WOW FACTOR

The North Walsham & Dilham Canal is a very pretty disused waterway that forms part of The Norfolk Broad’s National Park. Motorised craft are not permitted to use this water channel, which makes it perfect for paddle craft. This canoe trip is full of spectacular views, wildlife and still sounds that make you sometimes feel, like you are in the middle of no man’s land. The rare sound of gunshots fired in the distance makes you aware, that you are not alone, and put’s you on guard for anything. This canoe trip was and continues to be one of the most beautiful, I have had the pleasure of paddling.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the North Walsham & Dilham Canal.

THE STATS

Distance: 4 miles / 6.4 km

Difficulty: Easy

Portages: 0

Season: Winter

Wind: 1 mph / 0.45 m/s

Weather: Very cold

Temperature: -2c’

Time taken: 3 hours (we were slow)

Busyness: <5

Map:

POINTS OF INTEREST

Start: Wayford Bridge Inn, Wayford Rd, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9LL

W3W: \\\fittingly.chilled.tones

Finish: Wayford Bridge Inn, Wayford Rd, Stalham, Norwich NR12 9LL

W3W: \\\fittingly.chilled.tones

Trail type: Return

STARTING THE CANOE TRIP: TO HONING LOCK

Firstly, the canal is privately owned and not maintained by the Broads Authority. So, there is a £5 per craft fee to use this waterway.

If you arrive by car you can park and launch for £10 per vessel, this includes parking and use of a picnic area and toilet facilities. This is the only place where you can hire various craft, if you do not have your own.

Or you can park at The Wayford Bridge Inn, with permission; they ask that you go in for a drink/meal before or after your trip or pay £10, but this option is more expensive as it doesn’t include the toll to gain entry to the waterway.

Alternatively, during colder months you can park next door to the Inn’s car park for free!

The put-in was easy with walking down a concrete path to the riverside.

Getting the courage to do this, in freezing temperatures!

THE JOURNEY

We did this trip in the late morning because we wanted to get back for a Christmas event we were attending. From the starting, point canoe past the water huts on your right, there is a fork in the river, take the right turning and as you do you’ll see a clear sign that lets you know you are on the right path! Get ready for some amazing views…

It was a frosty -2’c as we paddled into the woods. It was foggy and silent, and the only sound was our paddles dipping in and out of the still flat waters. I lifted my paddle to take another stride and halted as a Heron took flight right in front of me. It was so majestic and fast that I couldn’t get my camera out quickly enough!

We carried on and then came to an old wooden bird hide amongst the bare trees that blended in nicely, we used this as a way marker to know we were on the right track.

Continuing, the landscape changed from dense woodland to some signs of civilisation, whilst the left side opened up to show flat lands. Ahead was a rather nice bridge, a plaque tells us it was built in 1981.

After the bridge, to the left side, there are some camping pods that are usually busy in summer and sparse in winter.

Now the trail starts to become like no man’s land…

Something that struck Tim was how peaceful it was, and then he pointed it out to me. We stopped talking, and it was the quietest time we had ever experienced on the water. It is hard to explain but you can hear all of the nature around you. Picture this: a flap of a bird’s wing, the rustle of creatures wondering through the forest on both banks of the river. It was magical.

We saw a few swans on this trip, I was apprehensive as they can be aggressive, but these weren’t and were very beautiful.

Many years ago the main hub for transporting goods was canals, this canal is deserted but it was used to carry goods such as offal, timber, grain and flour.

This canal’s decline came about with the introduction of the railway. Some of the dried land was turned into farmland and other areas became choked with vegetation.

To motivate us we kept talking about just how cold it was, the only walkers we saw were near Honing Lock, we stopped and asked if we were close and at that point, we were less than 5 minutes away. Woohoo we shouted with glee that we would soon be sipping hot chocolate, celebrating our arrival at the halfway point. Our fingers and toes were numbed by the crisp weather and we were keen to warm up.

Then all of a sudden we could hear rushing water and to the left we saw a great get out just before the Lock. Our canoe was too big to fit in, so the only way it would work is if you put the bow in and just jumped out. Kayakers wouldn’t have an issue though.

There it was, in all its glory, Honing Lock. This is the turning point, if you do get out there is a waterway on the other side to put back in, but that waterway is not part of The Norfolk Broad’s National Park.

We stopped here for a bit to have a drink and check our camera equipment. Then we turned around and retraced our steps, going back was bittersweet for me. On one hand, I was thrilled to have got halfway, without falling in, and was keen to get my kit off and warm up the other side. On the other hand, the return part of the journey is an ending and the joy of paddling and having an adventure will soon be over, until the next time of course!

LEAVE NO TRACE

Don’t forget to take all your rubbish with you and keep these places wild and spotless. It’s key to leave the outdoors exactly as you found it or better! So it remains beautiful for generations to come.

If you do spot any litter and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the national park, it will go a long way to keeping the area clean.

5 TOP TIPS

In Winter you can park for free at “\\\fittingly.chilled.tones” (W3W)
At any other time park at the Weyford Inn for around £10
No motorboats or hired craft are allowed on the canal
Be prepared to navigate some very narrow sections
Go with supplies, there is no civilization on this disused waterway

THE FILM

Don’t miss out, grab some popcorn and sit comfortably to watch our film on this trail, hear more stories and facts about this waterway and gain insights to help plan your next paddle adventure!

The North Walsham & Dilham Canal - A Disused Waterway Where Only Paddlers Can Enter