Norfolk Reed and Thatching

Thatch is a traditional material that has been used for roofing in Norfolk since prehistory. Whereas in some parts of the country straw was used for thatch, the extensive reed beds of East Anglia gave our ancestors access to a much more durable, locally grown material. To this day most of the reed that is cut and bundled up on the North Norfolk marshes is sold to thatchers.

Bundles of reeds on the reedbeds near Cley Windmill

The best quality reed for thatching is called “single wale” reed. This is reed from beds that are cut once a year, so the bundle contains only strong, young plants. Reed that is cut every two years is called 'double wale' and contains reed from the previous years growth which has grown brittle. 'Double wale' reed is worth less to the thatcher as the older reeds have to be removed before the reed can be used. A bundle of good 'single wale' reed will cover about a square foot of roof.

This centuries old trade is however under threat from cheaper imports from abroad. Reed is now being imported from across Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa and sold to thatchers at up to 15% less than the local price. In addition the cost of reed cutting has also gone up with landowners demanding more money for harvesting the reed from their land. It is now the case that more than 80% of the reed used for thatching in this country comes from abroad.

Norfolk Reed does, however, have some advantages over the competition.

As it grows in exposed, windswept beds it is a hardy plant which makes for a quality thatching material, lasting up to 70 years, much longer than some imported reed.
As well as being strong, our local reed is more tapered than longer reed from hotter climates making it much more suitable for the rounded curves of English thatch.
Because it is local, thatchers can check the quality of each crop before they buy it, rather than paying for an unseen shipment that gets dropped off on the day.

If you are a homeowner needing to rethatch, a thatcher wanting to know more about our reed, or a builder researching traditional building materials we would like to hear from you. Please contact us.


homepage About Us The Reed Harvest Reeds for Thatch The North Norfolk Coast A Sustainable Trade Contact Us Links	Norfolk Reed and Thatching Thatch is a traditional material that has been used for roofing in Norfolk since prehistory. Whereas in some parts of the country straw was used for thatch, the extensive reed beds of East Anglia gave our ancestors access to a much more durable, locally grown material. To this day most of the reed that is cut and bundled up on the North Norfolk marshes is sold to thatchers. The best quality reed for thatching is called “single wale” reed. This is reed from beds that are cut once a year, so the bundle contains only strong, young plants. Reed that is cut every two years is called 'double wale' and contains reed from the previous years growth which has grown brittle. 'Double wale' reed is worth less to the thatcher as the older reeds have to be removed before the reed can be used. A bundle of good 'single wale' reed will cover about a square foot of roof. This centuries old trade is however under threat from cheaper imports from abroad. Reed is now being imported from across Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa and sold to thatchers at up to 15% less than the local price. In addition the cost of reed cutting has also gone up with landowners demanding more money for harvesting the reed from their land. It is now the case that more than 80% of the reed used for thatching in this country comes from abroad. Norfolk Reed does, however, have some advantages over the competition. As it grows in exposed, windswept beds it is a hardy plant which makes for a quality thatching material, lasting up to 70 years, much longer than some imported reed. As well as being strong, our local reed is more tapered than longer reed from hotter climates making it much more suitable for the rounded curves of English thatch. Because it is local, thatchers can check the quality of each crop before they buy it, rather than paying for an unseen shipment that gets dropped off on the day. If you are a homeowner needing to rethatch, a thatcher wanting to know more about our reed, or a builder researching traditional building materials we would like to hear from you. Please contact us.
	Email: info@norfolkreed.co.uk \| Website designed and produced by Ugly Studios