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IWA Branch
Navigation Authority
The Broads Authority
18 Colegate, NORWICH, NR3 1BQ
Tel: 01603 610734
Fax: 01603 765710
broads@broads-authority.gov.uk
The Broads system consists principally of tidal rivers over which there is a presumption of public right of navigation. Man-made dykes, channels and basins have been added to the main rivers and broads, and the legal status of some of these is unclear.
Oulton Broad and Dyke
This runs from Lowestoft Harbour to River Waveney over a distance of 4.5 miles (7.2km) with 1 lock.
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
86ft | 20ft | No limitation by structures
| 9ft |
26.2m | 6.1m |
| 2.7m |
River Waveney
This runs from Geldeston Lock to the River Yare over a distance of 21.6 miles (34.7km) with 1 lock.Geldeston Lock to Beccles
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
No length limitation by locks | No limitation by locks
| 13 6ft 6in | 5ft 6in |
|
| 2m | 1.7m |
Beccles to the Junction with the River Yare
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
No length limitation by locks | No limitation by locks
| 8 ft 4in | 5ft |
|
| 2.5m | 1.7m |
Hadiscoe New Cut
This links the rivers Yare and Waveney and stretches for 2.5 miles (4km) with no locks.
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
No length limitation by locks | No limitation by locks
| 24ft | 5ft |
|
| 7.3m | 1.5m |
River Yare
Norwich city to Trowse Newton
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
No length limitation by locks | No limitation by locks
| 9ft 6in | 10ft 6in |
|
| 2.8m | 3.2m |
Trowse Newton to Yarmouth Bar
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
No length limitation by locks | No limitation by locks
| 35ft | 10ft 6in |
|
| 10.6m | 3.2m |
River Yare Broads and Branches
The River Chet is a shallow tributary of the Yare, running from Hardley Cross to Loddon over a distance of 3.5 miles (5.6km) with no locks.
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
32ft 10in | 16ft | No length limitation by structures | 3ft |
10m | 4.8m |
| 0.9m |
River Bure
The rivers runs from Coltishall Lock to Yarmouth over a distance of 31.3 miles (10.3km) with no locks. Coltishall Lock to Wroxham
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
75ft | 16ft | 7ft 3in | 5ft |
22.8m | 4.8m | 2.2m | 1.5m |
Wroxham to Yarmouth
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
75ft | 16ft | 7ft | 6ft |
22.8m | 4.8m | 2.1m | 1.8m |
River Bure Broads and Branches
The distance from the River Bure to the North Walsham and Dilham Canal is 8 miles (12.8km) with no locks.
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
60ft | 17ft | 8ft 6in | 5ft |
18.2m | 5.1m | 2.5m | 1.5m |
River Thurne
The river runs from the River Bure to Martham Broad over a distance of 6 miles (9.6km) with no locks.
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
60ft | 7ft 6in | 6ft 8in | 5ft 6in |
18.2m | 2.2m | 2m | 1.6m |
North Walsham and Dilham Canal
The public right of navigation still exists to Swafield Bridge but the 4 locks are not in use. Honing Lock is the theoretical head of navigation for small powered craft but silting and reed encroachment make the passage difficult for other than small craft.
Swafield to Dilham Dyke
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
50ft | 12ft 4in | 7ft | 3ft |
15.2m | 3.7m | 2.1m | 0.9m |
Boaters’ services
Hire Boat Companies
Camelot Craft
The Rhond, Hoveton, NORWICH, NR12 8UE
Tel: 01603 783096
New Horizon
The Staithe, STALHAM, NR12 9BX
Tel: 01692 582277
Fax: 01692 581522
Moonfleet Marine Ltd
The Staithe, STALHAM, NR12 9DA
Tel: 01692 580288
Fax: 01692 582636
Hunter’s Yard
Horsefen Road, LUDHAM, NR29 5QG
Tel: 01692 678263
Aston Boats
Bridge Wharf, BECCLES, NR34 0PA
Tel: 01502 713960
Boatyards
Sabena Marine
Repairs, pump out, diesel
Marsh Road, WROXHAM, NR12 8UH
Tel: 01603 782552
Fax: 01603 784215
Broadwater Boats
Repairs, pump out, diesel, chandlery
Ryder Marine UK, Horsefen Road, LUDHAM, NR29 5QG
Tel: 01692 678040
Fax: 01692 6786952
Ferry Marina
Repairs, pump out, diesel, gas
Ferry Road, Horning, NORWICH, NR12 8PS
Tel: 01692 630392
Fax: 01692 631040
Visitor Attractions
Norwich Cathedral
The Close, NORWICH, NR1 4EH
Tel: 01603 218321
Fax: 01603 7669032
Vis-profficer@cathedral.org.uk
Woodforde’s Brewery Shop & Visitor Centre
Broadland Brewery, Woodbastwick, NORWICH, NR13 6SW
Tel: 01603 722218
Fax: 01603 721806
Berney Arms Windmill
3½ miles NE of Reedham on N bank of River Yare
GREAT YARMOUTH
NR31 0QA
Tel: 01493 700605
Historical Information
By the 12th century much of the woodland in this area had been cleared for fuel and building and over the next few centuries, peat was extracted in large quantities. The pits gradually began to fill with water, forming a wetland landscape rich in wildlife. The waterways were vital for communications and commerce. By the 16th century, Norwich was the second largest city in England after London. Goods from the city were exported world-wide through Great Yarmouth. The arrival of the railways brought competition for waterways transport but also brought visitors to the Broads.
Further Information
For book maps, guides, videos, DVDs and gifts on this waterway, click here
Websites
Local government links
