Norfolk Broads Boat Hire Town and Village Maps
Surlingham Map

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.