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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

We're off on a Norfolk Broads Boating Holiday - any tips?

24 replies

ArtyFartyQueen · 20/08/2019 16:32

Off on Friday on a cruiser around the Norfolk Broads. Any tips/places of interest/packing and food ideas gratefully received!

We're off on a Norfolk Broads Boating Holiday - any tips?
OP posts:
Smallinthesmoke · 20/08/2019 16:38

Lucky you!
My tip is to take binoculars! For spotting interesting things (birds, otters etc) in the rushes.

ArtyFartyQueen · 20/08/2019 16:39

Thanks @Smallinthesmoke. Binoculars are on the list!

OP posts:
ProperVexed · 20/08/2019 16:43

Take quick easy meals in case you can't moor up near a pub in the evening....pasta and pesto, jar of sauce, tuna etc. Part baked rolls, noodles. Wine, lots of wine. Playing cards etc. And waterproofs because it always rains on a boating holiday and someone has to be out in it steering!
We've had a few canal holidays and loved every minute.

Jason118 · 20/08/2019 16:52

Don't fall inSmile

MiltonRoad · 20/08/2019 16:55

Watch out for cows when you go under a bridge

Greenteandchives · 20/08/2019 17:00

Books, app or something to identify wildlife. Something to feed the water birds with. I don’t think bread is recommended.
Plan where you are going to moor each evening. Winging it doesn’t always work, as good moorings get very busy.
Never exceed the speed limit, and learn who has priority on the rivers.
Bikes are very useful for shopping trips if you can take them.

Jason118 · 20/08/2019 17:27

@MiltonRoad ahaaaaGrin

MiltonRoad · 20/08/2019 18:02

@Jason118 😂😂😂

ArtyFartyQueen · 21/08/2019 17:26

Thanks all - good tip re the cows Grin

OP posts:
BobLobLawLLB · 21/08/2019 17:34

We go all the time as we live local. Don't go over the speed limit (5 knots (sp?), stick to the right.
Wroxham is nice and big enough to pick up supplies. Everyone waves at each other too!

Spudlet · 21/08/2019 17:38

Gets a bit chilly at night, according to DM, so pack nice warm pyjamas! I live in Norfolk but have only done dayboats, but DParents have done a few broads holidays and really enjoyed them.

We used to meet up at Salhouse Broad and walk the short distance to the Woodfordes Brewery for a meal and a pint. It was always lovely. Never did the tour, but if you fancy it they’re available!

www.woodfordes.com/our-shop/tours/book/

Heratnumber7 · 21/08/2019 17:46

We went on the Broads for a week in May. We've done boating in other locations - eg upper Thames, Canal du Midi, and found the Broads really boring in comparison. Loved Norfolk itself though.

It's all so flat. Really flat, so there are no views - you can't see over the reeds. And you can't just mood up wherever you fancy for the night like you can on other waterways. You have to moor I'm designated places, which adds quite a lot to the cost of the holiday.

Take games to play in the boat if the weather isn't too good.

Heratnumber7 · 21/08/2019 17:50

Norwich. I meant we liked Norwich. The rest of Norfolk, not so much.

myrtleberry · 21/08/2019 17:55

Where are you picking the boat up?

Ricekrispie22 · 21/08/2019 18:55

Don’t fall in.

ArtyFartyQueen · 21/08/2019 19:17

All good tips - thanks! I'm actually stressing about falling in Shock

We're picking up the book in Horning and hoping to do the following itinerary:

Acle - visit Thrigby Hall - Wildlife Park near Acle (10 minute taxi ride)

Sunday: Make way to Great Yarmouth and moor at the Yacht station - Circus, Beach and Splash Park. (2 hours 15 minutes)

Monday: Waveney River Centre (4 hours)

Tuesday: Reedham (2 hours 15 minutes) or Rockland Staithe (4 hours 15 mins)

Wednesday: Norwich

Thursday: Stokesby

Friday: Back to Horning (2 hours 15 mins) Drop off boat and head to Horsey beach to see the Seals!

OP posts:
CleanHankie · 21/08/2019 22:13

You're mainly on the southern Broads in your itinerary which is often less busy, hopefully easier to get a mooring space as they do fill up quickly. However I've always preferred the Northern Broads as seem to be more villages to visit.

Packing - I'd advise using soft holdalls rather than suitcases. Storage space for them is often under the beds/sofa benches. Lift up the mattress.

Norwich is lovely although long walk up the hill from the moorings. Great Yarmouth not so much. You don't say if you have children with you and their ages.
Wroxham is worth a visit, if only to marvel at how many shops are called Roys! There is a reason for it. Maybe stop on your way up and do the food shop. You are prob going to drive through it on the way to the boat.

Waterproofs are needed for the people mooring up not the driver. Motor boats have steering undercover.

Food - always bacon for breakfast! It's not a boating holiday unless you can smell bacon wafting out over the moorings in the morning!

Take up the offer of life jackets from the boat company for ALL members of your family. It's often deeper and colder than you'd imagine should you fall in.

Can't remember where they are located on the southern broads but the Broads Authority have visitor centres doted around. Worth a visit - they have activity books for children geared around the Broads.

Enjoy!

funkylittleboatrace · 21/08/2019 22:15

Go to Roys of Wroxham!.

missbattenburg · 22/08/2019 16:43

Know how high your boat is - they don't all fit under all bridges

Move and moor early in the day then spend the day exploring your location. Don't explore then move and moor because you may struggle to get a moor spot.

Life jackets for anyone climbing about on the boat.

Easy/quick to put on no slip shoes for jumping up and roping the boat in etc.

Think about spending your last night very close to (or in) the boat yard so you just have to unload and go the next day.

missbattenburg · 22/08/2019 16:43

Bacon and gin

BarbarAnna · 22/08/2019 16:48

Would second the advice to moor early. We had a good time but it was much busier than we expected and not quite the relaxing holiday we envisaged.

Diagonalli · 22/08/2019 16:49

we've just come back from there - don't expect too much from the villages, we expected a little more shops

The Ferry Inn in Horning is lovely, great food & guys on site that moor for you

Use your mud weight & go and chill in one of the quieter broads for a while

beware if you try & crossing Breydon Water if you venture the other side of Yarmouth - the tides are vicious & you can only get under the bridge at low tide.

ohhellnaw · 22/08/2019 17:03

I've been going on the broads since I was a child and DM and DF own a boat on the broads

  • Stick to the speed limits
  • Check the tide times if you're planning on crossing Yarmouth (I've seen many many many rental boats not check the tide times then end up stuck)
  • Make sure you aim for a mooring spot early-ish, just after lunchtime or just before 5pm is usually good. You avoid the people who realise it's 6pm and they've got nowhere to moor
  • People will offer to help you moor, take the help lol
  • Check bridge heights, again I have seen many many renters get stuck
  • If you're planning on fishing, you'll need a fishing license (they can be done online)

Broads are a great place to holiday, have a great time!

Permanantlypuzzled · 22/08/2019 17:08

If you moor at Yarmouth when it’s high tide leave plenty of slack on your ropes.
Tide drops a huge amount ( around 8–10 feet)
We saw a few boats suspended by their mooring ropes.

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