Directly opposite the Hotel Wroxham is an attractive development of holiday homes known as the Peninsula Cottages because of their position enclosed within a large marina complex once owned by Moore’s & Co. boatyard and now in private ownership. This is the location of Wherry cottage. A little further downstream chocolate box thatched cottages and lodges line the banks, long gardens sweep down to the waters edge, large houses can just be glimpsed through the trees. Swans, geese, mallards, coots and moorhens often gather here, tempted by titbits thrown from passing boats. Soon the trees close in again and Wroxham is left behind as the River Bure meanders along to the entrance to the massive Wroxham Broad, a large expanse of navigable, but shallow water, ideal for the fisherman who wants to drop anchor away from the river bank, or hire a sailing craft from the yacht club.
Continuing downstream you come across the beautiful Salhouse Broad with it’s beach-like bank, perfect for a picnic. The next pretty village of Horning, with three riverside pub / restaurants and quaint shops and more riverside cottages, is only about an hour by leisurely boat trip (or just 2 miles by car).The section of river from Wroxham to Horning is one of the most attractive and congested of the whole Norfolk Broads, with nearly a thousand craft a day cruising along it during high season.
If you have a whole day boating you can explore further downstream to the ancient St Benet’s Abbey and junctions with the river Ant and Thurne with it’s famous windmill.
East of the river is actually Hoveton St John, Wroxham being on the west, but they have both come to be known as Wroxham. The village centre is beside the river Bure and Wroxham Bridge and is a bustling community of holiday makers and local people. There is a variety of riverside bars, cafes, restaurants and shops, but the most famous is Roys of Wroxham, probably the largest village store in the world. It is open seven days a week, and even has a McDonalds in store as well as a cafeteria of its own. In fact many shops come under the name of Roys, and this creates a small town centre atmosphere.
Upstream (above the bridge) the river narrows and meanders through forest making its way upstream 10 miles to Coltishall, the end of navigation, with a couple of pub restaurants; ideal for lunch. Great for a “Swallows and Amazons” day trip by boat.
Downstream (South) of the bridge the river widens, with the Hotel Wroxham and many boatyards. behind the shopping centre that you can wander around looking at boats for sale. Wroxham Boat Hire is directly across the river from Wherry Cottage and offers a 10% discount for our cottage guests.
Wroxham is known as the capital of the Norfolk Broads, and it is where boating holidays started in the late 1800's. It has become quite commercialised over the years with pubs, hotels, tea rooms and gift shops springing up near the river to attract holiday makers.
The history and development of Wroxham for holidays
