Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Stag or Hen party 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 Ludham Bridge. Continue on, passing under the bridge. Soon you will come to the junction with the River Bure, where you need to turn left. From there you will eventually pass the signposted entrance to the River Thurne on your left. A little while later, Acle Bridge comes into view. Moorings are available before the bridge on either bank, or past the bridge, outside the Bridge Inn on your right. There is ample mooring space at Acle for you to arrive at this time. The Bridge Inn is very popular and you are advised to book a table for your party.

Retrace your steps back up the River Bure, passing the entrances to the River Thurne and the River Ant on your right. Eventually you will see the signposted entrance to Ranworth on your left bank. Take the turning and contine down the dyke. At the far end is Malthouse Broad and the village of Ranworth. Free, stern on moorings are available. Ranworth is a very popular mooring spot with a pub, You may need to wait a while before a space becomes available. The Maltsters is close by. If moorings are full or you don't want to wait, continue on to Horning. (extra 45mins) where moorings are available outside 3 riverside pubs (in order that you come to them) The Ferry Inn , The New Inn and The Swan Inn (all allow table reservations).

Retrace your steps back out of Malthouse Broad, turning left at the junction with the River Bure. Continue on towards Wroxham, passing through the picturesque village of Horning on your right bank, and the entrances to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads on your left. Soon after you will see the chalets and houses which line the river at Wroxham. Moor either at the Barnes Brinkcraft or Faircraft Loynes boatyards, or outside the Wroxham Hotel (reservable in advance but with a mooring fee). The main two pubs here are The Wroxham Hotel and The Kings Head located at the far side of Wroxham Bridge. You are able to book tables at either.

Leave your boatyard going downstream, so away from Wroxham Bridge. Pass the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads on your right hand side. Eventually you will see the long run into the village of Horning, with houses and chalets lining the left hand bank. Continue on. The Ferry Marina Boatyard on your left marks the last of Horning village. You pass the signposted entrance to Ranworth on your right, and the marked entrance to the River Ant on your left. Take this turn, and proceed on until you see the bridge, which spans the river here. Proceed with care up to the bridge, as it gets very busy with craft passing both ways. When you see that nothing is coming through from the opposite direction, sound your horn, then traverse under. Moorings are available once you pass under, and are situated on both sides of the river. Ludham Bridge village itself is just to the right of the bridge. A further shot walk will take you to The Dog public house.

Continue on in the same direction, away from the bridge. Shortly, you pass the extensive moorings of the How Hill Educational Centre. Continue on for a while until you reach the riverside village of Irstead, with its millionaire style homes and thatched roofs on your left bank. A little further cruise will bring you out onto Barton Broad, a wide expanse of water. Two channels are marked my posts Follow the route marked to Stalham and Wayford Bridge, bearing right, which will take you north across the length of the Broad. At the far end, look out for and follow the signposts to Stalham and Sutton, which is where the Broad narrows again. The marked turn off for Sutton Staithe can be found a little further down, on your right. Continue down this dyke. At the far end is Sutton Staithe. Moorings are on the left bank, where the dyke narrows, and further along opposite the green in front of the Sutton Staithe Hotel. Both are free moorings. Sutton Staithe is another popular stopover, so you should aim to get there at the latest by 3.30/4pm to get a mooring. If you find they are full, just carry on back to your home boatyard in Stalham.
You can book a table at the adjacent Sutton Staithe Hotel. If you end up back at your boatyard, Stalham main street (around 10mins walk) has The Swan Inn and The Grebe, though this pub does not do food.

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 to the junction with the River Ant. Take the signposted right turn for Stalham. Your home boatyard is a little further along the river. On arrival, the boatyard staff will dip the fuel tank to ascertain how much fuel you have used and arrange a refund or make an additional charge should the amount used exceed your fuel deposit paid at the time of booking.