River Yare

The River Yare is one of the Broads' larger rivers, flowing from Norwich to Great Yarmouth.

Navigation on the Lower Yare is relatively straightforward, with good depths overall. However, users must ensure they stay within the marked channel - there are hazards including shallow water outside the channel marker posts.

There is a bridge at Reedham - known as Reedham Swing Bridge, which carries the railway between Norwich and Lowestoft. It is staffed 24 hours a day and will open on request.

The lower section of the River Yare is subject to relatively strong tidal flow and care in navigation is especially important. Please see our tide tables webpage.

Over recent years commercial traffic in this area has been rare. If you do encounter larger vessels, please take instructions from escort vessels and Broads Authority Rangers, who will accompany them.

The upper River Yare joins the River Wensum near the edge of Norwich City - you can find information for the River Wensum in the Yare depth maps.

Please see the River Yare Depth Map (PDF) for maps and river depths in the below areas. Please note there are multiple pages to the PDF to click through.

Turntide Jetty, past Berney Arms (Berney Arms Reach)

This stretch has deep water, and boaters will experience strong tidal flow at certain times. It is important to stay within the marked channel as the edges have shallow water. There are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings at Berney Mill and Berney Arms Reach. A 5mph speed limit applies from the approach to Berney Arms Mill to beyond Berney Arms Mill, where a 6mph limit is in place until approaching Reedham.

Haddiscoe Island is on the left. It is sparsely populated, and the land is mainly grazing marshes. There is abundant wildlife including wading birds, especially in the winter months. Berney Marshes on the right is an RSPB reserve, also used for grazing.

Stretch past Polkey’s Mill and Seven Mile House (Seven Mile Reach)

Seven Mile Reach has deep water but can experience strong tidal flows. It is important to stay within the marked channel. You’ll pass Polkey’s Mill on the right and there are further extensive views over farmland, and Halvergate and Haddiscoe Marshes. There is a water ski zone for permit holders towards Reedham and the river is wide and deep.

Haddiscoe New Cut (Reedham to St Olaves)

Just before Reedham, Haddiscoe New Cut joins the river from the left. It was constructed to link Lowestoft and Norwich for trading vessels and joins the River Waveney at St Olaves.

Along the Cut there are navigation markers and it is essential to stay well within these as there are hazards and shallow water on the banks behind them. Haddiscoe Bridge has a clearance of 7.32m (24’) at high water. Caution should be exercised when joining the rivers at each end. Keep to the centre of the channel where possible.

Upstream of Seven Mile house to Reedham (Reedham Street Reach)

The speed limit reduces to 5mph as you approach Reedham. As you approach Reedham Swing Bridge the channel is deep but ensure that you keep a good distance from the bank as there are hazards not visible at higher states of the tide. There is a Broads Authority pontoon mooring on the left for boats needing to demast or waiting for the bridge to open.

Reedham Bridge has a clearance of 3.05m (10’) at high water. The bridge operator can be contacted on VHF Channel 12 or by telephone on 0330 858 4655. The bridge has electronic information signs that indicate its status and the time to the next opening. The bridge will not open if trains are imminent.

If the bridge cannot swing it is important that vessels that cannot pass beneath the closed span do not get too close to the bridge to make their turning manoeuvres, as there are strong tidal currents in the area. If in doubt, stay away until the bridge has swung open and passage is clear. Please check the gauge boards on approach to ensure you have sufficient clearance.

Beyond the bridge, there are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings available with electric charging points. The moorings give access to the village amenities and have water points.

Reedham to Limpenhoe Mill (Reedham Ferry Reach)

The river is wide and deep and the speed limit increases to 6mph past Brit House at the end of the village. There are extensive reeds on each bank where bittern can be heard booming in springtime.

On approach to Reedham Ferry Inn the speed limit changes to 5mph. There are good water depths in the main channel but boaters are reminded that water depths may reduce significantly when approaching riverbanks at low water.

A chain ferry operates daily just upstream of the pub. Please ensure that the ferry has docked and the chains have been lowered behind it before passing across them.

Past the Ferry, the speed limit increases to 6mph. The mouth of the River Chet is on the left and immediately beyond that are the Broads Authority 24-hour moorings at Hardley Cross. There are good water depths here.

