The East Anglia guide to the River Yare and Boating waterways for the Norfolk Broads National Park UK.

The Norfolk Broads web site is the Accommodation, Attractions and Business guide for the Broads, East Anglia and the East of England UK. Content ranges from information on the river's Ant, Bure, Thurne, Waveney, Wensum and the River Thurne Guides with Information for Boating and sailing enthusiasts.

View the Norfolk Broads area and Waterways map or see the related categories above for additional information on other rivers on the Norfolk Broads.

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Through Gt. Yarmouth, Crossing Breydon Water

Passage through Yarmouth can still be the big challenge on a broads boating holiday although not the problem it was in times gone past when motorcrusiers were under-powered and yachts rarely had engines. It’s well worth thinking about if you have not tried it but you will have to consider the tides. It’s not just a case of dashing off after breakfast. You will find Norfolk Broads Tide Tables located under the Boating & Water section.

The secret is to arrange to pass through Yarmouth at ‘slack water’ after a low tide.

You will then have ample headroom under the Yarmouth Bridges and the current is not so strong. Should you try to come from the south and go through at high water you may well find you cannot get under the bridges and there is no safe place to moor whilst you wait for the tide to drop. You need to bear in mind that there are no safe moorings for quite a stretch on either side of Yarmouth. To the north the nearest is at the Stacey Arms, which is 1 hr away and to the South the Berney Arms about 1 hr. Get the tides wrong and it will take you a lot longer.

The Broads Authority maintains a Navigation Ranger (River Inspector to us old’ens) on Breydon, staffs their yacht station at Yarmouth and there is Mr. Sanderson at his boatyard on the quay at Reedham so advice is at hand. Alternatively ring River Control on 01692 678459 for advice.

If mooring at Yarmouth, approach the moorings against the tide, which frequently runs at 4-5 mph.
It may be difficult to turn in the narrow river so turn well upstream or down depending on the tide giving yourself plenty of time. Have your crew ready, prepared and well briefed as to exactly what you want them to do. Make sure that your mooring lines are untangled and it helps if they are actually attached to the boat! Having moored up, remember the tide rises and falls by up to 2.5 m (around 7 feet), so adjust your mooring ropes & fenders accordingly and use a ‘spring’ (the Quay Attendant will show you, if you have no idea what this means!). If you are spending a day on the beach or sightseeing let the Quay Attendant know so he can keep an eye on your boat.

Slack water is about one hour after the low water times for Yarmouth Yacht Station. Ideally pick a time when this is towards the middle of the morning. Coming down on the last of the ebb without stopping will take about 2 hrs from Acle or 1 hr from Reedham or St Olaves.

From the north you must not proceed through the Bure Road Bridge if three vertical red lights are showing. It means the river is obstructed probably by a coaster moving.

Have a competent person at the helm; it is not difficult but unwise to let a child play. It may be wise for even swimmers to wear ‘lifejackets’ whilst on deck, through Yarmouth and across Breydon Water. Coming from the north, having gone through the two bridges, stay close to the right hand bank but outside the green posts. At the corner do not take a short cut, it is very shallow, pass on the riverside of the yellow mark and follow the green markers up to the right hand side span of Breydon Lift Bridge. Remember hire boats are not allowed into the commercial port so no
‘left-hands down’ on approaching the Yare. If coming from the south stick to the red posts and go through the side span on your right. Turn across the stream when you come level with the yellow marker and be prepared to increase speed as the tide may well drift you up or down stream. Keep well clear of any coasters that may be on the quay especially if their propellers are turning. Avoid the centre span even if the red stop lights are not showing as the current runs faster through here. If 3 lights are showing take extra care because a coaster may be close at hand.
(by permission of the Broads Authority A hard copy appears in their free publication – Broadcaster)

Breydon Water is wide but very shallow immediately outside the channel, stay within the marker posts. You can get quite strong cross winds so you will have to adjust your course. If younger crewmembers are steering at this point they should have close adult supervision. Watch out for larger craft not just Coasters but also big pleasure boats. If traveling at speed they may cause an appreciable wash. If someone coming in the opposite direction is throwing up a wash try and catch it at 90 degrees and warn any ‘galley slaves’ least they are handling hot fat or water.

There is a temptation to think “whooppeee…. Wide open spaces let’s wing it!!” However, bear in mind you are travelling on the very first of the flood so if you make too good a speed, by the time you get to Reedham or St Olaves, the strong ebb will still be against you. You cannot set your watch by tide tables especially if there has been a lot of rain or the barometric pressure over the North Sea is awkward. If you find you are having a ‘hard slog’ when you get to the Berney Arms or Burgh Castle it may be worth stopping for a cup of tea and let the tide turn to a flood to help you.

