Canoeing Guide
The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads and their feeder rivers offer a variety of canoeing opportunities for paddlers of all craft and all levels of experience. The major tributaries outside of the area controlled by the Broads Authority offer canoeing on quiet waters away from powered traffic, whilst the rivers within the Broads system offer the opportunity to survey this special conservation area and it…s wildlife from close quarters, albeit in company with other, larger, craft. The Broads themselves offer what can be at times challenging canoeing for the more experienced paddler, particularly during less settled weather, whilst the advanced paddler can find extreme conditions around the mill races on the major rivers and on those rivers and broads subject to strong tidal flows.

All craft using the Broads are required to be licensed. Licenses may be obtained from:

Broads Authority,
18 Colegate,
Norwich,
NR3 1BQ,

tel: 01603 610734

or alternatively, membership of the British Canoe Union covers your craft for the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads as well as British Waterways Board and other navigation authority waters.

Details and membership from British Canoe Union, Adbolton Lane, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 5AS.

It is important to note that there are few inland waters in which there is an automatic right to navigate. Within the Norfolk Broads many areas of water are privately owned, and their use regulated to varying degrees. There is limited land access to the rivers and broads, and access is often over land in the guardianship of parish councils or private trusts. Rivers outside the jurisdiction of the Broads Authority are also subject to riparian rights of ownership, and in some cases can only be canoed by arrangement with the riparian owner, normally through the BCU…s voluntary Access Officers. Generally speaking, individuals and small groups are less likely to encounter difficulty. Larger groups should seek local advice before their trip.

REMEMBER - Do not canoe alone - wear a buoyancy aid - undertake a course of training - paddle within your ability

CANOEING THE PRINCIPAL RIVERS

RIVER ANT In the past commercial traffic made it's way through canalised rivers to North Walsham and beyond. Whilst there have been a number of proposals to reopen the navigation, in practice Honing Lock is generally regarded as the upper limit of navigation, even for canoes. Below Honing the Broads Authority has found no evidence to support a right of way to the confluence with the Dilham Canal. At present use by non-powered craft is tolerated by the owners, however this stretch of water is highly regarded and is likely to become subject to a permit system .

Below Wayford Bridge the river is shared with commercial hire craft, with the spur to Sutton and Stalham busy with a number of hire yards. Barton Broad is the home of the Norfolk Punt Club, and offers challenging sailing. At present the Broad has ongoing dredging work under the Clearwater 2000 project. Below Barton the river narrows considerably, and the stretch below Irstead can be unpleasantly busy. (Note that Barton Turf and Irstead discourage launching). RIVER BURE
- Whilst the Bure Navigation is occasionally canoed from Aylsham (access by arrangement with the landowner), the river is narrow and shallow, and relatively unrewarding until Burgh. Buxton offers a more accessible launch, below the mill, with one portage at Horstead before joining the Broads network. Whilst the river has much interest to Belaugh, Belaugh to Wroxham is hard work for rather limited rewards. Rather than launching in Wroxham into dense powered traffic (!) start from Norfolk Broads Yacht Club on Wroxham Broad, where a small fee is payable for launching and parking. These are the classic broads - Salhouse, Black Horse, Ranworth and South Walsham, with other broads closed to paddlers and powered craft alike. Below South Walsham the canoeist will find stronger tidal flows and limited scenic interest. RIVER CHET
Canoeing is also possible on the River Chet launching at Loddon or Chedgrave. The river upstream of Loddon Mill is private water and all land rights are reserved, although in the long term Chedgrave Parish Council would like to see this opened up at least as far as Sisland Carr.

Launching from the Town staithe, the boatyards (by prior agreement) or Pye’s Mill picnic area you will be sharing the river with Motorcraft. Landing sites exist down stream close to Chedgrave Common and Hardley Flood. Further river works are planned for 2003/2004, which may remove much of the piling.

At the moment only experienced canoeist should proceed downstream of Hall Carr Farm staithe as both banks are piled and there is nowhere to go if confronted by an inexperienced holidaymaker on a hireboat.

It is an attractive little river upon which to combine canoeing, a picnic and perhaps bird watching, especially spring and autumn, but maybe no more than a half-day excursion. RIVER THURNE
For the reasonably accomplished paddler the linked broads of Horsey and Hickling offer an extended and often very exposed trip through important wetland reserves. Horsey Estate make a small charge for launching at Horsey Mill, whilst launching at Hickling Pleasure Boat is by permission of the publican.

Whilst Winterton Staithe and Brograve Dyke are temptingly close to the Beach, there are objections to the launching and recovery of craft (mooring for up to 24 hours is a common right on most public/parish staithes. Below Thurne Mouth the River Bure becomes strongly tidal, and of more interest to the advanced paddler. RIVER WAVENEY
The Waveney has become one of the more accessible rivers for canoeists during recent years to the extent that it risks losing some of the qualities which make it attractive. Occasionally navigated as far as Diss during higher water levels, the river is more commonly paddled between Belccles, Bungay and Earsham. Below Beccles the river continues to Oulton Broad, and becomes subject to vigorous tidal flows through the network of the New Cut, the Yare and Breydon Water, of interest to the serious paddler. Mutford lock gives access through Lake Lothing for both sea going vessels, and sea paddlers alike.

RIVER WENSUM
The River Wensum is more commonly canoed from Fakenham, but refer to BCU Access Officer for the latest information. The upper Wensum is an important conservation area in this narrow and meandering stream. Between Lenwade and Attlebridge the river meanders through unwelcoming private waters.

From Attlebridge down there are no known objections, and sport for accomplished paddlers can be found in the various mill races. New Mills Yard represents the gateway to both the Port of Norwich and the Broads, but should be approached with caution in high water. The passage to the confluence with the Yare below Norwich is full of contrasts from cityscape to watermeadows.

RIVER YARE
The Yare rises above Norwich and is canoeable from Bawburgh some 8 miles upstream from Norwich, but narrow and potentially hazardous in higher water. Portages at Cringleford and Keswick are in private ownership, whilst access at Trowse has been maintained. Below Brundall the river becomes increasingly tidal and frequented by larger and more powerful and occasionally water-skiiers. Reedham Ferry is notorious for its fast tides, and passage between Reedham and St Olaves or Great Yarmouth must be regarded as a serious undertaking for paddlers equipped to advanced proficiency standard.

PADDLING ON THE SEA Sea Canoeing even in calmer conditions is a serious undertaking requiring a strong canoeing ability, appropriate craft and equipment and good local knowledge. More information can be obtained from any canoeing centre of direct from the British Canoe Union.

The above information is reproduced with kind permission of the Norfolk School of Canoeing © Paul Fynn - Norfolk School of Canoeing