 |
How Hill |
To the west of Ludham on the bank of the River Ant is the How Hill estate. It is a pleasant place summer and winter and is a magnet for visitors to the area.
The picture above shows How
Hill house. It was built in 1904 as a holiday home for
the family of Edward Boardman, an architect from
Norwich. In 1916, the house was extended and the family
moved there as their main home. It stands in formal
gardens and has an excellent view over Turf Fen and the
River Ant.
The house is now a study center for schools in term times and for adults at other times when you can go there for various courses. It is not normally open to the public except on special occasions and fund raising events. Behind the house is a lovely water garden, known as the Secret Garden, which is open to visitors free of charge. The formal gardens round the house can be visited when there are no schools in residence. You can become a friend of How Hill and thus get special access. There is a tea room and cafe open in the summer months.
The estate which surrounds the house belongs to the Broads Authority and is open all the year round to the public at no charge. (There is a small charge for the nature trail). There are excellent walks in the area and the lawn below the house is ideal for picnics and games. More information about walks is on our walks page.
The house is now a study center for schools in term times and for adults at other times when you can go there for various courses. It is not normally open to the public except on special occasions and fund raising events. Behind the house is a lovely water garden, known as the Secret Garden, which is open to visitors free of charge. The formal gardens round the house can be visited when there are no schools in residence. You can become a friend of How Hill and thus get special access. There is a tea room and cafe open in the summer months.
The estate which surrounds the house belongs to the Broads Authority and is open all the year round to the public at no charge. (There is a small charge for the nature trail). There are excellent walks in the area and the lawn below the house is ideal for picnics and games. More information about walks is on our walks page.
The photograph above shows
the view from the lawn just below the house. It is one
of the best views in Broadland.. In the photograph
below, you can see the moorings at How Hill staithe. How
Hill staithe is a public staithe with plenty of free
mooring. To the north, the riverside path takes you to
two preserved windmills of the skeleton type. After
this, the path follows an interesting circular walk
through the marshes to Sharp Street. The riverside path
to the south connects to various walks and to special
habitats created for bitterns and other water birds.
Next to the staithe and not
far from the house is Toad Hole cottage. The cottage is
preserved as a museum and shows the life of a marshman
living and working in this area. Well worth a visit and
free. There is also a nature trail which starts from the
museum. There is a small charge for this. It is a good
trail and in early summer you may well see the rare
swallowtail butterfly, the largest in Britain. The
museum and nature trail are closed in winter, but the
estate is open all year round.
The pictures above show the How Hill water gardens in spring. (Sometimes called the Secret Garden). These gardens are open all year round and are free to visit.
The Olympic Oak behind How Hill House near the tearoom and entrance to the Secret Garden.
There is a car park close to the house, so access to the
site is easy by both car and boat.
For a history of How Hill and the Boardman Family in pictures just click here.
 Toad Hole Cottage now a Museum |
 Candelabra Primulas in the Water Garden |
The pictures above show the How Hill water gardens in spring. (Sometimes called the Secret Garden). These gardens are open all year round and are free to visit.
The entrance to the Secret Garden
can be a bit of a
secret in itself. To find it, follow the track
behind
the house until you almost reach the road. The
entrance
is a small gate on the left into the wood. It has
a
signpost. Near here you will find the tea room and
also
the Olympic Oak carving.
 |
 |
The Olympic Oak behind How Hill House near the tearoom and entrance to the Secret Garden.
You can walk into Ludham Village from How Hill and
the
walk takes about 25 mins on interesting footpaths.
See
our walks page for
details of all the walks from How
Hill.
For a history of How Hill and the Boardman Family in pictures just click here.