Download the route for the Hoveton to Coltishall and Belaugh walk.
At Hoveton and Wroxham you’re at the heart of the history of Broads holidays. The Bure Valley Path follows the route of the former Great Eastern Railway between Wroxham and Aylsham, and Wroxham was well known as the capital of the Broads. Five of the remaining eight wherries, belonging to wherryyachtcharter.org, are based here, ‘keeping history sailing’ as they like to say.
Hoveton and Wroxham have toilets, free moorings, places to eat and drink, shops, bus services, National Rail services on the bitternline.com and many different boating activities, including trips on the Broads Authority’s accessible solar boat Ra. The burevalleyrailway.co.uk (narrow-gauge), goes to Aylsham, with request stops at Coltishall, Buxton and Brampton.
Coltishall and the adjacent Horstead are good for an enjoyable village wander, and include a conservation area, with lots of architectural and historic interest. Wherries were originally cargo boats, with a shallow draught and a single huge sail. They carried goods such as corn, coal and timber. Coltishall was home to boat building from the early 1800s and Allen’s boatyard was in Anchor Street, on the route of the walk. The last trading wherry, Ella, was built here in 1912.
You’re likely to see lots of wildlife along the whole route of the walk – look out for the electric blue of a kingfisher near the river and listen for skylarks in the meadows, where cattle are often grazing.
Coltishall has free moorings, places to eat and drink, shops, bus services, and bike and paddlecraft hire.
Belaugh has a conservation area too, centred around the river and staithe or mooring place (which you’ll pass), The Street and the church. Saint Peter’s at Belaugh was the inspiration for the poet John Betjeman’s fascination with churches. He lived 1906-1984 and as a child had family boating holidays on the Broads. In two of his poems he recalls the River Bure and Horsey Mere. The steep Pilgrim’s Path leads down from the church to another tiny staithe.
Belaugh has free moorings for about two boats and some bus services.
