Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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A cruise from Wroxham takes past the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads and through Horning. Continue on watching out for the Ranworth sign-post on your right. Moor at the village green which is close to the start of a board-walk which takes you to the conservation centre with its views over Malthouse Broad. the view from St Helens Church steeple is also worth the climb up.

Travel down the Bure past the entrance to Ranworth, the river Ant and South Walsham Broad until you see the signpost for the river Thurne on your left. Travel up the Thurne until you see a signpost for Womack Water on your left. Shortly you will see Womack Water which is a large Broad with moorings on its right bank. Moor here for easy access to the village of Ludham with its olde world look and feel.

We leave Womack Water and retrace our steps down the river Thurne, past the white windmill which marks Thurne Dyke and out onto the river Bure again. We pass the village of Acle with its road bridge and continue down until we reach the village of Stokesby. Great Yarmouth is just 9 miles away which will give us almost a full day when we arrive there tomorrow.

You will need to consult your tide tables 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 backwards if you had no power.

Great Yarmouth has much to offer the family including beaches, a funfair, museums, a Sealife Centre, piers and shopping in gift shops, supermarkets and department stores.

Consult your tide tables or ask the Rangers to ensure you are leaving at the correct time to travel under the low bridges at Yarmouth. You travel across Breydon Water which is the largest expanse of water on the Broads. Ensure you keep between the marker posts and continue out of Breydon past Berney Arms Windmill and up the river Yare. Eventually you see the railway swing bridge which marks the start of Reedham village.

Care should be exercised when leaving the moorings at Reedham as the tide runs quite fast at times. Make your way up the river past the entrance to the river Chet, Langley Dyke, Cantley and its huge sugar factory, Buckenham, Rockland Broad and on to Brundall. Look at the Brundall directory for mooring details. The village is located up the hill from the railway station.

The trip to Rockland is short so take time to enjoy a relaxed breakfast or walk into the village for provisions. Retrace your journey down the Yare until you see the signpost for Rockland Broad on your right. The dyke leading to the village staithe is narrow but the journey is very pleasant and eventually widens out to Rockland Broad. The village of Rockland is located at the far end of the Broad.

There are two entrances to Rockland Broad so take the other dyke leading out of the broad to rejoin the River Yare. Cruise down until you see the signpost for the river Chet which leads to Loddon. Care is needed as the river is narrow in places. At the end of the river is Loddon, a large village with many shops, public houses and restaurants.

You will need to consult your tide tables to ensure you arrive at Yarmouth at or around low water so as to ensure you can travel under the low bridges. The cruise takes you down past Reedham and out through Breydon Water. The journey up the river Bure to the Yarmouth moorings is signposted by a large yellow post which you should not try to short cut as you may well go aground. The rangers at Yarmouth moorings will be waiting to guide you in and to tie your ropes for the night.

Plenty of time to visit the attraction you missed on the way down earlier in the week.

Consult the tide tables to ensure you are travelling at the correct state of tide. Though you are travelling back up the River Bure, you may need to pass under the low bridges and turn around on Breydon Water if the current is too strong to turn your boat at the moorings. The Rangers will provide advice if needed. Continue up the Bure past Stracey Arms windmill and Stokesby until you see Acle road bridge. You can moor at either of the 2 boatyards, outside the riverside shop or at the Bridge Inn.

Continue your direction up the Bure. Eventually you see the start of the river houses which mark Horning. You can moor at any of the three riverside inns or at one of the two boatyards a little further on.

An early start is needed to ensure you arrive at your home boatyard before 9am. Time to say goodbye to your boat.