West Row: Roman Heritage and Paths Along the River Lark

West Row combines an exceptionally long settlement history with the River Lark and a variety of opportunities for shared discoveries. The village lies on the north bank of the navigable River Lark and has presumably been an important Bronze Age site for more than 3,500 years. This makes West Row particularly suitable for travellers who want to combine cultural history, walks and activities with the family.

Roman History and Special Discoveries

One highlight of the village’s history is the Mildenhall Treasure, which was found in West Row in January 1942. The treasure comprises more than 30 pieces of Roman British silver tableware. Faithful replicas can be seen at Mildenhall Museum. Anyone interested in the area’s Roman past can also place the Mildenhall Roman Site in Thistley Green, West Row, Mildenhall, in context: it is thought to have been the site of a Roman villa with a two-roomed building and a hypocaust, excavated in 1932. The site is designated as a Scheduled Monument.

A Roman settlement at Beaches Road has also been interpreted as a comparatively wealthy or high-status farmstead-type settlement dating from the 2nd to the 4th century AD. Older traces reach back even further. During the summer months, early farmers lived in wooden houses in West Row and may have placed ritual offerings in the River Lark. Details such as these bring the village’s past to life without reducing it to a single building or a single find.

Village History by the Water and on the Move

The local history also includes St Peter’s Church and the West Row War Memorial. St Peter’s Church began as a village schoolroom in 1850 and was consecrated as a church in 1874. The memorial stands on Church Green in front of the church. West Row also has nine Grade II listed buildings and three Blue Plaques. Those who enjoy combining historical traces with exercise can use the surfaced, car-free path between West Row and Mildenhall. It is suitable for cyclists, horse riders, walkers, runners, pushchairs and wheelchair users.

Further local options are available for a varied stay. Newmarket Model Flying Club also welcomes people who would like to try model flying and provides the club’s training aircraft. Its activities have taken place at a flying site in West Row since 2019. West Row Bowls Club has facilities for both indoor and outdoor bowls. West Row Village Hall has a playing field, a play area and a tennis court. Judes Ferry is a family-friendly pub and restaurant on the banks of the River Lark.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday rental in West Row, you can use your preferred travel rhythm as the starting point. If the trip is to focus primarily on local history and historical discoveries, the Mildenhall Treasure, Mildenhall Museum, the Roman sites and the village’s history take centre stage. For active days, the car-free path between West Row and Mildenhall can be combined with other activities. Families can also include the play area at the Village Hall and the family-friendly offering at Judes Ferry in their plans.

West Row therefore offers different reasons for a stay: you can focus on the traces of Roman Britain, learn about the Bronze Age and the history of the River Lark, or combine exercise with local activities. It makes most sense to choose a holiday rental or holiday cottage according to the focus of your trip and which of these facets you would particularly like to experience during your stay.

Further Destinations for Your Plans

For further travel planning, you can also view Bury Saint Edmunds, Fressingfield, Leiston, Stowmarket, Halesworth, Hopton, Clare and Kirton.

For the higher-level travel overview: Suffolk.