Top Independent in West Somerton from AED 273 - Expedia

View across marsh pasture Past the entrance to West Somerton drainage mill. The buildings seen in the background (in adjacent grid square) belong to Holmes Farm. West Somerton drainage mill is located beside West Somerton Boat Dyke. The public footpath from the staithe to Martham Broad leads past here. During the 1800s, 240 drainage mills could be found in the Broads, of which 74 remain today (most are disused and derelict, a very few were converted into living accommodation). In the 13th century most of the marsh pastures in the Broads could only be grazed during the summer months, when the area was not flooded. It was during this time that sea levels were rising and flooding became more frequent. As a consequence, dykes were dug and embankments built in order to protect the grazing marshes. When this was no longer sufficient, wind-powered drainage mills were built, which pumped water from the marshes into dykes and from there into the rivers. Grazing in the marshes became more extensive from the mid-18th century onwards - the drained marshes contain lots of nutrients and the grazing is very lush. By the 19th century many of the wind-powered mills were supplemented by steam-powered pumps and during the first half of the 20th century diesel-powered pumps started to replace wind-powered drainage. Diesel pumps are much more efficient than wind drainage pumps and as it got drier, the surrounding peaty soil shrank, resulting in areas that are lower than the water level in the river and lower even than sea level. Today the marshes are drained by pumps which are electricity-powered.

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check prices for these dates

Tonight

24 Jan - 25 Jan

Tomorrow

25 Jan - 26 Jan

Next weekend

In two weeks

Our top choices for West Somerton Independent

2 Bedroom Apartment for 3 guests | Hypo-allergenic bedding, desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board

Wellington Apartments

Norwich City Center

United Kingdom

BENJAMIN

Exterior

The Coach House Suffolk

Lowestoft

United Kingdom

Karen

AED 409 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Feb - 9 Feb

Breakfast, lunch and dinner served

Wayford Bridge Inn

Norwich

United Kingdom

Maureen

AED 346 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Jan - 1 Feb

Balcony

Hotel Wroxham

Norwich

United Kingdom

Steven

AED 362 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Jan - 26 Jan

Breakfast, lunch and dinner served

Wherry Hotel

Lowestoft

United Kingdom

Glenn

AED 273 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Jan - 26 Jan

Interior

St Giles House Hotel

Norwich City Center

United Kingdom

Steve

AED 531 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Jan - 26 Jan

Superior Double Room | Desk, laptop workspace, free WiFi, bed sheets

Broadview Hotel

Earlham

United Kingdom

Victoria Hartley

Reception

Marlborough Hotel

Thorpe Hamlet

United Kingdom

Keith

View all properties

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in

Sign up, it's free

Top West Somerton Hotel Reviews

Wellington Apartments

Wellington Apartments

10/10 Excellent

"Clean room, friendly reception staff, room had everything you could need. "

George Hotel, BW Signature Collection

George Hotel, BW Signature Collection

10/10 Excellent

"Excellent hotel for visiting Norwich itself and UEA. Walkable to city centre and short car trip to UEA. Fab staff Hannah, Helen and Puthi were brilliant and I felt safe as an individual travelling on my own. Parking great free and easy. Room great and light and tea and coffee provided. Happily recommend and stay again "

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

West Somerton Hotels by Brand

Hotels near popular Great Yarmouth Attractions

More Accommodation Types in West Somerton

Hotels in Popular Destinations

d17af58f-77f6-4280-981a-ebd1e9905702e8b7b8d1-5779-44d8-aa0b-03ecf5258445