Eastwood Whelpton
Sailing Holidays and Yacht Hire UK
Today, St Benet’s Abbey is a site of 1000-year old ruins. This church was once the centrepiece of a monastery, which was the only one in England to not be closed by Henry VIII during his reign in the Tudor times. The ruins are now a statement landmark of the Broads.
Did you know: You can moor at St Benet’s Abbey for free overnight, but bear in mind that historic ruins may be spookier when dark outside …
Find out more about St Benet’s Abbey
‘If you have made up your mind that you are going to be a really good sailor then there is no reason why you should not be one. You do not need to have a father who sailed many times round the world in square rigged ships or have spent a childhood with boats and salt behind your ears. It just so happened I did.
I had heard of sailing on the Norfolk Broads. I thought how flat, how dull. How wrong I was! If the Broads themselves had been made specifically for small boats, and people like us who want to sail them, I for one could not have bettered their design.
Sailing on the rivers teaches you very quickly to handle your boat accurately, and as they wind through Broadland the apparently changing wind keeps you on your toes. For your very first sail I would advise you to try one of the actual Broads – there’s much more room to manoeuvre and a soft reed bank if all doesn’t go to plan.
Sailing, and perhaps racing yachts is something that once started is near impossible to stop. Like all real sports there is always something more to learn.’
Tim Whelpton 1965
Copies of ‘Broads Sailing Made Easy’ by Tim Whelpton can be purchased from the Boatyard Office. A copy of this excellent little book can be also found onboard each of our yachts in the Skippers Pack for you to read during your stay with us – and hopefully pick up a few top tips from Tim.
The Norfolk and Suffolk waterways have been for centuries been used for travelling and transporting goods, but by the early 19th century, ‘Broadland Sport’ or ‘Water Frolics’ (now known as Regatta’s!) became more popular. At that time in Norfolk, land was mainly owned by the aristocracy and tenants farmed the land. Villages spring up near the great houses and the rivers became a playground for the wealthy inhabitants and their friends. Sailing as a sport, racing and the pleasure craft industry was born.
By the 1830s ‘water frolic’ events were found throughout the Broadland area and there was a desire to develop faster and better sailing crafts. The ‘lateneer’ yachts (based on a Mediterranean design) was soon superseded by the Broads ‘cutter’ yachts – with a large ‘Gaff’ sail, long bowsprit and just one large foresail rather than the usual two. By the middle of the century boating had extended to the professional middle classes and the first sailing club was born in the area in 1859 – The Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club.
With the coming of the railways by the 1880’s Norfolk had begun to be a holiday destination particularly for the Victorian middle classes. Converted larger ‘Wherry’ trading vessels were also popular as pleasure craft providing onboard accommodation (including a piano onboard!) for family groups for their summer holiday. A small number of these beautiful large Wherries continue to be maintained and seen sailing on the water today. John Loynes, a local Master Carpenter, was one of the first to see the opportunity to build and hire smaller cabin yachts that would become more accessible and affordable to a wider audience and so the tradition of the Norfolk Hire Fleets began.
For more history – do take some time to visit ‘The Museum of the Broads’ based at Stalham. We are very proud to have been part of Broadland History over the last 60 years and the legacy of Broadland heroes like John Loynes, Percy Hunter, Tim Whelpton, can still be seen on the water today in our smaller but excellently turned out Sailing Hire Fleet, which now numbers around 60 yachts in total from 5 remaining Sailing Hire Yards.
Charter one of our yachts (either bareboat or skippered) and explore the magical waterways of the Norfolk Broads this summer. With everything from quiet winding rivers to wider, open stretches of Broads, from stunning wildlife, windmills, drainage pumps, archaeological sites, to busy little riverside villages with friendly pubs, Norfolk is a great destination for a Great British Holiday and some rest and relaxation.
Firstly head to South Walsham Broad of Coot Club fame for your first sail of your holiday. (There is a secret inner Broad to sail on too, but no engines are allowed there!) We suggest you use this beautiful stretch of open water to practice your manoeuvres, hoist your sails and get your crew acclimatised to being onboard. Next, after a morning of sailing practice, throw your mudweight (anchor) overboard for lunch on the water. If you want to moor up at Fleet Dyke just off South Walsham Broad, you can take a stroll to the Fairhaven Water Garden and grab a coffee or a beer at the Viking Pub!
Finally, we suggest you have a cosy night onboard with a home-cooked meal and a bottle of wine! Before you go to bed, remember to check the tides for Potter Bridge tomorrow.
Depending on the tide plan the timing of your passage under Potter Heigham bridge today to coincide with low water. From South Walsham, Head east as you leave Fleet Dyke passing the Medieval Monastery of St Benet’s Abbey. Do take time to moor up here for a coffee break and then take a walk to explore. Head over the fields to find the ruins of the Abbey and enjoy superb views across the marshes.
There is wonderful sailing on the River Bure from St Benets to Thurne Mouth, with wide stretches of river and few trees on the banks. At Thurne Mouth bear left up the River Thurne towards the pretty village of Thurne. This is a super spot to moor up for lunch and enjoy the hospitality of the village pub or collect an ice cream. Thurne Windmill is still working today and celebrating its 200th birthday in 2021. When the sails are turning, you can often find a Marshman inside who can regale you with stories and history of this Broadland icon.
Continue to head north to Potter Heigham, through the eclectic mix of riverside properties and keep an eye out for fishermen. Stop at the mast lowering moorings to lower your mast and head through the tiny bridge (with inches to spare!) If this is your first time we recommend you use the local bridge pilot to help you.
There is space the other side of the bridge(s) to stop and raise your mast and then set sail again towards Martham. Turn left into Candle Dyke following the signs for Horsey and Hickling.
