Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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Takeover your boat around 3pm. Cruise down the river Ant until you reach the wide expanse of water that is Barton Broad. Be sure to keep within the marker posts so to not go aground. Towards the far end of the Broad you will see a yellow and black marker post which marks the division of the passage way. Take the right hand fork sign-posted to Neatishead. Eventually the Broad narrows to Lime Kiln Dyke. Proceed down until you see the Neatishead moorings on your left.

Retrace your cruise back out of the dyke and across Barton Broad until you see the yellow and black marker post. At this point keep to the right hand channel before leaving the Broad at the village of Irstead. Continue through this picturesque village and on past the How Hill Educational Establishment until you reach Ludham Bridge. There are ample moorings either side of the river leading up to the road bridge. A short walk along the road leading from the left of the bridge will take you past shops and eventually, the Dog Inn.

Cruise under Ludham Bridge and on until you reach the junction with the River Bure. Here turn right past the entrance to South Walsham Broad. Shortly you pass the ruins of St Benet's Abbey on the right hand bank. Continue on past the opening for Ranworth Broad until you happen upon the village of Horning. You have a choice of three mooring spots outside riverside inns and those at the village green at the far end of Horning.

A short cruise onwards past the openings to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads brings you to the outskirts of the village of Wroxham. There are many places to moor here. You are advised to look on our Wroxham directory for details. This is a large village with plenty of shops, supermarkets, banks and public houses.

The afternoon is free to browse the shops, bars and restaurants of this pretty village. The Bure Valley Railway and Bewilderwood are also close by. See the Wroxham directory listing for more ideas.

Retrace your path back down the River Bure, past the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads, through the village of Horning until you see the sign-post for Ranworth on your right hand side. The dyke takes you past the visitor centre and on to the village green moorings. This is a very pleasant spot and is very popular. As a result you may find you need to wait mid broad to take up a mooring.

Return to the junction with the River Bure where you turn right down river past St Benets Abbey and the entrance to the River Ant. Continue on past the junction with the River Thurne until you reach see Acle road bridge. Moorings are available either side of this bridge either outside the Bridge Inn or at the boatyards.

The tide may be running strong now so ensure you leave the moorings with the front of your boat heading into the stream. The journey takes you past the village of Stokesby on the left bank and the last safe moorings before Yarmouth at Stracey Arms on your right. The river now becomes featureless and meanders widely before entering the outskirts of Yarmouth. Look out for the yacht station moorings which are safest and nearest to the town centre. Ensure you moor against the tide here. The on-site rangers will assist you in tieing up your boat safely and direct you to the town centre.

Spend the day beside the sea, peruse the shops or visit the Tide and Time, Yesterday's World, Elizabethan House or Norfolk Nelson museums. The choice is yours for the rest of the day.

Ensure you are leaving the moorings against the tide - the attendants will advise you. 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. Keep well away from shallow banks en-route. You pass Stracey Arms Mill, Stokesby and cruise under Acle bridge before arriving at the mouth of the River Thurne. Continue up the Thurne past Thurne Dyke with its iconic white windmill on your right. Soon after you will see the signpost for Ludham on your left. Travel down this narrow dyke until it widens out to become Womack Water. Moorings are available stern-on at the far end of the Broad. The village of Ludham is a 15 minute walk.

Retrace your steps back down towards the junction with the main river. Turn left towards Potter Heigham. The outskirts of the village will soon be upon you marked by the multitude of holiday chalets lining the banks right up to Potter Heigham bridge. Moorings are available either on the right hand bank or in the large boatyard to be found under the footbridge on your left hand side.

Travel back down the Thurne past the entrance to Womack Water and Thurne Dyke. Shortly after you meet the junction with the River Bure. Turn right here heading up the river until you see the signpost for South Walsham. Travel down the dyke until it widens into the Broad. Turn and retrace your steps a little. The moorings will now be on your right hand side. The village of South Walsham is a 30 minute walk

Travel back out onto the River Bure, turning left at the junction. A short while later you will see the entrance to the River Ant on your right. Travel up the Ant, under Ludham Bridge, past How Hill House and the village or Irstead until you reach Barton Broad. Keep to the right hand channel. At the far end you will see the signpost for Stalham and Sutton Broad. Eventually the river forks between the two villages. Take the signposted route to the village of Sutton. The moorings are at the far end of a dyke leading from the Broad.

Just a short cruise back to the junction with the Stalham spur will have you back in your home yard in time to hand your boat back at the end of your holiday.