The Southern Broads
For regular boaters on the Broads who tend to stick to the Northern Broads between Wroxham and Potter Heigham, Acle and Great Yarmouth; there is a whole new world awaiting your discovery in the South.
Why not take out one of the fabulous boats from our new base at Burgh St. Peter, near Oulton Broad and see what you can find. The beautiful Southern Rivers have plenty to offer and are one of the ‘best kept secrets’ of The Broads; with the additional benefit of not having to navigate across tidal Breydon Water to get there.
The Southern Broads boast many activities for the family, pretty market towns and villages, churches and traditional pubs; country walks and picnic spots; plus the chance to visit the versatile city of Norwich with its many shops, restaurants, historic sites, outdoor market and other family attractions.
Here is one of the routes you can follow from our Burgh St. Peter base along with some of the highlights you’ll encounter along the way…
Start by cruising north to Somerleyton, an attractive and tranquil village, perfect for picnics, with the added attraction of the beautiful ‘Somerleyton Hall and Gardens’. The manor house and gardens offer ornate greenhouses, an amazing 70ft pergola and a fantastic maze. After visiting the Hall, it’s a short walk to the Dukes Head pub for your evening meal.
Reedham is a village with numerous water crossings, it has a scenic waterside quay with moored boats bobbing alongside its cottages, quaint shops and convenient riverside pubs. It is here that you will find ‘Pettitts Animal Adventure Park’ which is a popular stop for children, with shows, animals and rides. For adults, there is also a micro-brewery adjacent to the adventure park.
Next we take a detour down the River Chet to Loddon and Chedgrave. Passing ‘Hardley Windmill’ and cruising down this little river you’ll soon arrive at the two adjoining villages. There are some very enjoyable country walks to be taken from here, there are local shops or you could visit one of Loddon’s frequent outdoor markets.
Further west, Rockland Broad is one of the lesser known Broads to visit, it has a serene beauty with its gorgeous Broadland views. It’s an excellent place for fishing too, if you fancy it. There’s also a ‘hide’ in one corner, where you can observe a multitude of birdlife.
At Bramerton village you’ll find the Waters Edge restaurant and bar, a popular stop for refreshments with a lovely outlook onto the water. Free moorings are available next to the Green and there are some great countryside walks to be had from there.
Entering the suburbs of Norwich at Thorpe St. Andrew on the River Yare, you’ll find moorings and local pubs nearby. The river then skirts Norwich City Football Club before arriving at the city centre. Norwich has an abundance of amenities; there are art galleries, museums, theatres, cinemas, ancient churches, and historic monuments such as The Ethelbert Gate and the Old City Walls. There are numerous restaurants and bars, pubs and cafés; plus entertainment and nightlife.
On your return journey to our base at Burgh St. Peter, bypass the boatyard to stop at one last place of interest – Beccles is a classic English market town, with its delightful town houses, unique shops, hidden lanes and market squares. If you fancy a splash there’s even an outdoor Lido to enjoy and there are plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from. It’s a great place to spend the day.
For your last evening, moor up at the Waveney River Centre in Burgh St. Peter and enjoy their facilities. Onsite there’s a heated swimming pool, gift shop, children’s playground, a ‘secret garden’ with a small pond and cycle hire for all the family. There’s also another waterside inn, where you can relax, eat out and enjoy the last few hours of your holiday.