Enjoy the peace of Heigham Sound (but mind the navigation posts and do stay in the channel! You have been warned!) Then then take Meadow Dyke towards Horsey Mere. Beautiful sailing on this Broad and a super little mooring with facilities, Horsey Mill to visit and lovely tiny National Trust coffee shop to enjoy.
Take an evening stroll to the beach (a BBQ and some sausages & marshmellows perhaps?) It is a half hour walk, but there are glorious views across the north sea and inquisitive seals to keep you company. Well worth the walk!
The Nelsons Head at Horsey village provides a warm welcome and decent local beer and food for visitors.
Spend the morning sailing on Horsey and then take Meadow Dyke out of the Broad. Take a right turn as you reach Heigham Sound and head towards Hickling Broad. There are some lovely wild moorings here at ‘Deep Go Dyke’ and ‘White Slea.’ You could stop for lunch here in this idyllic and peaceful spot. Cranes, Marsh Harriers, Herons and even the occasional Bittern are typically seen (or heard) here. If you manage to be there at the right time in the summer, Swallowtail butterflies can be glimpsed.
Sail on to Hickling Broad and head for the village of Hickling. Moor up by the pub for a relaxed evening and some local hospitality. The Norfolk Wildlife Trust visitor centre at Hickling provides some super trails around the marshes and guided walks in the summer.
Head homeward, back through Heigham Sound, planning your return to take your yacht under Potter Bridge at Low Water once again. We trust you will return to the boatyard with memories of fabulous sailing, some special highlights and great funny sailing stories to share. On your last afternoon or evening, feel free to make use of our onsite showers after your outdoors adventure! Do drop into our local, The White Horse Community Pub here in Upton for some great fish and chips and maybe even a local beer before you head home.
P.S Don’t forget to share any good photos you take with us via Trip Advisor or Google if you can! We would love to plan a Calendar with customer photographs this year.
Experiences
Full or Half day – couples, families and household groups
Simply Sail – spend some time on one of our beautiful classic sailing boats with a local instructor.
This is a ‘hands on’ experience for those wishing to have a taste of sailing a beautiful, classic Norfolk yacht under the supervision of one of our Instructor Team. Step aboard and set sail for either a gentle sail or a fun packed thrilling sail, depending on the wind and weather. You will enjoy the opportunity to hoist sails, learn some of the ropes and take the helm for a Joyride with a difference.
from just £165
per crew of up to 4 people
Highlights
Specifications
What’s Covered
Sailing on a Norfolk River can be very different!
The ever twisting rivers and changing wind and tide, reed beds and trees on the river bank, fellow river users and other sailors around you, all add to the challenge of you making the best of the wind and the river to make progress to get to your destination and enjoy the ride.
With great local knowledge our instructors know every inch of the waters around here between them and they will get you safely to your destination and back home again. There will be fun, laughter, joy and some wonderful stories too. Sit back and relax or hold tight and enjoy the ride!
“From the moment you arrive you are welcomed with open arms. The yachts are well looked after and the handover is second to none.” “Eastwood Whelpton is for all, from a complete novice to an experienced sailor they have everything you could need.”
“So if you are looking for a boating holiday or training you will not go wrong booking it with Eastwood Whelpton. “
Nick and Andrea
Tripadvisor, September 2023
“As a group of 10 sailors from a Hertfordshire sailing club, we have just spent our fourth annual Broads holiday weekend with Eastwood Whelpton boats. As usual we had lots of fun with the three gaffers we hired, including a friendly race on Barton Broad on the Monday morning. EW, as ever, were helpful; the boats ready for us on the Saturday, clean and in good condition, and the staff stayed to see us back on Monday evening.”
Marcus
Tripadvisor, July 2023
“We travelled 18,000 kms for another holiday with Eastwood-Whelpton straight off the plane from New Zealand.”
“Huge thanks to Annie and Andy and the EW team for the boat prep., dealing with our food order, and pick ups and drop offs at the station. I can’t recommend EW highly enough, and we’ll be back for another holiday just as soon as the opportunity presents.”
NZLmatt
Tripadvisor, April 2023
“A big thank you to all the staff. We enjoyed a day trip on the Moorhen for our mums special birthday. The staff were helpful from the booking process to the actual day. They could not do enough to make sure we had a fantastic day. They catered for mum’s dietary needs with afternoon tea as well as having an amazing skipper on the day to make the trip very memorable.”
paulbart9
Tripadvisor, June 2023
Gaff-rigged
(30ft sleeps 4)
A fast and powerful vintage yacht for experienced sailors.
If you want to sail a piece of Norfolk history, stunning Bootlegger oozes character with many original features. Built in 1923 by Walter Woods, she’s the oldest boat in our fleet and was carefully restored in our yard in 2019. She also has a reliable engine.
From just £30
per person per day
Classic wooden yacht.
Warm air heating and hot water.
Two burner gas hob, oven, grill and electric fridge.
Separate toilet with wash basin in the forward cabin.
USB phone charging socket.
Gaff sloop with furling jibs.
Counter balanced mast.
Bowsprit.
Length: 30ft (9.14m)
Breadth: 8ft 6in (2.59m)
Height: 5ft (1.53m)
Berths: From 5’10” to 6’2″
This yacht is fully equipped with everything you need for your sailing holiday, from a ‘Boaties’ frying pan to lifejackets, a rond anchor to a corkscrew!
There are no hidden charges. You can park your car for free and your yacht hire includes a tank of diesel, a tank of drinking water and all the gas you’ll need to cook up a roast dinner.
Our aim is that you’ll find a beautifully maintained, meticulously cleaned yacht with good quality equipment onboard. Before each hire your boat and its onboard systems are checked and fully sanitised in line with our Covid secure policy.
