Norfolk Broads web site providing General Infromation for Boating
Enthusiasts with Maps and Photographs of Norfolk, Suffolk and East
Anglia UK.
The Norfolk Broads web site is the Boating, Holidays afloat and Water
Sports guide for the Broads National Park, East Anglia and the East
of England UK. Content ranges from Maps, Guides and Information for
Boaters with broads boating and sailing to attractions, leisure centres,
hotels and accommodation.
Norfolk Broads guide to Broadland and East Anglia with Photographs,
Maps, Guides and Information ranging from walking and boating to accommodation.
Helpful and informative advice to make your holiday, or visit, that
much more enjoyable and safer. Maps and Guides are offered as an essential
aid to help you get the best out of your visit. The Broads Society
plays an important role in the maintenance of the Broads and the Rivers
of Norfolk and Suffolk.
Quick Links:
The part of Norfolk & Suffolk, known universally as the 'Broads',
is far more extensive than just a collection of inland, water-filled
broads. They are connected by over 200 miles of gently flowing, navigable
rivers, dykes and cuts that offer ideal cruising conditions at between
5 & 7 mph. You can cruise right into the heart of the city of Norwich,
or travel east as far as Great Yarmouth, where the Broads eventually
affords access, (for those with suitable craft), to the North Sea.
Providing you're not in a hurry you can travel many leisurely miles
throughout the Broads region, for days on end.
The Broads
Society plays an important role in the maintenance of the Broads
and the Rivers of Norfolk and Suffolk. The Anglian
Marine Industries Association is the British Marine Industries
eastern region association and has the prime objective of promoting
and protecting the interests of all marine based industry in Norfolk,
Suffolk and Essex.
The British
Waterways website helps reveal the hidden world of Britain's inland
waterways. It shows how you can find and enjoy them, how they are
managed and how you could get involved in their future conservation.
We've already mentioned historic Norwich, ..... Norfolk's
capital city , with its 11th century cathedral and Norman castle.
The river played a vital part in the building of the Cathedral, over
900 years ago, providing the means by which barges transported the
vast quantities of Caen stone used to built it. Throughout Broadland,
and immediately beyond, are literally hundreds of historic churches;
more numerous than are to be found anywhere in the British Isles.
Everywhere you look bears witness to the rich history of the Broadland
region. On the edge of the vast expanse of Breydon Water stands the
Roman remains of the once mighty Burgh Castle, whilst further upstream,
on the river Bure, are the remains of St. Benet's Abbey. Throughout
the Broads are found examples of ancient windmills and windpumps.
Some regrettably now in ruins, but there are many which have been
lovingly restored to their former glory.
History and Beauty go hand-in-hand in Broadland and is far more extensive
than can ever be conveyed to you within these few paragraphs. Seeing
is believing, so do just that please come and see it. You're guaranteed
a warm welcome.
Bringing your boat to the Norfolk and Suffolk
Broads
HELPFUL and informative advice to make your holiday,
or visit, that much more enjoyable and safer. Maps and Guides are
offered as an essential aid to help you get the best out of your visit.
DON'T just turn up on the off-chance of finding a
suitable boat to hire, or you may well be disappointed. Make your
reservation before you come; even up to a year in advance. Choose
your holiday, or day boat, right now and get it reserved for your
holiday, or day out, on the river.
Water-borne visitors will soon be able to moor at Whitlingham Country
Park, at Trowse.
Planning permission has been granted for eighty metres of free, Broads
Authority 24 hour moorings and a canoe launching pontoon at Trowse
Eye where the Yare and Wensum meet. Funding is now being sought.
New 24 hour moorings were up and running this year at Thurne Mouth,
and new moorings are to be built on the approach to Oulton Broad,
next to the Dutch Tea Gardens.
Moorings at Womack Water, Dilham Staithe and Herringfleet Hills are
being replied, while those at Hoveton Viaduct, Worlingham and Aldeby
are to be refurbished.
SAILING & BOATING All boats using the rivers and broads must pay
a toll to the Broads Authority. The Authority keep the waterways clear
and safe for navigation. Toll fees are normally included within the
hire charges but check each operator. Surfboards are treated as sailing
craft and as such require a licence.
