Horning and Horning Ferry
Horning
Horning is a linear village stretching for over a mile along the River Bure. It is famous as the setting for Arthur Ransome’s ‘Coot Club’. Attractive cottages and modern houses line the bank.
Horning Staithe
There is a small staithe in front of the village green including a small dyke for rowing boats to tie up. The moorings are free and include an electric hook-up (fee payable) but space is limited. Mooring is also available on Perci’s Island opposite. Water and pump-out facilities are available a a little further downstream at Southgates Boatyard and at Ferry Marina.
Perci’s Island Moorings
On the opposite bank to the staithe there are extra moorings at Perci’s Island (fee payable). There is no access to the village from the island other than by boat. It is an ideal place to sit and wait for a mooring to become available at the village staithe.
Horning Village Green
The village green is a relatively recent addition to the village. In the early 1900’s there were malthouses here and the Staithe ‘n’ Willow was a residential house!
Shops at Horning
Along the main street are a good range of shops including a Post Office, butcher, and delicatessen. You will also find three inns and a number of restaurants.
The Staithe ‘n’ Willow
At the back of the staithe beside the village green is the Staithe ‘n’ Willow tearooms and restaurant. The attractive thatched building was built in 1695, with later additions added in the 1800’s and 1960’s. The gardens are an ideal spot to watch the boats coming and going, on Sundays the local sailing club race along the river to add to the excitement.
The Swan Inn
The Swan Inn sits on a tight right-angled bend in the River Bure and signals the start of the village of Horning as known by visitors arriving by boat. The origins date back to 1696 but the main part of the inn dates from the early 19th century. It is a major landmark in the area and has featured in both books and films. If you want to stop at one of the Inns for lunch or dinner it may be prudent to book, not only your table, but your mooring too.
Southern Comfort Paddle Boat
The double-decker paddle boat was purpose built for use on the Broads and will carry 100 passengers. It plies its route from the quay at Horning adjacent to the Swan Inn down the River Bure to Ranworth and back.
The New Inn
The highly regarded New Inn is a traditional family pub with a large riverside patio. Mooring is available for day boats in the their small basin and for larger craft stern-on mooring is available on the quay heading.
Lodges and Chalets at Horning
Lodges and chalets of all types line the left bank as the River Bure heads downstream towards Horning Ferry. Small dykes lead off the main river to grand looking holiday homes. The White Mill is in a particularly attractive spot on a bend in the river before Horning Ferry. Many of these riverside properties are available for hire through local and national booking agents.
Horning Ferry
Horning Ferry and the Ferry Inn are downstream on the left bank. At one time as at Reedham a chain ferry operated here. A foot passenger ferry runs now thanks to the landlord of the Ferry Inn. The Ferry Inn is known for it’s excellent carvery, it has an extensive riverside frontage with gardens and a children’s play area. There are also moorings on the opposite bank at Woodbastwick Staithe where a boarded walk leads you to Cockshoot Dyke and then to Cockshoot Broad. This section of the Bure is popular with anglers as this reach is good for Bream, Roach and Pike.
St Benedicts Church
St Benedict’s Church is set on high ground overlooking Horning Marshes. Although the church is situated away from the village of Horning the parish stretches as far as Thurne Mouth and includes St Benet’s Abbey. Moorings are available for visitors wishing to visit the church.