Irstead
The staithe is small and offers no facilities (photo), but the village and in particular the reed thatched church of St Michael is very attractive. A number of very
attractive thatched cottages (photo) are at the waters edge, slow down as you pass through this narrow section.
The river meanders south through Hall Fen and Reedham Marsh, there are some spots suitable for mooring (photo), but look out for underwater
obstructions.. The river has a very rural, less sophisticated feel as it winds it's way towards How Hill. Bundles of thatch may be seen at the waters edge waiting for collection.
On the left bank is the entrance to the unavailable Crome's Broad, mooring available at the mouth of the dyke. Its quite possible to see a wherry on this section of the river, maybe
even the wherry Albion (photo).
A little way downstream, on the How Hill Nature reserve is Clayrack Drainage Mill (photo). It is a hollow post mill with a full set of sails which
drive a scoop wheel, it was originally sited on Ranworth Marshes. Situated 200 metres downstream is Boardman's Drainage Mill (photo), an open framed timber trestle
mill with miniature cap, sails fantail and turbine. Extensive moorings are available on the left bank.
How Hill Nature Reserve
How Hill has been called a "microcosm of Broadland habitat" (photo: looking upstream) and indeed it is - nature trails take the visitor through sedge beds, marsh meadows and Carr woodland, both on land and water. Look out for the stacks of reed at the staithe (photo) and on the opposite bank (photo). An environmentally friendly Edwardian style electric boat, the Eel (photo),
takes up to 8 people on a 50 minute journey along clear dykes through the reeds and fens of the How Hill estate. A small marsh mans cottage Toad Hole (photo) gives the visitor an idea of Victorian life on the Broads. Eric Edward's is the marshman at How Hill, he can often be seen working in the reed beds or giving demonstrations at the staithe.
How Hill House (photo), is the home of the Norfolk Broads Study Centre. There are two separate gardens at How Hill, near the house are the formal Edwardian gardens
with their famous Yew Hedges and extensive views over the marshes (photo). Hidden away in the woods are the unique bog gardens, dominated in late Spring by Azaleas and
Rhododendrons. The house is not open to the public, but the gardens can be glimpsed from the staithe.
A Freshwater Ecology Centre situated near the How Hill House opened in 1999, part of the Clearwater 2000 project. Made from sustainable materials wherever possible, parts of the building have been made
from trees cleared from the site.
On the right bank, downstream from How Hill Staithe is Turf Fen Windpump (photo).
From here to just before Ludham bridge mooring is dangerous due to
submerged stakes (photo: looking upstream). The river now makes a wide horseshoe bend as it heads towards Ludham Bridge, the banks become more open and the water can
get choppy in the breeze.
Ludham Bridge
There are good moorings on either side of the river before the bridge (photo), 8 ft 7 in headroom at average high tide. It can be very windy here. Ludham Bridge Stores
stock a good range of provisions, and at the boatyard cycles are available to hire. A Public Telephone is near the bridge. The Dog Inn is a 5 minute walk towards Ludham village and is listed in the Good
Pub Guide.
On passing through the bridge (photo) the river takes a sharp turn to the left (photo: looking upstream),
look out for craft manoeuvring for the bridge. The next ¾ of a mile to Ant Mouth are uneventful, slow down as the Bure is reached and be prepared to give way.
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