Trowse Bridge Trowse swing bridge on the River Wensum, which was closed
to river traffic for eight months last year while awaiting repair,
has been opening to a set timetable since June.
The bridge was closed in October 2003 after joints, which attach the
track on the bridge to the mainline railway, were found to have deteriorated.
Only one company in the UK makes the unique parts so they were not
ready for months.
LICENSES/TOLLS Broadland water navigation Licences are required
and can be obtained from The Broads Authority @ 01603 610734 and also available from.
WROXHAM
Information Centre and Norfok Marine Chandlery
OULTON BROAD
Harbour master and The Information Centre
Oulton Broad Yacht Station. 01502 574946
BECCLES
Information Centre
MARTHAM Martham Boatbuilding
Pricing is based on length and according to power or sail ie. less
than 8mt. cabin cruiser is £17.90 for seven days short term increments
of seven days to twenty eight days max.
SAILING All boats using the rivers and broads must pay a toll to the
Broads Authority. The Authority keep the waterways clear and safe
for navigation. Toll fees are normally included within the hire charges
but check each operator.
RACES AND REGATTAS Most sailing clubs welcome visiting sailing boats
in their open events. Today there are over 2,000 motor and sailing
cruisers for hire and you can book one for any time of the year.
RACES The Three Rivers Race lasts for two days and is held at Horning
in early June. It is a spectacular race to watch as all kinds of sailing
boats take part. It lasts for two days and the boats sail up and down
the rivers Bure, Ant and Thurne, in any order, depending on the tides.
A real test of sailing skill!
The Yare Navigation Race held in late
summer, this popular race for sailing cruisers starts at Coldham Hall
and goes down to Breydon Water and back again.
Blooming algae The Broads is not the ideal place for swimming even
though it may look tempting. It is dangerous to swim near moorings,
where boats are coming and going and where the river banks are steep.
Fast underwater currents and weeds are also potential problems.
During the summer, naturally-occurring blue green algae makes the
water unsuitable for people and animals alike. It can cause rashes
and sickness. The water is tested regularly, so watch out for signs.
Although very rare, Weils Disease is a possibility when you have contact
with water. If you cut yourslf, wash properly and use a plaster. It
is also a good idea to wash your hands thoroughly after having contact
with water.
When travelling by boat, keep an eye on children and pets. Children
should always wear a life-jacket when on deck or mooring-up. Don't
let them play on the roof or in the afterwell of your boat while it's
moving.
Tide Tables can be purchased from
sports and sailing shops in the Broadland area or The Broads Authority
Information centres. Norfolk has some of the finest windsurfing locations
in the country, suitable for all, from beginners to experts. The most
popular places on the Broads and along the coast are listed below.
These are the best places to visit, as it is very likely that local
windsurfers will be around who would only be too pleased to give help
or advice on conditions such as tides, currents and the best wind
directions. NEED THE TIDE TABLES Click
Here
Surfboards are treated as sailing craft and as such require a licence.
A two week licence can be obtained from the Broads Authority, 18 Colegate,
Norwich, NR3 1BQ tel: 01603 610734
COASTAL WATERS The most important thing to remember is safety. The
waters around the Norfolk coast are to be respected at all times,
as the tides and rip currents can be very strong. Most beaches can
be sailed from but you are advised to check with the local coastguard
and find out what the tide and wind strength and directions are before
you venture out. Remember the three golden rules, never sail alone,
never sail in offshore winds and always tell someone where you are
going.
East Runton Mainly intermediates and experts sail here, it is the
best place for surfing as big waves appear with strong north-westerly
winds. A bad point is that at high tide the sewerage outlet pipe becomes
invisible and claims a lot of equipment, as does the surf generally.
The best wind direction is from the NW.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
LIFEBOAT STATIONS
In emergency ask operator for CoastGuard (dial 999,0 or 01 as and
where indicated on dial)
RNLI All weather lifeboats at:
Cromer
Gorleston
Lowestoft
Wells on Sea
Voluntary lifeboats at:
Caister
Mundsley
Sea Palling