The Norfolk Broads, located in the east of England, has been an influential area for boat building for centuries. The area is known for its unique network of navigable waterways, which were originally formed as a result of peat cutting in the Middle Ages. As the Broads grew in popularity as a destination for boating holidays, a thriving boat-building industry developed to meet the demand for vessels that could navigate the shallow waters and low bridges of the area.

Early Boat Building on the Norfolk Broads

The earliest boats to be built on the Norfolk Broads were dugout canoes, which were carved from large trees using stone tools. These boats were used for fishing and transportation and were an important part of daily life for the people who lived in the area. Later, as the use of iron and other metals became more widespread, boats were built using these materials as well.

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, a new type of boat began to emerge on the Broads – the wherry. Wherries were large, flat-bottomed boats that were used for transporting goods such as grain, timber, and coal. They were typically around 50 feet long and 12 feet wide and were propelled by a single sail. Wherries were designed to be stable and easy to handle and were well-suited to the shallow waters of the Broads.

The heyday of the wherry building on the Broads was in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when there were around 300 wherries in operation. The boats were built by skilled craftsmen using traditional methods, with many of the materials sourced from the local area. The oak for the frames and planking came from the Broads themselves, while the sails were made from flax grown in the surrounding fields.

The decline of the Wherry Building Industry

The wherry building industry on the Broads began to decline in the early 20th century, as the rise of the railway and motor vehicles made other forms of transport more efficient. Many of the wherries were sold for scrap or left to rot, and the boat building industry on the Broads entered a period of decline.

Today, many of them have been restored and are used for pleasure cruising, providing visitors with an authentic and relaxing way to explore the waterways of the Broads.

Some Wherry's have been converted into residential boats, while others are used for educational purposes, such as teaching school groups about the history and ecology of the Broads.

The Norfolk Broads Wherry continues to be an important part of the cultural heritage of the region, and their continued use helps to preserve this unique aspect of English history. From the demand of a growing number of tourists who came to the area for boating holidays, in the 1920s and 1930s, new types of boats began to emerge – the traditional Norfolk broads sailing boat and the Broads motor cruiser.

Martham Ferry Boat Yard is a historic boatyard located in the village of Martham, Norfolk, UK. The boatyard has a long and rich history dating back to the early 1800s when it was first established as a ferry crossing point on the River Thurne.

In the early days, Martham Ferry was primarily used for transporting goods and people across the river. The boats used were simple rowing boats and gaff-rigged sailing dingy, which were small and manoeuvrable enough to navigate the narrow waterways of the Broads.

In the late 1800s, Martham Ferry Boat Yard was acquired by the Hewitt family, who began to expand the business by building boats for hire. They started by building simple day boats, which were popular with tourists visiting the area. As the popularity of boating on the Broads grew, the Hewitts began to build larger and more luxurious boats, including motor launches and sailing yachts.

During World War II, the boat yard was used by the Royal Navy to repair and maintain motor torpedo boats. After the war, the Hewitt family resumed their boat-building activities, and the boatyard became known for producing high-quality boats.

In the 1950s and 60s, Martham Ferry Boat Yard began to focus on building motor cruisers, which were becoming increasingly popular among tourists visiting the Broads. The company's boats were renowned for their comfort, style, and durability, and they were in high demand.

In the 1970s, the Hewitt family sold the boatyard to the Basey-Fisher family, who continue to run the business to this day. Under their ownership, the boat yard has continued to innovate and produce new designs, while still retaining the traditional boat-building skills that have been passed down through generations.

Today, Martham Ferry Boat Yard is Owned by the Highton Family and is a thriving business specialising in electric boats. They offer a range of boats for hire, as well as boat building, repairs, and maintenance services. The boatyard is a popular destination for tourists visiting the Broads, and it is also a hub for the local boating community.

In 2022 Martham Ferry Boatyard installed solar panels on the roof of the boatyard, the Solar panels produce 80% of their electricity requirements.

