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Painting of two white-sailed dinghies on a Broads reach past a riverside cottage — a general Norfolk Broads scene, not this stop
Sailing on the Norfolk Broads, painting by Michael Hodges. · Artwork supplied by Old Sea Dogs

Old Sea Dogs Guides

Wroxham & Hoveton

The ‘capital of the Broads’: two villages either side of the 1619 Wroxham Bridge, the busiest hire-boat base on the system and the place to provision for the northern rivers.

Harbour · Norfolk Broads

Welcome to Wroxham & Hoveton

Wroxham and Hoveton face each other across the Bure at Wroxham Bridge. Most of the shops — including Roys, the station and the Hotel Wroxham — are actually on the Hoveton bank. It is where many Broads holidays start, so expect hire-boat changeover traffic on Fridays and Saturdays.

RiverBure (northern Broads)
Low bridgeWroxham Bridge 2.18 m at average high water; Hoveton Viaduct 4.83 m
Bridge pilotNorfolk Broads Direct 07775 297638 — hire boats only, £15, 08:30–17:00, 28 Mar–end Oct 2026
Free BA 24-hour mooringsHoveton Viaduct (315 m) and Hoveton St John (61 m, stern-on)
TideHW about +4 h 30 min after Gorleston (Broads Authority)
Speed limitSigned on the banks — 3 to 6 mph over the ground across the Broads

Setting & Character

Wroxham and Hoveton face each other across the Bure at Wroxham Bridge. Most of the shops — including Roys, the station and the Hotel Wroxham — are actually on the Hoveton bank. It is where many Broads holidays start, so expect hire-boat changeover traffic on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bridges & Air Draught

Wroxham Bridge is one of the lowest on the Broads at 2.18 m at average high water. Hire cruisers may only go through with the Norfolk Broads Direct pilot at the wheel (07775 297638, £15, 08:30–17:00, 28 March to the end of October 2026). Private boats work from the gauge boards and their own measured air draught. The Hoveton railway viaduct just upstream gives 4.83 m. Boats going with the current have priority at bridges.

Figures are Broads Authority clearances at average high water — read the gauge boards on the day.

Choosing a Berth

Hoveton Viaduct — free Broads Authority 24-hour mooring, 315 m, above the road bridge on the Hoveton bank.

Hoveton St John — free BA 24-hour mooring, 61 m, stern-on.

Boatyards — Norfolk Broads Direct (Faircraft Loynes), Barnes Brinkcraft (DP16 BA mooring, ask reception) and Bridge Broad Marina (Landamores). Check the signs: there are both stern-on and side-on berths.

Wroxham Broad is privately owned (Norfolk Broads Yacht Club). You may cruise across it but not stop.

Fuel & Facilities

A full village centre in Hoveton: Roys department store and food hall, a bank and cash machine, a launderette opposite the Norfolk Broads Direct yard, a Broads Authority information centre on Station Road, and the mainline railway station plus the Bure Valley Railway. Pump-out, water and fuel are at the boatyards — confirm with the yard.

Pubs & Food

Contacts from Norfolk Broads Direct and venue pages — call ahead, hours change by season.

  • The Kings Head Hotel — riverside pub with a large garden by Wroxham Bridge, 01603 782429.
  • The Wherryman’s — riverside café, bar and pizzeria behind the Norfolk Broads Direct office, 01603 784041.
  • Number 14 Hoveton — café near the bridge, 01603 784348.
  • Liberty (01603 782337) and Yim Siam Thai restaurant (01603 781133) in Hoveton.

Things to See

Ashore and on the water.

  • Broads Tours — guided river trips and summer music cruises from the Norfolk Broads Direct marina, 01603 782207.
  • Bure Valley Railway — narrow-gauge steam to Aylsham, 01263 733858.
  • Wroxham Barns, about 1.5 miles on foot, 01603 783762.
  • Hoveton Hall Gardens, about 1.5 miles north (seasonal), 01603 784297.
  • Wroxham Week regatta, last week of July, on Wroxham Broad.

Tides

The Broads are tidal as far up as Norwich, Wroxham and Stalham. Use the Broads Authority tide table for Gorleston (Yarmouth Bar) and add the inland difference.

At Wroxham & Hoveton, high water is about 4 h 30 min after Gorleston (Broads Authority average figures).

This guide does not copy tide heights. Not for navigation.

Broads Authority — Tide information Broads Authority — Bridge heights and openings

Old Sea Dogs View

Wroxham & Hoveton is one stop on the Norfolk Broads hub — use the map there to plan the next leg.

Skipper's Notes

Quick notes before arrival.

  • Fridays and Saturdays are hire changeover days — moorings are tight and the river is busy.
  • Measure your air draught before you arrive; 2.18 m at average high water is less on a big tide.
  • Hire boats: book the pilot, don’t try the bridge.
  • Wroxham Broad: no stopping.

Information checked against official sources

The practical information in this Guide was checked against the sources below on 30 October 2026. Operational details change — confirm with the Broads Authority, yacht station, yard or pub before arrival.

  • Broads Authority — Yacht stations
  • Broads Authority — Moorings
  • Broads Authority — Bridge heights and openings
  • Broads Authority — Tide information
  • Norfolk Broads Direct — Wroxham

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my boat under Wroxham Bridge?

Only if your air draught clears the gauge — it is 2.18 m at average high water. Hire cruisers must use the Norfolk Broads Direct pilot (07775 297638, £15, 08:30–17:00, 28 March to the end of October 2026).

Where can I moor for free at Wroxham?

The Broads Authority 24-hour moorings at Hoveton Viaduct (315 m) and Hoveton St John (61 m, stern-on) are free. Boatyard berths are charged — ask the yard.

Can I stop on Wroxham Broad?

No. Wroxham Broad is privately owned. You may cruise across it but not moor or anchor.

Conditions

Tide and wind

A quick look at the water around Wroxham & Hoveton before you set off. Always check the full forecast and tide tables.

Tide times official tables

Broads Authority tide table for Gorleston plus inland differences (HW about +4:30 here). Not for navigation — confirm with Broads Control on 01603 756056.

Broads Authority — Tide information

Wind knots

Now
SE 4, gusts 5
Sat
SE 5, gusts 8
Sun
NNW 6, gusts 11
Mon
NNE 15, gusts 24

Powered by Met Office data. Day figures are for midday. Updated 15:54.

Find your way

Location

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Open Wroxham & Hoveton in Google Maps

This map is provided for general orientation only and must not be used for navigation.

Cruise On

Where the water leads next

Horning

A long riverside village on the Bure with thatched waterfront houses, three pubs with moorings and free Broads Authority posts at the staithe and on the marshes.

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Cruising Area

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Painting of two white-sailed dinghies on a Broads reach past a riverside cottage — a general Norfolk Broads scene, not this stop

Harbour

Horning

A long riverside village on the Bure with thatched waterfront houses, three pubs with moorings and free Broads Authority posts at the staithe and on the marshes.

Local knowledge

Know this area?

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