First time boating holiday in Norfolk
Discussion
I've been going for 25+ years now.
Would suggest not going mad in terms of cruising hours and go slow to take in the sights/sounds of nature around you.
I would, for 4 nights do
Stalham > Around Ludham bridge. That will give you some time to get used to how the boat handles and there are some spots to practice mooring (Paddy's lane for example) before you get to ludham. I'm not sure what type of boat you are hiring (and what it's air draft is) so you may need to wait for low water at ludham. Having said that, unless your is exceptionally high, ignore the 8' 6" bridge height, it's wrong and in reality the height is close to 9'
So if you have clearance, skip Ludham go to the end of the River Ant and go to St Bennets Abbey moorings instead.
Next morning, would suggest going to Potter Heigham for a mooch/lunch and then on the way back head down the Bure to Acle. The Bridge Inn serves pretty good food.
Next day, from Acle to Ranworth for the morning/afternoon. You can climb up the church and do the nature trail which are both really nice. The Granary is under new ownership and doing really good food now. You will need 10 quid for moorings there. After that I would head from Ranworth to Wroxham (you can moor for free at either Barnes Brinkcraft or Norfolk Broads Direct boatyards) then head off into Wroxham to people watch - there are some right sites to be seen !
Last day trace your steps back to Sutton Staithe up the Ant and go to the Sutton Staithe Hotel for the evening. It's then a quick 30 min cruise in the morning to drop the boat off at Richardsons.
HTH
Cheers
Would suggest not going mad in terms of cruising hours and go slow to take in the sights/sounds of nature around you.
I would, for 4 nights do
Stalham > Around Ludham bridge. That will give you some time to get used to how the boat handles and there are some spots to practice mooring (Paddy's lane for example) before you get to ludham. I'm not sure what type of boat you are hiring (and what it's air draft is) so you may need to wait for low water at ludham. Having said that, unless your is exceptionally high, ignore the 8' 6" bridge height, it's wrong and in reality the height is close to 9'
So if you have clearance, skip Ludham go to the end of the River Ant and go to St Bennets Abbey moorings instead.
Next morning, would suggest going to Potter Heigham for a mooch/lunch and then on the way back head down the Bure to Acle. The Bridge Inn serves pretty good food.
Next day, from Acle to Ranworth for the morning/afternoon. You can climb up the church and do the nature trail which are both really nice. The Granary is under new ownership and doing really good food now. You will need 10 quid for moorings there. After that I would head from Ranworth to Wroxham (you can moor for free at either Barnes Brinkcraft or Norfolk Broads Direct boatyards) then head off into Wroxham to people watch - there are some right sites to be seen !
Last day trace your steps back to Sutton Staithe up the Ant and go to the Sutton Staithe Hotel for the evening. It's then a quick 30 min cruise in the morning to drop the boat off at Richardsons.
HTH
Cheers
Note so much route orientated but some advice from someone who spent 40 odd years of holidays one way or another on a boat (either on the Thames or the Broads, (dad always owned a boat since before i was born and until recnetly when he was simply too old to get on and off safely)
Take it slow, its not about seeing as much as possible but relaxing, at first the speed limits (and yes there are speed limits on the water and they are hotly enforced, although its more wake orientated) may seem too slow at 3, 4 or max of 5mph, but its not about the destination but the journey
boats are every expensive, they are not bumper cars, so if you knock into another boat, especially a private one, dont expect a friendly wave
what makes it worse most boats are not painted but gel coat finish which means its almost impossible to fix , the knocks add up and whihc is frustrating when you take pride of ownership
when mooring go in slow, absolutely slower than walking pace, no brakes on a boat so reverse is your only tool, make small inputs to throttle and steering in advance and allow them to take effect before adding more, but when maneuvering, slow slow slow so if you do touch something (the bank or whatever) no serious damage should be done.
I would also look to get the smallest boat that suits your needs as apposed a 65foot monster with a corner bath for 2 people, this is because finding a mooring can be like trying to park in London in rush hour, the smaller vehicle is a distinct advantage, not to mention they are much easier to handle (see above)
Ok moans/ negatives over
Boating on the broads is fantastic, the slow pace of 3mph forces you to slow down and relax. Its equally great to find a single mooring against a bank all on your own and have a BBQ whilst listening to the wildlife at night, as it is mooring up next to a pub for drinks and socializing.
A bacon breakfast and cup of tea simply tastes better on a boat,
Bring a book/ magazine etc, boating (imo) is not about electronics and TV, its time to play cards, read, drink, talk and, if you enjoy it and its in season, fish.
I would only do a hour or 2 in the morning of motoring, another hour or so after lunch, i always tried to be moored up by 4pm, some boat into the dusk (your not supposed ot go in the dark, hire boats i dont believe have any lights)
Lot sof great village on the way to explore and get food from, try to avoid the supermarkets and enjoy the local butchers and homemade stuff
Enjoy the bridges!! they really are alarmingly low!
