The Reed Cutters of North Norfolk

This is the website for the North Norfolk Reed Cutters Association, the organisation that represents the cutters that work the reed beds of the North Norfolk Coast.

There is a history of reed cutting along the North Norfolk coast that goes back centuries with reed cutting playing a very important part of the longshore economy. This seasonal work helped to bring in much needed income during the harshest time of the year when rough seas meant dangerous fishing and there was not much work on the land.

The Reed cutting industry survives to this day, with reed cutters a regular sight along the marshes of North Norfolk during the winter cutting season.

Most of the current North Norfolk cutters started their cutting career at Cley on the Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve before branching out and restoring other beds along the coast. Now reed is again being cut at many different sites along the coast as it was in the past.