River Wensum

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A tree-lined section of the River Wensum as it flows through the city of Norwich, seen in July 2005.

The River Wensum is a river in Norfolk, England and a tributary of the River Yare despite being the larger of the two rivers. The source of the Wensum lies between the villages of Colkirk and Whissonsett in Norfolk. The river flows westward initially close to the villages of South Raynham,West Raynham and East Raynham passing close to Raynham Hall, home of the Marquis Townshend. The river then turns and follows a path to the north flowing through a number of small villages. An 18th Century water mill (now a hotel and restaurant) bridges the river at Sculthorpe. The river then turns and flows to the east through the market town of Fakenham where it is bridged by another 18th Century water mill that was in use until 1979. The river then flows in a south easterly direction passing through the Pensthorpe Nature Reserve and the village of Great Ryburgh.

The river continues onwards through or close to the villages of Great Witchingham, North Elmham, Worthing, Swanton Morley, Lyng, Lenwade and Taverham before entering the City of Norwich from the north via Drayton, Costessey and Hellesdon. The river is free fishing where accessible throughout the City. At New Mills Yard, a former waterworks, the river becomes tidal and navigable by boat. Flowing through the city, the river forms a broad arc which would have influenced the site of the settlement for defensive reasons;^{[citation needed]} remnants of boom towers can be seen near Wensum Park and Carrow Hill which formed part of the city wall, a large defensive tower can be seen on the bank near Barrack Street, called Cow Tower This dates to the 12th Century and was also used for collecting tolls.^{[citation needed]} The river's historical use as a means of transport for goods and trade from the continent is still visible; mills, quays and industrial remnants can be found near the station and along King Street, and a slipway at Pulls Ferry marks the start of a canal originally used to transport stone from Caen in Normandy, in the 13th Century, to build Norwich Cathedral. This site was also a public house and used as a River Ferry until the 1950s.

The Wensum flows out of the city via Trowse, to Whitlingham where it merges with the River Yare. The river is navigable from the New Mills Yard in the centre of Norwich to its confluence with the Yare.

1 Tributaries
2 Bridges
3 Further reading
4 External links

[edit] Tributaries

River Tat. Rises on Syderstone Common and merges with the Wensum west of Fakenham
River Tud. Rises a little south of East Dereham and merges with the Wensum just below Hellesdon mill.
River Ainse (or Eyn). Merges with the River Wensum at Lenwade.

[edit] Bridges

Bishop Bridge is one of five medieval bridges which span the River Wensum. Built in 1345 it formed part of the defensive structure along the river, with a gatehouse on the city side of bridge which was demolished in 1791. It is positioned on the site of a Roman Ford.

Fye Bridge is arguably the oldest river crossing in Norwich and is the gate to the North of the City known as “Norwich over the water” this bridge was also the site of a cucking stool for ducking lawbreakers and undesirables.

Whitefriars Bridge Named after a former Carmelite (White Friars) monastery. The remains of which can still be seen in a small section of medieval wall and archway.

Foundry Bridge Near the railway station and the Yacht station on Riverside named after a foundry nearby, purported to have been built to take a railway line.

Carrow Bridge near the football ground is a more recent cantilevered swing bridge, which can still be opened to allow large or high vessels through. It is positioned in close proximity to the Boom towers which originally had a chain suspended between them and would have been used as part of the citys defences and as a method of collecting tolls on goods travelling up river from Great Yarmouth.

Novi Sad Friendship Bridge is a cable footbridge which spans the River Wensum in Norwich. The structure is named in recognition of the twinning ties between Norwich and Novi Sad in Serbia. The bridge was designed by Buro Happold and commissioned by Norfolk County Council.

There are further bridges at Barn Road, Anchor Quay, Duke Street and St. Georges Street.