February 2024 Newsletter

The new boating seasons gets underway in less than a fortnight, coinciding with the children's February Half Term Break. If you're one of these people who likes to make the most of every school break, one boatyard has a small selection of boats available to hire for weekend, midweek, or 7 night over the Half Term. Click the following link to see what's available, then change the duration button at the top of the page to search for your favoured holiday length. Click HERE

It's peak booking time for the coming summer, especially the main school holiday in August which is always popular. Bookings are currently on a par with last year, though August went on to be a virtual sell out for most weeks. Low deposits are currently available to allow you to fix your ideal boat and avoid compromising on the best date, price, most suitable layout and level of comfort. Once booked, you have plenty of time to look forward to your break, and plan what you want to do to make the most of this precious time with your family and friends. Below are just a few examples of what's available, with an indication of prices for different durations and boat sizes. You can check what's available
Click the boat images for more information

Broadland Orion 4 berths
From Stalham
4 nights
30th July
£549

Silver Wisper 6 berths
From Stalham
4 nights
29th July
£1094

Westminster Bridge 7 berths
From Acle
4 nights
30th July
£1207

Major Gem 6 berths
From Stalham
4 nights
5th August
£900

Brooklyn Bridge 6 berths
From Acle
4 nights
6th August
£1406

Fair Admiral 8 berths
From Stalham
4 nights
5th August
£1795 including fuel,
damage waiver, parking and wifi

Trent Bridge 6 berths
From Acle
7 nights
26th July
£1018

Fair Monarch 6 berths
From Wroxham
7 nights
26th July
£2395

Royall Ambassador 8 berths
From Wroxham
7 nights
27th July
£1782

Chelsea Bridge 4 berths
From Acle
7 nights
2nd August
£902

London Bridge 6 berths
From Acle
7 nights
3rd August
£1686

Commander A 8 berths
From Stalham
7 nights
5th August
£3146

Prices shown are the accommodation charges taken from the Hoseasons reservation system, and do not include damage waiver, fuel deposit or personal insurance. Prices are correct at the time of writing but remain subject to change. Full terms and conditions available on the Hoseasons website

Easter, Early May & Spring Bank Holiday Availability

There are three "early" season public holidays to take advantage of. Easter in particular, is now selling well for Good Friday to Easter Monday breaks. Select a public holiday, how many people in your party and for how many nights you want to be away to list what's still available by date.

Holiday Availability

You can now check availability for any date across the boating season (usually between mid February and the end of October) for this year and 2025.

We have craft suitable for party sizes from 2 to groups of 12 people, in all sorts of shapes and sizes, at prices to suit most pockets.

Click the blue enquiry form to see what's still available to book.

Norfolk Broads Towns and Villages - Oulton Broad

Oulton Broad lies a couple of miles inland from the seafront at Lowestoft and as its name suggests, is a wide broad bordered by parkland, millionaire housing, reed beds, marinas, hotels, and bars. Moorings can be found at the furthest end of the broad from Oulton Dyke, which is the waterway you will come along to enter the broad. The Yacht Station (not just for yachts) has plentiful moorings as does the Wherry Hotel (pictured above) where you have arguably the best view of the broad from your moorings. The Hotel clearly realises that as they charge £10 for an overnight mooring. The nearby Yacht Station charges £11 per night. The rise and fall here is 2ft 3 inches so set your ropes with enough slack in them to allow for this. Also as mooring is usually stern-on (reverse up to quay and moor with front-pointing into the broad) and your boat will be higher than the moorings when the tide rises, you need to be sure the stern of your boat will not then get caught on the quay heading when it drops again. Your boat may have large fenders hanging on its stern to stop it from getting too close to the quayside. If not move some of your side fenders to the stern to keep it away.

Local Attractions: Powerboat races are held most Thursday evenings in the summer and on certain public holidays. Nicholas Everitt Park is adjacent to the Broad and offers some lovely walks and views over the water's edge. Take the train from Oulton Broad North or Oulton Broad South into Lowestoft for a day at the seaside. Lowestoft Museum is located in Nicholas Everitt Park. Carlton Marshes Wildlife Trust, a short taxi ride away is a miniature Broads with drained flower marshes. Watch other craft coming and going and the yachting on the broad.

Eating and Drinking: Wherry Hotel - Restaurant and bar food. and daily carvery. It boasts a terrace overlooking the broad. The Waveney is just up from the Yacht Station, opposite park gates, and also features a good choice of menu. The Commodore also overlooks the Broad with its own limited moorings and offers an extensive choice of menu. Lady of the Lake - (extensive menu) is over the road from the Yacht Station and has regular evening entertainment. Tides Steak House, The Copper Smokehouse, Labone Indian, and the 142 Cafe and bar are all restaurants a short walk of the moorings. Mermaid Fish and Chip Restaurant and takeaway is on Bridge Road - past The Wherry from the the Yacht Station. China Garden and Flames Kebab are takeaways nearby.

Other Services: Supermarket - turn right from the Yacht Station. Public toilets and showers available at the Yacht Station. The Bridge Road premier Store has a cash machine. Doctor's surgery.

TIP: Speedboat racing takes place on Oulton Broad most Thursday evenings. You will get a great view by mooring outside the Wherry Inn, which faces out onto the racing circuit.

David Hearn

Owner and Proprietor

Tet: 01132 550515
Website: norfolkbroadsboathire.biz

If you no longer wish to receive these newsletters, click on this link: Unsubscribe