Boating in Norfolk advice
Discussion
If it's your first time, I'd go centre cockpit (slidy roof).
Raised seating so better view, not only for on the way but for when mooring up.
Stay North for 3 days.
Do try and do the Ant, it's the best river on the broads (apart from the Chet). Go up to Dilham, it's beautiful and so peaceful up there. The cross keys is about 10-15 min walk.
If you're planning to go to Ranworth, arrive early (around 11 if you can) otherwise you're unlikely to be sucessfull. You could try around 2-3pm but you're waiting on someone deciding to leave.
In 20+ years, I've only ever managed to moor at Horning Staithe once
Have fun !!
Raised seating so better view, not only for on the way but for when mooring up.
Stay North for 3 days.
Do try and do the Ant, it's the best river on the broads (apart from the Chet). Go up to Dilham, it's beautiful and so peaceful up there. The cross keys is about 10-15 min walk.
If you're planning to go to Ranworth, arrive early (around 11 if you can) otherwise you're unlikely to be sucessfull. You could try around 2-3pm but you're waiting on someone deciding to leave.
In 20+ years, I've only ever managed to moor at Horning Staithe once
Have fun !!
Wot, onner the 'bleedin Nowfowk Browds?
Avoid the peak season, any weekend, anybody ahhhat of Laaandhaaan or faaaakin Essex, hideously fat people, anybody wearing a peaked cap with an anchor on it, anybody with a horrid yappy little dog, shopping for tat in Roys, greasy riverside pubs that reek of fried food and grim takeaways with a choice of either greasy fish and chips or slimy Chinese, coach parties and local businesses who have developed the art of parting people from their money to a level that'd leave a large American corporation stunned.
Expect absolute traffic carnage on the road and the water and a spectacular level of boat handling fkuckwittery from endless pissed shirtless and shouty morons who think driving a boat is obviously the same as driving a car because they've both got steering wheels. if you're lucky enough to find somewhere to park feel happy that parking space earns nearly as much as you do in a week and anticipate spending hours upon hours upon hours staring at nothing but endless reed beds and trees.
You'll have guessed it's really not for me then...
Avoid the peak season, any weekend, anybody ahhhat of Laaandhaaan or faaaakin Essex, hideously fat people, anybody wearing a peaked cap with an anchor on it, anybody with a horrid yappy little dog, shopping for tat in Roys, greasy riverside pubs that reek of fried food and grim takeaways with a choice of either greasy fish and chips or slimy Chinese, coach parties and local businesses who have developed the art of parting people from their money to a level that'd leave a large American corporation stunned.
Expect absolute traffic carnage on the road and the water and a spectacular level of boat handling fkuckwittery from endless pissed shirtless and shouty morons who think driving a boat is obviously the same as driving a car because they've both got steering wheels. if you're lucky enough to find somewhere to park feel happy that parking space earns nearly as much as you do in a week and anticipate spending hours upon hours upon hours staring at nothing but endless reed beds and trees.
You'll have guessed it's really not for me then...
Europa1 said:
PositronicRay said:
Take food, I'd heard Norfolk was some kind of gastro heaven. The broads aren't.
Ah, your sources may have been thinking of the Chelsea-on-Sea stretch of the Norfolk coast, rather than the Broads.There's only some 20 to 30 miles between the Broads and the north coast but the food might as well come from two entirely different universes.
There are decent pubs that aim a bit above average pub grub. These 4 spring to mind.
White Horse at Neatishead
Lion at Thurne
Ship at South Walsham
Recruiting Sergeant at Coltishall
On the other hand, sometimes well cooked pub grub can be just the ticket, in which case The Bridge at Acle is reliable.
Consider hiring a traditional wooden boat from Martham. Less mod cons, but you have the advantage of starting in the best, imho, part of the Broads, no worries about the low Potter Bridge, and guaranteed access to Hickling and Horsey.
Also consider hiring a dinghy. Can be a nuisance at busy moorings, but good fun for the boys (age dependent), and relieves stress at busy moorings (eg Ranworth) as you can mudweight on the broad and dinghy in.
Sailing, rather than rowing, dinghy doubles the fun.
David
White Horse at Neatishead
Lion at Thurne
Ship at South Walsham
Recruiting Sergeant at Coltishall
On the other hand, sometimes well cooked pub grub can be just the ticket, in which case The Bridge at Acle is reliable.
