There’s a lovely waterside pub by a historic lock marking the limit of navigation in the Broads National Park at Geldeston. If you want to know who runs The Locks Inn, just ask the locals. Chances are you’ll be speaking to the owner, since there are almost 1,400 of them! In 2020 this much loved pub on the banks of the River Waveney was put up for auction at short notice. The community rallied round, pulled together, managed to buy what’s now the first community owned pub in the Waveney Valley. In fact it has the widest ownership of any pub in the country. Power to the people!

In keeping with the grassroots vibe, the community pub is renowned for reviving traditional local events that have taken place during its long history. Throughout the year, on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 8pm and every Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm local musicians play all kinds of toe-tapping and haunting folk music and at ‘Tales ‘n’ Ales’ you’ll learn local history through live storytelling. Everyone is welcome here. The Locks Inn actively promotes social inclusion and has improved its accessibility too. New events are always being dreamed up, keeping this very special place financially viable for the long term. There’s great local food catering for all diets, delightfully quaffable local ales and truly scrumptious homemade cakes – coffee and teas too.

Up to date event details are on their website and Facebook page. Do go along, there’s always a warm welcome.