Set sail Edwardian style
August 6th- 28th
Set sail in style on the Broads this summer aboard the Broads Authority’s three week Edwardian wherry tour.
Two traditional wherries will be sailing between Wroxham on the River Bure to Loddon, Surlingham and Norwich on the Yare from Saturday August 6th to Sunday 28th
They will be offering one way trips (connecting coach transport provided) lasting between one hour and a whole day, sometimes with meals on board, as well as half hour round trips on three days. In between there are many opportunities to look round these majestic craft while they are moored, free of charge.
This year there is the chance to sail aboard the beautiful pleasure wherry ‘Hathor’, built for the Colman sisters, of mustard fame, which is celebrating her centenary. A special on-board exhibition charting the history of Hathor will be available to view while the wherries are moored up. Wherry yacht ‘Olive’, which was built for holidays in 1909 will also be giving trips.
The wherries will visit charming riverside pubs on the Yare and then continue to sail into the fine city of Norwich on Sunday August 14th. For the next four days the wherries will offer a series of one-and-a-half to two hour sailings through the historic heart of the city, providing a rare chance to see historic landmarks such as Bishops Bridge, Pulls Ferry and the cathedral from the water.
On Wednesday August 17th the wherries will be moored on Norwich Riverside where the public can board them free of charge and take a 1 hour walk through the historic city looking at its links with Nelson. (1.30pm –3pm). Afterwards they can visit the Castle Museum for a reduced entrance fee.
On Thursday August 18th Hathor and Olive will be giving trips at Whitlingham Country Park’s ‘Go Wild At Whitlingham!’ open day, right on the city’s doorstep. There will also be landrover safaris, sailing and canoeing and performances by Nutmeg Puppet Company. A special river bus service from Norwich will be running on the day.
On Saturday August 20th the wherries will make a rare sail through the famous wherry graveyard of fascinating Rockland Broad, and on Sunday August 21st a half hour wherry sailing at Surlingham will be combined with a walk along a 5 mile stretch of the newly opened Wherryman’s Way, which tells tales of the wherrymen.
The tour will end at Barton Broad on Sunday August 28th ready for a magnificent sail past of six wherries round the broad to celebrate Hathor’s centenary on Bank Holiday Monday at around 4.30pm. The centenary sail can be watched from the viewing platform at the end of Barton Boardwalk at Neatishead.
The tour is punctuated with performances by Nutmeg Puppet Company, Spin-Off Theatre Company and other events along the river.
Wherry viewings are at Ranworth Staithe (August 7th plus Nutmeg Puppet Show), Thurne, (Aug 9th ), Loddon Staithe (August 10th), Reedham Quay (August 11th plus Nutmeg Puppet Show and Spin-Off Theatre Company), Hardley Staithe (August 12th), Woods End, Bramerton (August 14th) Thorpe Green (August 15th), Pull’s Ferry, Norwich (August 16th) Ribs of Beef, Norwich, plus morris dancing, (August 16th), Norwich Riverside (August 17th), Beauchamps Arms, Claxton, (August 19th), Rockland Staithe (August 20th) Ferry House, Surlingham (August 20th and 22nd ) Langley Dyke (August 22nd) Reedcutters, Cantley (August 23rd plus Nutmeg Puppet Show), North Quay, Great Yarmouth (August 24th), Ranworth Staithe (August 26th), Stalham (August 28th).
Half hour wherry sailings which need no booking are from 10am –3.30pm at Ranworth on August 8th and Coldham Hall Tavern, Surlingham on August 13th, Whitlingham Country Park on August 18th from 10am - 4pm and Ferry House, Surlingham on August 21st (11am –5pm).
For a brochure and booking form contact the Broads Authority on 01603 610734, or see the events section of this website.
29/06/2005
