Outwell: Church Art, Waterway and Local History

Outwell combines an impressive local history with Well Creek, an important inland waterway between the Nene and Great Ouse. Those planning a trip with cultural discoveries and water-related experiences will find several different points of interest here. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house in Outwell, it is therefore particularly worth considering whether you want to focus on historic buildings, places of remembrance or the character of the waterway.

Church, stained glass and an unusual roof

The Church of St Clement is a parish church with a 13th-century west tower and a 14th-century nave. Inside, there are fragments of stained glass dating from the late 15th century. Another special feature is the roof of the nave: alternating hammer beams and tie beams shape the construction, with the hammer beams taking the form of carved angels. For visitors interested in sacred art, medieval architectural elements and craftsmanship, the church therefore offers several specific themes for a peaceful visit.

Outwell War Memorial stands in the churchyard of the Church of St Clement. The monument commemorates the First World War and was later extended with additions for the Second World War. It faces the church's south porch and consists of a polished granite Latin cross on a tall, roughly hewn granite pillar. The combination of church, churchyard and place of remembrance makes this part of Outwell particularly rich in layers: architecture, local history and remembrance culture can be considered here together, without this implying a fixed walking route.

Traces of the former tramway

The history of the former tramway route is also present in Outwell. The goods office at Outwell Village Depot is the last surviving example of a series of goods offices along this former route. The tramway terminated at Outwell Basin Goods Yard and Station in 1883. Anyone interested in the technical and economic history of the area can use these two points as starting points for mentally tracing the development of transport and goods handling in Outwell.

Among the more recent commemorative features is Outwell Memento (Phase One), which was unveiled in July 2016. Together with the War Memorial and the surviving traces of the tramway, it shows that the history of the village is not limited to a single building or period. For travel planning involving different interests, this can be a welcome addition to the older buildings.

Well Creek and Outwell as a base for exploring

Well Creek runs through Outwell and, as an important inland waterway connection between the rivers Nene and Great Ouse, is a defining feature of the village. Waste disposal facilities are available at Outwell Boat Basin. This specific function is just as much a part of the waterway's character as its importance within the inland waterway network. When looking for accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you want to get to know Outwell primarily for its architectural and commemorative heritage or for its connection with the water.

Beaupre Hall adds to the historic side of Outwell. The building dates from around 1500 and had a chapel in the north pavilion. Together with the Church of St Clement, it creates a broad range of historical themes: medieval ecclesiastical architecture, stained glass, carved architectural elements, manor-house history and the memory of former transport routes. When planning your day, you can choose between architecture, the waterway and local history as different areas of focus. If a family has a range of different interests, the choice between architecture, the waterway and local history also provides several opportunities for conversation and discovery.

Further places to include in your plans

To find further destinations in the same wider region, you can also visit Hockering, Corpusty, Caister-On-Sea, Spooner Row, Belton, Hockwold Cum Wilton, Sidestrand and Burnham Market.

For the wider travel overview: Norfolk.