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Coordinates: 52°32′35″N 1°39′32″E / 52.543°N 1.659°E / 52.543; 1.659
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{{Short description| A lake in Norfolk, England}}
'''Fritton Lake''' is a lake in the [[England|English]] [[county]] of [[Norfolk]]. It is a popular local [[tourist attraction]] located south-west of [[Great Yarmouth]] and north-west of [[Lowestoft]] on the Norfolk&ndash;[[Suffolk]] border.<ref>[http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/explore/fritton_lake.php Somerleyton | Fritton Lake Activities in Suffolk, UK<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
{{Infobox body of water
| name = Fritton Lake
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
<!-- Images -->
| image = View across Fritton Decoy - geograph.org.uk - 806141.jpg
| alt = A lake surrounded by reeds and trees
| caption = View across Fritton Decoy The view is southwesterly towards Ashby Warren, May 2008
| image_bathymetry =
| alt_bathymetry =
| caption_bathymetry =
<!-- Stats -->
| location = [[Norfolk]] and [[Suffolk]], England
| group =
| coordinates = {{Coord|52.543|1.659|display=inline,title}}<!-- {{coord|DD|MM|SS|N|DD|MM|SS|W|region:ZZ_type:waterbody|display =inline,title}} -->
| type =
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<!-- Map -->
| pushpin_map = Norfolk#England
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of the lake in Norfolk, England.
| pushpin_map_caption =
<!-- Below -->
| website =
| reference =
}}
'''Fritton Lake''' or '''Fritton Decoy''' is a lake on the border of the English [[County|counties]] of [[Norfolk]] and [[Suffolk]] close to the towns of [[Lowestoft]] and [[Great Yarmouth]]. It is located within the parishes of [[Fritton and St Olaves]] and [[Somerleyton, Ashby and Herringfleet]]. A private member's club operates on the Fritton side of the lake, owned by the [[Somerleyton Hall|Somerleyton Estate]].<ref name=group>[http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/explore/fritton_lake.php Somerleyton.co.uk | Fritton Lake Activities in Suffolk, UK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527211225/http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/explore/fritton_lake.php |date=2011-05-27 }} website of the owning group, related to [[Baron Somerleyton|Lord Somerleyton]] seated at nearby [[Somerleyton Hall]].</ref>


[[Peter Scott]] lived in a cottage rented from 2nd Lord Somerleyton on the north bank of Fritton Lake during the 1930s.
A secret training facility was located at Fritton Lake during the Second World War. British Valentine Tanks, as well as American made [[Sherman tank]]s were turned into amphibious vehicles by attaching a special collapsible screen made of waterproof canvas. The screen was supported by a series of rubber air filled tubes, connected to three tubular frames. The tanks were fitted with rear propellers, which provided propulsion when buoyant, and gave them their name "DUPLEX DRIVE" due to the two forms of mobility. Between April 1943 and May 1944 British, American, and Canadian units came to Fritton Lake to be trained in the use of these tanks.<ref>http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/downloads/FrittonLake_DuplexDriveAmphibiousTanks.pdf</ref> On [[Normandy Landings|D-Day]], 128 out of 240 Duplex Drive Shermans tanks were launched, with 78 of them making it to shore. Many of the losses can be attributed to the high seas. However a large percentage of the crew survived. The site remained in Military use into the early 1950s as part of the Specialised Armoured Development Establishment<ref>Public Record Office, Kew WO 341/184</ref> during which further amphibious experiments and trials were undertaken.


