The Wherryman’s Way Walking Holiday

The Wherryman’s Way is a 39 mile walking trail that gives you the opportunity to discover what the Norfolk Broads is really like on foot.   

It’s one of our long distance trails that follows the River Yare from the middle of Norwich as it meanders its way peacefully through the Norfolk Broads to finish at the estuary in Gt Yarmouth.  

You’ll spend your time walking through reedbeds, alongside water meadows, marshland and a few nature reserves.  You’ll hike along the banks of the river, stop off at picturesque riverside pubs whilst taking some time to watch the boats chugging slowly along.  

You’ll see some fantastic churches and an abundance of drainage mills and windmills, amble along pretty staithes and experience the flat landscape of the Norfolk Broads and understand why it’s known for its huge skies and flat landscape! 

Here you can read a little bit more about what you can expect to see along this Norfolk walking trail.

I think you’ll find it really is a very different walk to others you may have taken. 

The history of the walk dates back to when Wherry boats were the main form of transport carrying cargo from Norwich to Gt Yarmouth and vice versa.  You can read more about the history of the path here.

Norfolk Walking Holidays is the only walking holiday company that offers this unique walk, so this is a chance for you to take a walk that very few will have taken.

A little bit like the Peddars Way and the Weaver's Way, accommodation can be quite sparse along the trail, which also means that there are fewer people who walk this path, another great advantage!  It’s yet another peaceful Norfolk walking trail.

The Wherryman’s Way Map

As you’ll see from the map below, the trail meanders its way across Norfolk from Norwich to Gt Yarmouth taking your through the southern part of the Norfolk Broads.  The Broads is the largest protected wetland in the UK and there is one point along this trail where you have to cross the River Yare via a chain link ferry, as the alternative is a 30 mile round route skirting the wetlands! 

The Wherryman’s Way Walking Holiday Options

I have three options for walking the Wherryman’s Way.  

The first two options have a final day of 15 miles which for some is a little too much.  Due to availability of accommodation and the road system either side of the Broads, as well as the fact that from Reedham onwards there are no facilities, I am unable to shorten this mileage unless you are happy to have a very short 3rd day of 5.4 miles, thereby making the 4th day a manageable 9.5 miles for most walkers (you can see this option in the 4 day walk). 

On the “short” day, you could take the time to visit a lovely garden close by (usually open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays) or just take it easy and relax around the staithe in the pretty Georgian town of Loddon, either before or after your days’ walk.  It would be rather like having a rest day.  Or you could spend some time watching the world go by at Reedham Quay whilst enjoying a bite to eat from one of the pubs.

Wherryman’s Way Distances

This is a slightly shorter long distance trail than the other walks I offer in Norfolk.  The trail is 39 miles and is an official Norfolk trail so it is well sign posted, and in many places with its distinct Wherryman’s way logo.

There is no official guidebook so I have written up my own walking notes along with waterproof notes which you receive in the pack.

What you’ll see on Your Wherrymans Way Walk

As you start in the historic city of Norwich you will have time to visit the fantastic cathedral and medieval quarter should you wish.  

Much of this walk takes you where you can only go on foot, making it an extremely tranquil walk.  Other stretches take you slightly away from the river along some quiet lanes and into some pretty villages, passing round tower churches (my favourite!), and a particularly stunning thatched church.

You’ll walk past an abundance of drainage mills and windmills, some of which have been restored, others left as derelict ruins.  All very much part of the Norfolk Broads scenery!  

What you probably won’t see, however, are many people!  Yes, you’ll come across a few in the villages and the pubs and you’ll definitely see them in their boats, but along the actual path you’re unlikely to see a soul.  As mentioned above, it’s a little bit like the Weavers Way and the Peddars Way, both of which are also very peaceful walks. 

All of these trails, official though they are, a frequented by very few, which makes them all the more special.

Being on foot, you manage to get a real feeling of remoteness on this walk; just you and your thoughts, the meadows, reedbeds, the river and grazing cattle or sheep. 

You'll experience a short ride on a chain link ferry which takes you over the river to an awaiting pub (if you like!) and onto another small village.  Without this ferry, a 30 mile detour would be necessary!  You may need to wave your hands and bellow a welcome “hello” if the ferry is on the other side of the river bank!

Wherryman’s Way Accommodation

Accommodation can be fairly sparce along this Norfolk walking trail, but don’t worry, I know a few places where you’ll be able to stay! 

• At one, you can sit and enjoy the evening sun go down besides a staithe.  
• At another you can appreciate a small Georgian market town.  Due to no available pubs or B&Bs around Reedham, and the fact that this is the only place to cross the river within 30 miles, the last stretch of the path is 15 miles (unless you choose the 4 day walking option
• On your last night, you can overlook the sea at Gt Yarmouth and think back to the beginning of your walk in the historic city of Norwich and how the differing landscape evolved over your 39 miles.

The History of the Wherryman’s Way

Historically, the River Yare was a very important cargo route for wares to make their way to Norwich, which was the second most important city in the UK after London. 

The name of the Wherryman’s Way is taken from the boats that used to sail up and down this river which were called Wherry Boats.  They were large flat bottomed barges with very distinct shaped black sails and they were used for around 200 years.  There are now only about 2 of these Wherry boats left in the UK and both have been restored.

One particular historical character is highlighted on the route at a small village called Bramerton .  His nickname was Billy Bluelight and he would watch the holiday boats coming up the river at Bramerton (which you’ll walk through) and wager that he would reach Carrow Road bridge in Norwich before they would.  More often than not he would be waiting for them, and collected his winnings!

Walk the Wherryman’s Way

Well I hope you’ve now got a good insight into what it’s like to walk this wonderful long distance Wherryman's Way Broads walk.   All you need to do now is to contact me on the details below, fill out the enquiry form, or use the booking form and I’ll look forward to chatting to you further and to planning a memorable walk for you.

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