Welcome to Woodbridge home to the Anglo-Saxon Shipbuild

To learn more about researching the ship, hover on 'Ship'.

To follow the reconstruction hover on 'Shipshape'

at the top of this page.

The Waterfront at Woodbridge is more than picturesque, it is filled with activity.

The River Deben

The river is tidal at this point, so there is almost always some movement of the water coming in or going out. The boats on the river will be pointing in the direction of where the water is coming from. The sea is to the right as you stand on the shore looking at the river. Most people will be going onto the river as the tide rises and coming off the water as the tide begins to go out, so the busiest times depend on tide times. You can use the internet to find the times of High Water at Woodbridge. When the tide is out, there is much mud and it is time for the wildlife residents to reclaim their space again.

An explanation of the Whisstocks Square area

The waterfront here was redeveloped to replace an old boatbuilding site

called Whisstocks that had been unused for about 20 years

Accurate artist's impression of the community's area linking the Town Quay and the Tide Mill

In the centre there is a slipway between a barge and a yacht.

The large grey door is for the Longshed.

The ship reconstruction is inside The Longshed and you can follow

some of the developments leading towards the building of the ship

that was buried at Sutton Hoo,

(just across the river from Woodbridge) in AD 625 on this website

The projecting building (left) houses the Woodbridge Museum (see below).

Four long buildings to the rear at the right are for accommodation and shops.

Front right is a restaurant.

To the extreme left of the illustration is the Town Quay and extreme right the Tide Mill.

On Shore

Downstream of Woodbridge is the oldest yacht club in the country, the Deben Yacht Club which marks the end of the buildings, as it stands on its stilts over the water, keeping its feet dry. Upstream at the extreme opposite end of the waterfront is the Tide Mill Yacht Harbour hiding behind the world-famous Tide Mill itself. Between these landmarks are boats, cafes, businesses, clubs and enough activity for everyone to enjoy. Currently, the most exciting project on the Waterfront is the reconstruction of the Anglo-Saxon ship that was a royal ship burial at Sutton Hoo on the opposite shore of the river. This website has much information on that project as will be found below

Actual picture of the area of redevelopment with activity on the Square in front of the Longshed. To the left of the picture is the Town Quay and to the right is the Tide Mill, its water wheel is housed under the low roof extreme right. A sailing barge alongside the Mill has raised sails. The mud shows that this is Low Water. Tim Curtis made the film Life on the Deben (see below).

You can follow some of the developments leading towards the building of the full-size reconstruction of the ship that was buried at Sutton Hoo (just across the river from Woodbridge) in AD 625.

The Woodbridge Tide Mill is open, see their website.

The Museum is open.

The Longshed is open to the public and work continues on the Anglo-Saxon ship.

Opening times 2024

10am - 16.00pm Mon - Fri

11.00am - 17.00 Saturday

11.00 am - 16.00 Sunday

Entrance is FREE

This is the keel of the ship being shaped with axes. The build is much more advanced.

More information is being posted under 'Shipshape' (above right)

Projected launching 2026

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Talks

You can use the Gallery in the Longshed and have a tour of the shipbuild itself.

The shipbuild is a fascinating subject and it is possible to arrange a visit to your group to talk about the ship and/or the many related subjects. This is best arranged through SaxonShip.org the website of the Sutton Hoo Ship's Company. Talks in The Longshed have covered wide-ranging subjects in geography/history as well as the building of the ship itself. To discover more visit the WoodbridgeRiversideTrust.org website. Talks have been given to varied clubs, societies, sailing and yachts clubs and at all levels from junior school to universities (see the picture below). Pic. Simon Harrison RHYC

Here is a talk to the Royal Harwich Yacht Club and the Cruising Association (Suffolk).

The talk was given to a live audience as well as to a wider Zoom audience

with concluding questions being taken both from the hall and from Zoom participants.