==Past uses==
Fritton Lake is a very popular tourist attraction, containing the Fritton Arms, Fritton Lake Outdoor Centre, Lakeside Riding Stables and Fritton Lake Woodland Lodges. There is a Pay and Display Car Park adjacent to the Fritton Arms, and visitors may enjoy use of the play ground and lakeside walks as part of their admission. Further activities are available through the Outdoor Centre, such as Boat and Canoe hire, rope walks, bike hire and golf.
The lake may be pre-medieval but was largely dug in medieval times to extract [[peat]] for burning.<ref name=judgment/><ref name="NorfolkHeritage"/> It came into use as a [[Duck decoy (structure)|duck decoy]], a site designed for the large-scale hunting of [[waterfowl]].<ref name="NorfolkHeritage">{{cite web |url=http://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?MNF13527-Fritton-Lake-or-Decoy&Index=12724&RecordCount=56734 |website=Norfolk Heritage Explorer. |title=NHER Number:13527|publisher=Norfolk Historic Environment Service }}</ref> Artificial water channels covered with net-tunnels were constructed around the lake. Ducks would be encouraged to swim down the channels using dogs or food and would be trapped on reaching the end. At one point, 21 such channels were in operation around the lake, four remained in operation in 1918.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/britishduckdecoy00whitiala |title=British duck decoys of today, 1918 |pages=73–75|last=Whitaker |first=J. |date=1918 |publisher=London : Burlington Pub. Co.}}</ref>


During the Second World War, a secret training facility was located at Fritton Lake. Its purpose was to train tank crews of [[DD tank]]s – amphibious versions of British [[Valentine Tank]]s and American-made [[Sherman tank]]s. Between April 1943 and May 1944 British, American, and Canadian units came to Fritton Lake to be trained in the use of these tanks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/downloads/FrittonLake_DuplexDriveAmphibiousTanks.pdf |title=Duplex Drive Amphibious Tanks at Fritton Lake |access-date=2014-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140506024519/http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/downloads/FrittonLake_DuplexDriveAmphibiousTanks.pdf |archive-date=2014-05-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> One tank that sank during training remains in the lake.<ref name="NorfolkHeritage" /> The site remained in military use into the early 1950s as part of the Specialised Armoured Development Establishment,<ref>Public Record Office, Kew WO 341/184</ref> during which further amphibious experiments and trials were undertaken. The waterline was raised in 1954 by the building up of a weir.<ref name=judgment>{{cite web|url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2003/198.html |title=Green v Lord Somerleyton & Ors [2003&#93; EWCA Civ 198 (28 February 2003) |publisher=Bailii.org |date= |accessdate=2022-09-07}}</ref>
The Fritton Lake [[Triathlon]] includes an open water swim in the lake.<ref>[http://www.fritton-lake-triathlon.co.uk/triathlon.php Fritton Lake Triathlon, <!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Current uses and amenity==
[[File:The Decoy Tavern, Fritton - geograph.org.uk - 773446.jpg|thumb|Nearby pub, the Decoy Tavern]]
Adjoining are a range of attractions:
*The [[Fritton (near Great Yarmouth)|Fritton]] Arms, a large [[public house|pub]] with outdoor areas (open to members and their guests and paying holidaymakers only)
*Fritton Lake Woodland Lodges.<ref name=group/>

;Admittance

Fritton Lake is a private members' club and holiday resort; non-members are not admitted other than as guests of members, or as holidaymakers staying in the retreats on site.

==Events==
Fritton Lake [[Triathlon]] includes an open-water swim in the lake. Unseen reeds in parts of the lake mean that unsupervised swimming has been flagged by the owners as dangerous and forbidden.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fritton-lake-triathlon.co.uk/triathlon.php |title=Fritton Lake Triathlon, <!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2011-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206150205/http://www.fritton-lake-triathlon.co.uk/triathlon.php |archive-date=2011-02-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=group/>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 11: Line 84:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/explore/fritton_lake.php Fritton Lake tourism website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110527211225/http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/explore/fritton_lake.php Fritton Lake tourism website]
*[http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/downloads/FrittonLake_DuplexDriveAmphibiousTanks.pdf]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140506024519/http://www.somerleyton.co.uk/downloads/FrittonLake_DuplexDriveAmphibiousTanks.pdf Duplex Drive Amphibious Tanks at Fritton Lake]
*Duplex Drive Tank Website [http://www.duplexdrivetanks.co.uk]
* [http://www.duplexdrivetanks.co.uk Duplex Drive Tank Website]

