Norfolk Broads advice
Discussion
Off next week, picking up the boats in Potter Heigham.
Never done before, so would appreciate any advice/route ideas/places to see/mooring up etc etc.
We are a large family and have x2 large modern cruisers with bow thrusters for parking (sorry..."Mooring").
Bewilderwood (Nr. Horning) has been mentioned? Fishing rods and binoculars already packed.
Any advice, greatly appreciated.
Never done before, so would appreciate any advice/route ideas/places to see/mooring up etc etc.
We are a large family and have x2 large modern cruisers with bow thrusters for parking (sorry..."Mooring").
Bewilderwood (Nr. Horning) has been mentioned? Fishing rods and binoculars already packed.
Any advice, greatly appreciated.
I grew up holidaying on the Broads every year (when the toilets just flushed out into the river 
). I was toying with the idea of going again but was warned that these days it's absolutely packed and there's a large idiot element. Not looking to spoil things for you, more a case of saying be careful.
Potter Heigham? Will your boats pass under the bridge? Used to need a pilot to go under there and everyone would give him a nip, I'm surprised he could see straight by the end of the day. I also remember Breydon Water being interesting at certain stages of the tide. I was once moored up there and decided to sail the dinghy we were towing. Cast off with a good breeze, aimed upriver against the tide and spent 30 minutes barely holding my position alongside our boat. I even got passed a cup of tea! So in short, don't fall in or drop anything in when the tide's running.
Have a good holiday.
). I was toying with the idea of going again but was warned that these days it's absolutely packed and there's a large idiot element. Not looking to spoil things for you, more a case of saying be careful.Potter Heigham? Will your boats pass under the bridge? Used to need a pilot to go under there and everyone would give him a nip, I'm surprised he could see straight by the end of the day. I also remember Breydon Water being interesting at certain stages of the tide. I was once moored up there and decided to sail the dinghy we were towing. Cast off with a good breeze, aimed upriver against the tide and spent 30 minutes barely holding my position alongside our boat. I even got passed a cup of tea! So in short, don't fall in or drop anything in when the tide's running.
Have a good holiday.
Flintstone said:
I grew up holidaying on the Broads every year (when the toilets just flushed out into the river ). I was toying with the idea of going again but was warned that these days it's absolutely packed and there's a large idiot element. Not looking to spoil things for you, more a case of saying be careful.
Potter Heigham? Will your boats pass under the bridge? Used to need a pilot to go under there and everyone would give him a nip, I'm surprised he could see straight by the end of the day. I also remember Breydon Water being interesting at certain stages of the tide. I was once moored up there and decided to sail the dinghy we were towing. Cast off with a good breeze, aimed upriver against the tide and spent 30 minutes barely holding my position alongside our boat. I even got passed a cup of tea! So in short, don't fall in or drop anything in when the tide's running.
Have a good holiday.
All mod cons these days.....even got a jacuzzi on board! ). I was toying with the idea of going again but was warned that these days it's absolutely packed and there's a large idiot element. Not looking to spoil things for you, more a case of saying be careful.Potter Heigham? Will your boats pass under the bridge? Used to need a pilot to go under there and everyone would give him a nip, I'm surprised he could see straight by the end of the day. I also remember Breydon Water being interesting at certain stages of the tide. I was once moored up there and decided to sail the dinghy we were towing. Cast off with a good breeze, aimed upriver against the tide and spent 30 minutes barely holding my position alongside our boat. I even got passed a cup of tea! So in short, don't fall in or drop anything in when the tide's running.
Have a good holiday.
I think all but the very small boats will go under the PH bridge, but we were planning on travelling up towards Wroxham, so it's not a problem.
Whats this idiot element you speak about? I was hoping to avoid all the stag partys being the middle of August.
My favourite holiday ! Have been 12 times now (as its the complete opposite of living here). I don;t want a beach holiday as, well...We're a bit spoilt for choice here so another beach just doesn't interest me.
