Top 10 Tips (updated) for a great boating holiday on The Norfolk Broads

Planning a boating holiday on The Norfolk Broads in 2024 or 2025? Here are my Top 10 Tips for first (or second, or the third) time boaters on The Norfolk Broads.
From the best time to visit The Norfolk Broads to suggestions on what to do (and what not to do) on the water, this video will give you a taste of what you can expect.
Cruising on The Norfolk Broads is a lovely relaxing holiday (apart from the odd mooring episode, perhaps 😀 ) with plenty of time to enjoy the nature around you as well as the comings and goings on the rivers.
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Please add any questions in the comments section below and I will (try to) answer them.
This video will also help you to decide which boat to choose: • The Norfolk Broads - w...
This video is a good introduction to what you can expect on The Norfolk Broads: • An introduction to boa...
Introduction: 0:00:00
Best time of year to visit the Norfolk Broads: 0:00:24
Which type of boat is best: 0:00:52
The Biggest boat isn't always the best: 0:01:17
Mooring on The Norfolk Broads: 0:02:04
When to cruise: 0:03:16
Things to see on The Norfolk Broads: 0:04:16
Crossing Breydon Water: 0:04:56
Norfolk Broads Sail boats: 0:05:33
Make a List: 0:06:11
The Bow Thruster: 0:06:40
#thenorfolkbroads #holidaysonthenorfolkbroads #boatingholidayswroxham #boatingholidaysstalham #norfolkbroads2024
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Attributions
Pike:
Trevor Salmon / 22.5 lb Broads Pike caught on the Yare West of Surlingham / CC BY-SA 2.0
Yachts:
Stavros1 at English Wikipedia
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
Wherry:
Norfolk wherry Albion at Ludham Flickr user Fimb Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license
Swallowtail:
Creative Commons License, Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0. Hugh Venables
Norwich
Saxsux at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Breydon Water
Bob Crook / Breydon Water
The Norfolk Broads, often referred to as "Britain's Magical Waterland," is a unique and enchanting network of waterways located in the East of England.
Natural Beauty:
The Norfolk Broads boast a diverse and unspoiled natural environment. The waterways meander through picturesque countryside, offering glimpses of reed beds, marshes, and woodlands. The area is renowned for its rich biodiversity, providing a habitat for a variety of bird species, including swans, herons, and kingfishers. The expansive skies of Norfolk add to the beauty, especially during breathtaking sunsets and sunrises.
Water Activities:
One of the primary attractions of the Norfolk Broads is the opportunity for water-based activities. Visitors can explore the region by boat, whether it's a traditional sailboat, a motor cruiser, or a canoe. The calm waters make it an ideal location for boating enthusiasts of all levels. Fishing is also a popular pastime, with the Broads teeming with a variety of fish, providing a serene and contemplative experience for anglers.
Wildlife Sanctuaries:
The Broads are home to several wildlife reserves and sanctuaries, providing a haven for rare and protected species. Hickling Broad and Ranworth Broad are notable for their diverse ecosystems and the opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. Nature lovers can embark on walking trails to appreciate the flora and fauna unique to this region.
Historical Windmills:
Norfolk's iconic windmills add a touch of history to the landscape. Many of these structures have been lovingly preserved and stand as reminders of the region's past reliance on wind power for drainage and milling. Some windmills are open to the public, offering panoramic views of the Broads from their elevated positions.
Relaxation and Tranquility:
The Norfolk Broads provide a peaceful and idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The slow pace of exploration, the rustling reeds, and the gentle lapping of water against boats create an atmosphere of tranquility, making it an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation and a connection with nature.
In summary, the Norfolk Broads present a captivating blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities

[@TheCountryTraveller]

If you like this video, here is another one that may interest you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXfJlGRmfc6hY9E Thanks for watching!

[@SomeplaceOrAnother]

Great tips 👍😃

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Tx Brian, glad you liked it. All the best, Rob

[@SloveniaWalksAndViews]

Thank you for sharing great tips.

[@marksecker1596]

Very useful video, informative

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Thanks very much Mark, I'm pleased you found it useful. I made another 'tips' video - here's the link, in case you haven't seen it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmWTk52ceLmeoc0 Thanks for watching and best wishes, Rob

[@AbenaAbuah]

Thanks for this information. Very helpful

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Tx Abena I'm pleased you found it useful. Best wishes, Rob

[@karenmorley3465]

Really helpful thank you Rob. Looked lovely

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Thanks Karen. We are going back there again this month, so I might pick up some more tips! Tx for watching

[@eamonnobrien1410]

Thanks for sharing

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Hi Eamonn. I hope you find it useful. We are back on the Broads in May for another week so I expect I will be posting some more videos then. Tx for watching the vid and taking the time to comment, much appreciated :) best wishes, Rob

[@bhikhuradia5642]

Quite useful tips. We have done narrow boats with 6/7 friends on canals. What advice you will give hiring at Norfolk Broads for 6 friends for 3 to 4 days. Never done Norfolk Broads before

[@shanehumberstone5262]

Another handy tip is take some electricians tape to put on the steering wheel so you know where the middle is for going in a straight line,helps immensely in my experience,we went from March 11th to 18th,it was so quiet and easy to find moorings wherever we wanted to go

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Tx Shane, that's a great tip. After our visit in May I might be able to put together another 10 tips :) I can believe that it was quieter in March but you can still get great weather - last week on the Broads would have been idyllic. All the best, Rob

[@shanehumberstone5262]

@@TheCountryTraveller yes it wasn’t half as busy as when I’ve been other times,a few of the shops and pubs hadn’t even opened up for the season yet,the highlight was meeting up with the admiral russel Thomson for his birthday get together at acle bridge inn on the Saturday and robin shepherd aka the captain was there along with quite a few people,meeting two KZbin celebrities in one night can’t be bad 👍🏻😃

[@TheCountryTraveller]

@@shanehumberstone5262 Haha sounds like you had a great time. I'm sure that we will visit that very pub in May! I thought Spring had arrived but we seem to be back in Winter now... I mustn't dig my shorts out of the drawer too early :) All the best, Rob

[@janentomenkafka]

Hi Shane, this works perfectly if the rudder is cable/chain driven. If the steering is hydraulic, the "middle" will tend to shift over time.

