Heacham River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heacham River |
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Heacham at Sedgeford
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 Location of the river mouth within Norfolk
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| Country | England |
| County | Norfolk |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Bircham Newton 52°52′23″N 0°36′50″E / 52.873°N 0.614°E |
| River mouth | The Wash at Heacham Beach 52°54′13″N 0°28′13″E / 52.903732°N 0.470384°E |
| Length | 16.4 km (10.2 mi) |
The Heacham River is a small river in Norfolk, England. It starts near the village of Bircham Newton. The river flows for about 16.4 kilometres (10.2 mi) (10 miles). It ends at Heacham beach, where its water flows into The Wash when the tide is low.
The River's Journey
The Heacham River begins at a pond near Bircham Newton. From there, it flows towards Fring. Here, it crosses a very old path called Peddars Way. The river then moves across open fields, heading northwest.
Over time, people have changed this part of the river a lot. However, it doesn't have strong walls to stop floods. After about 2 miles, the river enters a shallow, wooded valley. This valley is just south of Sedgeford village.
From Sedgeford, the river slowly turns northwest again. It goes towards Heacham, passing under the B1454 road. Then, it turns west towards the only mill on the river. Just after the road bridge, the river splits into two parts. One part used to fill the millpond for the watermill. The other part flows past the mill itself.
Heacham Watermill: Caley Mill
The Heacham watermill is also known as Caley Mill. It looks quite different from other mills in Norfolk. It was built in a Gothic Revival style. This means it looks like old Gothic buildings, but it was built more recently. The mill is made from a local stone called carrstone.
What made this mill special was its waterwheel. It was on the outside of the building, which was unusual for Norfolk mills. The mill first ground corn. Since 1932, Norfolk Lavender has owned and used the building. They use it for making lavender products.
After the mill, the river flows under the A149 coast road. It then goes around the northern side of Heacham village. The river then passes through Heacham Park. A small channel from the river feeds a lake in the park. After the lake, the river flows north for a short distance. Then it turns west again, crossing low-lying fields.
The river finally reaches the coast at South Beach. This is between Snettisham and Heacham. Here, it fills several pools that run along the coast. These pools empty into The Wash when the tide is low.
River Wildlife
The Heacham River is home to many different animals. It has a varied and rich wildlife population.
- Water Voles: You can find water voles living along the riverbanks. These small, furry animals are good swimmers.
- Fish: In the upper parts of the river, there is a small group of trout that breed there. In the lower parts of the river, closer to the sea, you might find eels.
