Route Highlights:
Reedham is ideally situated on the River Yare, to the South East of the cathedral city of Norwich and provides an excellent start location to visit the City as well as to explore the Central and Southern Broads. Heading North and then East you can visit Breydon Water with its nature reserve before continuing to Great Yarmouth and on to the River Bure, which leads on to the Northern Broads.
Just South of Reedham you will find the village of St. Olaves. At St. Olaves, it is also possible (with a short detour) to visit the wind pump which is open all year. Travelling South down the River Waveney, you may wish to continue to Oulton Broad via the Oulton Marshes nature reserve. Oulton Broad is known as the 'Southern Gateway' to the Broads.
On a 7 night holiday or longer, you can cruise the North Broads via Breydon Water with its nature reserve before reaching Great Yarmouth and on to the River Bure to explore the waterways including Stalham, Potter Heigham, Horning and Wroxham and if the tide allows, pass under Potter Heigham Bridge and explore Hickling and Horsey Mere.
Click for suggested routes.
The sample routes below are merely suggestions. The age and nature of our unique waterways means that there may occasionally be a need for planned or emergency restrictions or closures and therefore it cannot be guaranteed that every route will always be available.
Short Break Route Suggestions (3 & 4 nights):
Reedham to Oulton Broad and return: 5 - 6 hours total
10 miles (20 miles there and back). Follow the Haddiscoe New Cut to the River Waveney and visit St. Olaves. Visit the ruins of St Olaves Priory (English Heritage), lunch at the waterside pub and visit the wind pump; continue along the River Waveney passing Somerleyton, a pretty Suffolk village, before continuing to Oulton Broad passing Oulton Marshes nature reserve. Oulton Broad is known as the southern gateway to the Broads and is famous for the power boat racing which takes place every Thursday evening in the summer months. Moorings are available at the Yacht station close to many amenities including the Nicolas Everitt Park which has outdoor play activties, the Lowestoft Museum, cafes and arcades.
Reedham to Norwich via Brundall on the River Yare and return: 8 - 10 hours total
17 miles (34 miles there and back) so about 8.5 hours in total. A comfortable choice for a short break. Turn upstream towards Cantley, dominated by the sugar beet factory, and turn off the river at Rockland Broad and visit pretty Rockland St Mary which has a pub and Post office, store and tea room. On the approach to Brundall on the left hand upstream bank is Coldham Hall pub/restaurant with riverside moorings. At Brundall there are marinas, little riverside holiday properties and visitor moorings. Walk along Riverside Road and across the railway crossing into the village where there is a supermarket, hardware store / garden centre, hairdressers, dry cleaners, chemist, optician and a selection of take away restaurants. Take a detour through Surlingham Broad, rejoin the river as it curves round and moor further on by Surlingham Ferry and the pub of the same name. There are visitor moorings at Bramerton Common and a waterside pub. The river passes under the A47 (Postwick Viaduct) on the approach to Norwich and various boatyards and private moorings. There are vistor moorings by Whitlingham Country Park; with an education centre located on the Great Broad, you can try your hand at sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing or rafting. The walks around here are very popular, plus there is a children's play area and a cafe, as well as opportunities to hire bikes. Cruising into Norwich city you pass under several bridges, so just be aware of the height of your boat before passing under. The moorings at Norwich Yacht Station make a perfect base to enjoy all of the attractions on offer.
Weekly Route Suggestions:
Relaxed route: Reedham to Wroxham and return - 20 - 25 hours total
33 miles without detouring (66 miles there and back). You will need a week for this trip but depending on the tides you may have some time to spare to have an explore around some more of the Northern Broads. Head upstream from Stokesby passing under Acle bridge to the junction of the Thurne and the Bure towards Horning and Wroxham. After a stretch of picturesque river with far reaching views over the reed beds, the ruins of St Benets Abbey will become visible on your right. There are some excellent 24 hour moorings allowing you time to explore these romantic ruins which include the remains of an ancient wind pump built within the Abbey's crumbling gatehouse. On leaving St Benets, take a detour off the River Bure and head South onto South Walsham Broad. This Broad is one of the most picturesque, with its stunning waterside cottages, abundant wildlife - a haven of peace and tranquility. After taking in the sights of South Walsham, head north once again to join the River Bure and then turn left (West) towards Wroxham. Your next stop should be the quaint village of Horning with its excellent choice of waterside pubs and restaurants. Moorings in the village are very popular so you may need to arrive early if you are taking your holiday during peak season and plan to spend the night here. Continuing West from Horning you will next arrive in Wroxham after a further one and a half hours gentle cruise. Wroxham is often referred to as the Capital of the Broads and is a bustling village with the atmosphere of a lively seaside resort. Check the tides for your return cruise to Reedham.
Fortnight Route Suggestions:
Any combination of the above.
Remember - these are just a few ideas to whet your appetite. A boating holiday is all about freedom to explore where you wish and at a pace that suits you.
