How Hill facts for kids
How Hill is a special place in Norfolk, England. It sits right on the River Ant within The Broads National Park. This area is famous for its beautiful waterways and wildlife. How Hill is a great spot to learn about nature and explore the Broads.
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The Boardman Family and Olympic Dreams
How Hill was once the home of the Boardman family. They were quite famous, especially for their sports achievements!
Christopher Boardman: A Sailing Champion
Christopher Boardman lived at How Hill. He was an amazing sailor. In 1936, he competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal in sailing! To celebrate his win, he was given an oak tree sapling. He planted this special tree right at How Hill.
Humphrey Boardman: A Rowing Star
Christopher's younger brother, Humphrey Boardman, was also a talented athlete. He competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics in rowing. He rowed in the double scull event. Humphrey also won two gold medals at the 1930 British Empire Games.
A Family of Builders and Business
The Boardman family had other interesting connections too. Their father and grandfather were both well-known architects in Norwich. Their mother was from the famous Colman's Mustard family.
Exploring How Hill Today
Today, How Hill is much more than just a family home. It's a place where people can learn about nature and enjoy the beautiful Broads.
How Hill House and Study Centre
How Hill House is now home to the Norfolk Broads Study Centre. This is a special place where groups of schoolchildren can come and stay. They learn all about the environment and the amazing wildlife of the Broads. It's a great way to get hands-on experience with nature!
The How Hill Nature Reserve
The land around How Hill House is a protected area called the How Hill Nature Reserve. The Broads Authority looks after this reserve. It's a safe place for many different plants and animals to live.
Cruising on the Electric Eel
One of the best ways to see the nature reserve is by taking a trip on the "Electric Eel." This is a quiet electric boat. It takes visitors through narrow waterways called dykes. These areas are usually hard to reach, so the "Electric Eel" offers a unique way to explore the hidden parts of the Broads.
Toad Hole Museum
Near How Hill, you can find the Toad Hole Museum. This museum is in an old cottage that used to belong to a marshman. A marshman was someone who worked in the marshlands. The museum also has a Broads Information Centre, where you can learn more about the area.
Historic Windmills
How Hill is also home to some interesting windmills.
- Boardman's Windmill is a special type of windmill called a trestle or skeleton windpump.
- Clayrack Drainage Mill is another, smaller windmill that looks similar.
- Just south of How Hill, you can also see the Turf Fen windpump. These windmills were used to pump water and drain the land.
