I asked Helen from Routes for Little Boots to help us put together some info for the Places to Paddle section on the website. I thought Summer was over so we’d have a bit longer to work on that page (it’s on there but nothing on it yet, check back!), but it seems SUMMER IS BACK, so I thought I’d quickly share 5 of Helen’s recommendations in case you’re looking for somewhere to make the most of the sunshine while we have it!! Over to Helen…
One of the questions I’m frequently asked is a good little spot to paddle, so when Katrin from Norwich Mumbler mentioned that they’ve put a ‘Places to paddle’ section on the website, it seemed like a no brainer to pull together a list between us. I haven’t been to all of these myself, but who better to ask than the parents of Norfolk who love a good splash about?
If you haven’t already, download the app “what3words” to help find the locations as postcodes will be too vague for some of the spots!
This was the most popular mention! A lovely little picnic area and shallow section of the River Tud, just off the Marriott’s Way. There is a small car park near where Gunton Lane meets Red Bridge Lane. Alexa says: “Walked the whole steam and also nice shallow bit for really small kids”
Parking – what3words ///snaps.fluid.noses
Paddle location – what3words ///slices.branded.spoon
Another popular mention – this is a little gem tucked away as you come into Wroxham. No formal car park but you can apparently park on the road (or up by the church and walk down). Glynis says “As you come into Wroxham from Norwich direction it’s first left after the petrol station (just over the mini roundabout), follow the road around and next door to the large house that used to be the school is a gate where you walk down to the river”
Parking (on road or at the church) – what3words ///grinning.casually.remission
Paddle location (gate to entrance) – what3words ///police.orchids.baroness
Two for one, quite near to each other (great if one spot is busy). Becky says: “We like going to Oxnead Mill to have a paddle and the water is deep enough for adults to swim. Great place as well to go kayaking from or paddle boarding. You can follow the path via cow fields for a lovely walk along the river all the way to Buxton Mill. Buxton Mill is a lovely place for a paddle or swim.”
Oxnead – Parking (on verge) & paddle location – what3words ///scale.supplier.mandolin
Paddle location (Buxton) – what3words ///raven.dreamer.reserving – park at Bure Valley Railway (NR10 5ET) to combine with a walk along the Bure Valley Way (what3words ///collected.backers.predict).
Absolutely gorgeous little ford. We park up in the village and walk down South Acre Road until we reach it. Lots of other fabulous places to visit in Castle Acre such as the castle and priory ruins. There are more paddle spots too, according to Lisa: “When walking through the meadow section (of the Norfolk Trails 1.5 mile circular walk) alongside the river Nar it is very clear and shallow so ideal for paddling”
Parking (High Street) – what3words ///wink.cookie.molars
Paddle location – what3words ///carriage.ripen.popping
This is a magical little place – the stream for paddling is stunning and leads up to a man-made pond. Fantastic little spot for a picnic too. It’s really close to Holt – if you go past the turning to the high street, there’s a lay-by a little further down the road and in the corner there’s a footpath which leads to this little piece of gorgeousness.
Parking – what3words ///dote.dearest.attending
Paddle location – ///latest.lunch.denoting
Follow Routes for Little Boots on Facebook!
Join the Norwich Mumbler Chat Group