The River Chet:

Loddon to Hardley Cross

The Chet is navigable for 3 ½ enchanting miles. The old mill over the river marks the boundary between Loddon and Chedgrave and is the start of navigation. The river is narrow in places, wooded at first, then as it nears Hardley Cross it becomes more canal like, with extensive grazing marshes and big skies.

Loddon and Chedgrave

Loddon is an attractive market town with many splendid Georgian houses along its main street. The fine Church of the Holy Trinity stands high over the village and surrounding countryside. At the head of the river the tree lined public staithe has good moorings for a number of boats of all sizes. Although Loddon has the feel of being many miles from Yarmouth, the rise and fall of the tide can be as much as 2 ½ feet, leave plenty of slack in your mooring ropes if staying overnight. Mooring is stern-on. Water, Litter receptacles and Public Toilets are nearby, a Public telephone kiosk is situated near the church. Across the road from the staithe is Shorrocks Community Store and a little way into Loddon a Co-operative Society Supermarket, both open till late. The village is well served by a number of shops including an excellent chippie.

More moorings are available a little way down the river at Pyes Mill Picnic Site. This is a lovely spot to moor of an evening, Loddon being just a short walk away across the grazing marshes. Should you wish to return by a different path, a map of the footpaths can be found at the car park in front of the church.

Pyes Mill

Pyes Mill Mooring. There are good views over the grazing marshes to The Church of the Holy Trinity high on the hill overlooking Loddon.

Chedgrave Common

At Chedgrave Common on the left bank are moorings for about three boats. From here a footpath leads alongside the river to Hardley Flood, an unnavigable sheet of water where many bird varieties can be observed. A longer path also leads from here into Chedgrave.

The river now gently winds through the wooded countryside, care is needed as there are many bends and the river is narrow. As the river nears its mouth with the Yare the scenery changes, the river becomes more open with extensive grazing marshes, with views North to Cantley and south towards Reedham. The banks are protected with wooden piling and raised flood defences - recently renewed. Hardley Cross marks the mouth of the Chet - to the left Brundall and Norwich to the right Reedham and Yarmouth.