{{Coord|52.543|1.659|display=title}}
{{authority control}}


<!--- Categories --->
<!--- Categories --->
[[Category:Articles created via the Article Wizard]]
[[Category:Lakes of Norfolk]]
[[Category:Lakes of Norfolk]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Norfolk]]


{{Norfolk-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 19:13, 3 April 2024

Fritton Lake
A lake surrounded by reeds and trees
View across Fritton Decoy The view is southwesterly towards Ashby Warren, May 2008
Location of the lake in Norfolk, England.
Location of the lake in Norfolk, England.
Fritton Lake
Location of the lake in Norfolk, England.
Location of the lake in Norfolk, England.
Fritton Lake
LocationNorfolk and Suffolk, England
Coordinates52°32′35″N 1°39′32″E / 52.543°N 1.659°E / 52.543; 1.659

Fritton Lake or Fritton Decoy is a lake on the border of the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk close to the towns of Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth. It is located within the parishes of Fritton and St Olaves and Somerleyton, Ashby and Herringfleet. A private member's club operates on the Fritton side of the lake, owned by the Somerleyton Estate.[1]

Peter Scott lived in a cottage rented from 2nd Lord Somerleyton on the north bank of Fritton Lake during the 1930s.

Past uses[edit]

The lake may be pre-medieval but was largely dug in medieval times to extract peat for burning.[2][3] It came into use as a duck decoy, a site designed for the large-scale hunting of waterfowl.[3] Artificial water channels covered with net-tunnels were constructed around the lake. Ducks would be encouraged to swim down the channels using dogs or food and would be trapped on reaching the end. At one point, 21 such channels were in operation around the lake, four remained in operation in 1918.[4]

During the Second World War, a secret training facility was located at Fritton Lake. Its purpose was to train tank crews of DD tanks – amphibious versions of British Valentine Tanks and American-made Sherman tanks. Between April 1943 and May 1944 British, American, and Canadian units came to Fritton Lake to be trained in the use of these tanks.[5] One tank that sank during training remains in the lake.[3] The site remained in military use into the early 1950s as part of the Specialised Armoured Development Establishment,[6] during which further amphibious experiments and trials were undertaken. The waterline was raised in 1954 by the building up of a weir.[2]

Current uses and amenity[edit]

Nearby pub, the Decoy Tavern

Adjoining are a range of attractions:

  • The Fritton Arms, a large pub with outdoor areas (open to members and their guests and paying holidaymakers only)
  • Fritton Lake Woodland Lodges.[1]
Admittance

Fritton Lake is a private members' club and holiday resort; non-members are not admitted other than as guests of members, or as holidaymakers staying in the retreats on site.

Events[edit]

Fritton Lake Triathlon includes an open-water swim in the lake. Unseen reeds in parts of the lake mean that unsupervised swimming has been flagged by the owners as dangerous and forbidden.[7][1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Somerleyton.co.uk | Fritton Lake Activities in Suffolk, UK Archived 2011-05-27 at the Wayback Machine website of the owning group, related to Lord Somerleyton seated at nearby Somerleyton Hall.
  2. ^ a b "Green v Lord Somerleyton & Ors [2003] EWCA Civ 198 (28 February 2003)". Bailii.org. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
  3. ^ a b c "NHER Number:13527". Norfolk Heritage Explorer. Norfolk Historic Environment Service.
  4. ^ Whitaker, J. (1918). British duck decoys of today, 1918. London : Burlington Pub. Co. pp. 73–75.
  5. ^ "Duplex Drive Amphibious Tanks at Fritton Lake" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-06. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  6. ^ Public Record Office, Kew WO 341/184
  7. ^ "Fritton Lake Triathlon,". Archived from the original on 2011-02-06. Retrieved 2011-04-06.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fritton_Lake&oldid=1217085292"