POTTER HEIGHAM

Potter Heigham is one of the major boating centre's on the Norfolk Broads, with many boating holidays or day trips starting from here. The famous medieval bridge gives access to the Upper Thurne, Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere. The banks of the River Thurne at Potter Heigham are lined with waterside bungalows, which can only be accessed by foot or boat. There is the famous Lathams store located here, as well as a pub, chip-shop and gift shop/newsagent. The main village itself is actually located the other side of the major A149 road and is mainly residential and quite separate from the boating centre, but does contain the lovely village church.

	What to See and Do
	Watch the boats attempt to pass under the bridge
	Try a shopping excursion in Lathams
	Hire a day boat and head up river
	Take a walk along the river bank
	Enjoy a refreshment in a pub or cafe
	Take a stroll to the residential village and church

We start our tour of Potter Heigham at the famous medieval bridge over the river Thurne. The bridge dates back to 1385 and is a low-arched structure with a clearance of only 7 feet at its highest, a notorious test for novice boaters! A bridge pilot helps boat skippers safely through the bridge in summer.

From the middle of the bridge you get good views down the River Thurne. This helps you to understand the importance of the river to the village. As the hiring of boats to tourists became popular in the early 20th century, Potter Heigham became one of the main centre's and it still is one of the major starting points of boating holidays on the Broads.

Close to the bridge is a Broads Authority information centre (open summer only). Outside the information centre is a row of hire boats, all ready for a sunny day and a trip down the river with a picnic!

One of the most famous names in the Norfolk Broads hire boat industry is Herbert Woods, and his name can still be seen all over the local buildings. Among Herbert Woods’ many achievements was the building of Broads Haven in Potter Heigham which was the first yacht marina on the Broads. The large 2-acre basin was dug out by hand and completed in 1931. Broads Haven was home to Herbert Woods hire fleet with its famous “Lady” fleet of yachts and “Light” fleet of motor cruisers. Herbert Woods also designed many types of private boats including his personal racing yacht Ladybird, the Norfolk dinghy and the 22ft Norfolk Punt Limelight. The fact that many of these boats are still sailing today speaks volumes for the craftsmanship of the boat builders at this Potter Heigham yard.

Today, the Broads Haven site is home to the sales office of Waterside Marine, which sell a wide range of used boats. The office is based in the Broads Haven tower, see www.watersidemarinesales.co.uk

There is a pub near the medieval bridge, called the Broadshaven Tavern (there is another pub further out of the village centre on the road to Ludham). If you prefer a cafe, one is situated on the opposite side of the road.

Shopping in Potter means one thing ... Lathams! ... a famous Norfolk discount store. No visit to Potter is complete without a visit to Lathams ... but you could always go for a walk along the Weavers Way instead!

If you do choose the walk along the river bank, you will find a row of timber bungalows. These bungalows are fairly unique in that they are about the only place on the Norfolk Broads where the Broads Authority have allowed buildings directly on the riverbank. They are only accessible by the footpath behind, or by boat.

Heading out of Potter towards Ludham, you will find a post office and another pub - the Falgate. The Falgate offers a different experience to the pub near the bridge, it offers a quieter country pub atmosphere, and is well worth the short walk from the river.

Over the main road, you will find the residential part of the village. Hidden beyond some houses is the lovely village church of St Nicholas. The earliest surviving feature is the round tower, which dates back to the 12th century and has a 14th century octagonal extension, one of the best preserved in the country. Inside, you will find a stunning hammerbeam roof (Gothic open timber), an almost unique 15th century brick font and a scheme of wall paintings dating back to the 14th century.