Norfolk Broads Discounts and Offers Newsletters
Here you will find our archived Newsletters which are emailed monthly to subscribers containing
latest offers and discounts together with general advice for anyone wanting to hire a boat on the Norfolk Broads.
To read more, just click an image of one of the newsletters.
November 2024
Oh dear, it’s that time again! The clocks have been turned back, and it feels like we’re battening down the hatches for a long winter filled with dark skies, chilly temperatures, and a seemingly endless parade of rain or snow! But let’s not dwell on the gloom—remember those sunny days spent drifting on the beautiful Norfolk Broads this summer? The sun kissing your cheeks, cheerful waves from fellow cruisers, and your favorite drink in hand while all your worries floated away!
A holiday on the water is the ultimate way to unwind. Our latest newsletter has a fabulous selection of cruisers to inspire your next adventure, perfect for your next holiday on the Broads.And if you book before Christmas, you’ll have the largest range of cruisers to choose from. Plus, a low deposit is all that's needed to reserve your dream boat until 10 weeks before your holiday.
So why not chase away those winter blues? Book your 2025 boating holiday now, and you’ll have something exciting to look forward to as the winter days get darker!
The sleepy picturesque village of Irstead on the River Ant, is the dream stopover for many. Step off your boat and stroll around the village, to be transported back to how the Broads must have felt at the turn of the19th century. There's no hustle, no bustle and not even the distant hum of vehicles in the vicinity. St Michael's Church which dates back to the fourteenth century, is well worth a visit. The Barton Broad Boardwalk is about 20 to 25 minutes stroll away, and is a must for nature lovers. The village is our feature destination in this month's newsletter.
October 2024
Well, the summer has been and gone, (and arguably passed us by). The boating season comes to an end at the close of October, and we won't be able to set sail again until the second week in February 2025. But all is not lost, as there's still time to plan a last hurrah with the family, on the Broads this October Half Term. All the boats are still avallable to hire and generally, all the pubs and restaurants are still open for the traditionally popular last school holiday before Christmas. So if you don't want to think about the darkness of our British winter just yet, get the family together and cast off on a boating adventure instead.
The Norfolk Broads in autumn are stunning, with the landscape full of warm tones of red, orange, and gold. The quieter waterways and the changing leaves create a serene, picturesque backdrop for your trip. It's also a great time for wildlife enthusiasts. Migratory birds such as geese and ducks can be spotted, and the quieter season means animals are more likely to be visible. You'll find the area far less crowded than in the summer months, which means you can enjoy a more peaceful and relaxing boating experience. Plus, since it's outside the peak season, the cost of boat hire is significantly lower. Below are just a few examples of what you can get for your money.
Burgh Castle at the junction of Breydon Water and the River Waveney, is our featured stop off this month. Burgh Castle makes an ideal stopover if you need to wait for the tides to drop at Great Yarmouth. It has third-century Roman fort, and you can get a closer look at Breydon with a waterside walk which stretches for 2 or 3 miles heading to the coast. We tell you where to moor and what to see and do in this month's newsletter.
September 2024
October on the Norfolk Broads can be a delightful experience with trees turning golden in the Autumn sun, an abundance of wildlife that's been hiding from the crowds in the summer months, and quieter rivers just waiting to be explored. It's also a much cheaper time to holiday, with prices in the first few weeks of the month around half the cost of high season breaks. So this month's newsletter hones in on what's on offer for the first two weeks of October, with suggested 4 and 7 night breaks for couples and families wanting to make the most of the weather before the chill returns to the air, and we start our winter hibernation again.
Our featured village this month is Cantley, on the southern Broads. If you've navigated the River Yare, it's likely you'll have come across Cantley and remember it's huge sugar factory on the banks of the river.
It's not as industrial as it looks though, and makes a good stop off point to catch the train into Norwich. Find out more including where to moor, places to eat and recommendations on what to do and see in the area, in this month's newsletter.
July 2024
Avoid the Summer School Holidays this month and you could save up to £511 on your next holiday afloat. Yes it's true. There's still good availability for starts in the weeks commencing 6th and 13th July, and the prices are around 30% cheaper than if you holiday when the school holidays begin from the 20th July. For instance, Broadland Galaxy, a six-berth cruiser starting on the 6th July for 7 nights costs £1,294 (plus fuel and damage waiver) compared to £1,805 from the 23rd July. That's a whopping £511 saving. We have other examples of the savings to be made in our latest newsletter. The General Election (yawn) and the final of the Euros are not far away, so why not plan what you're going to do once these distractions are over, and save some money too!
Norwich is a fine city, and is connected by the Rivers Yare and Wensum to the Northern Broads. There's so much to see and do in Norwich, not least visit the Castle Museum, the stunning cathedral, the vibrant market place, indoor modern shopping centres, department stores, cinemas and theatres. There's more information on where to moor, pubs and restaurants in the area and recommendations on what to do and see, in this month's newsletter.
