Homepage
Where to Go
What to See
What to Do
WHat's On

NEATISHEAD

This area of Broadland is quiet, unspoilt and a great place for a walk, cycle or canoe. The 3 villages have various access to Barton Broad.
Neatishead, Irstead and Barton Turf Introduction

Viewing Platform
Neatishead Shop
The Ra
Lime Kiln Dyke
Alderfen Broad

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.

Neatishead, Irstead and Barton Turf Map

Neatishead Map
Neatishead Sign
   
 
What to See and Do
   
 
Enjoy the views from the village staithe's
 
Row a boat or canoe down the quiet backwaters
 
Take a refreshment in the pub or restaurant
 
Walk to the Barton Broad Boardwalk
 
Take a ride on a solar boat "Ra" from Gays Staithe
 
Walk to Alderfen Broad Nature Reserve
 
Visit the churches at Barton Turf and Irstead
 
Explore the nearby radar museum
   
   
   
   
   


Neatishead Guided Tour

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.
Neatishead Staithe
Neatishead public staithe
Village Shop
White Stores Shop Neatishead

There is a good pub - The White Horse Inn - which serves hot and cold food - and great Sunday lunches!
Ye Olde Saddlery Restaurant is located opposite the pub. It has a good menu and also does afternoon teas.
White Horse Pub
White Horse Inn Neatishead
Saddlery Restaurant
Ye Olde Saddlery restaurant Neatishead

Along the road to Irstead is the Barton Broad Boardwalk, the only way to see Barton Broad on foot. It has a car-park about half a mile from the entrance, but there is a small car-park at the entrance for the disabled.
Boardwalk Carpark
Barton boardwalk carpark
Boardwalk Sign
Barton Broad Boardwalk sign
 
The boardwalk itself takes you on a journey through ancient woodland to a viewing platform at the end. The view from the platform over Barton Broad is amazing - and you get a different view at different times of the year.
Boardwalk
Barton Broadwalk
Viewing Platform
Barton Broadwalk viewing platform
Barton Broad
View over Barton Broad in January from the Barton Broadwalk
Information Board
Sign at the viewpoint on Barton Broadwalk

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.
Neatishead Staithe
Gayes Staithe, near Neatishead
Village Shop
Boat trips onto Barton Broad
The Ra
Broads Authority Solar powered boat
The Ra
The Ra, a solar powered boat

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.
Lime Kiln Dyke
Entrance to Lime Kiln Dyke
Lime Kiln Dyke
Lime Kiln Dyke, near Neatishead
Canoeing
Canoe down Lime Kiln Dyke
Fishing
Fishing near Neatishead

IRSTEAD

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 Staithe
Irstead Staithe on the River Ant
Irstead Staithe
Bench on Irstead Staithe
Sign
Broads Authority sign at Irstead
Duck
Mallard on the Norfolk Broads

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 Church
Irstead church of St. Michael
Inside Irstead Church
Inside the thatched church at Irstead

Irstead contains some picturesque waterside homes - who are the lucky people that live in these properties!
Waterside home
Thatched waterside home
Waterside home
Riverside property in Irstead

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!
Barton Fields
The village of Barton Turf over the fields
Country Lanes
Country lanes around Neatishead

Returning towards Neatishead, a lane leads south, eventually taking us to Alderfen Broad (about a mile), which is a nature reserve. There are marked paths around the land locked Broad and there is a viewing point. Alderfen is one of Norfolk's hidden treasures and you will probably not see another person during your visit!
Sign at Alderfen Broad
Alderfen Broad sign
Alderfen Path
The path around Alderfen Broad
Alderfen Path
Footpaths around Alderfen Broad
Alderfen Hide
The viewing point over Alderfen Broad
Alderfen Broad
The view over Alderfen Broad

BARTON TURF

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.
Barton Turf Village Sign
Barton Turf village Sign
Barton Turf Pond
Barton Turf village pond
Thatched Cottage
Thatched cottage
Coronation Cottages
Cottages in Barton Turf
 
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.
Barton Staithe
Barton Turf Staithe
Moored Boats
Boats moored at Barton Turf staithe

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 Staithe
A frosty morning over Barton Turf staithe

Barton Turf village church is nearly a mile from the village.
The methodist chapel is slightly closer - half a mile towards Pennygate.
St Michael Church
Barton Turf parish church
Barton Turf Methodist Chapel
Barton Turf Methodist Chapel

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.
Battle Britain
Battle of Britain Operations Room
1942 Operations
Updated Operations Room from 1942
Cold War
Cold War Operations Room
1950's Operations
1950's Operations Room


Find a HOLIDAY
 
Pocket Norfolk Broads


RAF Air Defence Radar Museum
BeWILDerwood
This is the best map of the Broads.
This is first book of aerial photo's of the Broads.
Following the success of the first book of aerial photo's, Mike Page has published more of his fabulous pictures.
This great new book covers Norfolk Windmills, with a section on Broads Mills.
This is the first of Arthur Ransomes childrens adventure books set in Norfolk - great holiday reading!
This is the second book set in Norfolk and follows on from the first.
If you are hiring a boat, don't forget to bring a decent torch - you will need it!
And remember a good game for the evenings.

 
We welcome your feedback on this tour, if you would like to leave us a comment please Click Here
 
We are an independent tourism website and therefore do not represent the views of any official body. We aim to show you the real Suffolk and encourage you to make a visit to this picturesque part of East England. All content is copyright TourNorfolk.co.uk unless stated otherwise. TourNorfolk Sitemap



Horning Stalham Barton Boardwalk Ye Olde Saddlery White Horse Pub The Ra Trips Irstead Barton Turf