West Somerton
There are good moorings (photo*) in the dyke (fee). The Post Office Stores and Somerton Lion Public House are a 5 minutes walk from the village staithe (photo*). The nearby wind farm (photo*) situated at Blood Hill was one of the first in the UK. It's 10 wind turbines generate up to 2.25MW of power.
On leaving the dyke the river flows through Martham Broad, keep to the marked channel. The river from here to Martham Ferry has been designated by the Broads Authority as a
'fishing area', boat users are requested to avoid this stretch before 9 am on Sundays during the fishing season.
Martham Broad
The broad is very shallow and boats are limited to a narrow marked channel. The broad is a nature reserve of over 140 acres and is managed by the Norfolk Naturalist Trust. The broad is less
polluted than others and so is very rich in aquatic life. Birds of all types can also be spotted and during the months of June and July the Swallowtail butterfly (photo) may be seen near its favourite food, Milk Parsley.
The river takes a sharp turn to the left with the Hundred Stream flowing into it on the right. Vast reed beds line both banks, to the left, the Blood Hill wind farm can be
seen. Martham dyke (photo*) is on the left bank followed by Martham Chain Ferry (photo*), and Martham Ferry boatyard (photo*), the boatyard is now derelict and up for auction (May 2008). From here to Candle Dyke chalets line the left hand bank.
Martham
The attractive village of Martham with its fine Georgian houses around the green is well worth a visit. There are a good range of shops and two pubs.
Candle Dyke is a ¼ downstream of Martham Ferry and leaves the Thurne to the right. Keep to the marked channel through Heigham Sound. On the right at the north end of Heigham
Sound is the entrance to Meadow Dyke, which leads onto Horsey Mere. The channel is narrow and in some ways reminiscent of the Ant. Mooring is possible, but care must be taken not to restrict
the passage of other craft. Horsey Mere can look drab on a dull day, but as its a wildfowl sanctuary with cruising discouraged during the winters months, perhaps you will be lucky enough to
see it on a warm summers day. The deepest water can be found to the left of the island, the whole broad being very shallow.
Horsey Mere
Horsey is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), it covers an area of over a 100 acres and was acquired by the National Trust in 1948. It is a popular place for migrating birds who
over-winter here. At the eastern end (photo) is the staithe (fee), Horsey Mill and the Staithe Stores, where tickets can be purchased to visit the mill. The main brick structure of the present Wind pump (photo) was built in 1912 with bricks made locally at Martham. It has suffered damage over the years from lighting and in 1987 by gales, but is now fully open to the public, including the gallery which offers outstanding views across the Broads. The village and dunes can be included in a circular walk from the staithe. The Nelson's Head is a 15 minute walk from the staithe and is listed in the Good Pub Guide.
After Heigham Sound (photo), Deep-Go Dyke is reached with moorings on the left bank At White Slea Broad is the thatched Royal Shooting
Lodge. More moorings can be found on entering Deep Dyke. Hickling Broad is now entered, despite being the largest broad it is very shallow outside the marked channel, keep between the posts
as you cross to the staithe. On the left is the entrance to Catfield Dyke, turn off the main channel when the two white triangle marker posts at the mouth of the dyke are aligned.
Catfield Common
There are moorings at Catfield Common Staithe, but these waters are only really suitable for small craft. The village of Catfield is 1 ¼ miles to the west.
The marked channel now bends northwards towards the Pleasure Boat Inn Staithe, look out for small yachts and wind surfers (very fast). The Houseboats of Whispering Reeds
boatyard overlook the broad and are just to the right of the staithe. Keep clear of the sandy bay to the left on entering the dyke. Mooring is available on both sides of the dyke.
Hickling Broad
Covering over 370 acres of open water, Hickling Broad (photo) is the largest broad and forms part of a 1400 acre National Nature Reserve owned since 1945 by the Norfolk Naturalists Trust.
From the Pleasure Boat Inn staithe (photo*) a 20-minute walk takes you along quiet country lanes and public footpaths past the thatched boathouses (photo*) at Hickling Staithe on the edge of the broad and on to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Hickling Broad National Nature Reserve visitor centre off Stubb Road.
The visitor centre (photo*) (fee) is open from April to September 10am – 5pm (01692 598276). There are way-marked trails for all including ones suitable for wheelchair users with bird watching hides (photo*) so that you may view the wildlife. A water trail (fee) takes you across open water and through reeds to the Tree Tower. The 60ft tree tower affords extensive views over the Broads and to the coast.
The flora and fauna are encouraged by sensitive management of the marshland pools and reed beds. The astute visitor may see red shank, snipe, bittern and migrants like ospreys, green shank and
the rare spoonbill. Hickling is also the place to see the swallowtail butterfly, the largest butterfly in Britain. The angler is also well catered for with some of the best pike fishing in
the area. Visitors are asked not to disturb the wildlife or plant life.
Whispering Reeds the nearby boatyard has a number of boats for hire all are usually able to pass under Potter Heigham Bridge except during spring tides.
The shops and Greyhound Pub (photo*) are in Hickling Green a 15 minute walk from the staithe.
* Pictures kindly supplied by www.TourNorfolk.co.uk
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