The Good Boat Company

The navigable limit for hire craft on this stretch of the Norfolk Broads is at Bishop Bridge in Norwich. Bishop Bridge is a medieval structure dating to 1345. Originally it formed part of a defensive structure protecting the City of Norwich, with a gatehouse situated on the city side of the bridge until its demolition in 1791. The bridge is located at the site of a Roman Ford. The bridge got its name due to its proximity to Norwich Cathedral. Private and commercial craft may navigate on through the city as far as New Mills Yard, an old waterworks, so long as they are able to safely navigate Bishop Bridge and Foundry Bridge.

On the navigable side of Bishop Bridge you will find Norwich Yacht Station. This is open and staffed daily during the boating season, from 8.00 in the morning until 8.00 in the evening. You are advised to moor up against the tide unless the wind is stronger. Indicate your intentions to the quay rangers so they can guide you in. The station has pump out, water, and shore power facilities available, as well as male, female, and accessible toilets and showers. Moorings are £5 for a day mooring, and £12 for an over night stop (2010 prices). There is also a charge for pumpouts and electricity. If you have any questions you can contact the quay rangers at the Yacht Station on 01603 612980.

Other sites of interest in the local area include Cow Tower, located a short walk beyond Bishop Bridge, and Pulls Ferry opposite the Yacht Station. A short walk from the Yacht Station and you''ll find Norwich Castle, Norwich Cathedral, Elm Hill (used as a film location in the Hollywood film Stardust), and a wealth of other museums, art galleries, and medieval buildings. Of course, you''ll also find a wealth of pubs, restaurants, bars, night clubs, and cinemas in the area, so you''ll never be stuck for something to do. The shopping in Norwich is excellent, with a city center crammed with stores, a large outdoor market, and two shopping malls ( Castle Mall and Chapelfield) to choose between.

Heading out from the Yacht Station you will pass under Foundry Bridge, from here the river flows along the back of King Street, another Norwich location steeped in history. You will pass under the new Novi Sad Friendship foot bridge, and onto Carrow Bridge. Closer to Carrow Bridge are two boom towers, these formed part of the city defenses are mark the boundary of the medieval city. Some of the best preserved sections of the city wall stand in this area. Originally the towers had a chain suspended between them, and would have been used to collect tolls on goods travelling up river from Great Yarmouth. Carrow Bridge is a short distance from Carrow Road, the home of the Canaries, Norwich City Football Club.

The River Wensum heads out of Norwich, through the subburbe of Trowse, and on to Whitlingham where it joins the River Yare. Though the Wensum is the bigger of the two rivers, beyond this point it is called the Yare.