About The River Wensum

There are 40 miles of canoeable river, from Dunton Bridge 4 miles above Fakenham (and it certainly has been canoed above that), down to Norwich and the tidal limits. Of this, some two miles is a Navigation down to Hall Staithe Lane in Fakenham and the last 6 miles from Taverham Mill down is also thought to be a Navigation. In between, the beautiful stretch below Lenwade is an expensive trout fishery and Bernard Matthews does not allow access through his land at Gt Witchingham. Most of the rest is subject to informal arrangements, on some stretches, made either by Dereham Canoe Group or Wensum Osprey Canoe Club - see BCU handbook for contacts.

Access details for Swanton Morley to Lenwade. The get-in point is just downstream of the bridge at Swanton Morley - no problems here. At Elsing Mill,the residents of the mill prefer privacy, so the portage is via the side stream. At Lyng Mill there should be no problem to portage. At Lenwade, things have changed recently, for the better. Mr Williams of Weston Hall on the right bank is possibly not keen on canoeists using his land but I have recently spoken to owners of the mill residences. You should portage left between the two sluices if possible. Cross the spit of land and put in again. You can then get out at the slipway on the left immediately before the bridge. The person who owns the slipway is Mrs Credland and she is very happy for canoeists to bring boats up the grass, along the front of the mill building and out of the gate to the road. Parking is possible at the pub across the road but please talk to the landlord first and pop in for a cup of coffee or a pint when you return. Don't go any further downstream because Bernard Matthews at Gt. Witchingham Hall does not allow canoeists to pass along the river. He owns both banks and has every right to control access. Next get in point is at Attlebridge.

0 Miles - Ringland Swan. Launch opposite what used to be the Ringland Swan pub, below the bridge. It is not certain that the 2.5 miles down from here is a navigation but there has never been any objection. (map ref 141 138 sheet 133)

3.0 Miles - Taverham Mill. There is no access here and passage is sensitive with Anglian Water, who run a fishery on the site. Contact LAO first. Portage right by a small sluice, which can be heard, and is located by a row of trees. Launch below the sluice into a stream, and under two low footbridges back to the main river (below the mill pool). You can stop to picnic on right just before road bridge.

3.5 Miles - Costessey Mill (pronounced Cossey). Portage left, over dangerous bends in road and launch below weir. Don't try to shoot the weir as it is stepped with upturned edges and cut back upstream. (Map ref 166 127)

7.0 Miles - Hellesdon Mill. Portage right just before sluice, cross the sluice and put in on right in smaller channel - River Tud. This joins the Wensum just below the mill pool which is usually a good play spot. Car park and picnic place on river left. (map ref 199 105)

8.0 Miles - The Gatehouse pub. On the right has a small landing stage and car park. Landlord happy if you call in for a pint.

11.0 Miles - New Mills, Norwich. Notable Victorian compressed air pumping station built across sluices. Portage left and put in at steps below the stilling pool, where the river narrows. DO NOT TRY TO SHOOT THIS - dangerous undercurrents and hidden obstructions. The river is tidal from here and a license is needed - BCU membership covers this or contact the Broads Authority. It is possible to paddle through the city to the River Yare.

Local Access Officer: Tony Carter
19 Meadow Rise Rd., Norwich NR2 3QE
Tel. 01603 453503 Email: carterhome@freeuk.com

Last Update: March 2003

 RIVER ANT ACCESS

 Wayford Bridge  Launch from Parish Staithe (slipway) off lane east of A149 (down river from road bridge). On river turn left under bridge to go to Dilham or along N. Walsham - Dilham Canal to Honing Lock.Turn right (downriver) to Stalham,Sutton,Barton,etc).

 Stalham. Launching from Parish Staithe is free.

 Sutton. Launching from the Parish slipway incurs a small fee (£2 as at June 2003). This charge can    be avoided if the canoes /kayaks are launched at the 24-hour moorings.

 Barton Broad. Launch from Barton Turf Staithe. Individuals and families may ignore board which states no launching including canoe, larger groups/clubs etc.should contact Clive Gritten(01692 536877) as per notice in window of the brick building by the staithe. Free parking available. There are no toilet facilities.

 Barton Angler Staithe. Launching is free (at present - check with pub) into dyke opposite. There is a free car park and toilet facilities (provided by the Broads Authority) behind the Barton Angler public house

 Gay's Staithe. Use the same car park. It is a longer walk to this staithe and kayaks/canoes should be unloaded before parking the car.

 Neatishead Staithe. Launching is free. There is a small car park. There are no toilet facilities.

 Irstead. No launching

 Ludham Bridge. Launch from staithe upriver by bridge. Park in lay by over bridge. Toilets opposite direction on main road.

RIVER BURE ACCESS

 Buxton Mill. Launch from meadow on river right below mill. (Access around mill to be agreed with new owners).

