Tharston Past

The source of the Wensum lies near the village Whissonsett in Norfolk. The river flows westward initially close to the Raynham villages, 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 until it reaches Sculthorpe. It then turns and flows to the east through the market town of Fakenham, then south easterly passing through the Pensthorpe Nature Reserve. The river continues through or close to several villages before entering the City of Norwich from the north via Drayton, Costessey and Hellesdon. At New Mills Yard, a former waterworks, the river becomes tidal and navigable. The river forms a broad arc within the city which would have influenced the site of the settlement for defensive reasons. 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 to build Norwich Cathedral. The Wensum flows past Carrow Road football ground and then out of the city via Trowse, to Whitlingham where it merges with the River Yare