Suggestion for a Norfolk Broads Itinerary
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Turn right as you exit the dyke that leads from the boatyard moorings. For orientation purposes, you very quickly pass the Ferry Inn (TFI) on your right, before cruising past the Horning riverfront. A sharp bend to the left indicates that you are now leaving Horning behind. The river is banked, for the most part, by trees, all the way up to Wroxham. En-route, you will see the entrance to Salhouse Broad on your left, followed by the entrance to Wroxham Broad, also on your left bank. You can cruise through Wroxham Broad, taking the exit further up, on your right, to rejoin the river. Once back out, it's not long before you see the lines of houses and chalets marking the start of Wroxham. Keep cruising until you see the large Barnes Brinkcraft boatyard on your right bank. Moorings are free for hirecraft here and are less than 5 minutes walk from the centre of Wroxham. Alternatively, continue on until you see the low arched bridge spanning the river. The last dyke on the left bank leads you into Faircraft's boatyard. Free moorings are also available here, and again, are within easy reach of Wroxham centre.

Retrace your steps, back down the River Bure, past the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads on your right, and then cruise through the village of Horning, yesterday's starting point. Continue on, past the entrance to Ranworth Broad on your right, until you see the signposted entrance to the River Ant on your left bank. Take this turn, and proceed on until you see the bridge, which spans the river here. Proceed with care up to the bridge, as it gets very busy with craft passing both ways. When you see that nothing is coming through from the opposite direction, sound your horn, then traverse under. Moorings are available once you pass under, and are situated on both sides of the river. Ludham Bridge village itself is just to the right of the bridge.

Continue on in the same direction, away from the bridge. Shortly, you pass the extensive moorings of the How Hill Educational Centre. The site incorporates many woodland walks, a secret garden and a restored eel catchers cottage from the turn of the century. A short stop here would suit those with children. Continue on for a while until you reach the pretty riverside village of Irstead, with its millionaire style homes and thatched roofs on your left bank. A little further cruise will bring you out onto Barton Broad, a wide expanse of water. Two channels are marked my posts Follow the route marked to Stalham and Wayford Bridge, bearing right, which will take you north across the length of the Broad. At the far end, look out for and follow the signposts to Stalham and Sutton, which is where the Broad narrows again. The marked turn off for Sutton Staithe can be found a little further down, on your right. Continue down this dyke. At the far end is Sutton Staithe. Moorings are on the left bank, where the dyke narrows, and further along opposite the green in front of the Sutton Staithe Hotel. Both are free moorings.

This morning's cruise is a short hop over to Neatishead, situated on the other side of Barton Broad. Retrace your steps back out towards Barton Broad. Continue across the broad using the same channel as yesterday. Around two-thirds of the way across you will see the channel diverges, marked by a yellow and black post. Take the right channel across the broad. At the far end, the Broad narrows to a dyke. You will see a turn-off, on your left, marked Gays Staithe. Keep a note of this, as if the moorings at Neatishead are full, you can return here, where there is usually ample space but is around 15 mins walk from Neatishead village. Continue on down the narrow dyke. Take care to proceed slowly, as though there is enough room for two boats to pass, it is tight. Soon you will see a mooring dyke on your left-hand side, with room for around 14 boats. The moorings are free for 24 hours. The village is a short walk from here.

Head back out towards Barton Broad, taking the same channel across until you see the yellow and black marker post. This time, keep right, and head for the exit to the Broad, where you entered yesterday. Pass Irstead on your right, and the moorings of How Hill on your left, before arriving at Ludham Bridge. Take care that no vessel is approaching from the opposite direction, before shooting the bridge. Continue on, turning right at the junction with the River Bure. Soon you will see the signposted entrance to Ranworth and its Broads, on your left side. Take this turning, and continue on until the dyke widens out into Malthouse Broad. The moorings at the village of Ranworth, are at the far end. They are stern-on and free for up to 24 hours. They are also very popular, due to their scenic location. If you find the moorings full (they do change around quite often), you can consider waiting for a space, or continue on to your home moorings in Horning, which is just a further 2 miles (30 mins) upriver.

.If you stayed the night at Ranworth, you need to set off back across Malthouse Broad and turn left where it meets the River Bure again. Continue on for a short distance, until you see the Cockshoot Dyke moorings on your left. Soon after, you will come across the dyke which leads to your home boatyard in Horning, on your right-hand side.