January 2024 Newsletter

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2024, in which we hope to keep you up to date with what's happening in Broadland, and point you towards discounts, deals and booking trends. Reservations for 2024 have been open for some months now and in general, there is still good availability. The exception to that is any weekend that includes a public holiday, where availability is a little tighter. The boating season gets underway over the weekend of the 10th February to allow families to holiday over the February Half Term week. So if you're missing your Broads fix, you do have options.

To make it easier to find a break at these times, I've set up an availability tool dedicated to the Easter, Early May, and Spring Bank holidays. You will find it a little further down the email. Below are some examples of what's available for Easter and Spring Bank to get you thinking of holidays afloat.
Click the boat images for more information

Barbados 5 berths
From Stalham
3 nights
29th March
£387

Magic Gem 6 berths
From Stalham
3 nights
29th March
£564

Melody 6 berths
From Stalham
3 nights
29th March
£564

Brinks Serenade 6 berths
From Wroxham
3 nights
29th March
£955

Bolero 6 berths
From Stalham
3 nights
29th March
£1046

Moon Voyager 8 berths
From Stalham
3 nights
29th March
£1361

Concerto 4 berths
From Stalham
4 nights
27th May
£675

San Francisco 6 berths
From Stalham
4 nights
27th May
£903

Fair Admiral 8 berths
From Wroxham
4 nights
27th May
£1765 including fuel,
damage waiver, parking and wifi

Brinks Jazz 4 berths
From Wroxham
7 nights
25th May
£849

Royall Commander 6 berths
From Wroxham
7 nights
25th May
£1450

Monte Carlo 8 berths
From Stalham
7 nights
25th May
£1664

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.

Boats for larger parties are now scarce

Richardsons decommissioned over 30 hire cruiser classes that were attractive to larger parties two years ago. As such there are now just 15 classes across the Broads capable of accommodating parties of 9 or more people.

If you're wanting to get the family together on a boating holiday, or are planning a stag or hen do, please consider booking sooner rather than later, as demand is likely to outstrip availability this summer. For a full list of which cruisers accommodate 9 or more people, please click the button.

Norfolk Broads Towns and Villages - Thurne

The small village of Thurne can be found at the end of a dyke leading from the River Thurne. You approach the village by turning from the River Bure up the Thurne. Not long after this junction, you will see the dyke on your right-hand side. It is easy to identify as the white Thurne Drainage Pump Windmill stands marking its entrance. There are moorings on either side of the dyke, which will cost you £7.50 to £10 for overnight stays. Moorings are especially popular on Friday and Saturday evenings as the Herbert Woods boatyard at Potter Heigham is only a 45-minute cruise away and is therefore ideally placed for those finishing and starting their cruises. As such, I recommend you tie up no later than around 4 pm on these days.

Local Attractions: The Weavers Way footpath will take you to Potter Heigham, a distance of around 3 miles. Another path leads towards the mouth of the River Thurne, with delightful views as it skirts the riverbank. The view of the sun setting over the Thurne Drainage Pump Windmill is stunning and brings photographers from miles around on a fair evening.

Eating and Drinking: The Lion Inn is an established public house with a restaurant, offering a varied selection of food. It's very popular with both locals and holidaymakers and as such, a table reservation is recommended.

Other Services: There are no other services in Thurne.

TIP: Don't struggle to turn your boat around in the narrow dyke. Towards the public house end is a turning area which makes the job easier for larger craft.

For more information and locations consult our Thurne map

David Hearn

Owner and Proprietor

Tet: 01132 550515
Website: norfolkbroadsboathire.biz

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