June 2024
With the cost of living still raging, careful thought is being given to which summer school holiday provides the best all round value in this belt tightening year. But don't discount the value of getting the family together on a Norfolk Broads boating adventure. A boating holiday offers a unique and immersive way to explore the Norfolk Broads. Living on a boat provides a sense of adventure and novelty, especially exciting for children. It's a distinctive experience compared to traditional land-based holidays. Working together to navigate, moor the boat, and plan daily activities, promotes togetherness and helps create lasting memories.
This month's feature spotlight falls on the village of Sutton Staithe, off the River Ant on the Northern Broads. This delightful mooring is popular with boaters due to it's scenic location under the trees bordering the dyke leading off Sutton Broad. It's a 20 to 30 minute walk from Stalham, with its large Tesco supermarket and many other independent stores on the high street. It also makes a great first/last night stop off for those picking up their boat from Stalham. There's more information on where to moor for free, pubs and restaurants in the area and what to do and see, in this month's newsletter.
May 2024
At last, we're in a month with two public holidays. Are you planning to make the most of them, or will they just pass you by? Spring Bank is the most popular with prospective Broads mariners, and marks the start of the summer season proper with lighter nights and hopefully warmer weather. It's not too late to book your family adventure and our latest newsletter shows a small selection of the type of craft still available, together with the costs involved. At the time of writing, you can get afloat on Salerno, a 4 berth cruiser from Bank Holiday Monday until the following Friday from as little as £39 per person per night. Also, to give an idea of what a four night break might look like, you'll find a suggested itinerary starting from Stalham.
We always feature one Broads location each month, so you can perhaps decide to include a visit to it on your next holiday. This time, we're highlighting the pretty little village of Dilham on the River Ant. It's a delightful location at the end of a winding dyke and if you like to be "far from the madding crowd", you will love it here. It's very much in the countryside where the noise of traffic is replaced by the mooing of the cows. We show you where and how to moor, together with information on where to eat in this month's newsletter.
April 2024
Having just put the clocks forward, it appears that our long winter is at last at an end. Time to start planning what we're going to do with ourselves throughout the much anticipated summer. Let's talk first about the Spring Bank Holiday break. It marks the start of the the boating season proper. If you're planning to get the family afloat for the break, you need to act now. Already, larger 2 family boats are in short supply, though there's still good availability for two to six berth cruisers. As usual, we've put together some suggestions to show you what's available to you. See our latest news letter for more information.
Brundall is just a ten minute train ride from the fine city of Norwich. That alone makes Brundall worthy of a visit, as it avoids you having to cruise for a couple of hours to get to the city centre. Also, the village has a vibrant centre with many independent shops and restaurants, plus if steam transport is your thing, Strumpshaw Steam Museum is a six minute taxi ride away. See our newsletter for info and on where to moor.
March 2024
It's just 4 weeks to the Easter break. Have you made plans for these 2 valuable public holidays at the end of the month? It's the first real peak bookings week of the new season. The boatyards have updated, repaired, and rejuvenated their cruisers over the winter, and holidaymakers at this end of the season have the benefit of seeing everything looking sparkling and pristine. The pubs and restaurants will be pulling out the stops to get you to visit them too. So I've put together some 3, 4, and 7-night break suggestions starting at times to make the most of your holiday allowance. Look at a small selection of what is on offer in this month's latest newsletter.
How Hill House is an educational establishment perched on the brow of a hill overlooking the River Ant. It has many attractions, including extensive grounds to walk, woodland trails, a secret garden, Toad Hole Cottage (a recreation of an eel catcher's home from Victorian times), and a well-stocked cafe. It also has the benefit of extensive free moorings. There's more information in our latest newsletter - click below to see it.
February 2024
Would you believe it? In less than 2 weeks time a new boating season will be upon us. A number of boats have been made ready for the new season, for those who want to take advantage of the February Half Term week break. If you've been cooked up indoors through our long miserable winter, you can see the attraction of getting afloat for a family adventure. So if you're the type who likes to make the most of every school holiday to be with the family, take a look at our selection of cruisers waiting to be hired.
Oulton Broad is set on a delightful lakeside setting. You'll find it on the River Waveney, just a couple of miles short of the seaside town of Lowestoft. There's plenty to see and do, including all manner of watersports, speedboat racing on most Thursday evenings and a great selection of pubs and restaurants. You can read more about Oulton Broad, the best locations to moor and things to see on a short stopover in our latest newsletter.
January 2024
Well, it's the start of a new year. Lets hope the financial pressures we've all been struggling with in 2023 ease, mortgage interest rates start to drop and food price rises slow down to the inflation rate level the Bank of England keeps declaring. We've never had it so good. Ha! This month's newsletter sets out our stall for what's available over the Easter and Spring Bank holidays. If you can get afloat, there's still good availability, particularly over the Easter weekend, where three night Good Friday to Easter Monday breaks are on offer from £77 per person aboard Barbados (the boat not the island) a five berth cruiser starting from Stalham. There's more offers and suggestions in the newsletter.
Thurne Dyke leads to the tiny village of Thurne (logically) You can't miss it as it has the photogenic Thurne Windpump standing at the entrance to the dyke. The area is great for country walks, and you're almost guaranteed to get a wonderful picture of the sun going down beyond the windpump. The village also boasts one of the best regarded pubs on the Broads. You can read more about it and the best locations to moor in our latest newsletter.
