With
over 200 kms of lock-free tidal
rivers to explore, the Broads and
its surrounding towns and villages
are a delight to visit, whatever
the time of year. Cycle or walk
to quaint villages with medieval
churches and restored windmills,
visit historic cities, stately
homes or the pleasure beaches of
seaside towns.
The beauty of cruising in England is that you can easily tailor your cruise to be as culturally busy or sublimely relaxing as you choose, and because no one else ever seems in a hurry, you don’t have to either!
Mooring
is easy – there are many
purpose-built moorings or you can
simply pull up alongside the river
bank and watch the sun go down
from the comfort of your cruiser,
or from the gardens of one of Norfolk’s
centuries-old village pubs – with
their uneven floors, wooden beams
and cosy interiors they are a lasting
reminder of an age gone by.
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The Norfolk Broads, an area of great natural beauty and a haven for wildlife, is one of England’s most popular cruising grounds. Renowned for its rural lifestyle and great boat-building traditions, and synonymous with images of families having fun on the water, this is a great place to simply relax and enjoy an altogether slower pace of life.
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Fantastic
opportunities to watch nature – many
conservation centres, nature
reserves and bird-watching
stations to visit
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Market
towns and traditional boat-building
villages for an insight to
a rural English way of life
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Lock-free
cruising on shallow lakes and
rivers – perfect for
first time cruisers
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Sailing
and watersports for a different
pace of life
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• VERY easy cruising – no locks
• Shallow waters – perfect for beginners
• Excellent all year round destination – peaceful out of peak holiday
season
• Area of great natural beauty – lots of birdwatching, fishing, nature
reserves etc
• Sailing and watersports also possible
• NO Swimming
• Lots of waterside pubs – free mooring outside
• Stop wherever you want – go to sleep / wake up to the sound of nature
• Fantastic nature reserves – with secret hides. Think ‘BBC Spring
Watch’ in Norfolk!
• Family fun: Seaside resort at Great Yarmouth; BeWILDerwood (zip
wires etc); museums; sailing; windsurfing |
| WEEK BREAKS - Suggested
Canal Boat Cruises in Norfolk Broads |
Although just short distance away by road, it is easy to spend a week cruising
this idyllic northern section of the Broads as there is so much to see and do.
At the village of Woodbastwick on the edge of Cockshoot Broad visit the local
Norfolk Brewery and taste some real ale! Climb the 97 steps to the top of the
ancient church tower at Ranworth for panoramic views over the Broads - the views
on a clear day are spectacular. View Cruise Map |
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 52 km
Locks: 0
Cruise Time: 8 hrs
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visit the local nature reserve - an
excellent information centre and birdlife
viewing station where children will
love to find out all about life on
the Broads and the delicate balancing
act between man and nature. Passing
carefully through the lowest bridge
on the Broads at Potter Heigham, head
for the large Hickling Broad - home
to an important national nature reserve
and popular with sailing boats. Or
follow in Admiral Lord Nelson’s
footsteps and learn to sail at Barton
Broad. The North Broads are threaded
by the rivers Ant and Thurne and have
some lovely villages hidden away. Visit
Toad Hole Cottage on the How Hill Nature
Reserve at Ludham for a glimpse of
Victorian country life and a chance
to explore the nearby woodland and
marshes. |
Seaside, cathedral cities and sailing
are all aspects of this lovely coastal
cruise on the Broads. From Wroxham, head to Oulton Broad via the Rivers Bure,
Yare and Waveney. By the coast at Oulton Broad spend some time at the Lowestoft
Maritime Museum and see the international Sailing Craft Association’s fascinating
display of boats from every continent. |
Duration: One week
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 128 km
Locks: 0
Cruise Time: 22 hrs
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| For
a change in pace, the seaside resorts
of the east coast are also only a short
cruise away. Children and the young
at heart won’t want to miss out
on some fun at Great Yarmouth, the
region’s premier seaside resort.
Or follow the River Yare to visit the
wonderful cathedral city of Norwich.
You can moor in the heart of the city
and visit not one but two cathedrals
and wander its cobbled streets to shop
and explore at your leisure.View Cruise Map |
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Our base is located on the Somerleyton Estate, home to the impressive Somerleyton Hall which is well worth visiting for its wonderful carved stonework and architectural features as well as beautiful gardens, a maze and tea rooms.
Follow the tranquil River Waveney south through peaceful landscapes to Oulton Broad, home to a wide variety of watersports and power boat racing, as well as the nearby Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve where you can see many varieties of wildlife including otters and kingfishers, as well as wildflowers and butterflies .
View Cruise Map |
Duration: One week
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 150 km
Locks: 0
Cruise Time: 25 hrs |
| Continue your cruise to the traditional market town of Beccles which has a lively market day each Friday. Climb to the top of Beccles Bell Tower for some wonderful views across the marshes. Heading back to Somerleyton, stop at St. Olaves to visit the ruins of the Augustinian Priory of St Olaves and St Mary.
The Nearby Fritton Lake Countryworld makes for a good day out with its falconry centre, adventure playground, golf and pottery. The riverside at Reedham is a very picturesque part of the Broads, and the popular quayside is a lovely place to moor and watch the sailing boats on the Broads, as well as to enjoy some of its many waterside pubs and cafés in the sunshine. The nearby Pettitts Animal Adventure Park will be a hit with the children too. |
Horning > Oulton Board > Hickling Broad > Horning
A fantastic chance to visit the whole area taking in all the major sites, towns and villages and cruising on all the best parts of the Broads, encompassing all the highlights of the other featured cruises. View Cruise Map |
Duration: Two week
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 300 km
Locks: 0
Cruise Time: 50 hrs
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Horning > Wroxham > How Hill Nature Reserve > Horning
Discover the great natural beauty of the Norfolk Broads which is a haven for wildlife and one of the most popular cruising grounds of England. Discover its nature reserve and enjoy a pint of beer in the pub of one of its typical English villages. View Cruise Map |
Duration: 3 Nights
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 25 km
Locks: 0
Cruise Time: 10 hrs |
