Potter Heigham
Potter Heigham is in Norfolk. The village lies on the River Thurne in the Norfolk Broads (although the village is just outside the park boundary). Most visitors to the area will be there to either hire a boat or as part of their boating holiday on the Broads.
Understand
[edit]Most people will know the village for its famous mediaeval bridge dating from 1385 - one of the lowest and narrowest navigable bridges on the Broads. The bridge represents such a "challenge" to boat owners that hire craft that can pass are required to use the services of a pilot. Larger hire craft are not permitted to pass the bridge (on hiring a boat the skipper will be advised if the boat can pass under the bridge).
There are actually two road bridges across the River Thurne at Potter Heigham. The larger one carrying the A149 is modern and does not have the same constraints or reputation as the older bridge.
The village is said to have its own haunting, taking place each 31 May at midnight at the old bridge. Each year the sound of hooves, screech of wheels and a fiery coach appears on the bridge at midnight. See Reputedly haunted places for the full story.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]The village lies on the A149 main road running to Great Yarmouth (13 miles) to the SE and to Stalham and Sutton, North Walsham and on to Cromer (22 miles) to the NW. Acle and the main A47 is 7 miles to the south.
By bus
[edit]Sanders Coaches route 6 runs from North Walsham, through Stalham and Sutton, through the village and on to Great Yarmouth.
By boat
[edit]The villages is on the River Thurne, downstream from Hickling Broad (via Heigham Sound). Downstream from the village the river passes Womack Water and Ludham (base of the restored Norfolk wherry Albion). The Broads Authority provide a few free moorings for the village at Martham Bank and Repps Bank each for around 14 boats.
Get around
[edit]
The village is small enough to see on foot.
See
[edit].jpg)
- 1 Potter Heigham Bridge (Mediaeval Bridge).
- 2 Church of St Nicholas (Round Tower Church). Dates from 12th century.
- 3 Heigham Holmes Windpump, Martham Staithe, Ferrygate Lane, Martham (6 miles (by road) E of village), ☏ +44 1493 393450, heighamholmes@nationaltrust.org.uk.
- 4 Wind Energy Museum, Staithe Rd, Repps With Bastwick, NR29 5JU, ☏ +44 7796 407864 (mobile).
Do
[edit]
Dayboat hire
[edit]- 1 Herbert Woods, Broads Haven, Bridge Rd, Potter Heigham, NR29 5JF, ☏ +44 1692 670711, toll-free: +44 800 144 4472, enquiries@herbertwoods.co.uk. M-Sa 8AM-6PM, Su 9AM-5PM. £17-140 depending on season and duration.
- 2 MayCraft, North West Riverbank, Potter Heigham, NR29 5ND, ☏ +44 1692 670241, enquiries@maycraft.co.uk.
- 3 Phoenix Fleet (Dayboat & Canoe Hire), Repps Staithe Boatyard, Potter Heigham, NR29 5JD, ☏ +44 1692 670460, boats@phoenixfleet.com.
Buy
[edit]
- 1 Lathams Department Store, Bridge St, Potter Heigham, NR29 5JE, ☏ +44 1692 670080, info@qdstores.co.uk. M-Sa 8:30AM-7PM, Su 10AM-4PM (from 9:30AM for browsing).
Eat
[edit]- 1 Taylors Fish & Chip Shop, 53 The Green, Martham, NR29 4PF, ☏ +44 1493 740316. Fast food.
Drink
[edit]- 1 BridgeStones (Tea Rooms & Restaurant), Bridge Rd, Potter Heigham, NR29 5JD, ☏ +44 1692 671923. Free Wi-Fi.
- 2 Falgate Inn (Pub & Food), ☏ +44 1692 670003.
- 3 [dead link] The Kings Arms, 15 The Green Martham, ☏ +44 1493 749156. Tu-Th noon-10:30PM, F-Su noon-11PM. Pub & food.
- 4 Victoria Inn, 12 Repps Rd, Martham, Nr29 4QT, ☏ +44 1493 740774. Pub.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Willowcroft (Camping & Caravan Park), Staithe Rd, Repps-with-Bastwick, NR29 5JU, ☏ +44 1692 670380, willowcroftsite@btinternet.com. Check-in: noon, check-out: noon. Dogs allowed (free). Pitch fee £8, adult £6, child (over 5) £4.
Connect
[edit]As of Sep 2022, Potter Heigham and its approach roads have 4G from O2 and Vodafone but no signal from EE or Three. 5G has not reached this area.