HORNING

Horning is a picturesque waterside broadland village and if you only visit one Broadland village, then Horning has to be that one. The village lines the northern bank of the River Bure, stretching for about a mile, and has many waterside properties (best viewed from a boat). There are waterside pubs, shops, restaurant, tea-rooms, boat trips and other attractions to enjoy. Horning Ferry is on the outskirts of the village, about a mile along Lower Street. It is well worth a walk on a fine day and there is a marina, leisure club and the Ferry Inn (currently closed). The church of Horning is another mile walk along country lanes, but you are rewarded by a fine church and a path leading to views of the River Bure.

Horning staithe is a lovely spot to start our tour, but it is also a great place to just sit and watch the world float by ... or to try and find a space to moor! The name Horning means the "folk who live on the high ground between the rivers" It's history dates back to 1020 when the manor was given by King Canute to the newly founded Abbey of St Benet.

A sign on the staithe gives more information about the history of the village.

All kinds of boats visit Horning, including traditional Norfolk wherries - here Albion from the Wherry Trust.

Moored in Horning, the Southern Comfort is a double-deck paddle-steamer, purpose built for the Broads with a capacity of 100 passengers for public trips or private hire. The Vessel is a luxury river cruiser which runs regular trips from Horning, along the River Bure, through the village and out to Ranworth and back. The boat has a bar and sometimes a jazz band playing onboard! See their website for more details.

Picturesque Lower Street runs parallel to the river and contains some lovely shops and restaurants. Little has changed for years and the village looks very similar to what it did back in the 1930's (as the two photographs below show). Two local businesses worth pointing out are the wonderful delicatessen and the Staithe and Willow thatched restaurant overlooking the staithe - both are recommended!

Horning has some great riverside pubs. The Swan Inn is a majestic building, situated on a sharp bend in the River Bure. The building mainly dates from the 19th century, but part is a cottage dating back to 1696. It has been a distinctive landmark for years and has featured in several books and films. A little further along Lower Street is the New Inn, which has a large riverside garden.

The village contains a real mixture of properties, of all ages and style. Many have pretty riverside gardens, with plenty of flowers in summer.

The summer fete takes place on the village green during the summer months. Other events include regular sailing races, organised by the very active sailing club situated in the village. The most famous race is called the "Three Rivers Race" and is a grueling 45 mile test along the rivers Ant, Bure and Thurne. The race takes place early in June and has been organised by Horning Sailing Club since the 1960's.

The Norfolk Broads Yachting Company (Southgates Boatyard), on Lower Street, 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.

Continuing to walk along Lower Street takes us out of the main village, heading towards Horning Ferry. The walk gives fine views over the River Bure.

After about a mile we come to Horning Ferry, consisting of a boat marina, small leisure centre and the 3rd of Horning's riverside pubs - the famous Ferry Inn (please note that this pub is currently closed) The pub had to be rebuilt after it took a direct hit from a German bomb on 26th April, 1941. 22 people were killed in the attack as they stood drinking at the bar, some were RAF pilots from nearby RAF Coltishall. The original Ferry Inn was built in around 1840 on the site of a monks' mead house which belonged to the old abbey many centuries ago. It is supposed to be haunted by the ghost of a girl, who visits the Ferry in a 20 year cycle!

Horning Ferry also contains many holiday cottages and lodges. Its a great place to base your holiday in the region, as you have good access by river to the some of the best places on the Norfolk Broads, and you are also not too far from the Norfolk Coast and the city of Norwich.

If we continue past Horning Ferry for another mile, we come to the impressive village church of St Benedict. The church dates from around 1220. The earliest parts of the building are the priest's door in the Chancel and the pillars in the wall on the north side of the Nave. Inside the church you will find a 14th century lead lined Baptismal font, interesting carvings on the Choir Stalls and four Coats of Arms which relate to the history of the church.

Around the side of the Church is a path that leads to a small staithe on the River Bure, belonging to the Church. Its a great quiet spot to just sit and watch everybody else cruise by!

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