NEATISHEAD

This area of Broadland is quiet and unspoilt. It is a great place for a walk or a cycle and explore the lovely Norfolk Broads villages of Neatishead, Irstead and Barton Turf. Neatishead is the largest of the three villages and has a pub, shop and restaurant. All the villages have their own staithe, giving access to Barton Broad, and it is this waterside setting that gives these villages that something special. This has resulted in the area containing some spectacular waterside homes (the road to the north of Neatishead is known locally as millionaires row). Between the villages of Neatishead and Irstead is Gays staithe (with boat trips on the solar powered boat Ra) and the Barton Boardwalk, allowing foot access to view Barton Broad. There are many fine walks and bike rides along quiet country lanes and to Alderfen Broad nature reserve. The villages of Barton Turf and Irstead also have fine churches that are well worth a visit.

Our Verdict: This area is lovely unspoilt Broadland. It is the complete opposite of city life and because there is no through road, there is very little traffic. It is an ideal place for those that wish to get away from it all and relax.

We start our tour at Neatishead public staithe, which is located off a quiet backwater (Lime Kiln Dyke). The village of Neatishead is only a 5 minute walk from the staithe and has a village shop - White House Stores.

Ye Olde Saddlery Restaurant is located opposite the pub. It has a good menu and also does afternoon teas.

Just by the Boardwalk car park is pretty Gays Staithe - the starting point of the boat trips aboard the solar powered boat "The Ra" These trips are run by the Broads Authority - see their website for details.

Close to Gayes Staithe is the opening to Lime Kiln Dyke, a narrow, wooded channel that links the village of Neatishead with Barton Broad. The waters around Neatishead are lovely quiet backwaters, ideal for a paddle in a canoe or a spot of fishing.

Returning to the road, we continue along a beautiful country lane to Irstead, which is a collection of pretty houses on the banks of the River Ant. Irstead staithe, is a pretty spot to stop and enjoy the peace and quiet, at any time of year.

Irstead Church - St Michael - has a thatched roof and dates from the 15th century. It is well worth taking a look inside this peaceful church.

Irstead contains some picturesque waterside homes - who are the lucky people that live in these properties!

The countryside surrounding Neatishead, Irstead and Barton Turf is very picturesque and there are some great walks and cycle rides along the quiet country lanes. It gives the opportunity to see some great Norfolk rural countryside - and its fairly flat!

Heading North from Neatishead, we come to Barton Turf, which is a totally unspoilt Broadland village. There are cottages grouped around the village green/pond and on the road down to the pretty staithe.

The village staithe is a peaceful place to moor your boat. All kinds of boats call in at the staithe, including wherries, yachts and cruisers.

A view from Barton Turf staithe on a frosty winters morning, the building on the staithe is owned by the parish and used for meetings and events.

Barton Turf village church is nearly a mile from the village.

The methodist chapel is slightly closer - half a mile towards Pennygate.

Finally, don't miss the RAF Air Defence Museum on the road from Neatishead towards Horning. This museum depicts the secret world of RAF defence radar using many exhibits, models, photos, light and sound. It's centre piece is a Cold War Operations Room, left exactly as it was during 1954. There is also a replica operations room from the Battle of Britain and an updated operations room from 1942. A new addition to the museum is a number of rooms dedicated to nearby RAF Coltishall, which sadly ceased flying operations in 2006.