Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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It's a short cruise from your boatyard at Stalham to Sutton staithe. Soon after you head away from the boatyard you will see a signpost on your left pointing to Sutton, which involves almost a 180 degree turn into a channel which initially runs parallel to the river but eventually widens out to become Sutton Broad. At the far end is Sutton Staithe. The moorings are down a narrow dyke but there is room to turn further up towards the Sutton Staithe Hotel. Take the rest of the afternoon to settle into your boat and wind down after your journey from home.

Leave Sutton and head out across Sutton Broad until you meet the main channel. Shortly after you will arrive at the start of Barton Broad. Keep within the marked channel and to the left of the black and yellow post half way across the Broad so that you head towards Barton's exit and the village of Irstead. Continue through this pretty village for a while until you come across the moorings at the How Hill Environmental Study Centre with its nature walks, water trail and Toadhill Cottage.

Continue in the same direction passing under Ludham Bridge until you meet the junction with the River Bure. Here you turn left towards Acle. You pass the entrance to the River Thurne on your left and Upton Dyke on your right. Soon after you see the town of Acle with its bridge over the river. Moorings are available on either bank of the river, and also just beyond teh bridge, outside the Bridge 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.

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 the tide tables to ensure you are travelling at the correct state of the 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. Keep well away from shallow banks around Yarmouth. You will first pass Stracey Arms Windmill which is worth a visit before arriving at Stokesby, which has a children's playground close to the moorings.

The current is still strong here so ensure you leave the moorings against the tide (the current would push you backwards if you had no engine running). You pass the entrance to Upton Broad before arriving at the junction with the River Thurne on your right. Head up the Thurne until you reach the village of Potter Heigham and its medieval bridge. Moorings are available either along the right hand bank or with in the large boatyard

Retrace your steps back down the Thurne looking out for the signpost to Womack Water on your right hand side. Travel down the dyke until it widens to become Womack Water. At the far end is the village green and its moorings. Ludham, a quaint olde worlde village is a 15 minute walk away.

Travel back up the dyke, turning right at the junction with the main river. You pass Thurne Dyke and its much photographed white windmill on your left before reaching the junction with the River Bure. Turn right here and back up the Bure past the entrance to South Walsham Broad on your left and the junction with the River Ant on your right. Soon you will see the ruins of St Benets Abbey with its curious installation of a windmill within the walls. Moorings are available nearby if you want to visit. Further on, on your left is the signpost for Ranworth. Travel down the channel, past the visitor centre on your right until you arrive at the village green moorings. From here you can walk the nature trail to the visitor centre or visit St Helen's Church and its tower which affords magnificent views across the Norfolk Broads.

At the junction with the main river turn left passing through the picturesque village of Horning, the entrance to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads on your left before arriving at the capital of the Broads - Wroxham. Moorings are available at a number of boatyards and there is public staithe just beyond the low arched bridge.

See our Wroxham directory listing for more information on the many things to see and do here.

Retrace your steps back down the River Bure, past the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads until you come to the pretty village of Horning. Moorings are available outside any of the three public houses.

Continue back down the Bure, past the entrance to Ranworth on your right until you see the junction of the River Ant on your left. Cruise up the Ant, under Ludham Bridge, past How Hill, Irstead and through Barton Broad, keeping to the right hand side of the black and yellow post. Leave Barton and look for the signpost to Stalham. Moorings are available either at your hire base or at Stalham Staithe, which is located next to the Broads Museum, charting the history of the Broads.

Time to leave your boat after a wonderful holiday cruising the Norfolk Broads.