Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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Take time to settle into your new home for the week. Find out where everything goes - generally be confident in how things work before you set off in the morning. Anything you are not sure about can still be checked with the boatyard staff. Walk on to Stalham high street for a selection of public houses.

Leave the boatyard cruising down the river Ant until you reach Barton Broad - a large inland lake. Keep within the two lines of marker posts, staying to the left hand side of the channel. At the far end you will see the exit towards the village of Irstead. The river here is narrow so proceed slowly. Once past Irstead, the river widens a little and soon enough you will arrive at the ample moorings for How Hill on your left. Take time to visit the centre which has countryside walks, a water trail and a restored eel catchers home.

Depart after lunch in the same direction towards Ludham Bridge which crosses the river. Continue under the bridge and on towards the junction with the river Bure. At the junction, turn left and head down river past the junction with the River Thurne on your left and the entrance to Upton Dyke on your right. Soon after you will see the road bridge which crosses the river at Acle. Moorings are available at 2 boatyards on your right hand side before the bridge and at the Bridge Inn just after the bridge also on your right.

After breakfast retrace your steps back up the River Bure past Upton Dyke on your left and the River Thurne on your right. Shortly after you will see the sign-post for South Walsham on your left. Continue down the narrow dyke until it widens out into South Walsham Broad. Turn around here and return to the moorings you will have cruised past on your way up to the broad. They will now be on your right. South Walsham village is a 20-30 minute walk from here.

Cruise back down towards the junction with the River Bure, turning left towards Wroxham. You pass the entrance to the River Ant on your right, the ruins of St Benets Abbey and the dyke which leads to Ranworth on your left. Soon after you reach the picturesque village of Horning. Cruise through the village then past the entrances to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads on your left. The large village of Wroxham is soon reached. Moorings are available at various boatyards. See the Wroxham directory for more details.

.Time to visit Roy's, reputedly the largest village stores in the world, perhaps the Bure Valley Railway, Bewilderwood or just settle down for a morning of boat watching from the terrace of a bar or cafe.

After lunch set off for a leisurely cruise back to Horning village. Take time to visit the Hoveton Nature Trail on the left bank just as you leave Wroxham. Cruise on until you see the black and white Swan Hotel which marks the start of Horning main street. Moorings are available at any of three riverside public houses along this stretch of river.

A short cruise takes you back down river until you see the sign post for Ranworth which will be on your right hand side. Continue on down this dyke, past the visitor centre on your right until you see the village green moorings. You will need to stern moor here but hopefully by this time, you will have mastered the manoeuvre Just approach the moorings slowly, reversing in carefully. There are sure to be other boaters nearby who will assist you in mooring your boat.

Leave Ranworth after visiting St Helens Church and taking the nature trail to the visitor centre. Rejoin the River Bure, turning right. You pass the junctions with the River Ant on your left and South Walsham on your right before reaching the turning for the River Thurne on your left. Travel up the Thurne past the tall white windmill which marks Thurne Dyke on your right and the sign-post for Womack Water on your left. Continue on towards Potter Heigham which is marked by the lines of chalets which continue on and past the village centre and its famous low bridge. Moorings are available either along the right hand bank closer to the bridge or under a footbridge, within the large boatyard on your left.

Retrace your steps away from Potter Heigham until you see the sign-post for Womack Water on your right. Travel down this dyke until it widens out to become Womack Water. The moorings are at the top end on your right hand side. Another stern mooring is required here. The village of Ludham is a 15 - 20 minute walk away.

Leave Womack Water and rejoin the main river back down past Thurne Dyke until you see the junction with the River Bure. Turn right here continuing up the Bure past the entrance to South Walsham on your left. Soon after is the junction with the River Ant. Cruise up the Ant until you see Ludham Bridge road bridge. Pass under to access the moorings which are available on either bank. Ludham Bridge has a few shops and its own bar, The Dog.

Continue up the River Ant past How Hill and Irstead until you reach Barton Broad. Cruise on looking out for the black and yellow marker post which separates the channel and leads to Neatishead. Moorings are available either at Gays Staithe, which are a little remote or at Neatishead Staithe, which are a short walk from the village shop and public house.

Retrace your steps back down towards Barton Broad. Look out once more for the black and yellow marker post which separates the channel and continue towards the top end of the Broad. Eventually you will see a sign for Stalham and Sutton and then a fork in the river leads you to Sutton Staithe. The moorings are down a narrow dyke, with room to turn at the far end, outside the Sutton Staithe Hotel.

It's just a short cruise from Sutton back to your home base at Stalham. Ensure you return your boat by 9am.