Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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Make your way out of the boatyard, and cruise down the River Ant. You will pass the junction with the dyke that leads to Sutton Broad on your left, before meeting a fork in the river. A sharp turn right would lead you to Wayford Bridge, but we are continuing on towards Barton Broad. On entering the Broad, ensure you keep to the wide marked channel, as to venture outside could lead to you running aground, and needing assistance to re-float. At the far end of the Broad you will see an exit which leads to a narrow dyke. Head for it and continue on past the picture postcard village of Irstead on your right bank. Eventually, you will see the extensive moorings for How Hill House on your left. Take care passing, as it becomes narrow at points. After a while you will see the moorings for your overnight stop, Ludham Bridge. You can moor free here, on either side of the river, leading up to the bridge. Note that there is a section reserved for yachts to de mast, just before the bridge, which should be avoided.

You need to pass under Ludham Bridge, so approach it with care as it can be difficult to see boats coming from the opposite direction until you get close up. Be prepared to abort your passage if you see a boat already beginning it's approach. Once through, continue on until you see the junction with the River Bure. Here you should turn right and continue on in the direction of Wroxham. You pass the entrance to Ranworth on your left, before arriving at the pretty village of Horning, with it's thatched roofs and millionaire homes. Cruise on away from Horning, past the entrances to Salhouse and Wroxham Broad on your left. Eventually you will see the holiday homes and chalets marking the start of Wroxham, your stopover for lunchtime. Free moorings are available at either of two boatyards which line the river. The first, Barnes Brinkcraft is on the right bank. The second, Faircraft Loynes, is reached down a short dyke, just before Wroxham bridge, on the left hand bank. On the opposite bank, is the Wroxham Hotel, which also offers moorings at a fee.

A short cruise this afternoon to take you to the picturesque riverside village of Horning. Retrace your steps back down the River Bure, passing the entrance to Wroxham Broad on your right. Soon after you will see the moorings for The Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail on your left. You have time to explore the trail, which takes you through the native shrub land and marshes of the area, offering great views over Hoveton Great Broad. Re-board and continue on, past the entrance to Salhouse Broad on your right. Eventually you will come across the outlying holiday homes and chalets that mark the start of Horning. Turning the sharp bend in the river will take you to a choice of moorings. The first you come across belong to the Swan Inn. Mooring is at a fee, which can be offset against food purchases in the hotel. Adjacent to the hotel are free moorings provided by the Horning Parish, offering space for around 5 boats. The tend to be very popular, with spaces seldom lying unused. Further on, you will find the moorings for The New Inn. These are free of charge, but you must intend to eat within the Inn. Towards the end of the village, is The Ferry Inn (TFI). Moorings are free for patrons of the Inn. Finally, almost adjacent, is the Ferry Boatyard which also offers free stern on overnight moorings.

Leave your moorings and continue in the same direction, back down the River Bure. You pass the entrance to Cockshoot Dyke on your right, soon after. Next is the entrance to Ranworth Broad, also on the right hand bank. Eventually you will see the entrance to the River Ant on your left. Cruise on past, and the signposted entrance to South Walsham on your right bank. You will see the ruins of St Benets Abbey on your left bank, before coming across the junction with the River Thurne, on the same side, Turn left up the Thurne, passing the photogenic white windpump at the head of Thurne dyke on your right. Cruise on passing the entrance to the signposted entrance to Womack Water on your left bank. After a while, you will see the chalets and holiday homes on each bank, marking the start of Potter Heigham. The river is quite narrow here, so take care when passing oncoming craft. You will see ahead, the very low Potter Heigham bridge. Free moorings are available either on the right bank, just before the bridge, or by passing under the footbridge on the left bank, which takes you into the Herbert Woods boatyard, where you can stay overnight for free.

Cruise back down the River Thurne, past the entrance to Womack Water on your right and the white Thurne windpump on your left. At the junction with the River Bure, turn right and continue on past St Benets Abbey and the entrance to South Walsham. Soon after is the junction with the River Ant, at the head of which, is the location of your home boatyard. Turn right here and proceed on, passing under Ludham Bridge, the moorings at How Hill on your right, the pretty village of Irstead. Continue on, entering Barton Broad. Look out for the marked channel to the left hand side, taking you across the Broad. The channel becomes narrower as it heads towards a dyke taking you to Neatishead. First is the entrance to Barton Turf on your left. Ignore this and carry on down the dyke, which gets very narrow as it approaches the village centre. Look out for the free moorings on your left bank. There is an area for to turn your boat, just past these moorings. The village of Neatishead is located a short walk to the right of the moorings..

You need to be back at your home boatyard by 9am to hand you're boat back, so ensure you allow enough time to return. Retrace your steps back out onto Barton Broad. Keep to the channel, watching out for a black and yellow marker post on your left, which indicates where to turn up the Broad towards Stalham. Don't be tempted to cut the corner. The channel will deliver you to the exit of the Broad. Keep to the right channel, marked for Stalham and Wayford Bridge. Pass the signposted exit for Sutton Broad on your right, before arriving back at your home boatyard in Stalham.