Denver

Denver is a charming village about 1 miles south of Downham Market. Situated on the edge of the Fens, the village gently descends on the flat Fens toward Denver Sluice.

The church of St Mary sits in a long graveyard at the junction in the old village centre. Also at the heart of the village are the post office and pub, The Bell Inn. The inventor Captain George Mamby, was born in the village in 1765, and a plaque commemorating this can be found at his birthplace On the edge of the village, historic Denver Windmill welcomes visitors to look around the mill tower and exhibitions about milling and life in the Fens as well at the opportunity to indulge at the popular tea rooms. The mill also offers baking courses.

Continuing past the mill visitors will come to Denver Sluice, a fascinating and vitally important complex for water management across large parts of the surrounding Fens, situated as it is at the confluence of five watercourses. In 1651 the first sluice was built across the river at Denver, by Cornelius Vermuyden, although it had to be rebuilt after bursting in 1713. Today the complex is managed by the Environment Agency who also provide a small interpretation centre and pre-booked tours of the site for groups.

Adjacent to the main sluices, is the Jenyns Arms pub with waterside gardens. Denver Sluice is the home of West Norfolk Rowing Club and Denver Sailing Club and is a popular location for pleasure boaters and for people just wanting to relax around the waterways. Denver Sluice is on the Fen Rivers Way footpath which follow the river Great Ouse from King’s Lynn sough to Ely and then along the River Cam to Cambridge. Denver is also on the National Cycle route 11 which connects Cambridge with King’s Lynn.

For golfers Denver offer great opportunities with both Denver golf club and nearby Ryston Park Golf Club.