Limpenhoe Mill to Cantley (Limpenhoe Reach)

After Limpenhoe Mill, Hardley Dyke is on the left. It is narrow and shallow with a very restricted turning area with no public mooring. Further upstream is Hardley Mill. This is open to the public and fully operational at certain times. There are limited pontoon moorings with electric charging points available. There is access to the mill from the moorings.

Cantley to Langley Dyke (Cantley Reach)

Good water depths continue at Cantley and a distinctive sugar beet factory dominates the right bank. The speed limit reduces to 5mph after this point. Cantley Staithe has a public slipway and limited moorings for the village. The Reedcutter Inn is on the right just past the staithe. There are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings immediately after the inn and beyond this the speed limit increases to 6mph.

Langley Dyke on the left side of the river has private moorings and is narrow. The dyke has a turning area but is unsuitable for large boats.

Langley Dyke to Buckenham Mill (Langley Reach)

The speed limit continues at 6mph on this stretch, past Buckenham Mill. Buckenham Sailing Club is on this reach. Racing events occur but these are well marked when races are on.

Buckenham Mill to Strumpshaw Common (Beauchamp Arms Reach)

The Beauchamp Arms is on the left-hand side has some moorings for customers. There is a 5mph speed limit. The second of five water ski zones on the middle Yare is on this stretch. These zones are in use for limited periods - details are on signage prominently displayed on the banks. If you wish to water ski in these areas, you must get a permit.

Strumpshaw Marsh to Brundall Marina (Strumpshaw Reach)

Strumpshaw Fen Nature Reserve is on the right of this stretch with Surlingham Marsh on the left.

Rockland Broad and the village of Rockland St Mary can be accessed from two dykes. Rockland Short Dyke is the first approach and has a speed limit of 3mph. Broads Authority 24-hour moorings are available before you reach Rockland Broad and a 5mph speed limit then applies. Access across the broad is well marked with buoys.

There is abundant water plant growth and bird life outside the marked channel. For access to Rockland itself, take the narrow Boat Dyke, with a 3mph speed limit. There is a good-sized basin with Broads Authority 24-hour moorings and electric charging points at Rockland Staithe.

The upstream channel, Fleet Dyke, also has a speed limit of 3mph. Before you reach the dyke, on the left of the channel is The Slaughters, where sunken wherries have been abandoned and trees have grown on them. Fleet Dyke joins the River Yare opposite Strumpshaw Fen.

There are restrictions on boat dimensions in this area - the maximum width is 3.8m (12’6”) and the maximum length is 14m (46’).

Brundall Marina to Brundall Gardens Marina (Brundall Reach)

Continuing upstream of the Yare is Train Reach, where a 6mph speed limit applies. There is a designated boat test area on the approach to Brundall for use by authorised boatyards only and the water ski zone continues until the approaches to Brundall.

Brundall is the next village, and the speed limit reduces to 5mph. It is Important to stay well within this limit. The area is generally very busy, as it’s the main mooring and marina area on the upper part of the River Yare, getting closer to Norwich. Brundall has a yacht club at Coldham Hall that races regularly throughout the year. The river continues through a long sweeping bend that runs past holiday chalets and boatyards. You must take care as there are often boats turning to moor and refuel, and fishing is popular from the chalets.

On the left, just past the sailing club and Coldham Hall pub, is an entrance to Bargate Broad by way of Bird’s Dyke. Boats are restricted to those with a maximum width of 3.8m (12’6”) and length of 14m (46’). There is a 3mph speed limit. The exit, Surlingham Fleet Dyke rejoins the main river half a mile beyond Brundall riverside. Water plants in Bargate Broad can grow close to the surface, with only a channel between the two entrances cut for navigation purposes between June and September. At the upper section of Bargate Broad is the entrance to Surlingham Broad, marked by three red buoys. Beyond is a series of narrow channels and shallow broads often filled with water plants. Boats should avoid these areas.

After leaving Brundall, there are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings at Brundall Church Fen. A 6mph speed limit applies.

Brundall Gardens Marina to Postwick Marsh (Surlingham Reach)

The river continues past Brundall Gardens marina to Surlingham Ferry House pub on the left, where the speed limit reduces to 5mph. There are moorings for customers at this popular location. On the opposite bank there are some Broads Authortiy 24-hour moorings at Postwick Wharf. There are no major hazards to negotiate but be aware of shallow water close to the banks, overhanging trees and moored boats on both sides.