My favorite places to stop for lunch are Wroxham (actually its Hoveton but the shop 'Roys of Wroxam' is so prominent everyone thinks its Wroxham)! and Horning, both have pubs and a few shops, you used to be able to get a good cream tea in the little white hut on the green at Horning, but its been a while now so things change ...
In fact its been over 10 years since ive been on a boat in Norfolk, maybe its time i hired one again when i go back to England!
Take it slow, its not about seeing as much as possible but relaxing, at first the speed limits (and yes there are speed limits on the water and they are hotly enforced, although its more wake orientated) may seem too slow at 3, 4 or max of 5mph, but its not about the destination but the journey
boats are every expensive, they are not bumper cars, so if you knock into another boat, especially a private one, dont expect a friendly wave
what makes it worse most boats are not painted but gel coat finish which means its almost impossible to fix , the knocks add up and whihc is frustrating when you take pride of ownership
when mooring go in slow, absolutely slower than walking pace, no brakes on a boat so reverse is your only tool, make small inputs to throttle and steering in advance and allow them to take effect before adding more, but when maneuvering, slow slow slow so if you do touch something (the bank or whatever) no serious damage should be done.
I would also look to get the smallest boat that suits your needs as apposed a 65foot monster with a corner bath for 2 people, this is because finding a mooring can be like trying to park in London in rush hour, the smaller vehicle is a distinct advantage, not to mention they are much easier to handle (see above)
Ok moans/ negatives over
Boating on the broads is fantastic, the slow pace of 3mph forces you to slow down and relax. Its equally great to find a single mooring against a bank all on your own and have a BBQ whilst listening to the wildlife at night, as it is mooring up next to a pub for drinks and socializing.
A bacon breakfast and cup of tea simply tastes better on a boat,
Bring a book/ magazine etc, boating (imo) is not about electronics and TV, its time to play cards, read, drink, talk and, if you enjoy it and its in season, fish.
I would only do a hour or 2 in the morning of motoring, another hour or so after lunch, i always tried to be moored up by 4pm, some boat into the dusk (your not supposed ot go in the dark, hire boats i dont believe have any lights)
Lot sof great village on the way to explore and get food from, try to avoid the supermarkets and enjoy the local butchers and homemade stuff
Enjoy the bridges!! they really are alarmingly low!
My favorite places to stop for lunch are Wroxham (actually its Hoveton but the shop 'Roys of Wroxam' is so prominent everyone thinks its Wroxham)! and Horning, both have pubs and a few shops, you used to be able to get a good cream tea in the little white hut on the green at Horning, but its been a while now so things change ...
In fact its been over 10 years since ive been on a boat in Norfolk, maybe its time i hired one again when i go back to England!
I was an Arthur Ransome fanatic when I was a kid, so I did a little tour of some of the spots which appear in the books most (Horning, Ranworth, Potter Heigham and for those who know the books, an approximate location for #7 nest). Perfect time of year to go - shouldn't be freezing at night but before the summer crowds become unbearable. It really is a part of the world you can just explore and see where you get to. Take an OS map.
I love the Broads.
My dad took us when I was around 12, nearly 50 years ago
I just loved piloting the boat.
Went with mates as a yoof. 2 boats, 10 friends, lots of real ale and drugs, it was carnage
Went again as a meet up in our 30s, not carnage that time
Then started taking my kids and nieces, and my ol' dad.
Last went in '21, just me and my then 18 year old son.
He wanted a master bedroom and so did I, so we got a 10 berth monster.
I got quite good at handling it on my own, mooring, narrow bridges, setting off etc as the lazy bugger wouldn't leave his state room. Either sleeping or playing with his phone.
Only time he drove, he managed to beach it on the mud amongst the reeds. Had to wait two hours before we got help from a much bigger boat which towed us back into the river.
I'd go again, this time on my own
My dad took us when I was around 12, nearly 50 years ago
I just loved piloting the boat.
Went with mates as a yoof. 2 boats, 10 friends, lots of real ale and drugs, it was carnage
Went again as a meet up in our 30s, not carnage that time
Then started taking my kids and nieces, and my ol' dad.
Last went in '21, just me and my then 18 year old son.
He wanted a master bedroom and so did I, so we got a 10 berth monster.
I got quite good at handling it on my own, mooring, narrow bridges, setting off etc as the lazy bugger wouldn't leave his state room. Either sleeping or playing with his phone.
Only time he drove, he managed to beach it on the mud amongst the reeds. Had to wait two hours before we got help from a much bigger boat which towed us back into the river.
I'd go again, this time on my own
satans worm said:
stuff
Excellent advice... To which I'd add, make sure EVERYONE knows what they're doing when mooring and are stood ready before you start. Might seem a bit anal, but it's worth it for the reduction in stress. It's much cheaper having people stood ready with a fender/s and your mooring rope then suddenly realising the bow isn't where you'd planned it to be.
Also... EVERYONE should know what they're doing if something goes wrong.
