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High
Mill and Horsefen Marshes Walk
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A Circular Walk from Ludham Village
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 arrive 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.
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 still
stands on the marshes.
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.