From PH - You can go North up to Hicking, its beautiful, unspoilt and very very quiet. From the moorings at Horsey there you can walk to the Beach in about 15-20 mins...Miles and miles of beach.
On the way back - Womack Water is lovely and just a few mins walk into Ludham itself...
How long are you on for - that would dictate where to go.
However if you're on for a week - I'd suggest staying North - the River Ant is Beautiful, past Ludham Bridge head to Neatished. Stalham is nice too (plus there's a big Tesco for provisions).
As you're heading through Wroxham, again - Coltishall is very nice too - great pub on the green there...
If you like Real Ale - head towards Salhouse Broad where a wee walk away is the Fur and Feathers Pub. http://www.thefurandfeatherinn.co.uk/ They stock Woodfordes and have a shop for Take-away Beer in all sizes...
Ranworth is very nice, but moorings can be hard to find later on in the day - Ranworth Church is nice to visit and its a wonderful view from there...
Best website to visit though is the Norfolk Broads Forum - tons of advice and reviews/Help on there...
http://www.the-norfolk-broads.co.uk
Anything else you need advice on - just shout but you'll have a great time - it takes about a day to adjust to the non-speed that you travel (between 4 and 6 MPH), but the great thing about this holiday is that it forces you to chill as you have 2 options during the day - drive the boat (or not) - therefore if you're not driving then you will watch the scenery, sleep, read, listen to music - sounds boring but its not, trust me !
Have a great holiday, I'm very jealous !
From PH - You can go North up to Hicking, its beautiful, unspoilt and very very quiet. From the moorings at Horsey there you can walk to the Beach in about 15-20 mins...Miles and miles of beach.
On the way back - Womack Water is lovely and just a few mins walk into Ludham itself...
How long are you on for - that would dictate where to go.
However if you're on for a week - I'd suggest staying North - the River Ant is Beautiful, past Ludham Bridge head to Neatished. Stalham is nice too (plus there's a big Tesco for provisions).
As you're heading through Wroxham, again - Coltishall is very nice too - great pub on the green there...
If you like Real Ale - head towards Salhouse Broad where a wee walk away is the Fur and Feathers Pub. http://www.thefurandfeatherinn.co.uk/ They stock Woodfordes and have a shop for Take-away Beer in all sizes...
Ranworth is very nice, but moorings can be hard to find later on in the day - Ranworth Church is nice to visit and its a wonderful view from there...
Best website to visit though is the Norfolk Broads Forum - tons of advice and reviews/Help on there...
http://www.the-norfolk-broads.co.uk
Anything else you need advice on - just shout but you'll have a great time - it takes about a day to adjust to the non-speed that you travel (between 4 and 6 MPH), but the great thing about this holiday is that it forces you to chill as you have 2 options during the day - drive the boat (or not) - therefore if you're not driving then you will watch the scenery, sleep, read, listen to music - sounds boring but its not, trust me !
Have a great holiday, I'm very jealous !
Used to have a boat on the Southern rivers.
Re PH bridge, it's the other way round, apart from the very small boats almost nothing goes under the bridge these days, and with boats getting bigger quite a lot won't go under Wroxham, which really restricts moorings to the boatyards downstream. BA need to do something about it.
http://www.thenorfolkbroads.net/phpBB3/
Popular moorings at this time of year will fill up early, so if you want somewhere with ready access to a pub etc you'll be needing to find somewhere by mid afternoon.
Eg at Ludham the staithe is crammed all day but you can sometimes find quiet spots in the little loop off the main channel.
We always liked the moorings in the approach to South Walsham, but it's atrek to a pub restaurant, but the Chinese in the pub is good, beer selection a bit so so.
Salhouse always fills up but if you go beyond the main moorings opposite the entrance you can find a small area that can be missed and is good for fishing and wildlife. Again a trek to the pub/brewery but well worthwhile.
If you can find a pog at Sutton Staithe, could be difficult as two boats tbh, recommend Sutton Staithe Hotel.
