Barnes Brinkcraft Boating Holidays
WHERE
Norwich
What it’s like
Hire a boat and take the family out on the Norfolk Broads, with over-14s allowed to take the wheel under supervision.
You pick up a day boat or a holiday boat and steer it yourselves around the Norfolk Broads, no experience needed since they run you through the basics on arrival. There are no locks anywhere on the navigable Broads, which takes a lot of the stress out of it, and the site is upfront that you can turn a boat round almost anywhere if you get in a muddle. Kids over 14 can actually take the helm with an adult alongside, which is the bit that'll stick in their memory long after the holiday's over.
The boats themselves are properly kitted out: onboard toilet and shower (flushable, not a portaloo), a cooker, and heating for when the Norfolk weather turns. Everyone in the party gets a life jacket to wear on board, dogs get one too if you fancy bringing them, for a £10 refundable deposit. You'll want to stock up before you set off, since there's no food laid on and Roys supermarket is a five minute walk from the yard.
Timing is worth planning around. Boats are usually ready between 2 and 4pm on the day you arrive, and you need to have it back by 9am on your last morning, so it's an early start on departure day whether you like it or not. Bridges at Wroxham, Potter Heigham and Ludham need a bit of thought too. Wroxham pilots are free, Potter Heigham costs a small fee, and high tides can stop you passing under either, so check before you plan your route.
Hire boats do involve steps and narrow spaces, and they're not step-free. Mooring at Horning can get busy in peak season too, which is one to bear in mind if you're hoping for a quiet spot.
Need to know
- Best for
- Families with a teenager keen to take the helm themselves
- Booking
- Book online by the hour or for whole day
- Wheelchairs
- Hire boats not wheelchair-accessible or step-free
- Dogs
- Allowed. Life jackets available for £10 refundable deposit
- No locks on the Broads, so turning the boat around is easy pretty much anywhere
- High tides can stop you passing under Wroxham, Potter Heigham or Ludham bridges, so check before setting off
- Dogs are welcome on board, with a life jacket available for a £10 refundable deposit
- Horning mooring gets busy in peak season
- Fishing's allowed in season with the right licence, but there's a closed season from 15 March to 15 June
Plan your visit
Do we need any boating experience?
None at all. They give you customised tuition when you arrive to pick up the boat.
What are the pickup and return times?
Boats are usually ready between 2 and 4pm on the day you start. They need to be back by 9am on your departure day, so it's an early finish.
Are there toilets and showers on board?
Every boat has a proper flushable toilet and a shower, plus onboard heating for cooler days.
Can kids drive the boat?
Over-14s can take the wheel with an adult supervising alongside them.
Do we need to bring food?
Yes, there's nothing provided on board. Roys supermarket is a five minute walk from the yard so you can stock up on arrival.
Are the boats wheelchair accessible?
Hire boats involve steps and narrow spaces and aren't step-free. It's best to talk to the team about specific access needs before booking.
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