Postwick Marsh to Kirby Marsh (Bramerton Reach)

A short distance further on upstream there are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings at Bramerton Common, which has also electric charging points. Beyond this is the Water’s Edge, also with moorings for customers.

The final water ski zone start is upstream of the Bramerton area (towards Norwich). The zone ends just before the Postwick viaduct.

Kirby Marsh to Thorpe Marshes (Postwick Reach)

The viaduct at Postwick poses little hazard but is limited to craft with less than a 10.67m (35’) air draught, depending on the state of the tide. There are shallows close to the banks, particularly on the inside of bends.

Thorpe Marshes to Yare/Wensum confluence (Thorpe Reach)

The route toward Norwich takes you past another well-used sailing club and on toward Whitlingham Country Park on the left and Thorpe to the right. There are Broads Authority 24-hour moorings at Commissioner’s Cut, just before this. There are two channels through Thorpe. The New Cut, to the left, is the primary channel, with few hazards, but the old river through Thorpe River Green is only navigable to boats able to pass beneath the rail bridges at each end. They have a clearance of 1.83 m (6’) at high water.

The old river is shallow, especially at low tide and can have significant water plant growth, typically unbranched bur-reed and arrowhead. Water plants are cut here between June and September, to maintain a central channel. Thorpe River Green has moorings for visitors, provided by the town council. Upstream of Thorpe is the approach to Norwich.

Yare/Wensum confluence (Trowse Eye)

Approaching Norwich, past Whitlingham Country Park, you’ll come to the confluence of the rivers Yare and Wensum at Trowse Eye. The River Yare branches south at Trowse Eye and continues up to Bracondale Bridge, the end of navigation. There is a width restriction of 3.8m (12’6”) on this stretch of the Yare. The river channel to the bridge is narrow and shallow, making it unsuitable for cabin cruisers or other larger boats. There is limited turning space.

Please note that through Trowse Eye there is a natural sand and gravel riverbed, which at some states of the tide is shallower than the stated 1.5m Waterways Specification navigable depth for this stretch. As this feature is part of the natural river form and contains multiple underlying utility services, mechanical dredging to remove the feature is not part of the current dredging Management Strategy. This feature is marked by three yellow buoys. Please see the detailed map (page 16 of the PDF) showing the location of these shallow spots as you pass through this area knowns as the Shoals.

Yare/Wensum confluence to New Mills Yard (Norwich Reach)

Following the River Wensum from Trowse Eye leads to the final approach to Norwich. There are four lifting or swing bridges and prior planning is required before navigating if bridge lifts are required.

Trowse Rail Swing Bridge is the first one you come to. It has a high water clearance of 2.74m (9’). It currently has mechanical problems so needs extra assistance to operate. Network Rail therefore require seven days’ notice to open the bridge. The opening times are 9.05am on Sundays and any day between 02.00am and 04.00am. To arrange opening please call Network Rail on either 01603 675297 or 01603 763440.

Three opening bridges follow, one lifting road bridge and two swing pedestrian bridges. These are operated by Norfolk County Council and if opening is required, you need to contact Broads Control on 01603 756056 24 hours in advance.

• The first of these is Carrow Road Bridge, with a high water clearance of 4.27m (14’).
• The second is Novi Sad (pedestrian) Bridge, with a high water clearance of 4.88m (16’).
• The third is Lady Julian (pedestrian) Bridge, with a high water clearance of 3.63m (11’11”).
• Continuing upstream into the city you approach Foundry Bridge, a fixed road bridge with a clearance of 3.05m (10’).

Immediately past this is Norwich Yacht Station, operated by the Broads Authority from Easter to October, with mooring charges. There are electric charging and water points, together with a pump out facility, showers and toilets. You can see Norwich Cathedral on the left and Norwich Railway Station is close by on the right bank. Bishop Bridge, immediately after the yacht station, is the navigation limit for hired motorboats.

The River Wensum is navigable to New Mills Yard for unpowered craft and private motor boats, with a width restriction of 3.8m (12’6”). There are several fixed bridges, with a minimum high water clearance of 2.89m (9’6”).