Make contact through the WoodbridgeRiversideTrust.org

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Some older reports below have been left on the site for your interest and to illustrate the wide range of activities associated with the waterfront and to provide some background information,

Community

Floodgates and Flooding

Gates under construction Closed with water flooding the riverside path

Wet weather coupled with high winds can create very High Water levels in the River Deben causing the floodgates to be closed to protect the waterfront's Whisstocks Square. These glass-topped gates are at the lowest level of any of the Woodbridge gates, so they are the first to be closed. When they are closed there is still access to the Square from Tide Mill Way. They weigh 3.5 tons and are 11 metres in length, so it is quite a lengthy process to move them. After closure a seal at the base is inflated to make them watertight.

A timelapse video of them being closed can be seen on the Woodbridge Town Council website by searching Floodgates.

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Community

Re-launching of the Deben Cherub 'Ariel' at

The Woodbridge Boatyard

The relaunching of the Cherub 'Ariel' was typical of an event that brought together the wonderful Woodbridge Waterfront community spirit. A crowd had gathered, a small band, the Harbour Lights Trio played, cloths covered temporary tables supporting photo albums of boats as well as snacks and drinks for anyone who wanted them. The backdrop was the elderly weatherboarded boat workshop, packed to the rafters with a fascinating array of objects very-ancient-and-modern and craft awaiting restoration. The crane swung the boat into the water where it was immediately brought to life once more, The crowd rippled a gentle applause, everyone took their pictures, exchanged their greetings and gently melted back into their usual activity of walking their dogs. Their pride in the river's heritage reaffirmed.

Built between 1924 and 1937 by Everson & Sons of Woodbridge, the Deben Cherub has come to represent their yard for many. Now, half a century since the Cherubs were last seen in large numbers, racing from the Deben Yacht Club under the starter’s 12 bore shotgun fired by Alfred Everson, they are regaining momentum on the River Deben.

Everson & Sons, which in 2010 was renamed The Woodbridge Boatyard, is once again home to a flock of Cherubs and it is hoped that the once hotly contested Cherub Cup will soon become a regular fixture again.

The Woodbridge Boatyard was acquired by Mr. Eric Reynolds and has been a hive of activity. With the restoration of the 110-year-old ‘Phoenix Shed’ and improvements made to the other workshop facilities,

‘Ariel’ has been undergoing renovation of her topsides with her old caulking raked out, handmade larch splines shaped to go between each plank and fresh oakum caulking in place, she has been repainted and was launched to sit alongside her sisters, ‘Cherub’, for whom the rest of the class are named, ‘Rohaise II’, ‘Lynette’ and ‘Fortuna’.

The comprehensive story of the Cherub class was related by Julia Jones in the July 2024 edition of Practical Boat Owner magazine. The boats ares 21ft long, 7ft beam and 2'- 9" draught.

Woodbridge and the Deben is a popular area for classic boats with picture-postcard sailing and skilled businesses with an appreciation for classic boats.

Community

Longshed Exhibition

Tides

The John Gibbins Gallery on the mezzanine floor in The Longshed held a display of information relating to every aspect of the tide. Information boards explained the workings of the waterflow and all the terminology involved. There were models constructed by students from Farlingaye School and looped videos running showing time-lapse of the tidal movement. Talks were scheduled each afternoon, some for adults and some especially aimed at children to provide interest throughout their half-term.

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Ship Build

Oak Arrival

In Shipshape 4 (top of page) the Ship's Company volunteers are riving an oak log in order to make planks. Since the video was made more oak arrived and this time, the dimensions are much increased. The volunteers constructed a short, full-size, section of the ship, in order to gain experience on longer planks and the challenges of attaching planks to each other. There are softwood formers that guide the planks in place. These are not part of the actual ship's structure, but they are used to ensure that the shape being made is an accurate representation of the form of the ship that was buried.

It is perhaps legitimate to quote from Alfred Lord Tennison's poem The Talking Oak, as he was a frequent visitor to Woodbridge to see his good friend Edward FitzGerald. Pictures: Warwick Faville

'Ah! With what delighted eyes Following gales in early 2020 the Ship's Company appealed

I turned to yonder oak for windfall oaks to help with the shipbuilding project.

Formwork for trial midship half-section. Split trunk. Longshed interior

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Ship Build

Did you see?

TV celebrity in The Longshed.