Whatever, by the time you get to Reedham, St Olaves or indeed Yarmouth if going the other way, you are likely to encounter currents stronger than those to which you are used. If mooring, always come head to tide. When casting off loosen the slack line first. A good tip is to pass the mooring line once round a post and then fasten it temporarily to the cleat on your boat. Your crew can then be onboard and just flip the rope over the post, with less chance of leaving anyone behind if the tide catches you. Do make sure though that the line especially the stern one does not trail in the water least it fouls the propeller.

Stern on Mooring at St Olaves can be tricky, so, try and find a wide space and once you have lines ashore manhandle the boat up or down stream till it lies against another one, leaving as big a gap as possible for the next person. Mooring at Reedham is side on but the staithe can get very busy. Follow the directions about turning as described on the boards on the riverbank. There are further moorings upstream close by the chain ferry and Inn.

At Acle, Gt. Yarmouth, Reedham and St. Olaves you can encounter strong side winds from across the marshes, which tend to blow you onto the bank you, are moored against. This can sometimes make it difficult to cast off. If this is the case, start your engine but then get your crew to walk the boat out and alongside the boat behind you. (If there is someone on board do ask permission, although, they will rarely object, if they can see you are being careful and may even help). You are now one boat width out into the stream. With the helm on ‘ lock’ and your crew fending off, proceed forward at about speed. Once your stern is alongside the gap you were moored in give it full lock and increase power. The stern will swing into the gap and the bows point out at 45 degrees to the river, straighten up and you are away.

The Southern rivers are no more difficult to manage than the northern ones, with a bit of thought and much quieter, which is nice. Remember though, if you have crossed Breydon you will be some way away from your home base even by road. It’s a good idea to check your boat over when you tie up at the end of the afternoon. If you do have a problem you can then contact your yard before they go home and if necessary they can be with you first thing in the morning.

(WARNING If your engine has a sealed cooling system then, just like the radiator on your car the cap holds back scalding hot water so let it cool before you open it).

After safely navigating Breydon water where there is no mooring, the first safe mooring spot is Berney Arms, although the only facility is the Berney Arms Public House.

Reedham
Plenty of moorings with shops nearby, toilets and rubbish facilities, buses and trains offer services to Norwich, Yarmnouth and Lowestoft. There is the 7th century church of St John the Baptist, recently rebuilt after a fire, and an animal park.

Hardley Cross
The traditional boundary of the jurisdiction of Norwich and Great Yarmouth, where the little river Chet meanders off to the left. Take it and you will pass by Hardley Flood an important RAMSAR site. There is a path on the northern bank if you want to investigate on foot. Nearest safe mooring at Chedgrave Common. Further mooring on the southern bank at Pye’s mill. Note: due to change of land use, boats over 35ft long may have difficulty in turning, at the head of navigation. Better to moor at Pye’s Mill and walk the short riverside path to the town.

Loddon
This village is situated at the end of the Chet. There are facilities offered by a number of boatyards including showers. There are a good variety of shops (late night and early morning shopping) together with Pubs, Restaurants, Coffee shops and Indian, Chinese, Fish & Chip, Kebab & Pizza Take Aways. The village of Chedgrave is a short walk to the north of loddon and has it’s own shops including a Launderette.

Langley
At the end of a little dyke to the left, shortly after Cantley Sugar Factory. Unsuitable for large boats but recently improved Overnight Moorings with footpath to the Wherry Inn.

Rockland Broad
Recently taken over by the Parish, dredging taking place 2002/2003 but keep to the channel. Public Staithe, The New Inn and restaurant with, close at hand, the famous Ted Ellis Nature reserve at Wheatfen.

Brundall
A lot of boatyards and marinas offering marine facilities, with a wide variety of shops, pubs and restaurants in a very pretty village. Buses and trains routing to Norwich, Yarmouth and Lowestoft . Places nearby to visit are Strumpshaw Fen, Surlingham Broad Nature Reserve, and Strumpshaw Steam Museum.

Bramerton
Attractive riverside moorings under wooded Cliffs with the Woods End Pub.

Whitlingham Country Park
One of the broads newest attractions, woodland walks, parkland, and two new broads for bird watching and water sports (not navigable by rivercraft). There is even a Ski slope nearby, Yes really!

Thorpe
This village is on the edge of Norwich. Free moorings are available and regular buses take you into the city. Two very low bridges with large tidal range, take care you are not trapped!