Wroxham

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, tea rooms and gift shops springing up near the river. The village on one side of the river is actually Hoveton St John, Wroxham being on the other, but they have both come to be known as Wroxham.

Wroxham Bridge is a semicircular road bridge and has only 7 ft 3 in headroom at average high water, and water levels are rising! The bridge is probably the most difficult to navigate after Potter Heigham Bridge. There is now a Bridge Pilot for those skippers not wishing to take their boats through the bridge. The old footbridge was replaced in July 2002, the new one above is a vast improvement. The pipes that were visible are now hidden away in the structure of the bridge.

Looking upstream towards Wroxham bridge. There are short stay moorings here for yachts to lower their masts.

Looking downstream from Wroxham bridge.  The Hotel Wroxham is here with it's outdoor terrace, an ideal spot to relax with a cool drink while watching the varied craft 'shoot' the bridge.

And opposite the hotel on the other bank is an attractive development of holiday homes and apartments.

Looking upstream from Wroxham bridge:  The bridge pilots moorings are here on the right and beyond Blakes Staithe where there are free stern-on moorings.

Just behind Blakes staithe is the Blakes Information Centre where information is available for attractions both on and off the river.

The area next to 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 Roy's of Wroxham have donated the land and funds. More information is available from the Broads Authority.

There is a good range of shops here, but the most famous is Roy's, probably the largest village store in the country, its open seven days a week, and even has a McDonalds in store.

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.

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 tea room, picnic area and adventure playground.

A little further downstream 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.

A trip boat heads down the Bure from Wroxham heading for Salhouse Broad. If you are not on a boat this is an ideal way to discover more of the Broads.

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