 Little Hautbois. Launch at slipway from small car park by bridge.

 Horstead Mill. Launch in mill pool, or if conditions allow for shooting main drop, above mill, either car park or at slipway by lock gates on other side of meadow. Or launch below lock gates. Small car park sometimes full!

 Belaugh. Village staithe and slipway (overgrown) next to church off B1354 Wroxham - Coltishall road, parking adjacent.

 Wroxham Cane Meadow. (opp. Belaugh Broad on the map), from Norwich take first left in Wroxham after railway bridge, find narrow access track straight ahead down to river. Suggest park on road at top after offloading.

Wroxham. From Roy's car park, adjacent to railway bridge, 2hr parking only, park on adjacent roads away from town centre. Car park closed at night.

 Wroxham Broad. Private broad but access to river, adjacent to sailing club, £3 pay and display for cars with canoes.

 Horning. From Broads Authority moorings, or South side further downriver opposite Ferry public house.

 Malthouse Broad. At Ranworth, launch in dinghy dyke at right end of moorings. Small car park.

 South Walsham Broad. Launch from pilings next to slipway only (at sign for dinghy moorings). There is no mooring/landing from the inner broad! Car park nearby.

 Upton Dyke. Cruiser moorings but good launching and car parking.

 Acle. Access to be agreed. River becomes very tidal from here. If paddling on to Great Yarmouth attention must be paid to tidal states.

 Stokesby. Launching is free at public staithe. There are good car parking facilities. There is no other public access to the river between here and Great Yarmouth (approx. 9 miles).

 Great Yarmouth. Land at Yacht Station before River Yare confluence. Do not paddle further downriver from this point.

 RIVER THURNE ACCESS

 Somerton Staithe. No launching, parishioners only!

 Martham. Launch into the dyke by Martham Ferry, limited car parking.

 Horsey Mere. Permission required to launch from Horsey Mill Staithe. A small charge is made fro launching which can be paid at the teashop. Pay and display car park and toilet facilities.

 Hickling Broad. Contact the landlord at the Pleasure Boat Inn (01692 598211) to launch into the private dyke by the pub. Parking on pub car park by toilets. Launching from the 'beach' is not allowed. The Parish Staithe has two slipways from which to launch. Contact Mr. Nudds on 01692 598454 or mobile number 07941 300491 for permission. Free parking available. A small fee may be payable.

 Catfield Dyke. Launching is free, very limited car parking. Not suitable for groups. The notice which states 'This staithe is private' refers to the privately owned land on which the boat shed stands.

 Potter Heigham Bridge. Launching from Phoenix Boat Hire slipway (with permission , a fee may be payable). There is a 2 hour parking limit at the staithe  but there is also a public car park opposite.

 Womack Water. Mooring for cruisers. Limited parking.

 Thurne Dyke. Mooring for cruisers. Limited parking.

 RIVER YARE ACCESS

 Bawburgh. Paddling generally starts here for various reasons including water levels. Launch from the village green.

 Colney Weir. Not an easy access point but you could land here for coffee or lunch stop (river left only, right hand side is private). Shoot left hand side after inspection.

 Earlham Bridge. Easy access but note that the lay by at the church now has a 2 hour waiting limit.

 Cringleford Bridge. Easy access from the car park but beware of car thieves here. The weir is not shootable. Portage left across dyke then turn right down to mill pool.

 Keswick Mill. No access, portage left into dyke well before mill and follow BCU signs to relaunch in mill pool.

 Harford Bridge. Launching possible, park in Old Hall Road (limited space).

 Lakenham Mill. Portage right well before the mill (now private flats) by sluice by fallen tree into dyke.

 Trowse Mill. Portage right well before the mill (now private flats). Follow path around mill and launch into mill pool, beware barbed wire!

 Whitlingham. Picnic site, easy access, individuals may launch here, larger groups should contact South Norfolk Council for permission.

 Bramerton Common. Broads Authority moorings. Easy access from piled bank, beware of cruisers mooring. Limited parking.

 At Brundall all access to the river is privately owned, there is no public access and very little parking space, you may like to try one of the boatyards there but they will probably want to charge you for parking, etc.

 Access at Rockland, a little further downriver, is ok as long as you don't use the slipway, park in the adjacent car park.

 Cantley.  Should be ok at the public house, but ask first.

 Langley Dyke. Launching not recommended, very limited parking space.

 Hardley Dyke. Easy access and parking.

 Reedham. Below the ferry the road runs alongside the river. Good parking.

 All the above information was provided by the river access officer for the above rivers (except Wensum) and the Norfolk Broads. For more information contact

 Chris Wright - 64 Alford Grove, Sprowston, Norwich, Norfolk, NR7 8XA