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The entrance to Ranworth Dyke is ¾ mile downstream. The dyke leads into Malthouse (photo) and Ranworth Broads; the latter is closed to navigation. A chain lies across its entrance, and just beyond - the thatched roof of the Broads Wildlife Centre (photo). Here you will find an exhibition on Broadland and a viewing gallery looking out over Ranworth Broad. To the left- Malthouse Broad and Ranworth.
Malthouse Broad and Ranworth
The Island Moorings are on the left, where stern-on moorings have been provided for a good number of boats (fee). The large grassy area here is ideal for children. On the right is a small private marina
overlooked by Ranworth church (photo). Mooring by mud weight is popular on the broad as space at the village staithe fills quickly.
At Ranworth staithe (photo) mooring is stern-on and can be quite difficult when the wind is blowing off shore. A small dyke has been reserved for day boats and is where the ferry 'Helen' (photo) departs for the Wildlife Centre. Fresh water is available on the green.
At the back of the staithe is the Broads Information Centre (photo) and next door at the Malthouses is the Granary Store and Restaurant. The stores have some amusing certificates for sale, they should suit at least one of your crew, take a look next time you're here. The church of St Helen's (photo) is along the road to the right (photo: view from church). The ¼ mile walk to the wildlife centre also begins here.
The River Ant flows into the Bure a mile below Ranworth Dyke. The dyke on the left just before the Ant is Horning Hall Dyke. Moorings (photo) are available downstream of Ant Mouth near St Benet's Abbey, while on the right, Fleet Dyke leads to South Walsham Broad. The dyke is a mile long with several good places to moor (photo). A certain amount of disruption to the moorings can be expected during the work being carried out by the Broadland Flood Alleviation Project.
South Walsham Broad
South Walsham Broad has an inner and outer broad, mooring by mud weight is permitted on the outer broad (photo), but the inner broad is private
- for cruising only. On entering the broad from Fleet Dyke to the left is the boatyard of R & J Russell, and on the south eastern edge, a small staithe (photo), the
water here is shallow and only suitable for small craft. From here, you could walk to the Fairhaven Garden Trust, where there are 174 acres of exotic plants, shrubs and water gardens overlooking the
inner broad.
Just past Ant Mouth are the ruins of St Benet's Abbey.
St Benet's Abbey
The remains of the 11th century abbey stretch a long way downstream of the main arched gatehouse, the walls can still be traced along the ground. It was, at one time, one of the most important monasteries
in East Anglia, however, during the reign of Henry VIII, it was abandoned, and by 1702, although not dissolved only few buildings remained. A windmill (photo), was built
into the gatehouse over 200 years ago and is now itself a ruin. Religious services are held here once a year in august.
Keep to the right of the marked channel until passed the Abbey. From here to near Acle the Bure is very wide with flat fenland on either side, moorings are available on both banks
between here and Thurne Mouth, but this stretch can be quite choppy and the tide flows fast.
Thurne Mouth is 2 miles below the abbey, to the north two windpumps can be seen, the white windpump marks the entrance to Thurne Dyke, the Bure turns south towards Upton. Mooring is
available at Thurne Mouth with space for 11 boats. Bureside Holiday Park is at the head of the dyke on the left.
Upton dyke is 1 ½ miles downstream, it can be shallow at low tide and tricky to navigate between the lines of moored yachts. At the head of the dyke is the Eastwood Whelpton boatyard,
the village and the White Horse pub is about a 20 minute walk. I hear their Fish & Chips nights on a Friday are very good.
Acle Bridge is 1 ¼ miles below Upton Dyke.
Acle Bridge
There are plentiful moorings on both sides of the river just before the bridge (photo) and for patrons of the Bridge Inn downstream. Water is available at Horizon Craft.
A new bridge (photo) completed in 1997 replaces the old bridge, built in the 1930's; it could not cope with the heavy lorries and had begun to subside.
The village
of Acle is a mile away, it has a railway station with regular trains into Gt. Yarmouth, good pubs, a Little Chef and a range of stores. Provisions are available at Acle Bridge Stores (photo).
Mooring is available here on the right bank before the entrance to Ackle Dyke for which there is a fee of £5 per night, redeemable at the Hermitage Restaurant located at the head of the
dyke.
The river narrows after the dyke and reed beds again line the banks, until Stokesby is reached.
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