Northern Broads

We launched Ananahi at the Whispering Reeds Boatyard at Hickling Broad. A friendly boatyard with secure parking for the van and trailer. The sun shone as we sailed across the broad to Meadow dyke, a small dyke leading to Horsey Mere. The dyke was 5 ft deep and broad enough to tack as we passed two Wherrys. At the head of the broad we tied up to the staithe and visited Horsey Windmill. After lunch we headed south again to the River Thulme and turned past Martham boatyard to a staithe at West Somerton. We went to the churchyard to see the grave of the Norfolk Giant. Next morning the sun was shining as we set off down the river Thurne to Potter Heigham. At Mortham ferry the swing bridge was closed so Dave had to open it himself using a system of pulleys and chain. The cruise to Potter Heigham was very enjoyable, looking at the little cottages and different river craft. There are two bridges at Potter Heigham, The new bridge with 8ft clearance and the old stone bridge with 6ft 9 inches. We found out throughout the Broads that where there are bridges there are staithes either side for raising and lowering masts. Passing under the bridges we tied up for lunch at the other side before we set off for the junction with the River Bure. We had decided to explore as much of the northern broads as we could, so we took a turn to starboard into Womack Water and sailed to the end, then returned to the River Thurne. At the junction with the river Bure we headed up river past the ruins of St. Benets Abbey and down Fleet dyke to South Walsham Broad. Back once more on the river Bure we sailed past the entrance to the river Ant and turned port onto Malthouse Broad, where a friendly ferryman directed us the end of a pontoon with free 24hr. Mooring. We walked to the conservation centre and climbed the tower of the church, which afforded a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside., ending up at the staithe next to the pub for the night. Next day with a good easterly blowing we tacked up river through ever-increasing traffic to Horning. Just after Horning we sailed into Salthouse broad, a very pretty broad with a stathe and plenty of room to anchor if preferred. Next we sailed into Wroxham broad, home of the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club. It is � mile long and 250 yards wide with a good depth throughout. The wind was force 4 and it was a perfect place for a sail. We headed for Wroxham which has two bridges. The first a stone bridge with 7ft 3inches clearance and the second a railway bridge with 15ft. The river became much prettier as we tacked upstream to Cottishall, the limit of Navigation, with lots of trees and grassy banks. Coltishall itself was a welcoming place with the Rising Sun pub and free 24 hour moorings. We had lunch at the pub, then sailed downriver towards Wroxham. Two miles down river we stopped at a small staithe at Belaugh church, provided for yachtsmen who want to visit this interesting building. With the wind in our sails we returned to Wroxham and tied up near the railway bridge for the night. The next day the sun was shining as we sailed the four miles to Horning, once again calling at Wroxham and Salhouse broads for a bit of open water sailing. At Horning we tied up at the free dock at the Swan Inn for the evening and had an enjoyable night in the pub. With the wind now SW we set off for the River Ant four miles downstream. Once in the river a mile upstream is Ludham Bridge with 8ft7ins. It was rather crowded with a lot of people taking down their masts. The River Ant is narrow and winding but pretty in places. About 6 miles upstream is Barton Broad, which has a well marked channel either side of Pleasure Island. We explored Lime Kiln Dyke and the pretty Staithes at Neatished, then tacked down the winding channel to Dilham, a tiny village at the limit of navigation. It has a picturesque staithe with free mooring for three boats and as we have not seen another boat since Barton Broad we decided to stay the night, having the place to ourselves with just the numerous varieties of ducks to keep us company. On the way downriver we explored Stalham and Sutton Broad, which were very busy with people returning charter boats. We crossed Barton Broad once more and rejoined the River Bure, cruising past the abbey and heading to Potter Heigham for lunch. The water under the bridge was very high and although we got under okay, some charter boats had to hire a pilot. We arrived back at Hickling Broad and tied up at the free dock at The Pleasure Boat Inn for the night. Next day we recovered the boat.

There are numerous varieties of bird life on the Broads and the Broads are well prepared for visiting boats with free 24 hour moorings at every turn. You can also use your own stakes to tie up to the bank in isolated spots. Most Pubs have free moorings for patrons. We explored every dyke that we could in the Northern Broads and found that even the smallest dykes had at least 4 ft of water. The rivers always has plenty of water and the current never appeared to be more than 1.5 knots. The rise and fall of the tide averaged about 1 ft on the main rivers.

Anyone not wanting to raise and lower the mast could have a good weeks holiday by launching at one of the numerous boatyards between Wroxham and Potter Heigham and sailing the rivers and broads between.

In 2002 we visited the broads again, launching at Hickling Broad and sailing down the river Bure to the Yare to explore the Southern Broads. We sailed via Breydon Water and along the Yare to Norwich, visiting Reedham and the river Chet, on which we sailed to Lodden, A very nice mooring. We also visited Lowestoft and Oulton Broad, and Sailed the river Waverney, calling at the Waverney River Centre and using its excellent facilities. We returned to Hickling Broad at the end of the holiday having had another great time on the Broads.