Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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Leave your home moorings cruising upriver without passing under Acle Bridge. Continue past the entrance to Upton Dyke on your left bank and on towards the junction with the River Thurne on your right bank. Stay on the River Bure by keeping to the left. Pass the entrance to South Walsham Broad on your left. On the opposite bank you soon see the ruins of St Benets Abbey followed by the entrance to the River Ant. Continue on the Bure, passing the entrance to Ranworth Broad on your left. A short while later you arrive at Horning. Moorings are available at any of the three riverside public houses which are spaced over the length of the village. Horning has a selection of cafés and restaurants together with convenience stores and gift shops.

A short cruise this morning will take you to Wroxham, the self-styled capital of the Broads. Depart Horning continuing in the same direction. You pass the entrances to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads on your left before cruising into the outskirts of Wroxham with its many fine waterside houses and chalets. Continue on passing the Barnes Brinkcraft boatyard on your right. Free moorings are available here or at Faircraft Loynes Boatyard which can be found down the last dyke on your left before Wroxham Bridge. Wroxham has a large shopping centre with a department store, supermarket, DIY and, a garden centre. Two public houses situated on either side of the low bridge provide food and drink as do many other restaurants and cafés.

Return back down the River Bure passing the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads, this time on your right. Soon Horning comes into view. Cruise through this picturesque waterside village and continue on, passing the entrance to Ranworth Broad on your right. The signposted entrance to the River Ant will appear on the left bank. Turn up the Ant noting the speed limit has reduced to 4mph due to the narrow nature of this part of the river. Soon after you will see Ludham Bridge, our stop-off point for lunch. Free moorings are available on either side of the river once you pass under the bridge. The headroom is usually around 8ft 6 inches so most cruisers will clear it. Adjacent to the bridge are a small general store and a restaurant. A little further on is the Dog public house.

Continue on in the same direction past the extensive moorings of How Hill Education Centre and on past the chocolate box lid village of Irstead. You will know what I mean by this when you see it! Soon the river widens out to become Barton Broad. Passage across the Broad involves keeping between the marker posts which lead to either Neatishead (our destination) or at the far end to Stalham and Sutton. Keep to the left channel and follow it across the Broad to its exit. A short cruise down a narrow dyke brings you to the moorings at Neatishead. Turn right at the moorings for a 10-minute walk to the village centre where you will find the White Horse Inn and a small community store.

We need to overnight at Acle tonight to give us plenty of time to make Yarmouth in the morning. Make your way back down the dyke towards Barton Broad, then retrace your route between the marker posts to the entrance to the Broad. Continue on past Irstead, the moorings at How Hill and pass under Ludham Bridge. At the junction with the River Bure turn left. You will recognise the river as you cruise on down to the site of Acle Bridge. You have the choice to moor at your home yard or outside the Bridge Inn located just past the bridge, though an overnight fee is charged here. As well as the Bridge Inn, Dunes cafe is available for hot drinks and snacks during daytime. It's located on the opposite bank, adjavent to the bridge. oorings for a 10 minute walk to the village centre where you will find the White Horse Inn and a small community store.

You will need to consult your tide tables (usually available in the boat's onboard manual) to ensure you are travelling at the correct state of the tide so as to arrive at Great Yarmouth around low or slack water. The moorings at Yarmouth Yacht Station (not just for yachts!) are well sign-posted and are manned by rangers who will help you moor and tie up for the day or overnight. Ensure you always moor or start away against the tidal flow - i.e. your boat would be pushed backward if you had no power.

.Time to enjoy all the delights of this seaside town. The town centre with its market is a 15-minute walk from the moorings. A further 15-minutes walk will take you to the Yarmouth promenade complete with piers, amusements and museums. Eating, and drinking establishments are ubiquitous.