Oh and if you moor on the Island moorings at the entrance to Ranworth tell the Jim Trott (Vic of Dibley) character who collects the fees he's a perve!!
Loads more info on above website.
Re PH bridge, it's the other way round, apart from the very small boats almost nothing goes under the bridge these days, and with boats getting bigger quite a lot won't go under Wroxham, which really restricts moorings to the boatyards downstream. BA need to do something about it.
http://www.thenorfolkbroads.net/phpBB3/
Popular moorings at this time of year will fill up early, so if you want somewhere with ready access to a pub etc you'll be needing to find somewhere by mid afternoon.
Eg at Ludham the staithe is crammed all day but you can sometimes find quiet spots in the little loop off the main channel.
We always liked the moorings in the approach to South Walsham, but it's atrek to a pub restaurant, but the Chinese in the pub is good, beer selection a bit so so.
Salhouse always fills up but if you go beyond the main moorings opposite the entrance you can find a small area that can be missed and is good for fishing and wildlife. Again a trek to the pub/brewery but well worthwhile.
If you can find a pog at Sutton Staithe, could be difficult as two boats tbh, recommend Sutton Staithe Hotel.
Oh and if you moor on the Island moorings at the entrance to Ranworth tell the Jim Trott (Vic of Dibley) character who collects the fees he's a perve!!
Loads more info on above website.
cinque said:
Great info. Ta very much.
We are picking the boats up next Monday before 12 and dropping then back Friday morn.
This is the one:
Ah - You won;t get under Potter Heigham or Wroxham bridges with that boat, So scratch the advice about Hicking and Coltishall. Sorry... Nice boat though - we hired the smaller version last year (35ft, 4 berth)We are picking the boats up next Monday before 12 and dropping then back Friday morn.
This is the one:
Edited by juice on Monday 16th August 14:41
Indeed, but with just a Mon-Fri he'll have more than enough to occupy on the Bure and Ant. Edited to add, but Hickling/Horsey and above Wroxham are probably my favourite stretches on Northern Rivers.
Forgot to mention, Bridge Inn at Acle.
Just watch the current and wind when mooring stern-to at Bridge craft if you decide to do that. If the tide is sluicing along and the wind is also blowing strongly novices can get in a tangle if they haven't figured out a solid plan first.
Tip:- if this is your first time with a thruster. Using the thruster against the helm hard over and engine slow ahead you can make the boat go sideways, very handy in a tight squeeze.
Forgot to mention, Bridge Inn at Acle.
Just watch the current and wind when mooring stern-to at Bridge craft if you decide to do that. If the tide is sluicing along and the wind is also blowing strongly novices can get in a tangle if they haven't figured out a solid plan first.
Tip:- if this is your first time with a thruster. Using the thruster against the helm hard over and engine slow ahead you can make the boat go sideways, very handy in a tight squeeze.
Edited by F i F on Monday 16th August 14:51
Thrusters are cheating !
(But very handy)...
If you print off a Norfolk Broads forum sign and stick it in the window - you get free mooring at the Bridge Inn...(Subject to actually finding one !)
FIF - What boat did you have ? Am seriously toying with the idea of buying one to use on the Broads..
(But very handy)...
If you print off a Norfolk Broads forum sign and stick it in the window - you get free mooring at the Bridge Inn...(Subject to actually finding one !)
FIF - What boat did you have ? Am seriously toying with the idea of buying one to use on the Broads..
Hunter Horizon 26 but with a drop keel and the mast mounted on a tabernacle to aid lowering for bridges as you can see in some of the pictures.
Since then when we've been back we've had stinky hire boats. (Can open, worms escaping everywhere)
If you are thinking of buying something, prices away from Broads are better, ie lower. For some reason the local brokers think they can command a premium.
Since then when we've been back we've had stinky hire boats. (Can open, worms escaping everywhere)
If you are thinking of buying something, prices away from Broads are better, ie lower. For some reason the local brokers think they can command a premium.
