The charming River Waveney meanders through the southern Broads via a beguiling landscape of meadows and marshland, read our guide to taking your boat there for the weekend
As part of our brand new WEEKENDER series, this month we bring you the River Waveney.
Padstow weekender
Beaulieu weekender
Brighton weekender
From Geldeston Lock to Breydon Water, the River Waveney flows through a delightful rural landscape of open marshland, grassy meadows and tree-lined stretches that is occasionally enriched by windmills, ruins, boatyards, bridges and riverside settlements.
Its historic landmarks include the ruined Roman fort at Burgh Castle, which can be easily reached via the nearby public moorings, the Edwardian swing railway bridge at Somerleyton, and St Mary’s Church at Burgh St Peter with its distinctive stepped brick tower.
Nav notes
Those cruising along the east coast can join the River Waveney via the North Sea ports of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Alternatively, trailboaters can launch their craft by prior arrangement at the following locations: Goodchild Marine (Burgh Castle), South River Marine (St Olaves), Oulton Broad public slipway, Waveney River Centre (Burgh St Peter), Galleon Storage and Mooring (Beccles) and Rowan Craft (Geldeston).
Mooring
Options include several of the Broads Authority’s 24-hour free moorings. The majority are located in isolated positions and do not have any facilities. Alternatively, the Yacht Stations at Oulton Broad and Beccles offer convenient access to local services. Their own facilities include shore power, showers, toilet block and a laundry.
For the best mooring, hire a buoy on Oulton Broad to enjoy either a ringside seat during the Thursday night powerboat racing in the summer or to enjoy the complete tranquillity and stunning sunset (weather permitting) at other times.
Fuel
Diesel is available at the following places:
Burgh Castle
Goodchild Marine Tel: 01493 782301
Burgh St Peter
Waveney River Centre Tel: 01502 677343
Beccles
Quayway Boats Tel: 07946 663053
Galleon Mooring Tel: 01502 714154
HE Hipperson Ltd Tel: 01502 712166
Pilots/guides
Admiralty Leisure Folio SC5614; Imray C28; Imray 2000; Imray 2000.10. The Broads – Cruising and Tourist Map (Waterway Series), Heron Maps
Contacts
Broads Authority
Tel: 01603 610734 www.broads-authority.gov.uk
Oulton Broad Harbourmaster
Tel: 01502 574946
Beccles Harbourmaster
Tel 01502 712225
For the full feature see the December 2013 issue of MBM.
