Suggested 4 day itinerary starting from Stalham
Click the village names for more information on where to eat and drink together with information on local attractions.
Day 1 afternoon
Stalham to Neatishead
Head out from Stalham down the River Ant, cruising over Barton Broad. Keep between the marker posts. Half way down you will see a yellow and black striped post which marks where the channel splits towards Irstead in one direction and Neatishead in the other. Follow the posts leading to Neatishead, past Gays Staithe, where the river narrows. At the far end on your left are moorings for Neatishead village.
Head out from Stalham down the River Ant, cruising over Barton Broad. Keep between the marker posts. Half way down you will see a yellow and black striped post which marks where the channel splits towards Irstead in one direction and Neatishead in the other. Follow the posts leading to Neatishead, past Gays Staithe, where the river narrows. At the far end on your left are moorings for Neatishead village.
3.5 miles.
Journey time 45 mins
Journey time 45 mins
Day 2 morning
Neatishead to South Walsham
Come back out of Neatishead across Barton Broad. At the yellow and black marker post keep right. The channel will take you out of Barton and past the picture postcard village of Irstead. Further along is How Hill and Ludham Bridge. Just beyond is where the river meets the River Bure. As you exit the Ant turn left. A little further you will see the signpost for South Walsham on your right. Moorings are available just before you reach South Walsham Broad, which is located at the far end of the dyke.
Come back out of Neatishead across Barton Broad. At the yellow and black marker post keep right. The channel will take you out of Barton and past the picture postcard village of Irstead. Further along is How Hill and Ludham Bridge. Just beyond is where the river meets the River Bure. As you exit the Ant turn left. A little further you will see the signpost for South Walsham on your right. Moorings are available just before you reach South Walsham Broad, which is located at the far end of the dyke.
7.5 miles.
Journey time 1 hour 45 mins
Journey time 1 hour 45 mins
Day 2 afternoon
South Walsham to Acle
Retrace your steps back down to the junction with the River Bure. Here turn right and head down to Acle, past the entrance to the River Thurne on your left. The moorings at Acle are located either side of the river, both before and after Acle Bridge.
Retrace your steps back down to the junction with the River Bure. Here turn right and head down to Acle, past the entrance to the River Thurne on your left. The moorings at Acle are located either side of the river, both before and after Acle Bridge.
6 miles.
Journey time 1 hour 15 mins
Journey time 1 hour 15 mins
Day 3 morning
Acle to Thurne
Back up the Bure until you see the entrance to the River Thurne on your right. Thurne Dyke is located a little further away, on the right hand side, with moorings available both sides of the dyke.
Back up the Bure until you see the entrance to the River Thurne on your right. Thurne Dyke is located a little further away, on the right hand side, with moorings available both sides of the dyke.
3 miles.
Journey time 45 mins
Journey time 45 mins
Day 3 afternoon
Thurne to Potter Heigham
Continue up the Thurne, past the rows of river cottages on both banks of the river. The bridge at Potter Heigham marks your mooring spot for the night.
Continue up the Thurne, past the rows of river cottages on both banks of the river. The bridge at Potter Heigham marks your mooring spot for the night.
3.5 miles.
Journey time 45 mins
Journey time 45 mins
Day 4 morning
Potter Heigham to Ludham Bridge
Back down the Thurne, past the moorings at Thurne Mouth and back out onto the river Bure. Take the right hand turn and continue until you see the signpost for the River Ant on your right. A little further up is the village of Ludham Bridge. Moorings are available just beyond the road bridge.
Back down the Thurne, past the moorings at Thurne Mouth and back out onto the river Bure. Take the right hand turn and continue until you see the signpost for the River Ant on your right. A little further up is the village of Ludham Bridge. Moorings are available just beyond the road bridge.
7 miles
Journey time 1 hour 45 mins
Journey time 1 hour 45 mins
Day 4 afternoon
Ludham Bridge to Sutton Staithe
Continue up the Ant, past How Hill, Irstead and across Barton Broad, heading back towards your home boatyard. Take the signposted turning for Sutton on your right. At the far end of the river are moorings for the night.
Continue up the Ant, past How Hill, Irstead and across Barton Broad, heading back towards your home boatyard. Take the signposted turning for Sutton on your right. At the far end of the river are moorings for the night.
6.5 miles.
Journey time 1 hour 45 mins
Journey time 1 hour 45 mins
Day 5 morning
Sutton Staithe to Stalham
The journey back to your home yard should take around 45 minutes. Ensure you leave earlier enough to get back for your handover time.
The journey back to your home yard should take around 45 minutes. Ensure you leave earlier enough to get back for your handover time.
3.5 miles.
Journey time 45 mins
Journey time 45 mins
