Discover Reedham on the River Yare

In Reedham, walking paths along the River Yare, the history of the drainage mills and distinctive structures shape views of the village. If you’re looking for a hotel in Reedham, these different points of interest can help you decide what you’d like to explore during your stay: there are riverside paths, historic mill sites and a church with a long history. The Reedham Chain Ferry is also part of the village landscape, crossing the River Yare.

Exploring the River Yare

Reedham Quay is the starting point for walkers on the north side of the River Yare. Parking is available by the river at Reedham Quay or at Reedham Ferry. The Reedham Walk offers views across the river to Norton Marsh. The riverside, a viewpoint and a named starting point are all useful landmarks for walks in Reedham.

The Reedham Chain Ferry crosses the River Yare and is the last ferry of its kind still operating on the Broads. A crossing has operated at the site of today’s ferry since the early 17th century. If you’d like to include the crossing in your day’s plans, check the timetable in advance.

Walking routes and their destinations

The route Wherry Lines Walks: Reedham runs along the banks of the River Yare and over sections of the long-distance Wherryman’s Way. In Reedham, Wherryman’s Way signposts near the Ship Inn point along Holly Farm Road and the riverbank towards Polkey’s Mill. This description names a specific destination; by contrast, the route Wherry Lines Railway Ramble 4 leads to St John the Baptist’s in Reedham.

Reedham’s circular walk also has its own historic point of interest: it passes Red Mill, a drainage wind pump built in 1540. Red Mill burned down during a storm in 1890. The route therefore combines a walk with the history of drainage in the Broads. Another walking option is Polkey’s Mill, which can be reached on foot from Reedham Village via the Wherryman’s Way footpath in about 45 minutes. The approximate duration and named starting point help you distinguish this route, time-wise, from a walk to the church or one offering views of Norton Marsh.

Drainage mills and local history

The full history of the development of drainage mills can be traced at the Polkey’s Mill site. The Polkey’s Mill & Reedham Steam Engine site includes a group of working drainage mills, an old steam engine house and a diesel engine shed. One of the mills has been fully restored to working order. The site thus showcases both the development of milling technology and its different technical components.

Other historic landmarks in Reedham include St John the Baptist’s and Reedham Swing Bridge. A church has stood on the church grounds since the 7th century; the Wherry Lines Railway Ramble 4 takes walkers to this destination. Reedham Swing Bridge, the village’s railway swing bridge, dates from the early 1900s. Pettitts Animal Adventure Park is on Church Road in Reedham, Norfolk. These places add historic and other named destinations to the riverside walks, though they do not all have the same focus.

In practical terms, Reedham offers named routes with different destinations and viewpoints, from riverside scenery to a historic wind pump, a church and a mill site. You can shape your stay around the themes that interest you, then search for hotels in Reedham.

Discover more destinations: Hunstanton, Matlaske, Stalham, Great Snoring, Brancaster, Castle Acre, Dereham, Thetford.

For the broader travel guide: Norfolk.