Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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Leave your moorings going upstream of the River Bure, not passing under Acle Bridge. You pass the entrance to Upton Dyke on your left, before coming across the junction with the River Thurne on your right bank. Turn right, passing the magnificent white Thurne Windpump, which stands at the entrance to Thurne Dyke. Cruise on noting the signposted entrance to Womack Water on your left as you pass by. A further cruise will bring you to the outskirts of Potter Heigham, which is marked by the rows of chalets and holiday homes, that line the river on both sides right up to Potter Heigham Bridge. Free moorings are available either on the right bank leading up to the bridge, or in the Herbert Woods boatyard which is reached by passing under the footbridge on the left bank.

Return back down the River Thurne, passing the entrance to Womack Water on your right and the white Thurne Windpump on your left bank. At the junction with the River Bure, turn right. Continue on, passing the ruins of St Benets Abbey on your right and the signposted entrance to South Walsham on your left. Soon after, you will see the junction with the River Ant, which we will be heading down tomorrow. For now, continue your cruise on the River Bure, passing the entrance to Ranworth on your left. Within 30 minutes, you will see the start of the picturesque village of Horning coming into view. Free moorings are available at the Ferry Boatyard on your right. Adjacent to the boatyard, is The Ferry Inn (TFI) which also offers free moorings to patrons. Cruise a little further on and you will see The New Inn, which offers free stern on moorings for customers who eat at the hostelry. Next are free moorings offered by the Parish Council. They are quite limited and tend to be snapped up as soon as someone leaves. Adjacent, is the Swan Inn, which offers moorings at a fee.

Leave your moorings, continuing in the same direction. Pass the entrances to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads on your left, before arriving at the outskirts of Wroxham, marked by the waterside holiday homes and chalets which line the banks. Free moorings are available at either the Barnes Brinkcraft boatyard you first come across on the right bank, or within the Faircraft Loynes boatyard complex, located down the last dyke before Wroxham Bridge on the left bank. Fee-pay moorings are also available outside the Wroxham Hotel, on the opposite side of the river.

Cruise back down the River Bure, past the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads on your right-hand side. Horning will soon come into view. Continue on through this picturesque village. Just past the Ferry Boatyard on your left, you will see the moorings for Cockshoot Dyke on the opposite bank. These moorings serve those who want to visit Cockshoot Broad, a nature reserve with a boardwalk across different habitats, culminating in a magnificent view over the Broad from a bird hide. On a summer's day, the area is filled with dragonflies, butterflies, wildfowl and all manner of birds, and is a recommended stop. Back aboard, continue in the same direction, until you see the junction with the River Ant, on your left bank. Turn left here, cruising on before encountering Ludham Bridge. This road bridge is set at an angle to the river, and it can be difficult to see oncoming craft. Be prepared to abort your passage at the last minute, should you see an oncoming boat suddenly appear to be making its final approach. Once through, moorings are free to use on both sides of the river.

You will need to turn around and passage under Ludham Bridge again to reach the junction with the River Bure once more. Turn left here and cruise on downstream, past the entrance to South Walsham on your right and the ruins of St Benets Abbey on your left bank. After a while, you will see Acle Bridge which marks the site of your home boatyard. Cruise on past, passing under the bridge, and continue on downstream. Soon you will see the village of Stokesby, which is situated on a bend of the river on your left bank. Limited free moorings are available by the village green, before the Ferry Inn. Should these be full, you can moor at a fee, refundable against food purchased, outside the Ferry Inn. As the current can be quite fast here, be sure to moor against the tide, as to not do so would risk losing control of your craft and running into the next boat along. You should, in effect, use the tide to slow your boat down.

You will need to be back at your home boatyard for 9 am, so ensure you depart at an appropriate time to get you there. Leave your moorings and return back up the River Bure. Acle Bridge signals that you are now close to home with your boatyard located on the left bank, just after the bridge.