Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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Travel upstream away from Acle Bridge past the entrance to Upton Dyke on your left. Soon you will see the junction with the River Thurne on your right bank. Take the turning and proceed past the white Thurne wind-pump which marks the entrance to Thurne Dyke on your right. A little further along on your left you will see the marker post for Womack Water. Travel down this dyke until it opens out into the Broad that is Womack Water. Free moorings are available stern-on, on the right hand side just before the Broad ends. Ludham village centre, with its public house and small supermarket is 15 minute walk from here.

Retrace your steps out of Womack Water, back to the junction with the Thurne. Turn left and proceed up river. Soon you will see the lines of chalets which line the banks, leading up to Potter Heigham Bridge. Free moorings are available either on your right hand side before the bridge or in the boatyard of Herbert Woods, which can be accessed by passing under the wooden footbridge on the opposite bank. Two public houses, two cafeterias and a large discount store can be found in the village.

Turn around and travel back down the River Thurne, passing the entrance to Womack Water on your right and then the white Thurne Wind-pump on your left. At the junction with the River Bure, turn right. Continue on passing the entrance to South Walsham Broad on your left, the ruins of S Benets Abbey on your right followed by the entrance to the River Ant. Keep to the River Bure and cruise on past the entrance to Ranworth Broad on your left bank. Soon you will come across the pretty village of Horning, our overnight stop. Moorings are available at any of three public houses which line the right hand bank of the river, and are evenly spaced apart. The Ferry Inn is first and has the biggest expanse of moorings, followed by the New Inn and finally the Swan in at the far end of the village. All are paid moorings though the fee can be offset against food orders in the bar. Various small restaurants and also a few village shops make up the village centre.

Continue on in the same direction. You will see the entrances to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads and the moorings for the Wroxham Nature Trail Boardwalk on your cruise to our stopping point. First signs you are entering Wroxham are the fine houses and chalets which line the river. Free moorings are available at the Barnes Brinkcraft boatyard on your right bank or at the Faircraft Loynes yard which can be found down a short dyke on the left bank just before Wroxham Bridge.

Wroxham is the self styled "Capital of the Broads" with all manner of water based activities and a large shopping centre. There are two public houses close to the moorings and numerous restaurants and cafés. A working narrow gauge railway and large hall housing a model railway are close to Wroxham train station, about 10 minutes walk away. You could also use the time here to catch a train into Norwich (15 minute journey) to visit this fine city for a few hours.

About turn and make your way back down the Bure and out of Wroxham. You cruise past the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads on your right before cruising through Horning. Continue past the entrance to Ranworth Broad on your right. Soon you will see the signposted entrance to the River Ant on the left bank. Take this turning and proceed slowly as you soon come across Ludham Bridge. Free moorings are available on either side of the river once you pass under the bridge. A small shop and a restaurant are located within a short walk of the moorings. The Dog public house is a 10 minute walk further on.

.Leave your mooring in the same direction, continuing on up the River Ant. You pass the extensive moorings at the How Hill Education Centre before cruising on to the picturesque waterside village of Irstead. A little further on, the river widens out to become Barton Broad. Keep within the marker posts taking you in the direction of the far end of the Broad. You will see the sign-posted exit directing you to Stalham and Sutton. A little further on the channel divides and you are sign-posted to Sutton Staithe. As the channel narrows you will reach the free Sutton Staithe moorings. There is ample room to turn your boat at the far end. The Sutton Staithe Hotel is adjacent to the green.

Retrace your steps back out into Barton Broad, staying in the marked channel. Towards the far end you will see a yellow and black post which marks where the channel divides. Neatishead is sign-posted to the right hand channel. Follow it to where it narrows to a dyke. Continue down the dyke following the sign for Neatishead. A little further on are the free moorings on the left bank. A small village shop and the White Horse public house are a short walk away in the village. Barton Broad Boardwalk is a thirty minute walk away. The mystery trails leads you through swampy, wildlife filled carr woodland, with resting places along the way and emerges to give a surprise panoramic view over Barton, second largest of the Broads.

Follow your route back down the narrow dyke to the start of Barton Broad. Keep within the marker posts and to the right of the channel. Head for the entrance to the Broad which is to the right of the channel. Pass through Irstead and the moorings at How Hill before coming across Ludham Bridge once more. Pass under the bridge and at the junction with the River Bure, turn left. Continue on past the ruins of St Benets Abbey on your left and the entrance to South Walsham Broad on your right. Pass the entrance to the River Thurne on your left and continue on until you sight the road bridge at Acle, the location of your home yard. As moorings will be free for you at your boatyard, our recommendation is to moor there as stopping outside the Bridge Inn or Pedros Restaurant will attract a fee. Both establishments are just a few minutes walk away.

Leave your moorings and continue in the same direction. You pass the riverside village of Stokseby on your left, then Stracey Arms Windmill and shop on your right before continuing downriver towards Yarmouth. The sight of the derelict marina on your left will tell you that you are not far from your moorings at the Yacht Station (not just for yachts). You need to approach the moorings with the bow (front) of your boat facing into the prevailing current. This way you will have more control of your boat when coming alongside. The bridges beyond the moorings are low at high water so you must turn well before if demanded by the tidal conditions. Quay rangers are in attendance if needed and if at all unsure it is best to call them on 01493 842794 so they can advise and expect your arrival. The fee to overnight at Yarmouth is £13 per boat at the time of writing.

The rest of the day is free to explore this large seaside resort. The town centre market place is located around 20 minutes walk from the Yacht Station. The seafront with its piers, amusements, eating places and museums is a further 15 minutes away.

Ensure you leave against the tidal flow. The quay rangers will be pleased to assist if necessary. Retrace your cruise back up the river Bure this morning, past Stracey Arms Windmill until you see the moorings for Stokesby on your right bank. The tidal flow can still be strong here so ensure you come alongside against the tide. The moorings before the Ferry Inn are free during the day. The village which houses a small shop and cafe, together with the Ferry Inn are just a short walk from the moorings.

Leave your moorings against the tide, even if it means turning your boat to do so, then once mid-stream continue on under Acle Bridge and past your home boatyard. A little further on your left bank you will see the sign-post for Upton Dyke. Travel down the narrow dyke, which has free moorings at the head, together with room to turn your boat. The White Horse Public House and a local store are a 10 minute walk away.

Travel back down the dyke, turning right at the junction with the River Bure. Acle, the location of your home boatyard is but a short cruise from here. Ensure you leave with enough time to arrive at Acle before your boat handover time.