10 Things to do

…just before the River Bure leaves the Broads and …near the River Chet and across the River Yare at Reedham

Coltishall, Horstead and Belaugh

1. Conservation areas

Coltishall, Horstead and Belaugh include conservation areas, all good for an enjoyable village wander. These are areas of special architectural or historic interest that should be protected, where needs for the future must be balanced with the need to care for the past. Local architectural styles and materials, the landscape and waterways, all create a local distinctiveness – something special about these areas. Wherries were Broads cargo boats, with a shallow draught and a single huge sail. They carried goods such as corn, coal and timber. Coltishall was home to boat building from the early 1800s and Allen's boatyard was in Anchor Street. The last trading wherry, Ella, was built here in 1912. The river was navigable as far as Horstead Mill and was canalised to Aylsham using locks. At Belaugh, the history and geology of the area have shaped the village’s layout and buildings. Conservation areas

2. Medieval churches

Like many Broads churches, several in these villages have medieval origins and the north wall at St John the Baptist's Church, Coltishall (one of the thatched churches), even contains Roman brick. In later times, St Peter’s at Belaugh was the inspiration for the poet John Betjeman’s fascination with churches. He lived 1906-1984 and as a child had family boating holidays on the Broads. In two of his poems he recalls the River Bure and Horsey Mere. The steep Pilgrims’ Path leads down from the church to a tiny staithe (mooring place). At All Saints’, Horstead, there’s a range of stained glass by late 19th and early 20th-century workshops, including work by Edward Burne-Jones for the William Morris workshop and a window depicting Julian of Norwich, the first woman known to have written a book in English. VisitTheBroads.co.uk/things-to-do/culture-and-heritage

3. Horstead Mill

The Domesday Book (1086) recorded local mills. The remains of the watermill buildings that we see today date from the late 18th century. The mill continued operating until 1963 when it was destroyed by fire. The site of a lock keeper's cottage is still visible and you can have a wander on an accessible route around the remains of the mill. Please don’t enter the water – we don’t recommend swimming anywhere in the rivers and broads except as part of an organised event. horstead-pc.gov.uk

4. Bure Valley Railway

The narrow-gauge Bure Valley Railway runs from Wroxham to Aylsham. There are request stops at Coltishall, Buxton and Brampton. When boarding the train, tell the guard if you want to get off at a request stop. To board at a request stop, stand in the middle of the platform, well back, and raise your arm for the train to stop. If there’s space for you, pay exact cash (or phone in advance to pay by card). The railway is accessible by wheelchair, please book in advance. Rover tickets are also available, with unlimited travel all day. If you’re taking the train to Wroxham, you’ll find lots of boating opportunities to enjoy the Broads from the water too. From there you can also link up with the Bittern Line, part of the national rail network. bvrw.co.uk

5. Bure Valley Path

This is a walking and cycling route of about 9 miles, running beside the railway. For bike hire go to VisitTheBroads.co.uk/cycling and if you’re starting from the bike hire centre at Horning, a route along country lanes will take you to this path. The trains carry bikes if there’s space. A village and river walk of about 6.5 miles explores Coltishall Common, Horstead Mill and the Bure Valley Path. Look out for geese, ducks, grey wagtails, yellowhammers, jays, even a barn owl or a kingfisher, and listen out for skylarks too. VisitTheBroads.co.uk/walking

For a circular route taking in Coltishall, Belaugh and Wroxham, take the Bittern Line Railway Ramble 3, through water meadows and farmland, and along the Bure Valley Path. norfolk.gov.uk/trails

To explore by paddlecraft from Coltishall go to VisitTheBroads.co.uk/canoe-hire.

Reedham, Chedgrave and Loddon

6. History still working

The River Chet flows out from Loddon and Chedgrave and joins the River Yare just upstream of the chain ferry at Reedham. The ferry is one of the few remaining in the Broads and even takes vehicles. There’s been a crossing at Reedham since the early 17th century and the original ferry’s main users were horse-drawn vehicles. In 1949 the ferry was still hand-wound across the river, but early in 1950 it became motorised. The railway swing bridge is also an important part of the working history of the Broads. Like those at Somerleyton and Oulton Broad, it dates from the early 1900s. They operated without today’s technology and until recently the internal components hadn’t been replaced in more than 100 years. reedhamferry.co.uk

7. Polkey’s Mill

At the Polkey’s Mill site, cared for by the Norfolk Windmills Trust, you can see the whole chronology of drainage mill development. The site is visible from the Wherryman’s Way (details from norfolk.gov.uk/trails), with wonderful views of the marshes. Follow the Wherryman’s Way signs from just by the Ship Inn at Reedham, going along Holly Farm Road and along the riverbank towards Polkey’s Mill. From Reedham, it’s about 45 minutes each way. The site is also known as the Seven Mile Site, after the distance by river to Great Yarmouth. For Norfolk Windmills Trust details go to norfolk.gov.uk.  watermillsandmarshes.org.uk

8. More churches

Records show that a church, founded by Bishop Felix of Dunwich (on the Suffolk coast) has stood on the site of St John the Baptist’s at Reedham since the 7th century. The Wherry Lines Railway Ramble 4 will take you to the church. norfolk.gov.uk/trails

Loddon and Chedgrave is another conservation area. The staithe and Church Plain are both focal points in Loddon, with the mainly 15th-century Holy Trinity Church and many other interesting buildings including a former watermill. From behind the church you can explore Loddon Marshes. VisitTheBroads.co.uk/walking

All Saint’s, Chedgrave has a thatched tower and the east window contains stained glass said to have been brought from Rouen in France in the late 18th century. From behind the church an access tested path will take you to Chedgrave Staithe and back (about 1.5 miles return). A walk that isn't accessible continues to a view of Hardley Flood (about 2.25 miles). norfolk.gov.uk/accesstested

9. Hardley Mill

On the Chet side of the Yare, further upstream is Hardley Mill, fully restored and open to visitors (it also offers public events). “If the sails are turning – we are open.” The mill was built in 1874 by Ludham millwright Daniel England. The drainage mills were built to drain the marshes dry enough for keeping cattle. Hardley Mill operated until around 1950 when it was badly damaged and replaced by an electric pump. You can walk to it from Hardley Dyke along the Wherryman’s Way (which changes to the south bank of the Yare at Reedham). hardleywindmilluk.org

10. Events

Many Broads towns and villages have markets. Loddon Country Market takes place every Tuesday 10-11.30am at The Hollies, High Street. Look out for homemade cakes, savouries and preserves, and homegrown fruit, vegetables and flowers. Eggs and milk come from a local farm, and there are locally made crafts. facebook.com/LoddonCountryMarket

New for this year, Loddon and Chedgrave Arts Festival takes place 3-5 July, with arts and crafts things to see or do in and around Loddon and Chedgrave. There are workshops and events for all to enjoy, including an arts and crafts environment trail and quiz. loddonandchedgraveartsfestival.uk