Little Switzerland?

[Hylander]

https://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/news/23501169.mud-lagoon-planned-little-switzerland-broads/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=DM72281

[marshman]

Shhh - don't tell on me but I have "snuck" in there several times and had a poke around, not recently but a long time ago!

In the middle was a big "flight" pen where pheasants were reared but the whole are is relatively overgrown with the Hi / Low Bridge a bit of a feature. It is now quite heavily wooded but the old dykes clearly discernible, and some still with water in the bottom. 

Seems a good use for the area, largely forgotten and neglected.

Incidentally the wherries that worked those marl pits were a far cry from the two remaining wherries in size - some where as small as 30' or so making access very much easier - all in all an interesting topic which was discussed many years ago, on the other side I think.

[LizG]

I never knew about the pub? Are there any photos?

[marshman]

I have read more about the pub somewhere, but cannot remember where - its just old age!! It might have been somewhere like Wherries and Waterways!

However I recall it was probably towards the top end of the workings, the Belaugh end and if you go over to "the Other Side" and type Little Switzerland into the "Search Box" there is a picture purporting to be of the pub on one of the links. I am sure Richard won't mind someone from here looking there!!!!

However I am not convinced that that is the pub - it could be but evidence is v sparse. I cannot really see that the pub could have still existed so many years after the marl workings actually finished, especially as it really is in the middle of nowhere.

However I could be wrong - like proof with any further evidence!

[marshman]

Surprise, surprise! It is rumoured our good friend Pally may be able to drag more info from the back of his mind - or perhaps with everything else, he might have forgotten by now again!!!!

[NeilB]

As I was passing this morning I managed to find 2 entrances, however you cannot see anything else from the river as it's heavily wooded.  The first or top one could probably be explored a short way by dinghy or canoe but the second looked fairly well blocked by undergrowth.

 

 

 

[Turnoar]

On 06/05/2023 at 00:07, marshman said:

I have read more about the pub somewhere…

Looking at pubs in Horstead on the Norfolkpubs website this might have been the Groves End situated at Marl Staithe. Possibly destroyed by fire in 1941, accidentally or otherwise?!

[kpnut]

I see that Hylander has already mentioned the planning permission for the dredging spoil. 
I had a little look up there this afternoon, taking a photo of the High and Low bridge and finding this planning application sign. 
More details on the Springers Retreat thread. 

[Anemolios]

Hello everyone. Regarding Little Switzerland. I notice that every websearch I've followed about this place describes it as a 19th Century chalk or marl pit. Thought people might be interested to know that it is shown on Faden's map of 1796 as Horstead Marle Pit.