Visitors to Felbrigg Hall can now experience life in a precious chalk stream, without even getting their feet wet.
The National Trust attraction near Cromer has opened a ‘Bure Riffle’ sound and light installation, as part of a push to inspire and empower action to protect special places.
Mike Challis, a ‘sound artist’ who collected sounds from the Upper Bure River and its tributaries for the project, said people could get up close and personal with the installation.
Mr Challis said: “We encourage visitors to touch the water and manipulate the gravel where they may notice that the mirrored surface itself is vibrating with the sounds of the river and feel this sound through their fingers.”
“For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing this offers a tactile experience to feel the sounds of the river.”
Sounds featured include birdsong, barking roe deer and rippling water, recorded above and below the water.
Located in Felbrigg’s strong room, the installation includes a structure with running water, intended to resemble part of the river.
The bed of the ‘river’ is a mirror and, by shining lights on the water, reflections are projected onto the ceiling, filling the room with moving light patterns.
Gravel on the bed creates a ‘riffle’ - a section of a stream where water flows brokenly.
The River Bure is an internationally important chalk stream and is a main source of the Norfolk Broads, one of Britain’s largest protected wetlands.
Tom Sayer, the manager of the trust’s Riverland project, said: “Engaging with nature builds connections to our outside spaces that can have positive benefits to our health and quality of life.
“To help build these connections to nature we have been developing a sensory experience at Felbrigg Hall called Bure Riffle, which we hope will encourage more people to engage and connect with our local rivers in a fun and exciting way.
“Through our Riverlands project we’re helping people to discover nature, to access and enjoy more of their local river, feeling a sense of belonging where everyone is welcome.”
Find out more about the Riverlands project at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/projects/restoring-the-river-bure-in-norfolk
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