Visitor Information
Some tips to help plan your visit
Finding Us
Parking
Accessibility
Dogs
Gardens
Walks
Attractions
Facilities
Courses & Events
We have everything from tirps and tours to short courses and evenings out. See our Courses & Events page to find out more.
Directions
How Hill is located on the How Hill Road, just outside Ludham, and is signposted from the A1062 between Ludham Bridge and Ludham, from the Catfield Road Ludham and the Ludham Road Catfield.
Public Car Park
Situated down the road from How Hill House, at the bottom of the hill, is our public car park. Our suggested donation for car parking is £3, which goes towards the upkeep of the car park and grounds and supports our environmental education work.
Please use this car park for access to our secret and house gardens, River Ant, Toad Hole Cottage, Electric Eel, wildlife water trail and wildlife walking trail.
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House Car Park
The car park directly behind the house is reserved for staff and guests attending How Hill events except family fun days. For family fun days please park in the public car park.
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Gardens
Our Secret Gardens are usually open every day from 1 st April to 31 st October. They are accessed through the gate situated at the top of the track behind the main house. Follow the woodland path down to the hill and the gardens are at the bottom. Please note the path is uneven and can be muddy in periods of high rainfall. Entry is by donation.
The House Gardens are closed when How Hill House has residents staying. If you would like to view the house gardens you can book a garden visit or check our events page for gardens tours that occur throughout the year, please phone our office to book or check the garden is open before your visit (01692 678555).
Walks
How Hill is a great starting point, or place to stop and savour, on a variety of walks in the area to suit all abilities. Sample the sights and sounds of the river, marsh and countryside on our doorstep.
Suggested walks from some of our friends:
- How Hill to St Benet’s Abbey (7 ¼ miles, 11.7k), by the Broads National Park.
- Ludham to How Hill (6.2miles / 10k), by Visit East of England.
- Short circular walks from How Hill, by the Ludham Community Archive.
Attractions Around How Hill
Please note Toad Hole Cottage, the Electric Eel and the wildlife trails are operated by the Broads Authority. For enquiries please call the Broads Authority on 01603 756096. More information can be found on the Broads Authority website.
Toad Hole Cottage
This tiny marshman’s cottage was home to an entire family. Beautifully restored to its victorian hayday, and only a short walk from How Hill. Toad Hole Cottage is owned and operated by the Broads Authority.
The Electric Eel Boat Trips
Enjoy a 50-minute trip by boat and including a short walk to a bird hide to discover some of the Broadland wildlife. This is run out of Toad Hole Cottage by the Broads Authority.
Courses & Events
We run courses and events around the year at How Hill, everything from tirps and tours to short courses and evenings out. See our Courses & Events page to find out more.
Norfolk Wherry Hathor
The Hathor is one of only three surviving Norfolk pleasure wherries. Built in 1905, she was named after the Egyptian goddess of love and joy, with a distinctive Egyptian theme designed by How Hill’s Edward T Boardman.
Throughout the summer months Hathor returns to her moorings at How Hill, and is open for you to step aboard and explore her fascinating history. To learn more about Hathor or find out about chartering her please go to the Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust website.
You can experience the magic of sailing a wherry through the Norfolk Broads on our exclusive Wherry Course in August. Click the button below for more details.
Accessibility
The car park, access to the river side and visitors toilets are all wheelchair accessible. The House Gardens have a wheelchair- friendly route avoiding steps. Access to the Secret Gardens is via a woodland path which can be muddy after a period of inclement weather. It is possible to access closer to the Secret Gardens, which have a circular boardwalk route, at limited times and strictly by prior arrangement if access via the woodland path is not suitable. Please contact us if you would like to arrange this.
Dogs
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome in our gardens. No dogs are allowed in the house except guide dogs. Please clear up after your dogs. Bins for your dog waste are provided by the gate to the woodland path and towards the river near Toad Hole Cottage.
Facilities
Our toilet facilities are open from the 1st of April to 31st October between 10am – 5pm daily.
The visitors toilets, including an accessible toilet, are beside the track leading up from the river towards the main house. They are free to use, but donations to towards their upkeep are most welcome.
The nearest public toilets are at Ludham Bridge.
