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River Ant |
The shortest and in places the narrowest of the Norfolk Broads rivers. |
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The River Ant is the shortest, and in places the narrowest, of the Norfolk Broads rivers. It rises near North Walsham and then flows down to Wayford Bridge, where navigation starts. The Ant then flows past Hunsett Drainage Mill and into Barton Broad. After flowing through the Broad, the River Ant reaches Irstead village and then twists and turns through some of the most scenic countryside in Norfolk, before reaching How Hill, Ludham Bridge and finally flowing into the River Bure near St Benet's Abbey. Some stretches of the river can be a little shallow and busy in high season. |
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 View from Wayford Bridge |
 Day boat and canoe hire at Wayford Bridge |
Not far downstream from Wayford Bridge is Hunsett drainage mill. Built in 1860, it was restored around 1970 and along with the mill house is privately owned. It has been one of the most photographed windmills in the whole of Norfolk, but can only be viewed by boat as it is miles from a public road or footpath. |
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 Hunsett drainage mill on the River Ant |
 Hunsett Drainage Windmill, Norfolk |
A channel leads off the main river to Stalham and Sutton, which then divides again - don't worry, you can always just follow the signs! |
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 River Ant near Stalham and Sutton |
 Channel to Stalham and Sutton |
Stalham has a High Street which runs down the length of the village and has a great collection of take-away's, pub and various other shops. You will also find the Museum of Broads and a Tesco. |
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 Stalham High Street |
 Stalham Sign |
 Cruisers ready for hire at Richardsons Boatyard in Stalham |
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Pretty Sutton Staithe has a grassy area and the Sutton Staithe Hotel situated right next to the moorings. The residential village of Sutton is over the other side of the main A149 road. It has some lovely cottages grouped around a village pond. Nearby Sutton Mill is a 9 storey corn mill and is the tallest surviving windmill in the UK. |
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 Boats moored at Sutton Staithe |
 Sutton Staithe |
 Views of Sutton Mill |
 Sutton Pottery |
Richardsons - Stalham |
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Richardsons offers you the widest choice in Broads holidays - and from this fleet you are bound to find a style and size of boat to suit you. So whether it's just two of you looking for a quiet weekend away, or an excitingly different break for all the family, you'll find a well prepared boat and a friendly welcome awaits you. |
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 Click the picture for more information and availability |
 Click the picture for more information and availability |
The River Ant is fairly narrow in places and is lined by plenty of trees. Just before the River Ant opens out onto Barton Broad, there is a channel to the right leading to the lovely village of Barton Turf. Where there is plenty of moorings for the night and an unspoilt Broadland village to explore. |
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 Broads yacht on the River Ant |
 Trees on the river bank |
 Barton Turf staithe, off the River Ant |
 Cottage in Barton Turf |
Next, the river opens out onto Barton Broad, which is a great place to enjoy some sailing - or just messing about in boats! Barton Broad is home to pontoons from both the Norfolk Punt Club and the Nancy Oldfield Trust. |
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 Sailing in Barton Broad |
 Kayak on Barton Broad |
 Barton punt club pontoon on Barton Broad |
 Nancy Oldfield Trust on Barton Broad |
 Sailing Races on Barton Broad |
 Topper Sailing on Barton Broad |
One arm leads from Barton Broad towards Gays Staithe and then along Lime Kiln Dyke to the village of Neatishead. These quiet and peaceful backwaters lead to an unspoilt Broadland village with a shop, pub and restaurant. |
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 Canoe down Lime Kiln Dyke |
 Gayes Staithe, near Neatishead |
 White Horse Inn Neatishead |
 Ye Olde Saddlery restaurant Neatishead |
 Neatishead public staithe |
 White Stores Shop Neatishead |
From Barton Broad, the River Ant flows through Irstead Village, where you will find some lovely waterside properties and a thatched village church, dating back to the 15th century. |
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 The River Ant opening onto Barton Broad |
 The River Ant at Irstead |
 Waterside cottage on the River Ant at Irstead |
 Riverside property in Irstead |
 Irstead church of St. Michael |
 Inside the thatched church at Irstead |
 Boats moored at How Hill Staithe |
 Mooring the Electric Eel at How Hill |
 Toad Hole Cottage at How Hill near Ludham |
 How Hill study centre near Ludham |
There are a couple of windmills around How Hill ... |
such as Turf Fen drainage mill. |
 Drainage mill on the River Ant |
Windmill on the River Ant |
Eventually the River Ant arrives at Ludham Bridge ... |
where there is a boatyard, and a shop. |
 Ludham Bridge on the River Ant |
 Ludham Bridge Boatyard on the River Ant |
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Local Attractions |
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The River Ant Store |
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