Wherry Maud is a very special Wherry, the last of the typical clinker-built trading wherries to sail on the Broads. She is lovingly looked after by the Wherry Maud Trust who sail her regularly and provide opportunities for visitors to explore her.
Wherries are unique to the Broads. They are very distinctive and were designed to cope with the narrow, shallow waterways of the Broadland rivers and Broads. Wherries were built for both trade and pleasure. Of the trading wherries built only two survive today, with Maud being one of them. Trading wherries were vital to the economy of the area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries carrying goods of all kinds between the coast, the inland port of Norwich and the numerous village staithes (small quays).
Today just eight wherries survive although at their peak there were around 300. The survivors represent the three types of wherry. Two are trading wherries, three are clinker-built pleasure wherries and three are sleek white-hulled wherry yachts.
The Wherry Maud Trust provides a number of ways for you to enjoy her. As a visitor you will be able to step on board and learn about Maud’s history from photographic displays and from knowledgeable volunteers.
You will be invited to join as a member for a small annual subscription, opening up the possibilities of going for a sail on Maud. Or you can get more involved and take up some of the volunteering opportunities which range from serving teas and coffees to learning to crew.
The Trust maintains Maud aiming for tradition in all things – she does not have an engine, she is rigged in the traditional way and maintained using as many traditional materials as possible.
Look at our website for dates when Maud is on view to the public.
