Wroxham Broad
The broad is home to the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club. Landing is not permitted but navigation is free, although there is a charge to moor or fish mid broad. The broad is ¾ mile long and 250 yards wide, with
another entrance from the main river downstream (photo).
The trees close in again as the river meanders towards Horning, although management work does take place from time to time (photo). There are two 24
hour mooring points here, the first has room for 4 boats the second just one.
Hoveton Great Broad
On the left hidden by trees is Hoveton Great Broad. The broad has a large expanse of open water, however, it is unnavigable. Visitors wishing to view the broad can join the
nature trail that is open from 9 April - 14 September Sunday - Thursday 10.00am-5.00pm (2009). Mooring for a limited number of boats is available on the left bank (photo) and if you have a dinghy there are also moorings on the right bank near Salhouse Broad.
There are two entrances to Salhouse Broad the first on the right and a second a few hundred yards down stream. You can moor mid broad or stern-on at the bank.
Salhouse Broad
Salhouse Broad is a beautiful broad (photo). A grassy bank rises from the broad with areas of sand and fallen trees- a natural play
area for children. In the spring, you may find Bluebells in the wood and Flag Iris by the shore. (photo; view from bank) The bank had been eroded over the years and so to protect the area, coconut matting was laid to stabilise the loose ground. The area was then re-seeded and fenced off, the open weave of the matting allows the grass to grow through.
The broad was managed by the Broads Authority but the lease has recently expired and management has transferred back to the landowner, Henry Cator. The whole community is now involved in looking after the
broad and to that end they have set up the "Friends of Salhouse Broad". A Countryside Ranger has been employed to manage the site. Water is now available and there is also a children's play area
constructed from natural materials. A fee is charged to moor here, with all proceeds going back into the care of Salhouse Broad.
The broad is popular with other visitors too, Geese, Mallards, Swans, to name but a few, at times there are more birds than people. This can be a health hazard and a nuisance; (you have to be careful
where you walk). At the far end of the broad, a wooded path leads alongside a shallow finger of water to the village, ½ a mile away. In the village there are various stores, (the nearest to the broad is
the Post Office) a garage, two pubs, telephone and post box. During the summer months, a floating Ice Cream Van occasionally visits the broad.
Proceeding down stream, on the right is Woodbastwick Staithe (no mooring allowed). A very large boathouse, recently built, with a thatched roof overlooks the river. The river now
straightens out towards Dydlers Mill where it bends sharply to the right. Another long reach follows all the way into Horning. The scene changes here, the wooded banks replaced by Fen and Carr. On the
left is the entrance to Black Horse Broad.
Black Horse Broad
The broad is quite open, the cluster of houses on the far bank are in the village of Upper Street. Take care near the edges, as the broad is shallow. No mooring is allowed, but the broad is open for
navigation during the summer months.
Back on the main river there begins a line of private chalets and lodges some with there own moorings. This stretch is used by the Horning Sailing Club and can be a nightmare to
navigate when they're out in force. Always remember- power gives way to sail, so slow down, keep to the right, pass to the stern of any yacht, and look out for directions to the contrary. Horning Week
Regatta is held at the beginning of August. The river makes another right turn into Horning
Horning
Horning is a linear village stretching for over a mile along the Bure, famous as the setting for Arthur Ransome`s `Coot Club'.
Attractive cottages and modern houses line the bank. The 'Southern Comfort' Paddle Steamer (photo) departs from the quay adjacent to the Swan Inn (photo). There is a small staithe (photo) in front of the village green (photo) with a supply of fresh water, the moorings are free, but donations towards the upkeep of the green are welcomed. The staithe has been given a £50,000 face lift by the Broads Authority. The smart new staithe, which has moorings for some eight to ten boats directly in front of the village green, has been upgraded and landscaped to improve public safety.
Recently the 110 m frontage has been repiled and raised by one foot to prevent flooding. The adjacent car park has been resurfaced and drainage channels and gullies built
to carry off surface water. Safety has been improved with a raised pavement between the car park and River Bure to prevent cars driving accidentally into the river. Post and chain fencing around the
dinghy inlet is designed to prevent people falling into the river on their way back to their boats after an evening's drink.
Attractive wooden posts replace mooring rings for easy use and a new electric charging post has been installed, enabling two electric boats at a time to recharge their batteries overnight with a pre-paid
card. The card can be bought for £1 from Horning Post Office, which is open seven days a week, the Broads Authority's Norwich office, Broads Information Centres or Barnes Brinkcraft at Wroxham. Other
recharging points can be found at Wroxham, Coltishall, Ludham Bridge, Potter Heigham, Stalham, Hickling and Norwich.
Horning is very popular, and moorings are limited. On the opposite bank (photo), the Broads Authority has provided extra moorings (view from; photo), but you will need a dinghy to get across to the village.
There are a good range of shops here including, post office, newsagent, and mini-market. If you want to stop at one of the Inns for lunch or dinner, it may be prudent to book. The New Inn (photo) is on the left bank with moorings available for patrons. The boatyards are situated further downstream. Southgates Yacht Station, now the home of the Norfolk Broads Yachting Company, specialise in both traditional and more modern yachts to suit all abilities.
Lodges and Chalets of all types line the left bank; many can be hired through the booking agents Hoseasons or Blakes. Small dykes lead off the main river to grand looking holiday homes(Photo). Horning Ferry and the Ferry Inn are downstream on the left bank. On the right bank Fen restoration, work is taking place to recover the natural environment,
which had been taken over by scrub and woodland.
Horning Ferry
Like at Reedham there was once a chain ferry here, a passenger ferry still operates and is run by Freedom Cruisers.
The opposite bank is popular with Anglers, as this reach is good for Bream, Roach and Pike. The Ferry Inn has an extensive river frontage, but is sadly now closed (May 2009) (photo). There are also moorings on the opposite bank, where a boarded walk leads you to Cockshoot Dyke and then to Cockshoot Broad.
Two dykes lead off the left bank to a large Marina (photo). Just after the bend on the right bank is Cockshoot Dyke. There are good moorings in
the dyke (photo), and a visit to the hide overlooking Cockshoot Broad is recommended.
Cockshoot Broad
Cockshoot Broad (photo), and the dyke leading to it are sealed off from the main river. It has been dredged and the silt removed, it returning it to how it would of
looked a 100 years ago. White and yellow flowered waterlilys now grow in the clear water; the Yellow Flag Iris can be seen along the dyke May through to July. Follow the boardwalk (photo) along the dyke to the hide, inside it seems dark at first, but when your eyes have become accustomed to the darkness you will see hinged shutters and a notice board, open the shutters and see how many of the birds you can spot.
The river scenery changes to flat fenland on both banks.
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