Salhouse Broad

Salhouse Broad

Boats Moored at Salhouse Broad

Salhouse Broad is a beautiful broad, a grassy bank rises from the broad, flanked by woods on either side. In the spring you may find bluebells in the wood, and flag iris by the shore. The broad is popular place for wildfowl, see how many you can spot, if you’re not sure of the names a notice board nearby lists the most popular ones. Birds recently sighted here include Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Heron and many more.

Facilities include moorings (fee), water (fee), canoe hire, ferry to Hoveton Great Broad and “back to basics” camping. Toilets are available at the car park, a short stroll from the broad.

Canoe and Kayak Hire at Salhouse Broad

Canoes for hire at Salhouse Broad

Canoes and Kayaks are available for hire from Salhouse Broad, for just an hour up to 24 hours. Equipment provided includes buoyancy aids, map and dry bag. The broad is ideal for your first time out in a canoe as it’s off the main river and has the old Wherry Cut for you to explore. More information is available from the countryside rangers on 07795 145475. Opening hours: 9.30am – 7pm, 7 days Easter – End of October.

The Hill and Children’s Play Area at Salhouse Broad

The hill and children's play area at Salhouse Broad

The bank rising up from the broad is a natural play area for children. Here you will find The Hungry Otter, serving teas, coffees, ice creams, homemade sausage rolls and more. The top of the hill is also home to a new play area for children to let off some steam and new for 2023 a dark skies viewing platform to lay back and enjoy the night sky. A path runs along the top of the hill, to the right is the bluebell wood and to the left the path leads through a blackthorn thicket and down to the main path.

The Wherry Cut on Salhouse Broad

Boardwalk alongside the Wherry Cut

The Wherry Cut is a narrow finger of water that leads off the main broad and would at one time have led to the staithe. A boardwalk runs alongside the cut and makes a pleasant alternative to the gravel path. The boardwalk is currently being rebuilt with help from Norwich City College and to help fund the work, there is the option to ‘sponsor a plank’ and purchase a plaque with your own inscription.

You may be able to spot a couple of wrecks on the far side of the cut just poking up out of the water. The wrecks are old gunboats not as you might expect old wherries. Water Witch is the name of one of the boats and featured in the film ‘Letter From East Anglia’, made by the Children’s Film Foundation.

Salhouse Spit

A Boat Moored for the Evening on Salhouse Spit

As well as the stern-on moorings at the ‘beach’ visitors to Salhouse Broad can also moor alongside at Salhouse Spit. The spit is the strip of land that separates the River Bure from Salhouse Broad, moorings are available on both sides, the land is private and fee’s are payable.

Mud-Weighting on Salhouse Broad

Boats Mud-Weighting on Salhouse Broad

At the opposite end to the Wherry Cut is a little bay encircled by Salhouse Spit.  This sheltered area of the broad has become popular with boaters wishing to moor mid broad by mud weight.  The photo was taken before the restoration of Salhouse Spit, the work done here to restore the spit back to it’s 1940’s waterline has been nominated in the finals of the 2013 Water Renaissance Awards to be held in Birmingham on 23 May.

Sunset over Salhouse Broad

Sunset over Salhouse Broad

The broad is in the ideal position to catch the late evening and early morning sun and is a popular spot to moor on any evening of the week. It is less than hours cruise to both Wroxham and Horning, and for this reason it can get busy the evening before changeover day.

Thanks go to Kelly at https://www.salhousebroad.org.uk/ for the updated information and photographs.