It flows southwest and is linked by Candle Dyke and Heigham Sound to both Horsey Mere and Hickling Broad.

It continues southwest and flows through Potter Heigham (passing under its medieval bridge) and enters the River Bure just south of Thurne dyke, near St Benet's Abbey.

Most road traffic now uses the A149 Bypass, slightly to the north, but the narrow central arch restricts passage to boats needing headroom of less than 6.6 feet (2.0 m), and is the lowest bridge on the Broads.

From Heigham Sound, Meadow Dyke leads northwards to Horsey Mere, most of which is a National Trust nature reserve.

Beyond Horsey Mere lies Waxham New Cut, along which boats up to 30 feet (9.1 m) long can travel for about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to Lound Bridge.

The channel passes between the parts of Martham Broad, which is a nature reserve owned by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, to reach West Somerton staithes.

[2] Below Potter Heigham, Womack Water is navigable to Ludham, about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the main channel, but is only 4 feet (1.2 m) deep.

The bridge pivots on a post at the south side of the river, and is connected by a chain to a winch on the north bank.

It originally powered a scoop wheel to raise the water into the mere, but this was replaced by a pumping engine in an outbuilding at the foot of the tower.

Its fantail was destroyed during a gale in 1987, and during further restoration, which was completed in 2004, new sails were fitted, but with no shutters or the spider mechanism which operates them.

Thurne Dyke windpump was built in 1820 as a two-storey mill, but a third storey was added in the middle of the nineteenth century.

It still contains its internal machinery, which drove an external turbine, housed in an iron casing, and it is grade II* listed.