Potter Heigham - village and civil parish in Norfolk, England, UK

Village sign Potter Heigham is in Norfolk.

Understand

The village lies on the River Thurne the Broads (although the village is just outside the park boundary). 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.

Most vistors to the area will be there to either hire a boat or as part of their boating holiday on the Broads.

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

By car

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 S.

By bus

Sanders Coaches route 6 runs from North Walsham, through Stalham and Sutton, through the village and on to Great Yarmouth.

By boat

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

The village is small enough to see on foot.

See

St Nicholas' Church

Do

Herbert Woods Tower

Dayboat hire

Buy

Shops by Bridge Rd

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Connect

As of Sept 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.

Go next

Potter Heigham

Date Time:Please wait...Timezone:Europe/LondonCoordinates:52.72, 1.57

Norfolk

2nd-order administrative division

England

Primary administrative division

United Kingdom

gov.uk
Population:66.5 MDial code:+44Currency:Pound (GBP)Voltage:230 V, 50 Hz