I've seen quite a few man overboards and everyone has been on waterways or when mooring or getting on /off. Never once at sea as everyone tends to be switched then.
And books... Has to Jerone K Jerome, Three Men in a Boat.
Had great plans to re do that' voyage' when I was still rowing
Thanks for all the advice,it’s most welcomed! This all stems from falling in love with the Hoseasons adverts( the messing about on the river song ones) I watched a s a kid in the 70’s.
The boat we at looking to get is this one which comes with a bowthruster, and the Mrs likes the look of it!
https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/silver-r...
The only previous boating experience we have had was hiring a day boat on the Llangollen canal!
The boat we at looking to get is this one which comes with a bowthruster, and the Mrs likes the look of it!
https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/silver-r...
The only previous boating experience we have had was hiring a day boat on the Llangollen canal!
I went as a child in the early 1970s and the main recollection was the blankets which appeared to be old army blankets, but were probably just dust mites holding hands. I wheezed every night and ended up sleeping on deck.
We sailed the boat most of the time, using the engine only when there was no wind or having to go into wind.
The yacht looked something like this:
My dad took an old WW2 RAF one man liferaft for exploring the various branches off the main broads. One time we must have hit a submerged obstacle as my bottom and the inside of the dinghy started getting very wet.
Some years later (early 2000s), my girlfriend, my parents and I took my boys in a rented motor cruiser. My son was about 3 at the time and in one of the broads that was more of a lake, he loved being able to drive the boat under our supervision. The other thing from that trip was when my parents enquired about the then fifty-plus year old motorless yacht they had rented on their honeymoon. It was still being rented out over fifty years on, so not doing badly for a centenarian.
Oh, and on one the holidays my parents took with friends in the 1950s, one of the crew threw the washing-up water over the side, along with all the cutlery supplied with the boat...
We sailed the boat most of the time, using the engine only when there was no wind or having to go into wind.
The yacht looked something like this:
My dad took an old WW2 RAF one man liferaft for exploring the various branches off the main broads. One time we must have hit a submerged obstacle as my bottom and the inside of the dinghy started getting very wet.
Some years later (early 2000s), my girlfriend, my parents and I took my boys in a rented motor cruiser. My son was about 3 at the time and in one of the broads that was more of a lake, he loved being able to drive the boat under our supervision. The other thing from that trip was when my parents enquired about the then fifty-plus year old motorless yacht they had rented on their honeymoon. It was still being rented out over fifty years on, so not doing badly for a centenarian.
Oh, and on one the holidays my parents took with friends in the 1950s, one of the crew threw the washing-up water over the side, along with all the cutlery supplied with the boat...
Edited by GliderRider on Wednesday 1st May 16:14
Your going to have a great time, that’s a fantastic boat for your first time and the bow thruster makes things so much easier. You’ll get a an hour or so out on the water with one of the staff before they let you loose and they’ll show you everything you need. One thing when you first go out on your own you’ll look like a second world war warship zig zagging trying to dodge torpedoes, but after half an hour you’ll get the feel for it. Depending on when your going we found that as long as it wasn’t during the school holidays it’s a lot quieter which suited us, during the busy periods it can be quite difficult to get a berth where you want if you leave it too late. One of the things I loved was getting up early and setting off before everyone else, the broads are a fantastic place early on a summers morning when the sun is shining through the morning mist, the water is still and you’re the only one out there, we even managed to see a few otters last time.
Things to take with you, a pair of binoculars, a bottle or two of your favourite tipple for the evenings watching the sun go down and we also found the satnav on the phone was really good for keeping an eye on how fast your going and its also handy just seeing where you are.
Here’s a handy link for working out how far it is between places and how long it will take to get there. There’s lots more out there.
Enjoy yourself
https://www.norfolkbroadsboathire.biz/mileagecalcu...
Things to take with you, a pair of binoculars, a bottle or two of your favourite tipple for the evenings watching the sun go down and we also found the satnav on the phone was really good for keeping an eye on how fast your going and its also handy just seeing where you are.
Here’s a handy link for working out how far it is between places and how long it will take to get there. There’s lots more out there.
Enjoy yourself
https://www.norfolkbroadsboathire.biz/mileagecalcu...
Edited by davidexige on Wednesday 1st May 17:13
Speedywurzel said:
Thanks for all the advice,it’s most welcomed! This all stems from falling in love with the Hoseasons adverts( the messing about on the river song ones) I watched a s a kid in the 70’s.
The boat we at looking to get is this one which comes with a bowthruster, and the Mrs likes the look of it!
https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/silver-r...
The only previous boating experience we have had was hiring a day boat on the Llangollen canal!
Thats the perfect boat to hire, bow thruster useful for a first timer too, by the end of the vacation you wont need it though!The boat we at looking to get is this one which comes with a bowthruster, and the Mrs likes the look of it!
https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/silver-r...
The only previous boating experience we have had was hiring a day boat on the Llangollen canal!
That said, fixed flybridge means it will be restricted, does it get under Wroxham bridge?
Im getting very jealous!
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