Raiders of the Lost Past a BBC 4 documentary was first broadcast at the end of 2019 and it was broadcast again in 2024. Dr Janina Ramirez tells the Sutton Hoo story and as part of this she visited The Longshed to be pictured alongside the banner depicting the full-size image of the ship prior to its build. The petite form of Ms Ramirez certainly contrasted with the huge craft and really demonstrated it's overwhelming dimensions.

Janina Ramirez has always held a special interest in this historical period, something that she confirmed during the programme when she related how the story of the discoveries at Sutton Hoo were instrumental in encouraging her particular interest in the art of the period. This is something that she has covered in some detail in previous television programmes such as Treasures of the Anglo-Saxons. The short BBC 4 series had other episodes. If you missed it, it may be possible to find it on iPlayer.

Of the Sutton Hoo dig, she said,"As excavations in your back garden go - it proved rather successful."

People ask about the accuracy of the Netflix programm 'The Dig'. There is information about it in Digging Deeper, on this website. Probably the most accurate account, using pictures and video of the actual people involved, whilst visiting the real location, is to be found in this programme by Janina Ramirez

The current reconstruction of the Anglo-Saxon ship is being recorded by 'Time-Team' for eventual TV programmes.

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To read more about our Anglo-Saxon longboat Sae Wylfing, seen here at a Sutton Hoo event

click on either of its pages at the top of this page.

Imagine Sae Wylfing and her crew arriving at a school near you to tell you the story of the Anglo-Saxons.

If you live locally, it could happen. Click on Using Sae Wylfing at the top of the page.

Sae Wylfing visits the British Museum

The British Museum hosted a Festival of Archaeology event showcasing a number of organisations and activities available to the general public. The diverse range included the opportunity to experience geophysics, cave painting, investigating family trees and many other fun things-to-do, including relishing the contents of a special lunch box containing Viking cheese and Roman bread.

One of the stars of the show was, of course, a model of the ONLY near-complete Anglo-Saxon ship ever found. To see a short video hover your cursor on 'Using Sae Wylfing' at the top of this page and click on Sae Wylfing Afloat to read about this Grand Day Out.

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Community

Woodbridge Regatta (Covid-cancelled 2020-21, pictures from 2019)

Earlier report. The whole of the waterfront from the Deben Yacht Club to the Tide Mill was a hive of activity as the town enjoyed a hot day of sunny weather. Many stalls and activities surrounded the Town Quay and sprits and gaffs graced the sky once more above the wide range of craft gathered to celebrate the town's close association with the river. On the water the 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts' raft-racers vied for space with Sae Wylfing the 45ft Anglo-Saxon longboat. Deben Yacht Club racers provided much of the action under sail and the St Ayles skiff constructed in The Longshed earlier in the year probably took the prize for being the most glossy craft afloat being enjoyed by its builders. The area in front of The Longshed was thronging with hundreds of people enjoying the Morris Dancers and the lovely evocative sounds created by the Woodbridge Excelsior Band.

Here are just a few pictures to catch a flavour of the scene.

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Longshed - Community

Boat Launchings

Hundreds of interested people generated a carnival atmosphere on the waterfront as they gathered to see the launching of two craft that had been constructed in The Longshed. It had been a race to complete the first craft to be launched from the new facility. It was fitting that the community recognised its young people's efforts, for the first craft was the result of their hard work.

The pirogue canoe in build

A group of young people from Just 42, a charity that provides after-school support for young people in the area had been active. Half-a-dozen teenagers set out to build a simple, flat-bottomed ‘Pirogue’ canoe, the Hoo Kanoo, with fold-up seats in the Longshed. Each of them had been making their own paddle … then they had to learn to use both.

Paddle shaping

At almost the same time a St Ayles skiff constructed over the winter period by a dedicated team of vounteers in the Longshed was launched. It was named Whisstock after the former boatyard on this waterfront site. The St Ayles skiff project uses a plywood kit, based on a traditional Fair Isle craft designed by Ian Oughtred. These kits are used by many groups throughout the UK and abroad. The 22ft clinker-built, coxed, 4-oared skiffs are constructed and rowed by people of all ages and gender. It is estimated that the build team invested about 500 hours of work in the craft.

