A Norfolk Broads from Neatishead to Horning

Start: Bus stops by The White Horse pub, Neatishead (NR12 8AD) Grid Ref. TG 341 209

(S) The bus stops by The White Horse pub which can be disorientating as to which road to take. Follow Irstead road straight ahead from the pub Eastward ignoring the left turn and proceeding down the side of the Old Saddlery restaurant. Proceed along this country lane, around a double bend and past a junction on the right.

(1) Opposite a hotel on the right is a track which leads down to Gay's Staithe which is worth taking time out to explore. Then proceed along the road, which bends around to the right, then further along takes a sharp left before slowly curving right again.

(2) At this point is the entrance to the boardwalks on the banks of Barton Broad which leads out to a viewing platform which, once again, is worth exploring. Then continue on the road until it junctions with the road into Irstead. Turn right and then the next left. Keep to this lane. Eventually, it takes a sharp right by some buildings then turns sharp left. Straight ahead is Alderfen Broad. Continue along the road looking out for an entrance on the left marked for Browns Hill. This has signs marking the track as 'Private' although this only applies to traffic.

(3) On the left hand side is a footpath waymarker indicating that it is a public right of way. Continue down this track to the cottages then take the footpath down the side of the buildings. This enters into some woodland known as Baxter's Carr.

(4) Where the path crosses a ditch there are alternative footpaths on either side of the ditch. Take the path on the near side which is easier to navigate, and follow this around to a pipeline where the two paths on either side of the ditch rejoin. The footpath now follows a straight line through to a lane that leads onto the A1062 road to Ludham.

(5) Directly opposite is a footpath that diagonally crosses a field. If this is impassable there is an alternative route along a lane just up the road leading down the side of the field. The path emerges at a cross roads, take the right-hand turn onto School Road and follow this into Horning village. There is a footpath on the right-hand side for part of the way. (E)

Start: Bus stops by The White Horse pub, Neatishead (NR12 8AD) Grid Ref. TG 341 209

Transport :
Sanders Coaches - Bus Service : X11 route from Norwich to Stalham via Wroxham run by Sanders Coaches
Greater Anglia Trains - Train Service : 4/5 - The Bittern Line - Railway line linking Norwich, Wroxham, Cromer and Sheringham

Terrain : A simple walk using quiet country lanes and footpaths to roughly follow the course of the River Ant

Accommodation : Woodhill Park Campsite

Refreshments :

• The New Inn, Horning
• The Swan, Horning
• The Ferry Inn, Horning

Find more information and walks at Griffmonsters Great Walks here.

The Ghostly Tale of Barton Broad
The Legend of the Morphing Horning Village
Heard's Holde