Consider hiring a traditional wooden boat from Martham. Less mod cons, but you have the advantage of starting in the best, imho, part of the Broads, no worries about the low Potter Bridge, and guaranteed access to Hickling and Horsey.
Also consider hiring a dinghy. Can be a nuisance at busy moorings, but good fun for the boys (age dependent), and relieves stress at busy moorings (eg Ranworth) as you can mudweight on the broad and dinghy in.
Sailing, rather than rowing, dinghy doubles the fun.
David
Jaguar steve said:
Europa1 said:
PositronicRay said:
Take food, I'd heard Norfolk was some kind of gastro heaven. The broads aren't.
Ah, your sources may have been thinking of the Chelsea-on-Sea stretch of the Norfolk coast, rather than the Broads.There's only some 20 to 30 miles between the Broads and the north coast but the food might as well come from two entirely different universes.
Great Yarmouth, was a particular highlight we managed to get waterbombed, prior to dining in a lackluster eaterie.
If I were to go again, I'd organise my own catering.
Personally I'd err on the horrific. Much of the Broads makes Clacton look really, really classy.
How about the whole family all learning to sail together? Rutland Water in Rutland or Alton Water in Suffolk both run RYA courses and you could easily get reasonably competent with the basics in a week of instruction.
How about the whole family all learning to sail together? Rutland Water in Rutland or Alton Water in Suffolk both run RYA courses and you could easily get reasonably competent with the basics in a week of instruction.
Th Broads are quite varied there are open waters, narrow tree lined rivers and stretches with a acres of reed beds. Some parts are busy and others attract the more touristy types, such as Wroxham and Yarmouth. I've never set foot in Yarmouth.
As other have said it's not a place for food lovers but there are enough reasonable places to eat, Dave the Diver above listed a few.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/96QRVKJ3.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/8mD59Qvr" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/8mD59Qvr.jpg)
As other have said it's not a place for food lovers but there are enough reasonable places to eat, Dave the Diver above listed a few.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/6G5O6IKG.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/V2CpW7ke" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/V2CpW7ke.jpg)
Dont be put off by Jag Steve, broads can be a magical place, especially if you have kids
Re food, some average places and some good places available, as everywhere in the UK, or any other country to be honest, just need to know where to go
Bring a portable bbq , as mooring up on a bank away from civilisation is also part of the experiance
Bring plenty of bread for the ducks, the kids will love it, and a fishing rod (and licensee!) if appropriate
The Ant is a good trip with a few stop off points to meander around, and onto Wroxham, Dont try to get a boat that goes under Potter Heigham bridge, it will need to be compromisingly small, wroxham bridge is not too bad, although not much lies beyond, apart form a nice pub spot at the end in Cottishal
When choosing a boat go for a newer one, there are some old things floating around that are not that nice any longer. plus standards have increased since the 1940's!
Note dont go for over sized one either other wise controlling and mooring it can be a pain, remeber boating is just camping on the water, its not a luxury event with whirl pool baths!
Norfolk on a boat is the perfect slow down and relax holiday, especially for a family, bring coloring books and board games , listen to the local radio instead of TV, and enjoy the sound of ducks and wildlife, and obviously stay away from the party boats!
Re food, some average places and some good places available, as everywhere in the UK, or any other country to be honest, just need to know where to go
Bring a portable bbq , as mooring up on a bank away from civilisation is also part of the experiance
Bring plenty of bread for the ducks, the kids will love it, and a fishing rod (and licensee!) if appropriate
The Ant is a good trip with a few stop off points to meander around, and onto Wroxham, Dont try to get a boat that goes under Potter Heigham bridge, it will need to be compromisingly small, wroxham bridge is not too bad, although not much lies beyond, apart form a nice pub spot at the end in Cottishal
When choosing a boat go for a newer one, there are some old things floating around that are not that nice any longer. plus standards have increased since the 1940's!
Note dont go for over sized one either other wise controlling and mooring it can be a pain, remeber boating is just camping on the water, its not a luxury event with whirl pool baths!
Norfolk on a boat is the perfect slow down and relax holiday, especially for a family, bring coloring books and board games , listen to the local radio instead of TV, and enjoy the sound of ducks and wildlife, and obviously stay away from the party boats!
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