River Ant
The River Ant is an area of diverse habitats with wooded upper reaches and the open water of Barton Broad at its centre.
Please see the River Ant Depth Map (PDF) for maps and river depths in the below areas. Please note there are multiple pages to the PDF to click through.
Ant Mouth to Turf Fen Drainage Mill (Ludham Bridge Reach)
Enter the River Ant from the River Bure at St Benet’s Abbey reach. The Ant is narrower than the Bure, so navigate with extra care. There are restrictions on the size of boats: 3.8m (12’6”) width and 14m (46’) length. The speed limit between Ant Mouth and Barton Broad is 4mph. Keep clear of the banks as there are hidden obstructions, including the remains of timber piling and tree roots. Water depth will also be affected nearer the banks. The river winds upstream to Ludham Bridge offering a general central depth of between six and seven feet. Caution is required on bends approaching Ludham Bridge, which has a general clearance of 2.6m (8’6”). Check the bridge advance gauge boards on approach. Once through the bridge, Broads Authority 24-hour moorings are available on the left bank. There is a 24-hour mooring on the right bank, which is managed by the Environment Agency. Ludham Bridge has a well-stocked general store, a bakery and fishing tackle shop.
On leaving Ludham Bridge, the river winds upstream, passing Buttle Marsh on the right-hand side and then Reedham Marsh on the left. Both areas are good for spotting marsh harrier and hearing bittern and cuckoo in the spring. Broads Authority 24-hour moorings are available at How Hill Staithe. Wherry Hathor is often moored there in the summer, so it can be busy.
Turf Fen Dranage Mill to Barton Broad (Irstead Reach)
The river continues to wind upstream towards Barton Broad. This stretch contains several bends, with trees and reeded fringes sometimes obscuring views, so take care. These edges provide good habitat for otters, with swallowtail butterflies occasionally flitting across the river from the fens on either side. Broads Authority 24-hour moorings with space for two boats are available at Irstead Church.
Please note that through Irstead Shoals there is a natural sand and gravel riverbed, which at some states of the tide is shallower than the stated 1.5m Waterways Specification navigable depth for this reach. As this feature is part of the natural river form, dredging to remove the feature is not part of the current Sediment Management Strategy. Please see the more detailed map (page 3 in the PDF above) showing the location of these shallow spots as you pass through Irstead Shoals.
Barton Broad (Barton Broad)
After leaving Irstead, the river widens approaching Barton Broad and the speed limit changes to 5mph on the broad. Keep within the channel markers and avoid heading south on to Turkey Broad as there are conservation nets and shallow water here, plus more floating and submerged plants. Keep well clear of Pleasure Hill Island, especially on its western side, where there is shallow water over the remains of a peat feature. In summer, common terns join great crested grebes and cormorants diving for fish in the broad.
Heading west, follow the navigable channel to the village of Neatishead. From May to September, water plants such as yellow water lily are common, particularly in the bays outside of the marked channel. These are not usually cut and may not be visible at the surface. Broads Authority 24-hour moorings are available at Gaye Staithe, which has a water point, and at Neatishead Staithe, with electric charging points and water available.
The non-native, invasive species floating pennywort has been identified in this section and upstream from Barton Broad. Floating pennywort forms dense mats of rounded leaves, which carpet the water's surface. These can entangle boat propellors and smother native plants. Please report any sightings to the Broads Authority.
Upstream from Barton Broad, to the west of The Heater, is Barton Turf, with Broads Authority 24-hour moorings at Paddy’s Lane. Water is available at Barton Staithe.
Barton Broad to Wayford Bridge, Stalham and Sutton (Wayford Bridge and Stalham Bridge)
Heading north from the broad, the speed limit is 4mph. When you arrive at the first junction upstream, to the right are Stalhamand Sutton, both with staithes offering Broads Authority 24-hour moorings. An increasing number of day boats, canoes and kayaks may be encountered on this stretch. Please take care to avoid them. Also avoid any small, floating rafts of reed that have been dislodged or are staked to the banks. Listen out for trumpeting common crane and booming bittern in the spring.
The River Ant continues left at the junction, towards Wayford Bridge and Dilham. This is a heavily wooded stretch. Take care as you navigate some blind bends upstream. Kingfisher can often be seen perching on overhanging branches and, in the more open sections, banded demoiselle damselflies darting around the edges.
The only bridge beyond Barton Broad to negotiate is at Wayford, with an average height of 2.1m (7’). Please check the bridge gauge boards before you go under it.
Wayford Bridge to Dilham (Dilham Reach)
Once through Wayford bridge, approximately 150m upstream of the bridge on the right is small channel that is not navigable. To the left is the North Walsham and Dilham Canal. Tyler’s Cut leads to the village of Dilham. It becomes very narrow and is not suitable for larger boats as the area is heavily wooded and there are tight bends. From May to September, water plants are common in this stretch and there is usually a 1m margin left uncut on each side of the channel. The non-native, invasive species, floating pennywort has also been identified in this section – please report any sightings to the Broads Authority. Dilham is the end of navigation for this area. There are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings at the staithe with space for five boats, and electric charging points.