Pub or restaurant on the Norfolk Broads

[duckers26]

This is quite a specific question! It's my Mum's 70th birthday first week in May and we are going on the Norfolk Broads for four nights, starting in Wroxham. It will be her birthday on the second night and we are looking for a decent (doesn't need to be fancy or anything, just nice food) pub or restaurant to go to.

What makes it a bit more specific is that we plan to spend the first night in Horning, so it needs to be within a days cruise from there. Also my Dad is having walking difficulties so somewhere we could moor at would be good.

Thank you for any recommendations

[Chisinau]

Hi, sorry just saw this, I spent some time on vacation in this area last year. Sadly the bar/restaurant situation is pretty dire in that area of the broads. I would probably recommend Horning if you weren't already spending the night there. For your first night in Horning, I would recommend the Swan Inn, the food is reasonable and they have a decent drink selection. Also you can moor directly outside http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/theswaninnhorning/

For the birthday meal however, I'm not sure. What direction do you plan to cruise from Horning? Towards Gt. Yarmouth/East or towards Norwich?

[cinque]

I'd echo the previous posters comments. The grub "on" the Broads is fairly awful stuff.

When i went, we travelled a small distance away to The Fur & Feathers (Woodforde's brewery with restaurant attatched) and it was the best pint and grub we had all week.

http://www.woodfordes.co.uk/our_pubs/

[juice]

This place is good - Stalham staithe is right outside - but there's only room for 3 boats. However Richardsons' boatyard is just round the corner and no more than 3 min walk away from the restaurant, just find an empty berth and moor up.


http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g10...

[duckers26]

One further complication, the boat we are using is a minimum 8'2" with everything down so would prefer nothing too close to this. The place in Stalham looks nice but I think we will have trouble passing under Ludham bridge. If I look at this site http://www.mynorfolkbroadsboating.co.uk/norfolk%20... do I take the Headroom figure and then adjust for the amount under rise and fall? eg would Ludham bridge have headroom between 7'9" and 9'3" and Yarmouth Road bridge between 4" and 13"?!

The first night (Tuesday) will be spent in Horning so we will take advantage of your recommendation and then the last night (Friday) we be in Ranworth where my mum remembers climbing to the top of the church when she was younger!

So it's really a question of where to go between these places on the Wednesday and Thursday.

[tomsugden]

juice said:

This place is good - Stalham staithe is right outside - but there's only room for 3 boats. However Richardsons' boatyard is just round the corner and no more than 3 min walk away from the restaurant, just find an empty berth and moor up.


http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g10...

This - we had a fantastic meal there.

[duckers26]

Apologies for multiple posts but how does this sound for a route:

Day 1: Wroxham to Ranworth (http://www.ranworthmaltsters.com/)
Day 2: Ranworth to Reedham (http://www.reedhamferry.co.uk/)
Day 3: Reedham to Potter Heigham (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g1574428-d5481112-Reviews-Falgate_Inn-Potter_Heigham_Norfolk_East_Anglia_England.html)
Day 4: Potter Heigham to Wroxham via Horning for lunch

[juice]

duckers26 said:

One further complication, the boat we are using is a minimum 8'2" with everything down so would prefer nothing too close to this. The place in Stalham looks nice but I think we will have trouble passing under Ludham bridge. If I look at this site http://www.mynorfolkbroadsboating.co.uk/norfolk%20... do I take the Headroom figure and then adjust for the amount under rise and fall? eg would Ludham bridge have headroom between 7'9" and 9'3" and Yarmouth Road bridge between 4" and 13"?!

The first night (Tuesday) will be spent in Horning so we will take advantage of your recommendation and then the last night (Friday) we be in Ranworth where my mum remembers climbing to the top of the church when she was younger!

So it's really a question of where to go between these places on the Wednesday and Thursday.

Ludham bridge gauge is notoriously inaccurate. Even at normal high tide you'll have at least 8' 6" there - I've taken boats saying 8' 6" under it with it showing 8 and a qtr - you'll be fine

Honestly - the Ant is a beautiful river, my favourite on the broads. I'd definitely recommend a detour to Barton Turf for Brekkie/Brunch/Lunch - no pubs there so the moorings are always quiet - you can moor at the staithe or on the Island - both are lovely - the staithe has a water outlet there. As you have thursday free - I'd suggest re=-tracing your steps after brekkie/brunch/lunch and make for Ludham. Again a nice mooring (stern-on so nice easy access) along with some shore power if your boat's equipped. That way you're not far from the junction with the Bure and not massively far from Ranworth (maybe 2 hours ?)

[anonymous-user]

my god I'm so jealous...

8 of us hired a 44 foot boat for about 5 days on the Broads, and I st you not, it was one of the funniest 5 days of my life

We were lucky and got 5 solid days of summer sunshine and were all pissed for the entire time, but incredibly managed to get up the full length of the Broads and back and had an amazing time.

We moored in a different town/village each night and the only disappointment was Great Yarmouth which was an utter, utter toilet.

[duckers26]

NinjaPower said:

my god I'm so jealous...

8 of us hired a 44 foot boat for about 5 days on the Broads, and I st you not, it was one of the funniest 5 days of my life

We were lucky and got 5 solid days of summer sunshine and were all pissed for the entire time, but incredibly managed to get up the full length of the Broads and back and had an amazing time.

We moored in a different town/village each night and the only disappointment was Great Yarmouth which was an utter, utter toilet.

I went on the broads when I was 17 with 8 friends and my lasting memory is my mate I was sharing a room with throwing up a mixture of Archers and tinned hotdog sausages over me in night! Think things will be bit more restrained with my aged parents I imagine

Edited by duckers26 on Tuesday 21st April 17:02

[Oceans]

I'd recommend the Recruiting Sergeant in nearby Horstead/Coltishall. Just down the road from me, fantastic locally sourced food - especially from the 'specials' bit of the menu.

http://www.recruitingsergeant.co.uk/