One hour paddle

Stay on Salhouse Broad and paddle as far as you can down the old wherry cut, find the gun boat dating back to WWI, explore hidden corners that you can only get to by canoe. Look out for kingfishers and other birds that like to hide away from the noise of a busy summer day…

Three hour paddle

Practise your steering as you paddle across Salhouse Broad and turn right out onto the river Bure. Watch out for the low flying Kingfisher on the quiet stretches round the first two corners. Surrounded by alder carr, a mixture of willow, dog rose and great willow herb, the landscape will change as you approach Horning, the banks becoming marshy with tall reeds obscuring your low view point. Look out for small warblers amongst the reeds. On your left you will see Dydall’s (Dydler’s) Mill, an old tower mill used for drainage.

Just before Horning there is an entrance to a privately owned Broad known as Blackhorse Broad – definitely worth a visit either for a picnic or an explore if you have the time. Paddling on to Horning, feel free to window shop along the next stretch where there are numerous beautiful riverside residences. As you arrive at Horning, straight ahead of you will see the Southern Comfort, a lovely Mississippi trip boat and the Swan Inn. You can either pull up here to stop at the pub for refreshments or a spot of lunch, or keep going round the meander to the right to find the New Inn, where you can stop instead. If you would prefer to keep going, then keep paddling through Horning towards Cockshoot Dyke (boardwalk and area appropriate for picnicking). Opposite Woodbastwick Staithe you will see Horning’s third pub the Ferry Inn. These pubs are a good halfway point for the three hour paddling, leaving plenty of time to stop and relax before returning to Salhouse.

Six hour paddle

Keep going through Horning, perhaps stop for a walk around Cockshoot board walk (either from Woodbastwick Staithe or Cockshoot Dyke) or press on to Ranworth. Follow the meandering river and pass the moorings for St. Benedict’s Church on the left. After a while there is a turning on the right which is sign posted ‘Ranworth’ – go down there…

As you enter Malthouse Broad, you will see to your right the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Conservation Centre and Ranworth Broad (not accessible to boats). Head straight across Malthouse Broad towards the Ranworth Staithe moorings. There is a small dinghy-dyke where you can leave the canoe whilst at Ranworth. There is plenty to see in this picturesque broad-side village. Visit the Broads Tourist Information Centre for details about the area, Granary Shop for an icecream or snacks, the Maltsters Pub for refreshments, NWT board walk and Conservation Centre and St. Helen’s Church for possibly the best view in Norfolk. After the 89 uneven steps, two ladders and one trapdoor you’ll need a cup of tea, so nip into the St. Helen’s visitor centre and tea room.

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