In an old topographical history of England published in the middle of the 18th Century may be found this paragraph.
"Loddon is distant 105 miles from London, and contains nothing that merits notice".
In response Mr. Thomas William Ellis, a 19th Century Loddon Chemist, Book seller and Stationer, Wine and Spirit merchant, Postmaster, Telegraph Officer, Impresario, author, poet and Dentist,
wrote,
"I want to tell about "OUR TOWN", The Town in which I dwell, ."
Some local intelligentsia suggest that the name of the town came from the Anglo-Saxon word for 'muddy river' but Mr. Ellis, points out in his witty doggerel,
"...at length a town arose, built by those Low Down men-And what more likely-than that town should be called Low Down then?"
Whatever, the history of this ancient parish, now the focal point of the district, like so many others, is shrouded in the mists of time.
It grew on the hill to the South of the River Chet, much as its rival parish Chedgrave grew on the hill to the north of the river, close to the ford which gave a convenient river crossing on
the westerly edge of the marshes.
"Never to be flooded by the highest of tides, by the wettest of winters nor sudden summer storms"-but close to the river for power and trade.
This small town, which is now by-passed by the main Norwich to Beccles Road, has a population of over 2,000.
Water-based leisure activities are a major part of the Loddon scene.
The Staithes were once the un-loading point for wherries, which sailed from Norwich and Great Yarmouth with coal and corn.
Now they serve yachtsmen and hire boat crews during the season and together with the boat-building and letting yards, make an important contribution to the economy of the town.
Engineering and other industries sited on the industrial estate pleasantly landscaped behind hills to the South of the town provide employment for local people.
Loddon can boast many fine buildings; from the 15th century parish church of Holy Trinity, which houses a splendid and informative pictorial display of "Loddon's History", through the fine 18th Century "Loddon House", to "Farthing Green House", which is a good example of Georgian architecture.
Many visitors to Loddon come to search for their family history, they may have relatives who lived here, fathers who were stationed here during either World War or parents who were evacuated
here.
All will find help in their quest for photographs and information happily given by the local history group, who have written a number of booklets on aspects of local history.
As our 19th Century jack of all trades said
"Neglect of hospitality is not our leading sin, For sure as any stranger comes, so sure we'll take him in"