June 2026 Newsletter
Summer School Holidays for less.

There’s no getting away from it — this year has been more challenging for many households. It often feels as though money is disappearing faster than it’s coming in. Across the travel industry, holidaymakers are increasingly delaying their bookings until just four to six weeks before departure, and I’m sure the Norfolk Broads market is feeling the effects of tighter budgets too.

With that in mind, this newsletter focuses on affordable boating holidays for families who still want to enjoy a break on the Broads without stretching the budget quite as far as in previous years. The good news is that there is still availability during the first two weeks of the summer holidays, with four-night midweek breaks from just £114 per person aboard the 8-berth cruiser Swan Rapide, or a full week's holiday from £179 per person on the 10 berth boat, Brinks Symphony. Both prices include fuel deposit and damage waiver. They're listed below.

The offers featured below provide just a snapshot of the availability during the opening fortnight of the summer holiday period. As it’s peak summer, I’ve concentrated on cruisers with either dual steering positions or sliding centre/front canopies. After all, if the sun is shining, most of us would rather enjoy the fresh air and open views than spend the day tucked away inside with only a sunroof for company.

If you’re thinking about getting back out on the rivers with the family this summer, here are just a few of the opportunities still waiting for you. You can see more by using the blue availability tool a little further down this newsletter.

Click the boat images for more information

Concerto 4 berths
From Stalham
4 nights
27th July
£745 plus £75 fuel deposit
and £45 damage waiver

Major Gem 6 berths
From Stalham
4 nights
27th July
£745 plus £75 fuel deposit
and £45 damage waiver

Westminster Bridge 7 berths
From Acle
4 nights
28th July
£1264 plus £120 fuel deposit
and £60 damage waiver

Bright Horizon 4 berths
From Stalham
4 nights
3rd August
£745 plus £75 fuel deposit
and £45 damage waiver

Windsor Bridge 5 berths
From Acle
4 nights
4th August
£980 plus £120 fuel deposit
and £60 damage waiver

Swan Rapide 8 berths
From Stalham
4 nights
4th August
£745 plus £120 fuel deposit
and £45 damage waiver

Humber Bridge 5 berths
From Acle
4 nights
28th July
£845 plus £120 fuel deposit
and £60 damage waiver

Brinks Symphony 10 berths
From Wroxham
4 nights
27th July
£1421 plus £150 fuel deposit
and £40 damage waiver

Brooklyn Bridge 6 berths
From Acle
4 nights
28th July
£1473 plus £120 fuel deposit
and £60 damage waiver

Chelsea bridge 4 berths
From Acle
7 nights
31st July
£945 plus £120 fuel deposit
and £60 damage waiver

San Julian 6 berths
From Wroxham
7 nights
31st July
£1498 plus £100 fuel deposit
and £45 damage waiver

Fair Empress 9 berths
From Wroxham
7 nights
1st August
£2624 including fuel, parking
£45 damage waiver & wifi

Prices shown are the accommodation charges taken from the Hoseasons reservation system.. Prices are correct at the time of writing but remain subject to change. Full terms and conditions available on the Hoseasons website

Holiday Availability 2026 & 2027

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

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 - Surlingham

Surlingham is a small village reached from the moorings at the Surlingham Ferry public house on the river Yare, around 30 minutes cruise time from Brundall. Moorings are as stated, outside the public house and are mostly stern-on though a few side-on moorings are available directly outside the Ferry. The moorings mark the site of a ferry service that operated to Postwick until 1939 following a collision with one of the coasters which plied between Yarmouth and Norwich. There are limited moorings available on the opposite bank, though these have no services and there is no means of crossing the river.

Things to do: A walk through woodland takes you to the small village of Surlingham. The Wheatfen Nature Reserve founded by the Norfolk naturalist and broadcaster Ted Ellis is located nearby in the village. Entry is free of charge. The reserve is well thought of and is one of the last remaining tidal marshes on the Yare Valley. As the patron of the Trust, David Bellamy said, "Wheatfen Broad is, in its way, as important as Mount Everest or the giant redwood forests of North America. It is probably the best bit of fenland we have because we know so much about it. That is purely because one man gave his life trying to understand it - Ted Ellis". St Mary's church in the village is unusual in that it houses a round rather than a rectangular tower. Ted Ellis is buried here. The villages of Rockland St. Mary and Bramerton are within a 30-minute walk should you wish to visit them. Both are equally accessible from the river.

Eating and Drinking: The Surlingham Ferry is a community-run public house. It is popular with both locals and holidaymakers offering an extensive menu of main meals and snacks. The Ferry has regular musical entertainment which tends to be held on an afternoon.

Other Services: A walk to the village will bring you to a post office and general stores. Take the Ferry Road from the public house until it meets New Road and then Pond Lane. The Post Office is a little further along on School Lane.

TIP: Surlingham Broad is reached by a sign-posted dyke leading from the River Yare, heading towards Brundall. It is a secluded Broad and is noted for harbouring the wrecks of 13 wherries which were sunk here. The timbers can still be seen as you approach the chained-off area.

For more information and mooring locations consult our Surlingham map

David Hearn

Owner and Proprietor

Tet: 01132 550515
Website: norfolkbroadsboathire.biz

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