November 2023
How depressing to have put the clocks back and started battening down the hatches for a long winter of dark skies, cold temperatures and seemingly non-stop rain or snow! Perhaps like me, you were afloat on the wonderful Norfolk Broads this summer, with the sun on your face, people cheerily waving as you cruise by with a glass of your favourite tipple in hand, letting the cares of the world drift away. A holiday afloat is very relaxing. Our latest newsletter sets out a selection of cruisers to show what's available to book next year to get you thinking. Booking before Christmas always presents the largest choice and a low deposit is all that's needed until 10 weeks before your holiday arrival. Bring back those memories by booking your 2024 boating holiday now, and have something to look forward to throughout our dark winter period.
Burgh Castle is situated on the River Waveney, just after you've crossed Breydon Water. As such, it makes a good stop off for those travelling to or from Great Yarmouth. There's a good set of moorings here, together with a pub overlooking the mouth of Breydon Water. Burgh Castle is also the site of Burgh Castle, a third century fort constructed by the Romans. You can read more about it and the best location to moor in our latest newsletter.
October 2023
Oh dear, October is here and it won't be long before the nation is consigned to the long drudge of winter. If you've enjoyed getting out and about with the family over the summer, then why not take advantage of the chance to take the kids on an adventure on the Norfolk Broads this October half term holiday? Everything is still open, the pubs and restaurants are quieter and more appreciative of your custom. You won't need to worry about finding a mooring and to cap it all, the hire charges are about half what they were over the last school holidays in August. So if you've got a week to spare while the kids are off school, why not take in the Autumn colours on a holiday afloat? Our latest newsletter has examples of 4 and 7 night breaks available to book right now.
Neatishead on the River Ant, has one of the most highly recommended pubs on the Broads. The White Horse is a must-visit for its food and range of real ales. You can moor either at the local staithe or at nearby Gays Staithe. Plus there's lots to see and do nearby. For more information on this pretty little village, see our latest newsletter.
September 2023
The kids are about to go back to school and the throngs of tourists who visit the Norfolk Broads over the Summer School Break, will by now have subsided. So all of a sudden, moorings will be easier to come by, it won't be as difficult to book your favourite table for that pub meal, and you won't have to shell out so much to book your boat in the first place. Autumn is a great time to set sail on a Norfolk Broads adventure. The seasonal colours light up the landscape and the weather is generally usable right up to the October Half Term. With that in mind, for this month's newsletter, I've put together a selection of 4 night and week long break suggestions still available to book. If they spark your interest, check out our full availability search further down the page.
If you've sailed the Broads before, you're bound to have passed under Ludham Bridge on the River Bure. It's the gateway to the upper stretches of the pretty River Ant, and just a 10 minute walk from the picturesque village of Ludham. But don't just pass it by. It's well worth a lunchtime or evening stop, with it's two pubs, restaurant and shops. More information including where you can moor, is in our latest newsletter.
August 2023
Well, there shouldn't be a water shortage this year with all the rain we've had recently (cue the hosepipe ban warnings). It's got to improve soon surely? Well, the BBC long-range weather forecasting unit thinks so. They are predicting that the second half of August will show an improvement with slightly higher than average temperatures and (fingers crossed) much less rain! So perhaps it's time to plan a short break or full week holiday on the beautiful Norfolk Broads whilst the kids are still off school. You can captain your own boat, Gold Gem for example starting 22nd August, for 4 nights from just £137 per person plus fuel and damage waiver. Our August newsletter gives some examples of what's still available starting from mid-August.
St Olaves is a small village located beside the River Waveney, around halfway between Yarmouth at one end and Oulton Broad at the other. As such, it makes a great lunchtime or evening stop off point for those making the trip between these two larger centres. The village has certain historic value in that the Bell Inn is reputed to be the oldest pub on the Broads. Also nearby, you will find the ruins of the 14th-century St Olaves Priory. See this month's newsletter for more information on the pub and the Priory, together with hints on the best places to moor.
July 2023
We're less than a month from the main school holidays, and those people with children will know only too well how much prices ramp up for the summer break. Yet, you can save hundreds of pounds by bringing your own holiday forward by a couple of weeks or so. For example, hiring Commander A for a week in mid-July is £463 cheaper than starting in the month of August. Not everyone has children in their party, so early to mid-July is a good time to travel. You will save money, and experience a quieter time on the rivers. Our July newsletter gives some examples of what's still available starting in the next 2 to 3 weeks.
Stokesby is a little village on the banks of the River Bure and is only around 9 miles from Yarmouth Yacht Station. As such, if you're planning to spend the day at the seaside resort, Stokesby makes a good jump-off port of call, being around 2 hours 15 mins cruise time away. If you time it right and the tides allow, you could be in Yarmouth for 10 am ready to head to the beach. Stokesby has a riverside pub, a cake shop, and a children's play area making it a perfect location to pass the time of day. For more information on where to moor, what to do, and where to eat, see our latest newsletter.
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