Horning

Lined with lovely riverside houses, Horning is one of the prettiest and most popular villages on the Broads with a stunning waterside location. Wander the historic Lower Street and discover a wide range of pubs, restaurants, delis, cafes and takeaways. One mile outside Horning is the award-winning BeWILDerwood children’s adventure park from where you can hire a bike with Broadland Cycle Hire and explore further inland.

The historic village of Horning dates back to 1020 and its name means the “folk who live on the high ground between the rivers”. In many ways the river is just as important to Horning as it was a thousand years ago since the village attracts thousands of boating holidaymakers each year.

Aside from relaxing in the riverside pubs and greens it’s well worth exploring Lower Street in the heart of the village. Lined with beautiful old houses, there are lots of cafes and restaurants to stop at as well as gift shops, a butchers, Post Office, newsagents and general store. There is a children’s playing field at the village hall.

On weekends you can watch Horning Sailing Club racing from the river bank. Better still, they host one of the largest annual inland yacht races in Europe - the Three Rivers Race - on the first weekend after the Whitsun Bank Holiday.

THINGS TO DO

BeWILDerwood For a magical day out follow the footpath one mile out of Horning to the award- winning BeWILDerwood tree house adventure park. Based on the BeWILDerwood books it features zip wires, jungle bridges, boat trips, storytelling and Boggle and Twiggle characters who roam the woods! 01692 633033 www.bewilderwood.co.uk

Broadland Cycle Hire If you want to go and explore the surrounding area Broadland Cycle Hire is located at the entrance of BeWILDerwood. They have adult, child, tandem and tag-along bikes available to hire, for a couple of hours up to the whole day. 07747 483154 www.norfolkbroadscycling.co.uk

Moorings in Horning can be like gold dust in the busy summer season so arrive early where possible! Horning Staithe Side on mooring available with electric hook up. Boat bins and public toilets a few minute’s walk away at the car park next to Swan Green. Swan Inn Side on moorings outside The Swan Inn, mooring fee redeemable against food. New Inn Stern on moorings outside The New Inn. Free for diners, moorings can be booked in advance. 01692 631223 Ferry Inn Side on moorings outside The Ferry Inn. Free for diners. Ferry Marina Please see NBD skipper’s manual for more information. Electric hook up, water and pump out facilities available. 01692 631111 Perci’s Island Privately managed side on moorings opposite The Swan Inn, no access to Horning village (unless you have a dinghy). Fee applies.

Visit Cockshoot Broad nature reserve

For a castaway experience visit Cockshoot Broad Norfolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve, which can only be visited by boat. Simply stop at the FREE Broads Authority moorings about a mile downstream from Horning. Cockshoot Broad was cut off from the river in the 1980s as part of a major restoration project by the Broads Authority and it now has fantastic water quality and abundant wildlife. Being closed to boat traffic and inaccessible from land makes this a very tranquil place to explore. Simply walk along the boarded walkway to the bird hide and look out for rare variable and red-eyed damselflies resting on the lily beds in summer.

Eating Out

The Swan Inn Historic pub in the heart of Horning serving traditional pub fayre with a riverside beer garden. Real ales on tap. Moorings are available with the fee redeemable against dinner (see Moorings). 01692 630316

The New Inn Family pub serving homemade breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday roasts with a riverside beer garden. Three well served ales available. Moorings can be reserved for diners (see Moorings). 01692 631223 www.newinn-horning.co.uk

The Ferry Inn Family friendly riverside pub with a large beer garden and long section of customer moorings (see Moorings). Serves a carvery and traditional pub menu. Seven real ales available. 01692 630259 www.tfi-restaurants.co.uk

Bure River Cottage Restaurant Seafood restaurant located on Lower Street. Closed Sundays and Mondays. 01692 631421 www.burerivercottagerestaurant.co.uk Staithe ‘n’ Willow Beautiful old thatched restaurant, tea room and gift shop with a courtyard garden facing the river near Horning Staithe. Serves breakfast, lunch, main meals, light refreshments and cream teas. 01692 630915

The Galley Traditional delicatessen, café and gift shop in a stunning 17th century property. 01692 630088 www.thegalley-horning.co.uk Golden City Chinese takeaway on Lower Street. 01692 630091