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High Mill and Horsefen
Marshes Walk
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A Circular Walk from Ludham Village
Important Note Winter 2010. Parts of this path are currently closed due to bank repairs. It is not clear when this will be completed. Be prepared to follow an alternative route. Details below.This pleasant walk can be started either from the middle of Ludham Village or from Womack stathe for those arriving by boat. It climbs to the top of High Mill Hill where there are good views (not strenuous - there are no big hills in Ludham) and then takes in the hamlet of Fritton on Ludham's eastern borders. From here you cross the Ludham Marshes Nature Reserve and follow the banks of the river Thurne and Womack Water back to Ludham.
Total distance is about 3 miles. There is a short cut if needed. Walk is mainly on public footpaths, with some minor roads. It can be muddy so good walking shoes recommended.
Excellent chances of seeing interesting wildlife. look out in particular for the barn owl on the marshes.
The Route:
Start in the middle of Ludham Village and walk along the main road towards Potter Heigham. You will have Thrower's shop on your left and a row of thatched cottages on your right. Go past the entance to Horsefen Road on your right (there are two entrances actually) and just beyond the second road turn right onto the track shown in the middle of the picture below. Follow this track uphill.
Keep going on this track and you will come to the top of High Mill Hill. Follow the track downhill again, and keep going straight on where the track narrows at the field boundary.
Follow this field boundary until
you reach a road where you turn right. You are now in the hamlet of
Fritton. For more information about Fritton, there is a Ludham Archive
Booklet.
Follow the road down to the right
passing Green Farm.
At the end of the road you will
see this gate. Turn right here following the track.
You soon arive at the Ludham
Marshes National Nature Reserve.
At this fork in the track turn
left. If you want a short cut, go straight on and rejoin the walk at
Hunter's Yard.
Winter 2010. You may need to follow the alternative route while essential river bank work is going on.
Winter 2010. You may need to follow the alternative route while essential river bank work is going on.
Go through this gate and follow
the track across the marshes. Just before you get to the house turn
right and cross a metal footbridge. Now climb up onto the river bank.
You are now at Horsefen pumping
station. There used to be a windpump here called Goodwin's Mill. It is
long since demolished, but it is still possible to make out the site of
the mill when the vegetation is not too high.
From the riverbank you get views
of the River Thurne and some of the Thurne Bungalows which line the
banks from here to Martham.
Turn right and follow the path
along the riverbank with the marshes on your right. Look out here for
the owl.
This ancient mill stands on the
marshes. the Broads Authority base and Hunter's Yard are in the
background.
Follow the riverbank path and turn
right alongside Womack Water at Toad Hall.
When you get to Hunter's Yard, go
past the wooden sheds and then turn left into the road. Follow the road
until you reach Womack Stathe (below).
From Womack Stathe, continue along the road (Horsefen Road) until you reach a T-junction. Turn left here and you are back in the middle of Ludham Village again.