For many years the broads were regarded as natural features of the landscape. It was only in the 1960s that it was proved that they were in fact flooded mediaeval peat excavations. Despite the construction of wind pumps and dykes, the flooding continued and resulted in the typical Broads landscape of today, with its reed beds, grazing marshes and wet woodland. The broads are connected by a number of navigable rivers and the whole area is managed as a national park by the Broads Authority who levy a licence on ALL craft using the waterways.
Start Info: At Horstead Mill there is a free car park with approx 12 spaces.
Please park considerately. From Norwich on the B1150 turn right at the cross roads in Horstead (The Recruiting Sergeant pub is on the left). Horstead Mill is a small unmarked turn on the left about ¼ mile along Mill Road).
The disused lock at Horstead is portaged via two gentle slipways and a boardwalk which offer very easy access and the potential to use a trolley.
Horstead Mill is the head of navigation for the Broads Authority and it is possible for small cruisers to make their way up to Horstead. However few proceed beyond Wroxham where there is a very low bridge and even fewer go beyond Coltishall so you should have the river to yourself – quite unusual on the Broads!
The River Bure has been navigable for some 31 miles (50 km) as far as Horstead Mill, near Coltishall, since at least 1685, when cargoes of coal, corn and timber were carried to within 1 mile of Meyton Manor House. It was stated at the time that the river could be improved to enable boats to reach the house. Vessels could not travel beyond Coltishall, and so Aylsham was served by carts, either loaded from wherries at Coltishall and carried north, or loaded from boats at Cromer and carried south.
On the broads the main navigation areas are often marked by stakes. If you keep outside of these areas (in the shallower water) you will not be troubled by larger craft.
The larger broads and rivers are heavily used by motor cruisers and sailing yachts.
On the rivers it is not only important to keep to the right hand side of the river but also to keep out of the way of larger craft whose helmsmen may not know or may choose to ignore the conventions! Also, remember that boats under sail may need to tack. Always pass behind them.
