URL : http://www.whiteswan.u-net.com/Stalham/cootclubtour.html Title: STALHAM, Norfolk, Arthur Ransomes Norfolk Broads, Coot Club Tour- Stalham/cootclubtour.html Arthur Ransome's Norfolk Broads The Arthur Ransome Norfolk Trail (based on the Norfolk County Council LIbrary & Informaton Service leaflet) A two-part tour of the Norfolk Broads by car, featuring places of interest in "Coot Club" and "The Big Six". These were the two books written by Arthur Ransome based upon the Norfolk Broads, they were serialised by the BBC and later released on video by W H Smiths. Part One starts at Wroxham and ends at Horsey and is 25 miles. Part Two starts at Great Yarmouth and ends at Ranworth and is 30 miles. For full enjoyment, take a day for each part and use OS Landranger map 134, "Norwich and The Broads". A text version of this trail can be downloaded here The Trail Starts Here From Wroxham Bridge, head towards Stalham on A1151. After ¼ mile, turn right at crossroads onto A1062, follow for 2½ miles to Horning. Turn right, follow road down to river and village Click on the picture for a larger sized image HORNING Horning is a modern sailing and holiday village, with popular pubs. Here the "Teasel" was moored, and Dick and Dorothea first came on board. Tom Dudgeon, Port and Starboard lived here. (Picture right is the Swan and Horning Staithe) Back to A1062, turn right. After 2 miles, cross Ludham Bridge, (over River Ant), pass Ludham "Dog" on your right. Take next turning right (towards Hall Common) and after a short distance, turn right onto a track ("To St Benet's Abey") to the river. The track is about a mile long. Park at end of concreted track and walk final 100 yards along unmade, rutted track. ST BENET'S ABBEY St Benets Abbey is close to the confluence of the Ant and the Bure. The Abbey fell into decay after the dissolution of the monasteries and now the remains of a mill are in the ruins of the gatehouse. Return to road at end of track, turn right, and then left into Ludham. LUDHAM Ludham is a pleasant village with a fifteenth century church and attractive eighteenth century houses. (Nearby How Hill nature reserve is an interesting diversion from the trail.) Womack Water is well vorth a visit. Turn right onto A1062 and right again to Womack Staithe. Return to A1062 and turn right, follow towards Potter Heigham. POTTER HEIGHAM Potter Heigham is a famous Broadland yachting centre. Its renowned bridge, over the Thurne, is low and narrow. At Potter Heigham bridge one of the Coot Club spies kept a lookout for the Margoletta. (Left, The Death & Glory before the boys converted her) Go over the bridge and turn sharp left onto A149. After 2 miles, turn right ("To Hickling 3 miles") and pass Catfield Common, turn right at crossroads to Hickling Broad. Park after about ½ mile, and walk past "The Pleasure Boat Inn" to the Broad. HICKLING Hickling has a shallow broad with beautiful, peaceful scenery. A nature trail by water starts at "The Pleasure Boat Inn". A conservation centre is close to the Broad. (Sutton Windmill in the next village, is the highest of its type in Norfolk and gives breath-taking views.) From Hickling Broad, retun to crossroads, turn right through village and follow 3 miles of narrow country road to B1159. Turn right to Sea Palling (sign-posted to Waxham, Horsey, Gt Yarmouth). One mile beyond Sea Palling, take road on left to church, park car and enjoy Waxham's fine sandy beach. WAXHAM While much has been lost to the sea, a large farmhouse with fifteenth century gatehouse, and a neglected church remain. Return to B1159 coast road and follow for 4 miles through Horsey to a large National Trust car park, on right, close to Horsey Mere. (Right, Dick and Dorothea learning to sail) HORSEY Horsey Mill is open during the Summer. Horsey Mere is very beautiful, particularly at sunset. Dick and Dorothea had their first sailing lessons here. Trail Part One Ends The Trail Part Two Take the A143 (Beccles Road) out of Great Yarmouth. from A143, follow signs to Burgh Castle, (on your right). At Burgh Castle, park car and take footpath to Roman ruins. From inside the castle walls you look over the River Waveney to Berney Arms mill, with the southern-most end of Breydon Water to your right. BREYDON WATER Here the "Teasel" and the "Titmouse" were marooned in fog and stuck on a sandbank until the tide turned. The Hullaballoos wrecked the Margoletta here. Return to Gt Yarmouth/Beccles road via Belton. Turn right and follow to Fritton and St Olaves. (Right, the cabin layout of the Margoletta) FRITTON Fritton is worth a stop to visit the country park and lake, and extensive woodland walks. ST OLAVES In "Coot Club", the porters who open New Cut Bridge, near St Olaves, catch their two shillings in a long handled net. Two miles beyond the bridge, turn right after Haddiscoe onto B1136. After 2 miles, turn right onto B1140 to Reedham, (signposted to Acle), crossing the river by ferry. There is a small charge, but well worth it just for the experience of using the last surviving ferry. REEDHAM The "Teasel" was tied up here while waiting for the a wind to take tide up the Norwich river (River Yare). Follow B1140 about 7 miles to Acle. follow signs to Acle centre, then continue along B1140 to south Walsham. Turn right to Ranworth. (Left, the Teasel in full sail) RANWORTH Park car at Ranworth Broad and follow signs to Ranworth Broadland Conservation Centre, which probides a short nature trail, and birdwatching. "Death and Glory" towed the "Teasel" into Ranworth Broad to avoid the Hullaballoos. End the trail at the top of Ranworth Church, for magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. To return to Wroxham, continue past the Church, through Woodbastwick and Salhouse, then turn right for Wroxham. Trail Part Two Ends If you want any further information on the Norfolk Broads mail the cootclub@whiteswan.u-net.com and I will try to help.