Suggested 3 day Itinerary starting from Acle
Click the village names for more information on where to eat and drink together with information on local attractions.
Day 1 afternoon
Acle to Ludham Bridge.
Cruise up the River Bure, past the junction with the River Thurne on your right and the signposted dyke on your left, leading to South Walsham. A little time later your will see the junction with the River Ant on your right. Cruise up the Ant where you will shortly come across Ludham Bridge, marked appropriately enough by a road bridge crossing the river. Moorings are available just after you pass under the bridge on either bank.
Cruise up the River Bure, past the junction with the River Thurne on your right and the signposted dyke on your left, leading to South Walsham. A little time later your will see the junction with the River Ant on your right. Cruise up the Ant where you will shortly come across Ludham Bridge, marked appropriately enough by a road bridge crossing the river. Moorings are available just after you pass under the bridge on either bank.
6.5 miles. Journey time 1 hour 30 mins
Day 2 morning
Ludham Bridge to Sutton Staithe
Continue in the same direction passing the moorings at How Hill on your right and the village of Irstead on your left. Shortly after, the river widens to become Barton Broad. Take the marker post right hand channel across, which will lead you to the far end of the Broad. Exit the Broad by cruising up the channel marked for Stalham. A little further on the channel forks. Here take the Sutton signposted channel on your right. Cruise on until you see the start of Sutton Staithe moorings at the head of the dyke, which are on the left bank. The dyke is narrow but you are able to turn your boat at the far end of the moorings.
Continue in the same direction passing the moorings at How Hill on your right and the village of Irstead on your left. Shortly after, the river widens to become Barton Broad. Take the marker post right hand channel across, which will lead you to the far end of the Broad. Exit the Broad by cruising up the channel marked for Stalham. A little further on the channel forks. Here take the Sutton signposted channel on your right. Cruise on until you see the start of Sutton Staithe moorings at the head of the dyke, which are on the left bank. The dyke is narrow but you are able to turn your boat at the far end of the moorings.
6.5 miles. Journey time 1 hr 30 mins
Day 2 afternoon
Sutton Staithe to Horning
Return back down the dyke, across Barton Broad, the village of Irstead, the moorings at How Hill and under the road bridge at Ludham Bridge. At the junction with the River Bure, turn right. Cruise on passing the signposted entrance to Ranworth Broad on your left. Around half an hour later you will come to the village of Horning on your right. Moorings are available at any of three public houses which line the river.
Return back down the dyke, across Barton Broad, the village of Irstead, the moorings at How Hill and under the road bridge at Ludham Bridge. At the junction with the River Bure, turn right. Cruise on passing the signposted entrance to Ranworth Broad on your left. Around half an hour later you will come to the village of Horning on your right. Moorings are available at any of three public houses which line the river.
10 miles. Journey time 2 hrs 15 mins
Day 3 morning
Horning to Wroxham
This is a short cruise to give you plenty of time to spend in Wroxham, dubbed the "capital of the Broads". Continue cruising up the Bure, past the entrances to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads on your left. Soon after, you will arrive at the outskirts of Wroxham, which is lined by chalets and cottages on both sides of the river. Moorings are available at public houses and some hire boatyards. see the Wroxham directory for more details.
This is a short cruise to give you plenty of time to spend in Wroxham, dubbed the "capital of the Broads". Continue cruising up the Bure, past the entrances to Salhouse and Wroxham Broads on your left. Soon after, you will arrive at the outskirts of Wroxham, which is lined by chalets and cottages on both sides of the river. Moorings are available at public houses and some hire boatyards. see the Wroxham directory for more details.
5 miles. Journey time 1 hr 15 mins
Day 3 afternoon
Wroxham to Thurne
Retrace your steps back down the Bure, past the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads on your right, Horning on your left and the entrance to Ranworth Broad on your right. Pass by the entrance to the River Ant on your left. Eventually you will see the junction with the River Thurne on your left. Cruise up the Thurne a little until you see Thurne Dyke on the right bank, which is marked by a white windmill at it's entrance. Moorings are available either side of the dyke, and there is room to turn your boat at the far end.
Retrace your steps back down the Bure, past the entrances to Wroxham and Salhouse Broads on your right, Horning on your left and the entrance to Ranworth Broad on your right. Pass by the entrance to the River Ant on your left. Eventually you will see the junction with the River Thurne on your left. Cruise up the Thurne a little until you see Thurne Dyke on the right bank, which is marked by a white windmill at it's entrance. Moorings are available either side of the dyke, and there is room to turn your boat at the far end.
10 miles. Journey time 2 hrs 15 mins
Day 4 morning
Thurne to Acle
Allowing enough time to get you back to your home boatyard for the agreed hand back schedule, set off back down the Thurne to it's junction with the Bure. Take the left turning here. After a short cruise you will see the road bridge which marks the town of Acle and your home boatyard.
Allowing enough time to get you back to your home boatyard for the agreed hand back schedule, set off back down the Thurne to it's junction with the Bure. Take the left turning here. After a short cruise you will see the road bridge which marks the town of Acle and your home boatyard.
3 miles Journey time 45 mins