The mayor David Mortimer leads the skiff to the water

A second skiff 'Whisper' was later launched from the Longshed

A new Woodbridge Coastal Rowing Club has been set up for people who want to row the new skiffs on the River Deben. The new club joins an established network of Coastal Rowing clubs in Norfolk, Essex and around much of the UK coast as well as a recognised programme of local and national competitions. WRT is very pleased that Suffolk Coastal District Council is supporting these projects through the Enabling Communities Exemplar Grant programme and a generous donation from the makers of video Life on the Deben (see below). Anyone wishing to join a build team for the next skiff can find details on the WoodbridgeRiversideTrust.org website.

Inset into the breasthook just behind the bow, is a new Sovereign. Mike Pratt (white hat just behind the mayor) thought of this wonderful idea and sourced the coin from the Royal Mint - the very first connection between royalty and the Longshed - that was constructed for a royal shipbuild.

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Community

Woodbridge Haven and Visitor Centre houses the Woodbridge Museum. The Museum moved from the Market Hill in Woodbridge to its new facility on the waterfront adjacent to The Longshed. A move such as this takes a great deal of work and money which was provided by the supporters of the museum. The minimal entry fee now contributes towards its running costs. All the organisations on the Waterfront are keen to attract interested people to become 'Friends' to raise awareness and generate more visitors.

The Visitor Centre has books and leaflets providing information on the heritage and attractions of the town. There are leaflets for self-guided walks about the town and displays charting its history. The upper floor of the Centre has an activity area that can be used for meetings, talks and workshops. For information contact 01394 385572. A virtual museum provides further information and there will be descriptions and photographs of objects in the reserve collection.

There is a comprehensive set of paintings by the renown Suffolk Artist -Thomas Churchyard

In addition to the museum's own paintings additional works from private collections are sometimes displayed.

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Woodbridge Tide Mill

Misty Morning Woodbridge Waterfront (Jacq Barnard)

The Longshed is directly alongside the world-famous Woodbridge Tide Mill

The Tide Mill is open for milling demonstrations in addititon to the full schedule of wheel turning. The mill is surely the most iconic building on the East Coast and certainly the most photographed. It was constructed to harness the power of the tide. The rising water was trapped in a mill pool and then after the tide receded the water was released to turn the 5m wheel to drive the machinery of the mill. A mill was first recorded on this site in 1170 and was run by Augustinian's until Henry VIII saw his opportunity and 'confiscated' it from them. Later, Elizabeth I sold it to Thomas Seckford, a name still very famous in Woodbridge. The mill has a wonderful arrangement of wooden and iron cogs, wheels and lifting machinery, all maintained in full working order. It is possible to see the mill in operation grinding flour that can be used for baking.

Woodbridge Art Club

Woodbridge Art Club. The Summer Exhibition usually opens in the club's gallery on Tide Mill Way. There are paintings, pottery, calendars and cards, as well as the book relating to the club's first 50 years which began when the artists hung their pictures on the railings of the nearby railway station. (woodbridgeartclub.org.uk)

Ship Build

Getting started

Anglo-Saxon ship. An International Symposium of academic and archaeology experts together with experienced boat builders met in The Longshed. This event was by invitation only. They heard about the 5 - 6 years of research that had gone into the hull of the Sutton Hoo (also called the Mound 1) ship. A series of questions was compiled by The Ship's Company to be put to these people who have related knowledge and experience.

The aim was to make sure that everything had been properly researched and that the proposed construction met with approval. If this proved to be the case, then the way was open to commence construction.

At that time, very few people understood the depth of the investigations that had been going on, so following the Symposium a talk 'Beginning the Build' was given twice in the Longshed for the benefit of local people. Over 200 people attended these talks.

The content of the talk covered the investigations that have taken place, what information was gathered and what discoveries were made. Explanations of the techniques and tools to be used and what skills were needed. There were descriptions of the challenges to be faced, with outline explanations of the lofting principles and the possible setting up of mould frames in order to check the accuracy of the build.

To discover more about the research hover on 'Ship' at the top of the page.