Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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Depart Stalham mid afternoon and head down the River Ant, across Barton Broad exiting at the far end through the picturesque riverside village of Irstead. Continue on past the moorings at How hill until you reach Ludham Bridge. Moorings are available either side of the river, just before you reach the road bridge. A short walk will take you past a general store and a restaurant towards the Dog Inn.

Continue under Ludham Bridge and on until you meet the junction with the River Bure. Turn right here and cruise on for a while past the sign-post for Ranworth on towards Horning. soon after you will see the start of the village marked by a boatyard on your right. Moorings are available here or at any of the three riverside public houses you will come across whilst cruising through Horning.

About turn to retrace your steps back down the River Bure, past the entrance to Ranworth on your right, the mouth of the River Ant on your left and the entrance to South Walsham Broad on your right. Just after passing Upton Dyke on your right you will cruise through Acle with its road bridge. Stokesby is your next port of call and is soon reached from Acle. Moorings are available either at the public staithe or close to the Ferry Inn.

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.

Time to explore this large seaside resort. There is plenty to see and do including various museums, the piers, amusements, fairground rides and of course the beach.

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 Reedham village. Ample moorings are available along Reedham quay.

The tide can run fast here so ensure you leave against the tide - the quay ranger will assist if required. Continue on past Reedham Ferry and the entrance to the River Chet on your left. Eventually you pass the sugar factory at Cantley and the moorings at Buckenham. The entrance to Rockland Broad will pass on your left before a long straight brings you to the village of Brundall. Moorings are available at various boatyards along the second dyke you come to or outside the Coldham Hall Hotel on the left hand bank.

The tide can run fast here so ensure you leave against the tide - the quay ranger will assist if required. Continue on past Reedham Ferry and the entrance to the River Chet on your left. Eventually you pass the sugar factory at Cantley and the moorings at Buckenham. The entrance to Rockland Broad will pass on your left before a long straight brings you to the village of Brundall. Moorings are available at various boatyards along the second dyke you come to or outside the Coldham Hall Hotel on the left hand bank.

Travel back down towards Rockland Broad but rather than take the same route back to the River Yare, take the right marked channel which leads to another shorter dyke back onto the main river. You pass the moorings at Buckenham and the sugar factory at Cantley before arriving at the junction with the River Chet leading to Loddon. Travel with care down this sometimes narrow river. Eventually you will see the start of the village in the form of boatyards on your right. Moorings are available either on the opposite bank but with a long walk to the centre, or further along the dyke at the public moorings.

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

Time to see the sights of this seaside resort which you may have missed on your earlier visit or perhaps partake in a little retail therapy at the market and surrounding shopping centre.

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. Your journey takes you past the windmill at Stracey Arms and the village of Stokesby where we moored on our way down the Bure. The town of Acle is marked by the sight of the road bridge which crosses the river here. You can moor either outside the Bridge Inn or at various points either side of the river just beyond the bridge.

Continue in the same direction past the entrance to Upton Dyke on your left, the mouth of the River Thurne on your right and the dyke leading to South Walsham Broad on your left. Soon after you see the junction with the River Ant on your right. Cruise up the Ant past Ludham Bridge, How Hill and Irstead until you enter Barton Broad. Look out for the yellow and black post which marks the division of the channel. A sign-post marks the direction for Neatishead. Barton Broad narrows to a dyke towards Neatishead. Moorings are available either at Gays Staithe or closer to the village at the staithe. See our Neatishead guide for more information.

Make the short cruise back across Barton Broad looking out for the yellow and black marker post which marks the way back to Stalham. You need to return your boat no later than 9am.