How Hill’s a little Broadland gem, the pride of the Broads Authority; here you have access to arguably the most beautiful scenery in the broads and a chance to observe some exciting and interesting flora and fauna, look up a bit of history and take a guided boat trip to boot! In other words a must for anyone keen to learn first hand about the broads, it’s habitats and wildlife. If not, just a lovely day out!
Park at the top of Fisherman’s field, (or moor at the staithe if you arrive by water), and stroll over to ‘Toad Hole’, an old eel catchers cottage and small museum, there’s even a nicely tended cottage garden (Pam).  The knowledgeable and enthusiastic wardens will point you in the direction of the wildlife trail and book up the excellent boat trip. Take a wander around the trail first, if the boat’s full. This is one of the best places to get close access to Swallowtail butterflies, so, as with Hickling, if you want the best chance, come on a hot windless day in June and hang around the open fen to observe the striking spectacle. One warden reliably informed me she had 10 Swallowtails fluttering around her on such a day a year or two back. Don’t forget to look out for the caterpillar on the heads of Milk Parsley as well. Whilst you’re looking, you’re bound to see an excellent array of Dragonflies, try to discern the Black Tailed Skimmer ,and powerful Broad Bodied Chaser, if you’re really lucky there could be an Emperor perched vertically on a reed, the fun is not knowing what you’re going to see.

The dragonflies, feed on small insects and in turn the darting  Hobby, in a flash of red, swoops out of the sky and takes the Dragonfly. The food chain in action ! Stop off at the scrape hide and look for waders, you may be lucky with a Wood Sandpiper or Avocet, there have even been reports of Common Lizard sunning themselves on the bridge so keep your eyes peeled ! Carry on a bit and breathe it all in as you meander alongside the carr woodland, Great Spotted Woodpeckers bob along between the trees and Migrant Hawkers’ wings rattle amongst the reeds, fill your heart right up with it all, it’ll last for days. Install yourself in the next hide and lookout over the broad, there’ll be coot, mallard, teal and the like poking about, maybe ‘old frank’ will catch an eel, he’s having a good look (or is it a stick, better get the binoculars). Sometimes, on warm September days, Osprey, stopping off on their migratory route, fish the broad, generally waiting a few days for a cue from the weather and moving on. What a stroke of luck that would be ! When you’ve had enough, walk through the wood, scanning  about for wild flowers and interesting fungi then make your way back, padding down to the river as the Electric Eel awaits.

So board the ‘Eel’. This small electric launch is the perfect little vehicle for exploring the dykes and margins. Your guide will take you up the river a way, past Boardman’s and Clayrack  mills then turn into a narrow reed lined dyke, where you’ll really get the feeling that you're out in the ‘wilds of Norfolk’ (especially if there’s a thunders storm). This is the best chance to see the now sadly rare Water Vole, listen for the ‘plop’ as he jumps  in! Grass snakes abound so keep your eyes peeled, and if you’re the luckiest person in the Broads, you could even glimpse an Otter swimming along playfully, bobbing out of the water Dolphin style. Hop out at the mooring and make your way to the hide where you guide will gladly point out anything interesting on Reedham Water, there’s usually many species of duck and geese as well as Cormorants, stretched out on posts and sticks, so lean back and take it all in. When you get back. drift  up to the field, talking over what you’ve seen and done, and before you go don’t forget to nab that ‘postcard’ shot of the Norfolk Broads !
Stand on Fisherman’s field, in early evening, could be there’s a Barn Owl’s quartering the fen, (bit like a giant white moth). Compose your shot, directing your camera over the field toward Reedham Water, with Turf Fen mill standing a lonely foreground sentinel at the river’s edge against a backdrop of soft swishing reed blending into the sunset. Click!

Getting there : Grid ref……. 10 miles out of Norwich, on the A1062 turn off and follow the signs from Ludham

Amenities :Car Park, mooring, museum, boat trip, fen and water trail, hides (the study centre and How Hill House and Garden are not open to the public)

 Need more information : Call 01692 678763
 

Wilds of Norfolk was set up because of our unquenchable enthusiasm for the Norfolk Broads,  our small part of the natural world. We thought we'd like to try and give something back by helping other people enjoy the countryside and it's wildlife as well as do our own little bit to promote an interest in the natural world and it's conservation , not only for the wildlife but for the sheer exuberance of the precious life we're lucky enough to get the chance to live.

Webmaster:  Old Frank , 1 Hall Cottages Freethorpe Road Southwood Norfolk NR13 3LR
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