River Nar

The River Nar is a chalk stream in Norfolk, England. It begins near Mileham and flows west for about twenty-four kilometres through villages like Castle Acre and Narborough before joining the Great Ouse at King’s Lynn. The river has carried different names over time, including the Setch and Lynn Flu, though these are little used today. In 2011 it was named one of the ten most improved rivers in England and Wales. Its clear, alkaline waters come from springs in the chalk aquifer east of Litcham. The Nar once carried barges carrying bones to a mill at Narborough, where the bones were ground for fertiliser. Five old mill buildings still stand along its banks, some with original machinery inside. The river powered mills for centuries, and traces of these structures remain visible today. A long-distance path, the Nar Valley Way, follows the river for most of its length. The river also supports rare wildlife, including sea trout, water voles and otters. The upper river passes through lakes at Lexham Hall, a grand 18th-century mansion with wartime damage and later restoration. Near Castle Acre the river widens and meanders through wooded areas and farmland. Lakes at South Acre Hall and Narford Hall add to the landscape, while drainage ditches and flood banks shape the lower stretches. High Bridge and Setchey Bridge cross the river, linking villages and roads. The river’s banks are lined with plants and insects, and birds such as kingfishers and marsh tits are often seen.