File:The Nar Valley Way along the River Nar - geograph.org.uk - 1638979.jpg

English: The Nar Valley Way along the River Nar. Jutting into the river from the river bank are constructions built from three pairs of wooden posts which are driven into the ground; the gap in-between each pair is filled with willow rods that are layered horizontally > 1639028. With the river bank forming one side these constructions are shaped like a 'V', with the open end facing upstream. Somewhat reminiscent of willow spiling, this method helps to protect the riverbank from erosion. [Spiling usually involves driving live willow stakes vertically into the eroded bank and then weaving living willow shoots (withies) horizontally between and around the stakes.]

The Nar Valley Way long distance footpath is 34 miles long and runs from King's Lynn to Gressenhall. It is contained almost entirely within the watershed of the River Nar. The Nar Valley Way links with other long distance routes such as the Wash Coast Path at King's Lynn and the Peddars' Way at Castle Acre.

The River Nar is a tributary of the River Great Ouse. It rises near Litcham > https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/504461 and flows 15 miles west through the villages of Castle Acre > https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/686490 and Narborough > https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1637659. When in the mid 18th century the Industrial Revolution gathered pace the River Nar was already a major navigation. At that time it was owned by the Marriott family, Lords of the Manor from 1857 - 1875, and used to bring in timber, coal, grain, malt and bones from Kings Lynn by horse drawn lighters or barges, carrying up to 10 tons. Return cargoes included sand and gravel from Pentney pits and bonemeal fertilizer from Narborough Bone Mill > https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/630814. The river was canalised to connect the village of Narborough to King's Lynn and beyond: the Nar system included one pound-lock, and ten staunches were built in the five miles below the village. Navigation to Narborough ended in 1884, although steam tugs and barges still used the lowest reaches of the river until well into the 20th century, notably those of the West Norfolk Farmers Manure Company which brought ammonia-rich gas water to their factory from Cambridge gasworks until 1932.