Upwell

Travel Guide

St Peter, Upwell, Norfolk
Photo by John Salmon (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
St Peter, Upwell, Norfolk
Photo by John Salmon (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
St Peter, Upwell, Norfolk
Photo by John Salmon (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Wisbech & Upwell tramway - Upwell depot From the depot > 1241222 the tramway crossed Small Lode > 1241268 - heading northwards towards the village of Outwell. Nothing of the trackbed remains but its course can still be glimpsed at this short section of footpath. Wisbech & Upwell tramway's Upwell depot was 5 miles 72 chains distant from Wisbech. The line had eleven sidings, with two originally allocated for passenger traffic. During the fruit season the sidings could hold more than a hundred vans. The depot had a cattle dock, a depot office, a passenger waiting room, and a coal merchant's office and staithes. There was also an ash pit, and an old GER tender was used for a water tower until 1953 when it was removed. http://www.lner.info/co/GER/wisbech/route.shtml When during the 13th century the estuary silted up, the fens surrounding the market town and port of Wisbech were reclaimed for agricultural use. The new agricultural prosperity soon attracted railways such as the Eastern Counties Railway which opened a branch in 1847. In 1848 the East Anglian Railway built a branch from Watlington. A third line was built by the Peterborough, Wisbech & Sutton Bridge Railway (later the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway) which opened a station on the other side of the River Nene in 1866. The trains carried fruit and vegetables to markets as far afield as London. In addition, the construction of a tramway line connecting the villages Upwell and Outwell with Wisbech commenced in 1882. Board of Trade's tram restrictions resulted in the unusual-looking locomotives which not only had speed restrictions but controls at both ends and wooden cowcatchers and skirts over the wheels. Six trams a day in each direction provided passenger services, with the full one way journey taking one hour. By October 1884 traffic had grown to 3000 passengers per week, with peaks of 2000 in a day for fetes and other special events. The tram competed with a canal that ran between Wisbech and Upwell and with the canal being in a poor financial condition the tram eventually finished it off. When motor omnibuses started to appear, however, passenger numbers declined drastically and passenger services were withdrawn in 1927, whereas freight traffic continued to flourish. With the introduction of two Drewry Shunters (BR Class 04) in 1952, Wisbech & Upwell became Britain's first all-diesel line. The line closed in March 1966. http://www.lner.info/co/GER/wisbech/history.shtml
Photo by Evelyn Simak (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Marmont Priory Lock. From the top
Photo by Tony Bennett (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

The Annual Vacation Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.
Book now
The Dukes Head Hotel

The Dukes Head Hotel

4 out of 5
5-6 Tuesday Market Place King's Lynn England
Stay at this hotel in King's Lynn. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on Mar 2, 2026

Get rates
The Dukes Head Hotel
Park Inn by Radisson Peterborough

Park Inn by Radisson Peterborough

3 out of 5
Wentworth Street Peterborough England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$71 nightly
The price is $85 total per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
$85 total
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Peterborough. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,003 reviews)
Great location, friendly helpful staff, room was very comfortable and suprisibg quiet for a city hotel, would definitely recommend

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2026

Park Inn by Radisson Peterborough
Dragonfly Hotel King's Lynn

Dragonfly Hotel King's Lynn

3 out of 5
Beveridge Way King's Lynn England
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in King's Lynn. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.8/10 Good! (798 reviews)
Clean lovely nights sleep, very quiet. Parking free., would stop again if in the area

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2026

Get rates
Dragonfly Hotel King's Lynn
See all 705 properties in Upwell
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Falcons Nest

Falcons Nest

3 out of 5
Falcons Nest c/o The Raptor Foundation Huntingdon England
Stay at this apartment in Huntingdon. Enjoy free parking, a coffee shop/cafe, and a meeting room. Popular attractions Raptor Foundation and Pidley Park are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (734 reviews)
Lack of communication On the hotels part Awful customer services Poor hygiene No clean towels during a 5 night stay no clean bedding

Reviewed on Feb 2, 2026

Falcons Nest
Willingham House

Willingham House

2 out of 5
50 Church St Cambridge England
Stay at this aparthotel in Cambridge. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 meeting rooms. Popular attractions The Green and Hermitage Marina are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (7 reviews)
The Kings suite was amazing. The bed was so comfortable. The kitchenette was useful, as was the separate seating area. The bath in the bedroom was a delight. The candles in the room were a nice touch. The decor was classy. Overall we loved our stay. Thank you

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2025

Willingham House
Oriental Garden Pod. Set in our gorgeous garden of bonsai, pagoda and koi pond.

Oriental Garden Pod. Set in our gorgeous garden of bonsai, pagoda and koi pond.

Swaffham England
Stay at this cabin in Swaffham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Swaffham Museum and Market Square are located ...
Oriental Garden Pod. Set in our gorgeous garden of bonsai, pagoda and koi pond.
See all properties in Upwell
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

WWT Welney Wetland Centre

Explore the great outdoors at WWT Welney Wetland Centre, a lovely green space in Welney. Check out the stunning cathedral and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

WWT Welney Wetland Centre

The Cresent

Explore the great outdoors at The Cresent, a lovely green space in Wisbech. Check out the top-notch restaurants or lively bars in this relaxing area.

The Cresent

Wisbech Town Football Club

Catch an event at Wisbech Town Football Club during your trip to Walsoken. Check out the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Wisbech Town Football Club

Wisbech Castle

You can learn about the history of Wisbech with a trip to Wisbech Castle. While you're here, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Wisbech Castle

Angles Theatre

You can get tickets for a performance at Angles Theatre during your trip to Wisbech. Check out the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Angles Theatre

Wisbech Town Cricket Club

Catch an event at Wisbech Town Cricket Club during your trip to Wisbech. Check out the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Wisbech Town Cricket Club