Ludham, Womack Water

LUDHAM Womack Water and Ludham Village

Visit the beautiful little village of Ludham by leaving the River Thurne and following Womack Dyke for just under a mile to Womack Water. On the way you will pass traditional Hunter’s Yard, the Norfolk Wherry Trust and the Ludham and Potter Heigham Marshes National Nature Reserve. At the end is a pretty staithe with moorings and shops. The main village of Ludham with its magnificent church, thatched houses, pub, shops and tea rooms is a short walk away.

Womack Water

The best way to visit Ludham is to moor at Womack Water’s charming staithe on the edge of the tiny broad. It has a little green that’s ideal for a picnic, a unique gift shop and fishing store.

Located along Womack Dyke is Hunter’s Yard, with its fleet of traditional mahogany 1930’s yachts, and the Norfolk Wherry Trust - home to the iconic black sailed Wherry Albion. Built in 1898, the Albion is one of only two trading wherries remaining from 300 vessels that once carried cargo on the Broads. Try to spot her sailing, or better still, look round the Albion on an open day (www.wherryalbion.com).

Take a walk around the Ludham and Potter Heigham Marshes National Nature Reserve, which is accessed next to Hunter’s Yard. The grazing marsh has one of the most important dyke systems for rare wetland plants and animals on the Broads, including Norfolk Hawker Dragonflies. Womack Staithe Stern on moorings managed by the village. Free until 5pm but a fee applies overnight. Water available, toilets and waste disposal facilities nearby. Womack Island Sheltered side on moorings on Womack Water with room for just three boats. Womack Dyke Located close to Hunter’s Yard and a short walk from Womack Staithe.

Eating Out

The Kings Arms Pub and restaurant in the centre of Ludham, serving an extensive menu. Large patio and children’s play area. Real ales, sky sports, live music and pub games. 01692 678386 www.kingsarmsludham.co.uk

Alfresco Tea Room A traditional tea room in a Grade 11 listed thatched cottage opposite St Catherine’s Church. It has a courtyard garden and serves light lunches and cakes. 01692 678384 www.alfrescotearoom.co.uk

Hunter’s Yard by Jeremy Halls

Ludham Village

The picturesque village of Ludham, which was once a film location for the 1954 movie Conflict of Wings, is a five minute walk from Womack Staithe along Horsefen Road.

Boasting chocolate box thatched houses, Ludham is dominated by the very large 14th Century St Catherine’s Church. The size of the church is testament to the past wealth of the village and inside you can admire an expansive hammerbeam roof. There is also an intricate rood screen and breathtaking crucifixion painting in the chancel arch that narrowly survived the Reformation.

Ludham has a surprising number of facilities for a small village including a pub, tea room and Throwers

traditional village store, which contains a post

office and excellent delicatessen. There is also a florist and gift shop plus a butcher’s, doctor’s surgery, hairdresser’s and garage.

Ludham Bridge

Ludham Bridge is an ideal place to stop overnight on the River Ant. There are lots of free moorings upstream of the bridge on both sides of the river as well as a small shopping precinct. This has a cafe, general store, and fishing. Note that while Ludham village is only 1.5 miles away from Ludham Bridge by road the journey by boat takes 1.5 hours and navigates three rivers!

Eating Out

The Dog Inn Family friendly pub located five minutes’ walk from Ludham Bridge. Serves locally sourced and freshly prepared pub food plus real ales. Children’s play area and live music nights. 01692 630321 www.thedogpub.co.uk

Wayfarers cafe Popular riverside cafe with outside seating. Open Easter to the end of October. 01692 630238

P29 Ludham Bridge Staithe Free moorings available with water, electric hook up and waste disposal facilities. Pump out facilities available at nearby Ludham Bridge boatyard. Horning Marshes Long river bank with side on moorings opposite Ludham Bridge Staithe.