Suggested 7 day cruise
Day 1
Upon leaving the boatyard head upstream, through Wroxham Bridge (boat height permitting). This stretch of water is very quiet and undeveloped. Continue cruising until you reach Coltishall. Plenty of moorings are available alongside the green. Moor up and sample one of several restaurants and pubs such as The Kings Head, The Recruiting Sergeant or The Norfolk Mead.
Day 2
Depart Coltishall heading downstream towards your destination of Potter Heigham. After Wroxham, the next village you come to is Horning. However, ensure you visit Salhouse Broad with its beach and play area, or Hoveton Great Broad opposite, with its fascinating Broads Authority Nature Trail. Continue through Horning and on towards South Walsham Broad passing St Benet’s Abbey. This is the remains of what was once an important East Anglian monastery and dates back to the 11th century. 
Turn into South Walsham Dyke and cruise fifteen minutes up to the broad. You can either moor to the bank alongside the dyke or drop your mudweight over board and swing peacefully in the middle of the broad. After lunch it is approximately a 1 1⁄2 to 2 hour cruise to Potter Heigham.
Upon arrival at Potter Heigham moor in view of the tiny hump backed bridge and marvel at the skill of the bridge pilots threading these large cruisers through such a tiny opening. Highly recommended (boat height permitting) is to explore the river beyond the bridge as far as Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere.
Day 3
Head downstream along the River Thurne towards the Thurne mouth, where it meets the River Bure. Turn left and continue downstream towards Acle, and under Acle Bridge towards Stokesby and the Ferry Inn. This is a real traditional pub and is an ideal place to stop for lunch. With Great Yarmouth being your final destination, this is also a good place to wait for the tide; it is preferable to leave Stokesby two hours before low water at Great Yarmouth in order to arrive there at slack water. This will make your mooring up much easier. Take advantage of the Harbour Master on hand to assist with mooring up. Yarmouth is a bustling seaside town with much to offer, including a first class beach, shopping centre, amusement arcades and funfair.
Day 4
It is time to head for Reedham. First check the height gauge beside the Yarmouth bridge and cross reference with your Skipper’s Handbook to ensure there is enough room to pass under (please check with the Harbour Master if in doubt). Follow the posts to your right after the second bridge, then through the third bridge and across Breydon Water. At the far end of Breydon Water fork right towards the Berney Arms, this is a quaint little pub with the unique feature of having no public road access. From the Berney Arms it is approximately an hour's cruise to Reedham where you will find a long quay available for visitor moorings. On the quay are two pubs and shops where you can buy milk, bread and papers for the next day’s trip to Norwich.
Day 5
Heading upstream it is about a 21⁄2 hour cruise to Bramerton. However we would recommend detours into both Surlingham and Rockland Broads before stopping at Bramerton for lunch. After lunch depart for the cathedral city of Norwich. En route pass through Thorpe (bridge height permitting), and travel past Thorpe Green. This detour takes about fifteen minutes and is very rewarding. The scenery tends to take on a more commercial theme as, in times gone by, Norwich relied heavily on river transport and the Norfolk Wherries to carry cargo. Moorings can be found in the heart of the city at Norwich Yacht Station.
Day 6
Leave Norwich retracing your steps until you arrive at the River Chet. At the head of this narrow river the small town of Loddon, is an ideal place for provisions and a lunch stop. On leaving Loddon, head back through Reedham, and take a right hand turn along the New Cut. Dug to facilitate easier passage for the trading wherries between Lowestoft and Norwich it takes you directly onto the River Waveney and St Olaves. Upon reaching St, Olaves turn left and head downstream under the bridge (height permitting) towards Great Yarmouth. We suggest that this evening you moor at Burgh Castle situated at the head of Breydon Water and the site of a Roman castle, the ruins of which can still be explored today.
Day 7
Today, it is time to head back. Set off half an hour before low water at Yarmouth. This will ensure you make the best use of the tides and obtain maximum clearance under the bridges at Yarmouth. Once through Great Yarmouth head upstream towards the Stracey Arms Mill. The four-storey mill is worth visiting and has the first proper mooring you will reach. Continue to head upstream towards Horning, about three hours cruise away. This is a convenient location for your final night being only 1 to 11⁄2 hours cruise from the boatyard.
This route plan is only a ‘taster’. There are many more Broads, villages and byways you can visit and many more routes you can take. To help explore them all, our cruisers are equipped with maps and information. There are also many excellent navigational guide books available from local shops. Enjoy your holiday.
