Map of Berney Arms

Berney Arms is named after a public house that stood on the banks of the River Yare, just before entering Breydon Water and some 4 miles away from Yarmouth. Unfortunately, the Berney Arms closed a few years ago and despite attempts to re-open it as a community-owned pub it remains closed. The proximity to Breydon Water however makes the moorings of strategic value to holidaymakers. Many hire craft sport flying bridges – dual steer cruisers where you can steer from both inside and outside have a higher air draft and therefore need more room to pass under Yarmouth’s two low bridges. The river is tidal and the height under these bridges can vary by as much as 6 feet, so arriving at Yarmouth at high tide would preclude these boats from passing under and on towards Yarmouth Yacht Station or the upper reaches of the River Bure. The moorings at Berney Arms, the last before Yarmouth, therefore, make a good layover location to wait for the tide to flow out enough to enable passage through. Also, the speed of the current can be unnerving for first-timers so there is merit in waiting for the tide to become slack before continuing on. When approaching the moorings be sure to run against the tide so that your craft will slow down as you approach the bank. Never moor running with the tide as you will lose control. When tying up allow enough rope for your boat to drop with the level of the river as the tide flows out.

Things to Do:Berney Arms also houses an impressive windmill which is open to the public from time to time. It has its own set of moorings which are preferred to those outside the pub as they are being maintained. The windmill has great views over the marshes and Breydon Water being over 70 feet high.. Breydon Water is on your doorstep and is an RSPB bird reserve. Take a river/marshside walk to see all manner of birds and wildfowl. Berney Arms has its own train station which is located some yards behind the pub, down a rough track. The reason for a train station in such a deserted area is that the land was originally purchased in 1844 from one Thomas Berney so that a line could be established between Norwich and Yarmouth. A condition of the sale of the land was that a stopping place be provided and upkept in perpetuity. The station is very small and traces of its past can still be seen.

Eating and Drinking: A cafe has opened on the site of the public house.

TIP: The moorings closer to the inn are probably not being maintained and are best avoided. Ample moorings nearer the mill are provided by the Broads Authority. If you intend tieing up whilst waiting for the correct tidal conditions to allow passage through the low bridges at Yarmouth, moor closer to the mill, which has plenty of free 24-hour moorings.