You need to leave your moorings against the prevailing tide, which may mean turning your boat. Consult the on-site rangers who will help you with this. Once mid-stream you need to pass under the two low bridges and on towards the junction of the Bure with Breydon Water. Look out for the yellow marker and pass beyond it - not before it, turning right. Ensure you stay between the marker posts which lead you under Breydon Bridge and across Breydon to a point where the channel diverges at the far end. Keep to the right channel which will lead you past the large Berney Arms windmill. Journey on through marshland until you see Reedham railway swing-bridge. The moorings at Reedham are plentiful just after you pass under the bridge. Beware that the tide can run quite fast here so ensure you come into the moorings against the tide, even if that means turning around first. An on-site ranger can assist you if you catch his attention. Reedham has two public houses on the quayside together with a fish and chip shop and a small grocery store.

You need to continue up the River Yare, though you may have to turn your boat first to cope with leaving against the tide. The ranger will assist you with this. Continue onwards past Reedham Ferry, making sure you keep well away from the chains which pull it from side to side. Shortly after, you pass the entrance to the River Chet on your left. Cruise on, passing the huge sugar factory on your right and onwards past the two entrances to Rockland Broad on your left. Shortly after, you will cruise through the chalet-lined village of Brundall and its accompanying boatyards. A little further on your left bank, is the Ferry Inn at Surlingham, our stop for the night. Moorings are free for patrons and can be reserved in advance by calling the Inn. Moor stern-on here.

Retrace your steps back down the River Yare past the village of Brundall, the entrances to Rockland Broad on your right, the Sugar Factory at Cantley, and the chain ferry at Reedham. The Reedham quayside, our stop-off point for lunch yesterday comes into view. Proceed under the rail swing bridge and at the junction with the New Cut, take the right channel. Proceed down this long straight canal built as a shortcut to Lowestoft, passing under a high road bridge at the far end. Turn left at the junction with the River Waveney. Soon you will see the road bridge at St Olaves.Check your height to ensure you have enough room to pass under. Moorings are available on either side of the bridge if needed. The tide runs fast here also, so you need to bring your cruiser in against the tide to ensure you have control. The Bell Inn is located close to the bridge and the Priory Restaurant is a little further away on the left side of the road. 

Retrace your steps back along the Waveney, ensuring you leave your moorings against the tidal flow. You will pass the entrance to the New Cut on your right as you continue onwards. The moorings at Somerleyton come into view on your left and then another rail swing bridge. You should check you have sufficient headroom to pass under. A further cruise brings you to a junction in the river. Keep to the left channel signposted for Oulton Broad. A short cruise brings you to Oulton Broad, more of a lake that is surrounded by parkland and "millionaire developments". At the far end are moorings, both paid, at either the Yacht Station (not just for yachts) or outside the Wherry Inn. Both are stern-on moorings. Oulton Broad boasts three public houses, all serving food, together with a couple of restaurants.

Make your way back across Oulton Broad to the entrance dyke which takes you back to the main river. Continue under the rail bridge at Somerleyton, past the junction with the New Cut on your left and the village of St Olaves. A long cruise will now bring you to the village of Burgh Castle on your right, which marks the start of Breydon Water. Continue on ensuring you keep between the marker posts. Refer to the low water times to ensure you arrive at Yarmouth Yacht Station with enough headroom to pass under the low bridges. If in doubt you can call the Yacht Station rangers for advice on 01493 842794. Ensure you come into your mooring against the direction of the tide so as to maintain control of your boat. If needed, the rangers can assist you. Time for a few hours ashore in the seaside resort. Again you have the option of staying overnight but that would mean an early start tomorrow to ensure you can reach your home boatyard in time for the handover at 9 am. You would probably need to leave around 6 am.

Leave your moorings against the tidal flow - the rangers can assist if needed. Continue on away from the bridges, passing the disused marina on your right bank. You pass Stracey Arms Windmill and moorings on your left before the village of Stokesby appears on a bend in the river. Moorings are available before the Ferry Inn public house or a little further on at the village green. The Ferry Inn serves food, as does a cafe in the village. A small convenience store is a short walk from the moorings.

Continue onwards up the River Bure for your short cruise to your home moorings. You pass under Acle Bridge, shortly before coming to your home boatyard's moorings.