmaking at the Blue Flame Glass Studio.
Walk… along Marriott’s Way and stretch your legs; this footpath, bridleway and cycle route extends for 26 miles between Aylsham and Norwich, with Reepham around half-way along. The route follows two disused railway tracks and is named after the chief engineer and manager of the Midland and Great Northern Railway, William Marriott. You can find a helpful interactive map on Norfolk County Council’s website to plan your route (www.norfolk.gov.uk, search ‘Marriott’s Way’), or head to Visit North Norfolk’s website where they have a whole guide to the Marriott’s Way with useful facts and information (www.visitnorthnorfolk.com/dbimgs/Marriotts-Way-Guide-Book.pdf). The paths can become muddy after a period of rain so do wear appropriate footwear.
Refuel… at the Station Cafe, the quaintest little cafe which was once the station building at the now disused Reepham Railway Station and sits overlooking Marriott’s Way. They serve up breakfasts, home baked cakes and a really good choice of lunch dishes. Part of the building is utilised as the shop Very Nice Things, & More, selling cards, gifts, toys and a small selection of homeware and decorative items. Visit on the second Sunday of the month and you’ll find a farmers market hosted by Native2Norfolk, showcasing some of Norfolk’s finest food, drink and craft producers.
Pick up… a bargain at Scrapbox, a charity which runs centres nationwide, however the Reepham store is the only one in Norfolk. Their mission is to promote sustainability, creativity and accessibility by repurposing discarded materials into valuable resources for art, craft, and technology projects. Step inside and you will find shelves brimming with all sorts of craft items you never knew you needed! I guarantee you will come away with something useful. Membership options are £10 for the year or £2 for a day. Visit www.scrapbox.org.uk for more information and opening times.
Enjoy… a drink at the Laid Back Wine Bar. This new space within The Dial House building opened at the beginning of August and offers a stylish place to relax. In addition to a wide range of wines, they also have a selection of beers and cocktails on their menu. Sit for a while and enjoy a cheese or charcuterie plate with their in-house bread from Bread Source. If you are passing by, you can pick up a takeaway wine from their bottle shop and enjoy at home.
Stay a little longer… with a booking at The Dial House (www.thedialhouse.org.uk). The eight boutique bed and breakfast rooms are themed and stylishly furnished; the attention to detail is second to none, transporting you back to the Georgian period in different locations across the world. My recommendation for an autumn stay would be the Africa themed room, with warm, rich tones and textiles, vibrant patterns, exposed beams and a roll top bath at the end of the bed. Breakfast is provided from Bread Source downstairs. This is the ideal location to explore all that Reepham has to offer.
