Gillingham War Memorial

A modest stone cross stands in Gillingham, just east of Beccles, marking the names of those from this Norfolk village who didn't come home from the wars. It's the sort of memorial you'll find in hundreds of English villages - nothing grand, nothing ornate - but worth stopping for if you're passing through the area.

The memorial itself is straightforward: a cross of local stone with inscribed panels listing the fallen. There's something quietly moving about these small-town memorials, away from the tourist crowds. They tell the real story of how the wars touched ordinary communities. Spend ten minutes here if you're the type to read names and think about what they meant to Gillingham a century ago. If you're after something you can potter round for hours, this isn't it.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted - these village memorials typically are - though I'd recommend checking locally before you visit given the lack of formal opening information. It's the sort of place that rewards a slow drive through the village rather than a dedicated trip. Pair it with a walk around Beccles itself, which sits just down the road and has rather more to keep you occupied.

If you're camping nearby - The Wildings Elms Meadow is just 1.6 miles away - this makes a natural addition to a morning stroll before breakfast. It's the kind of stop that grounds a Norfolk holiday in actual history rather than just the scenery.