Coltishall Common
The common offers good moorings (photo) although the available space soon fills. The nearby road into the village (turn left) is busy, but set well back from the river. At the common there is two good pubs the Rising Sun and Kings Head (photo), the Red Lion is situated nearer the village and is recommended. In the village, there is a petrol station, fish and chip shop (limited opening hours),
supermarket, pubs and other businesses. Downstream of the common you arrive at the old Anchor Hotel, now a private house, moorings (photo - looking upstream) are still available (fee) and so too is water.
Belaugh
Belaugh is 1½ miles below Coltishall, there is a small staithe here (photo) and a boatyard. The river is overlooked by the village (photo - looking upstream) and St Peter`s church (photo) and makes a pleasant place to moor. There are no shops here, but there is a public phone and post box. There is space for one boat to moor at the church staithe.
Downstream of Belaugh there is a much photographed view of the church. The river now makes a wide horseshoe bend as it passes through woodland. Shortly on
the right, there is a small staithe with free mooring (photo) the staithe is presently closed for repairs and is due to open again later in the year (2006). On the hill above is Wroxham Parish Church, the Castle Inn however, has long since closed. Care is needed when leaving the staithe as the water on this bank is quite shallow.
On the right just before Wroxham is Bridge Broad, a small broad with an exit back onto the main river nearer Wroxham. The river now meanders left then
right, where on the left bank good free moorings stretch almost to the Railway Bridge (photo). This is a good place to moor to go into Wroxham or to lower your canopy
and windscreen for the bridges ahead. If you do wish to go into Wroxham follow the path alongside the river and under the railway on a new boardwalk into Wroxham.
The river flows under the Railway Bridge, Connoisseur Cruisers are on the right, with Blakes Staithe on the left, mooring here is stern-on only, moorings
are also available for patrons of the nearby Kings Head.
Wroxham/Hoveton St John
Wroxham is considered to be the capital of the Broads, and is where boating holidays started in the late 1800's. It has become quite commercialised over the years with hotels, tearooms and gift shops springing up near the river. The village on the left bank of the river is actually Hoveton St John, Wroxham being on the right, but they have both come to be known as Wroxham.
There is a good range of shops here, but the most famous is Roy's (photo), probably the largest village store in the country, its open seven days
a week, and even has a McDonalds instore.
Just behind Blakes staithe is the Broads Information Centre where information is available for attractions both on and off the river. The area just before Blakes Staithe has
undergone a £500,000 facelift. The project has turned the derelict land into a unique new riverside park. The area includes a new bridge across a dyke linking nearby moorings, and facilities for small
boats to be launched. The new owners of the land Roys of Wroxham have donated the land and funds. More information is available from the Broads Authority.
The Bure Valley Railway is situated just beside the main station, listen out for the sound of the steam engines. The home of the railway is Aylsham, where you will find a
souvenir shop and restaurant. The nine mile journey takes about 45 minutes. And if you are based here, Wroxham Barns a craft centre, just north of Wroxham, has displays of rural crafts, with workshops
where you can see some of the crafts being made. There is also a tearoom, picnic area and adventure playground.
Wroxham Bridge (photo: view upstream from bridge) is now in sight, keep to the right here heading down stream and slow down as the semicircular road bridge has only 7 ft 3 in headroom at average high water. (Water levels on the Broads are rising, at certain times of the year the clearance under the bridge can be severely restricted). Check for boats coming the other way and when its clear proceed through the centre of the arch. Move well over to the right after passing through, to avoid boats manovering to line up with the bridge. A bridge pilot is available just before the bridge (fee).
The temporary footbridge (photo) alongside the main bridge has now been replaced with a splendid new one (photo).
Passing through the bridge the river opens up, (photo) with the Hotel Wroxham on the left (photo - looking upstream).
Developments of holiday homes, apartments and the few remaining boatyards line both banks but the scene is still very attractive (photo) with mature trees and lawns to offset the new buildings (photo looking up stream).
A little further on thatched cottages and lodges line the banks, long gardens sweep down to the waters edge, large houses can just be glimpsed through the
trees. Swans, Geese, Mallards and even Gulls often gather here, tempted by tasty titbits thrown from passing boats. Soon the trees close in and Wroxham is left behind.
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