Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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Turn left as you leave the boatyard, and enter the River Bure. Soon after, you will pass the Cockshoot moorings on your right. Continue on, past the signposted entrance to Ranworth also on your right. Next, you will see the entrances to the River Ant and then the River Thurne on your left, also both signposted. Sail on, passing the entrance to Upton Dyke on your left bank, which signals that you are now not far from your overnight mooring at Acle. Eventually, you will see Acle bridge ahead of you. Free moorings are available on your left bank, just before the bridge. There are plenty of other paid-for moorings, on your right bank, both before and after the bridge.

You need to retrace your steps back up river, passing the entrance to Upton Dyke on your right. Soon after, you will see the signposted entrance for Potter Heigham and the River Thurne on your right. take this turn and proceed up the Thurne, past Thurne Dyke and its white windpump, on the right bank. A little further on is the signposted entrance to Womack Water, at the head of which is the charming village of Ludham.his is your destination for lunchtime. Head down the dyke, which opens on to Womack Water. At the head, are the moorings, which are free for daytime stops, You will need to moor stern on here. The village of Ludham is a 15-minute walk from here.

It's a short cruise from Ludham to Potter Heigham. Return across Womack Water, and rejoin the River Thurne, turning left at the junction. Eventually, you will see the riverside chalets that line the banks all the way up to Potter Heigham village centre. Moorings are located on the right-hand side, just before Potter Heigham's notorious low arched bridge, or on the opposite bank, under a footbridge that takes you into the Herbert Woods boatyard, and its extensive moorings. Both sets of moorings are free for up to 24 hours.

Our lunchtime stop is at Ludham Bridge - not to be confused with Ludham, yesterday's lunchtime stop. You need to retrace your steps back down the River Thurne, keeping the entrances to Womack Water on your right, and Thurne Dyke, with its white windpump on your left. Turn right at the junction with the River Bure. Cruise on past the entrance to South Walsham Broad on your left, before taking a right, at the junction with the River Ant, signposted for Ludham Bridge and Stalham. Soon after, you will see the bridge spanning the River Ant. Take care approaching, and passing under, as this is a busy section, and you may not see a boat coming in the opposite direction until you are quite close to the bridge, Once under, moorings are available on either bank and are free of charge.

Continue on the River Ant, in the same direction. You will pass the extensive moorings of the How Hill Educational Centre on your right bank. Cruise on, past the pretty village of Irstead, and its very limited moorings on your left bank before the river opens out onto the wide expanse of Barton Broad, notable for having been where Lord Nelson was reputed to have learned to sail. You will notice than the broad is divided into channels marked by posts. Take the right-hand channel, which heads north, to the far end of the Broad. Look for the signposted dyke leading to Stalham and Wayford Bridge. Keep right, watching for the signposts to Stalham. Follow these directions until you eventually come to the large Richardsons boatyard. There are extensive free moorings here, where you will need to moor stern on. The small town centre is a 15-minute walk away.

Cruise out of the boatyard, and head back down river, reaching the entrance to Barton Broad. Keep to the marked channel you cruised along yesterday, towards the exit of the Broad. Continue on past the village of Irstead on your right, before you come across the extensive moorings of the How Hill Educational Centre on your left bank. Here you will find wildlife walks, a secret garden, a replica of a cottage from the turn of the century, an electric boat trip through the River Ant backwaters, and a cafeteria serving hot and cold refreshments at the house itself.

Continue on in the same direction, passing under the bridge at Ludham Bridge, and on to the junction with the River Bure. Turn right here, eventually passing the entrance to Ranworth Broad, and the moorings at Cockshoot Dyke on your left bank, before cruising through the picturesque village of Horning, also the location of your home boatyard. Carry on past the entrances to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads on your left, before arriving at Wroxham, which is marked by the large Barnes Brinkcraft boatyard on the right. Free mooring is available here. Alternatively, cruise on towards the low road bridge spanning the river, turning left down the last dyke before the bridge, to enter the boatyard of Faircraft Loynes, which also has extensive free moorings. Paid moorings are also available outside the Wroxham Hotel on the right bank, next to the bridge.

Cruise back towards Horning, past the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads on your right bank. Eventually, you will see the line of chalets and cottages, which mark the start of Horning village. Cruise on, past the black and white gabled Swan Inn, and eventually past the Ferry Marina boatyard, both on your left bank. Soon after, on your left, you will see the signposted dyke leading to Horning Pleasurecraft, your home boatyard. Ensure you allow enough time to get back before your scheduled boat handover time.