Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Stag or Hen party Itinerary
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Leave your boatyard going downstream, so away from Wroxham Bridge. Pass the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads on your right hand side. Eventually you will see the long run into the village of Horning, with houses and chalets lining the left hand bank. Continue on. The Ferry Marina Boatyard on your left marks the last of Horning village. You pass the signposted entrance to Ranworth on your right, the marked entrances to the Rivers Ant and Thurne on your left, before the bridge spanning the river at Acle comes into view. Moorings are available before the bridge on either bank, or past the bridge, outside the Bridge Inn on your right. There is ample mooring space at Acle for you to arrive at this time. The Bridge Inn is very popular and you are advised to book a table for your party.

Retrace your steps back up the River Bure, passing the entrance to the River Thurne on your right. Eventually you will see the junction with the River Ant. Take a left turn here. Soon after you will see Ludham Bridge. The bridge is "awkward" in that it is offset to the river, making it difficult to see boats coming in the opposite direction. Take care to approach slowly, so you have time to take avoiding action should you meet another boat at an inopportune time. Just before passing under sound the boat's horn as a warning. Free moorings are available either side of the river, just past the bridge. It's a short walk from here to The Dog, past the shop and restaurant adjacent to the bridge.

Cast off and continue on up the River Ant, passing How Hill House, with it's long stretch of free moorings. Continue on until you discover the picturesque village if Irstead. Proceed slowly as it's quite narrow here. Eventually the narrow river will widen out onto Barton Broad, reputed to be where Lord Nelson learned to sail. You will notice two very wide marked channels. This is one of those Broads that you can run aground on, so on this occasion, keep to the set marking the channel to the right. At the very top of the Broad you will see the signposted dyke taking you up to Stalham and Wayford Bridge. Take the right channel and cruise on until you see another fork marking the direction to Stalham and Sutton. Keep to the right channel once more. Eventually, you will meet the fork directing you to the right for Sutton Broad. Follow this as it widens out into a small Broad. At the head is a narrow dyke, with the Sutton Staithe free moorings and Sutton Staithe Hotel, which has a further set of moorings set against a green. Sutton Staithe is another popular stopover, so you should aim to get there at the latest by 3.30/4pm to get a mooring. You can book a table at the adjacent Sutton Staithe Hotel.

Make your way back down the dyke, across Sutton Broad and rejoin the River Ant, turning left at the junction. Continue on heading for Barton Broad. Keep within the marked channel and return to the entrance to the Broad. Cruise on past Irstead on your right bank, the moorings that mark How Hill House on your left and continue on to Ludham Bridge. Take the same care with passage under as on your outward journey, then turn right at the junction with the River Bure. Cruise on back towards Wroxham. After a short while, you will see the signpost for Ranworth on your left. Turn left down the dyke. At the far end is Malthouse Broad and the village of Ranworth. Free, stern on moorings are available. Ranworth is a very popular mooring spot with a pub, You may need to wait a while before a space becomes available. The Maltsters is close by. If moorings are full or you don't want to wait, continue on to Horning. (extra 45mins) where moorings are available outside 3 riverside pubs (in order that you come to them) The Ferry Inn , The New Inn and The Swan Inn. (all allow table reservations).

Retrace your steps back out of Malthouse Broad, turning left at the junction with the River Bure. Continue on towards Wroxham, passing through the picturesque village of Horning again, and the entrances to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads on your left. Soon after you will see the chalets and houses which line the river at Wroxham. Moor either at your home boatyard or outside the Wroxham Hotel. The main two pubs here are The Wroxham Hotel and The Kings Head. You can book a table at either of these establishments. The Wroxham Hotel also allows moorings to beprebooked, though this is at a fee.

Time to finish your holiday. If you're moored away from the boatyard, ensure you return no later than 9am to hand the boat back ontime. On arrival, the boatyard staff will dip the fuel tank to ascertain how much fuel you have used and arrange a refund or make an additional charge should the amount used exceed your fuel deposit paid at the time of booking.