Thanks for all the help. Got a basic itinerary now.
Seriously thinking of towing a small dinghy. Heard all the pegs on one side of the river fill up very quickly. I'm thinking we can drop everyone off at the bank and i can drop the weight and use the dinghy to get ashore.
The PH bridge navigation looks interesting! The Wroxham one less so. Looks like its all about the approach
Seriously thinking of towing a small dinghy. Heard all the pegs on one side of the river fill up very quickly. I'm thinking we can drop everyone off at the bank and i can drop the weight and use the dinghy to get ashore.
The PH bridge navigation looks interesting! The Wroxham one less so. Looks like its all about the approach
Edited by cinque on Tuesday 17th August 09:12
Take a copy of this book with you to read:
Michael Green - The Art of Coarse Sailing
[Edited to change the link to a copy which wasn't for sale at £89.95!]
Michael Green - The Art of Coarse Sailing
[Edited to change the link to a copy which wasn't for sale at £89.95!]
Edited by SJobson on Tuesday 17th August 12:54
A little advice about mooring, do it slowly, very slowly, that way when you hit something (and you will at some point, either the bank or a boat) it wont damage it.
I borrowed my parents boat for years of free holidaying on the broads and nothing scares you more than watching some numpty go full pelt into the space forgetting they dont have a brake.
Remember, boats are really expensive, the one your hiring would be worth more than a new Ferrari, so think about that before using it as a bumper car, especially when private boats are about!
Another tip is when you nose in to moor and the person jumps off onto the bank with the rope, make sure they dont pull it tight, all this will do is make the rear of the boat swing out into the river, they have to keep it slack so you remain in control.
Also try not to be those people who leave their diesel engines on for hour at a time so they can have a bath every night, one of the attractions is the stillness and quite the broads can offer, a chance to relax and go slow, so dont spoil it for others.
And dont forget to watch your wash! You will get nicked if you speed, plenty of Broadland authority boats about, especially in high season.
(reading the above i sound like a right Victor Meldrew
)
As for places, we loved South Walsham broad, How hill, Horning, Thurne and any of those random indvidual spots along the bank that you see.
Finaly, dont worry about yobs, really not that many on there, in fact the broads have emptied of boats over the last 15 years or so, the greenies would rather it just becomes a bird sanctury
Enjoy it,
I borrowed my parents boat for years of free holidaying on the broads and nothing scares you more than watching some numpty go full pelt into the space forgetting they dont have a brake.
Remember, boats are really expensive, the one your hiring would be worth more than a new Ferrari, so think about that before using it as a bumper car, especially when private boats are about!
Another tip is when you nose in to moor and the person jumps off onto the bank with the rope, make sure they dont pull it tight, all this will do is make the rear of the boat swing out into the river, they have to keep it slack so you remain in control.
Also try not to be those people who leave their diesel engines on for hour at a time so they can have a bath every night, one of the attractions is the stillness and quite the broads can offer, a chance to relax and go slow, so dont spoil it for others.
And dont forget to watch your wash! You will get nicked if you speed, plenty of Broadland authority boats about, especially in high season.
(reading the above i sound like a right Victor Meldrew
)As for places, we loved South Walsham broad, How hill, Horning, Thurne and any of those random indvidual spots along the bank that you see.
Finaly, dont worry about yobs, really not that many on there, in fact the broads have emptied of boats over the last 15 years or so, the greenies would rather it just becomes a bird sanctury
Enjoy it,
cinque said:
Great info. Ta very much.
We are picking the boats up next Monday before 12 and dropping then back Friday morn.
This is the one:
That was going to be my only advice - get a decent boat.We are picking the boats up next Monday before 12 and dropping then back Friday morn.
This is the one:
But it looks like you've managed that, I left boat booking dutys to someone else this summer and spent a weekend in a floating caravan,having to remove parts of the shower so I could take a s
t is not something I ever want to experience again.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff