Boating Holidays

Norfolk is a great place to come for your boating holiday. The Norfolk Broads are the largest wetland in Britain and is specially protected with the equivalent status of a national park. There are six rivers connecting forty broads, making over 200km of waterways in all, and just waiting to be explored. Water, reeds, marshes and tangled woodlands make up the Broadland landscape - a haven for birds and wildlife. The North Norfolk Coast has many creeks, channels and inlets to explore. Places to visit include nature reserves, churches, windmills, craft centres, and numerous waterside villages with pubs, shops and restaurants.

Loynes Boatyard of Wroxham.

The first person known to have made a living out of hiring boats to holidaymakers on the Broads was John Loynes who founded his Wroxham business in 1878. The following 50 years saw many others follow his example as the popularity of the Norfolk Broads grew and boating became a recognised leisure interest for the ordinary person. By the late 19th century, boating on the Broads by the Victorians had mushroomed into a substantial tourist trade, with boatyards offering for hire craft of all description. Although visitor numbers have now fallen back from the pre-war heyday, hiring boats on the Broads is still a major industry.

Herbert Woods at Potter heigham.

One of the most famous names in the Norfolk Broads hire boat industry is Herbert Woods, and his name can still be seen all over the local buildings. Among Herbert Woods ’ many achievements was the building of Broads Haven in Potter Heigham which was the first yacht marina on the Broads. The large 2-acre basin was dug out by hand and completed in 1931. Broads Haven was home to Herbert Woods hire fleet with its famous “Lady” fleet of yachts and “Light” fleet of motor cruisers. Herbert Woods also designed many types of private boats including his personal racing yacht Ladybird, the Norfolk dinghy and the 22ft Norfolk Punt Limelight. The fact that many of these boats are still sailing today speaks volumes for the craftsmanship of the boat builders at this Potter Heigham yard.

Hunters Yard at Ludham.

One of the most famous boatyards on the Broads, Hunters yard still hire out traditional Norfolk sailing yachts - gaff rigged, no engines and no electricity - just oil lamps! If you would like to experience authentic 1930's Broads sailing, Hunters yard is the place for you!

Moonfleet Marine at Stalham.

Situated on the upper reaches of the River Ant, this boatyard offer a modern fleet of cruiser with the facilities you would expect from a top cottage - flushing toilet, heating, toilet, fridge, TV and DVD player! Stalham is an ideal place to start your Norfolk Broads holiday with over 120 miles of lock free waterways to discover.

Wells next the sea harbour.

If you have your own sea going cruiser, one of the best places to stop over is Wells next the sea; situated a good mile or so from open water. Like many places along this stretch of the Norfolk Norfolk Coast, silting has limited access to the sea, but back in Tudor times, Wells was one of the great ports of eastern England. It’s still one of the most attractive towns on the North Norfolk coast, and the only one to remain a commercially viable port. It features many narrow creeks nicely sheltered from the offshore winds and makes a very good base for exploring the surrounding coastline.

Pontoons for the mooring of visiting boats at Wells

Norfolk Broads Yachting Company.

The Norfolk Broads Yachting Company (Southgates Boatyard), in Horning, was founded just before 1900 and built both luxurious cruising yachts for holidaymakers and some of the most locally renowned racing yachts of the day. Back in those days a party of visitors would charter a yacht with a skipper and steward for around £8 a week, to cruise and explore the Broads. Today the company is the oldest name to still be involved in Broads Yachting and apart from the addition of a few modern comforts, the craft remain unchanged.

Pleasure Wherry Hathor, near Ludham.

Pleasure Wherry Hathor is perhaps the most special sailing vessel in the whole of Norfolk, if not the country. Everything about her draws you back to a slower age, whilst also drawing you into the mysticism of Egypt and of the goddess of love and joy after whom she is named. Hathor is one of 3 wherries operated by the Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust and you can join one of their day sailings.

Barnes Brinkcraft in Wroxham.

Barnes Brinkcraft is situated in Wroxham, the heart of Broadland. The boatyard is owned and personally run by the Thwaites family team. They offer a massive 23 types of boat, with something to suit all tastes.

Nancy Oldfield Trust in Neatishead.

The Nancy Oldfield Trust, based in Neatishead, also have a pontoon on Barton Broad and they offer sailing holidays (and other pursuits) to those with disabilities. Whilst teaching in a school in East London, Richard Kenyon, a qualified sailor, had an idea of teaching life skills to handicapped children through sailing. He decided to act upon his idea and in 1984, the Nancy Oldfield Trust was born. Today, the Trust provides a wide range of sailing and other water-based activities for the disabled, both mentally and physically handicapped adults and children.

Martham Boats of Martham.

Martham Boats offer a wide range of traditional wooden cruisers, most of which were built at the boat yard in Martham during the 1940's and 1950's. All of their cruisers are handcrafted in wood and have been constructed to blend in with the romantic views of both the Norfolk Broads and Suffolk Broads and their wildlife.