[@shanehumberstone5262]

@@janentomenkafka that’s why tape is best,it can be removed and new tape put on when you find the sweet spot

[@marklawrence855]

Some great tips,I have my own boat and yes it has a bow thruster 😀

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Thanks very much Mark. You can't beat a bow thruster :) We were back on the Broads in May and I will be uploading another Top 10 Tips later this year. If you have any tips that you'd like to include, please let me know. Tx for watching the vid and taking the time to comment, much appreciated. Best wishes, Rob

[@Alasdair54]

There are not as many riverside pubs as the publicity suggests nor can you moor "anywhere". Lots and lots of "No Mooring" and "No Hire Boats" signs. We always have enough food on board for a couple of main meals plus snacks and lunches. That way, if you don't get moored at the pub you planned to eat at, or close enough to walk to, you can moor somewhere less busy or mudweight on a Broad. Look at maps before your holiday and grasp where places are. Plus look at the Tide Tables and plan your cruising to coincide, so you use less fuel and can plan ahead as to which direction to approach your intended mooring.

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Hello Alasdair, thanks very much your comments, much appreciated. I made a second 'Tips' video and in that I nemtioed about carrying in food in case moorings are difficult. Good point about the tides, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks agin for taking the time to comment, much appreciated. Best wishes, Rob

[@shanehumberstone5262]

Always take a black or very dark coloured towel to lay on the dash if it’s white,when the sun is out you won’t be able to see out of he windscreen

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Hi Shane, thanks for taking the time to make comments on the vid, very much appreciated. This is an excellent tip and one I hadn't thought of. We are back to the Broads in May so I will take a dark coloured towel. Best wishes, Rob

[@shanehumberstone5262]

@@TheCountryTraveller hoping to move my boat from the great Ouse to the broads at some point in the next year or so as on the great Ouse I pay almost 600 quid a year to not be able to even use the river at times when there’s strong stream happening or broken locks or silt build up,at least on the broads I’ll be able to use my boat when I want to

[@TheCountryTraveller]

@@shanehumberstone5262 If I lived on or near the Broads I'm sure we would buy a boat. It's a lovely environment to enjoy for (almost) all of the year. Sounds a better option for you if you are close enough, rather then not being able to use it at times. Good luck with the move :) best wishes, Rob

[@michaeljones8016]

Nowadays the bookings dont go up that much when fishing season starts.Re-Mooring you should tell new boaters to always come into moorings against the tide,then 1 person jumps of bow of boat with a rope and the tide then pushes the stern in against the bank. NEVER moor with the tide.

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Thanks again Michael. Yes, that is a very good point. I may make another Top Tips video and I would certainly include that. I didn't know about the fishing season bookings. Thanks for your interest and all the best, Rob

[@shanehumberstone5262]

At ranworth staithe you cannot double moor as they are stern on moorings

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Tx for clarifying that Shane. Yes stern on at Ranworth, so no double mooring.

[@stuartstephens4538]

Unless your going to rent the QE2 a bow thruster really isn't necessary. As for crossing Breydon Water ,one drunk idiot a year gets into trouble, it's a pond with markers all the way ,just stay between the markers . If you can drive a car you can cross Breydon Water with your eyes closed. As for going to the beach for the day,my bet is your only going for a week the day you arrive it will be 4 pm before your underway, and the day you return the boat it is going to be early in the morning ( 9 am)so you will only be on the water for 6 days, and renting a boat that costs 1200 quid or more ,I sure am not going to leave 200 quids worth of my money moored up all day doing nothing. You can go to the beach anytime. See as much of the Broads as you can,there not that big , we hire from Wroxham and get down to Oulton Broad up to Norwich all in the first three or four days,then come back and do the north Broads. There isn't that much to see above Wroxham or Potter Heigham Bridges. Get the BIGGEST boat you can afford , having to make up the table into a bed is a pain ,and if your the couple that are sleeping on it you have to wait until the others go to bed. Just my thoughts.

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Hi Stuart, thanks for taking the time to comment on my 'Top Tips' video. The video is really aimed at first timers to the Broads, so I tried to highlight what there is to do, on and off the water. I take your point about getting a large boat and for a group, I'd agree. If it's a couple who are visiting the Broads for the first time, then I would suggest a small boat is better. Same for the bow thruster. It's not essential but it does help to get the boat into a small mooring space, which is often all there is available. If you have any more tips, as an experienced boater, I'd love to hear them. Thanks again Stuart for your comment. Best wishes Rob

[@shanehumberstone5262]

Nah,bow thrusters are girly buttons

[@TheCountryTraveller]

Haha not for me. I have found them really useful - but I'm no expert :)

[@clairemosby8127]

You’ll be saying next that winding car windows are better than electric 🤣

[@stevecarter8810]

You sound like a whisky drinker