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the need for electric propulsion and Martham Ferry Boat Yard has been at the forefront of this movement on the Norfolk Broads. The boatyard has embraced the use of electric propulsion systems in its boats, which has significantly reduced the impact of boating on the environment.

The boats built and hired by Martham Ferry Boat Yard are powered by electric motors, which produce no emissions and are significantly quieter than traditional petrol or diesel engines. This makes them an ideal choice for those who want to explore the Broads while minimizing their impact on the environment.

In addition to building and hiring electric boats, Martham Ferry Boat Yard also offers a range of services, including boat repairs, maintenance, and storage. The boatyard is committed to using sustainable materials and practices in its operations, and it has implemented a number of measures to reduce its environmental footprint, such as using solar panels to generate electricity.

Today, Martham Ferry Boat Yard remains an important part of the Norfolk Broads community, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the beauty of the Broads in an environmentally friendly way. The boatyard's commitment to sustainability and innovation has helped to ensure its continued success and its place as a leader in the field of environmentally friendly boating.

Potter Heigham is a small village located on the Norfolk Broads, which has a history of boat building that dates back centuries. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Potter Heigham was a bustling hub of boat-building activity, with many local craftsmen building boats for the local fishing industry and for transporting goods along the Broads, this brought e-commerce into the small hamlet of houses, enabling it to grow into the popular holiday destination of today.

Hickling is another small village with a long history of boat building, which dates back to the 18th century. Hickling's location on the Broads made it an ideal place for boat building, as the village was situated near a large expanse of water and surrounded by forests that provided timber for boat construction.

The boats built in Hickling during this time were typically wooden, with flat bottoms and shallow drafts, allowing them to navigate the shallow waters of the Broads. These boats were known as wherries and were used to transport a variety of goods, including coal, grain, and livestock.

Landamores is a renowned boat-building company located in Wroxham on the Norfolk Broads. The company has a rich history dating back to 1924, and it has since built a reputation for producing high-quality boats.

In the early days, Landamores was a small company that specialized in building wooden sailing yachts. These yachts were constructed using traditional boat-building methods and were admired for their beauty and elegance. The company's reputation quickly grew, and it soon became one of the most respected boat builders in the Broads.

During World War II, Landamores shifted its focus to building wooden motor torpedo boats for the Royal Navy. These boats were fast and agile, making them ideal for the Navy's operations. After the war, the company returned to building yachts and continued to produce some of the finest wooden boats in the country.

In the 1960s, Landamores introduced a new line of boats made from fibreglass, which proved to be a game-changer for the industry. These boats were lighter, faster, and more durable than wooden boats, and they quickly became popular among boat enthusiasts. Landamores embraced this new technology and continued to innovate, introducing new designs and building techniques that set them apart from other boat builders.

Today, Landamores is still a family-owned business, and it continues to produce high-quality boats for customers around the world. The company has expanded its product range to include motorboats, sailing yachts, and luxury river cruisers. They still use traditional boat-building methods combined with modern materials and techniques to produce boats that are both beautiful and functional.

In addition to boat building, Landamores also offers boat repairs, maintenance, and restoration services. They have a team of highly skilled craftsmen who can repair and restore boats to their former glory, ensuring that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Landamores has a long and storied history, and their boats are a testament to their dedication to quality and craftsmanship. With over 90 years of boat building experience, they continue to be one of the most respected and admired boat builders in the Norfolk Broads and beyond.

Broads Motor Cruisers

Broads cruisers were designed specifically for holidaymakers and were typically around 30 feet long and 8 feet wide. They were built with a shallow draft and a low air draft, which allowed them to pass under the low bridges of the Broads. The boats were often fitted with a small engine, which gave them a degree of independence from the wind.

The first Broads cruisers were built using traditional methods, but as demand for the boats increased, production became more industrialized. Boatyards began to use power tools and assembly-line techniques to build boats more quickly and efficiently.

By the 1960s, there were around 3,000 Broads cruisers in operation on the Broads, and the boat-building industry was a major employer in the area. However, the industry began to decline once again in the 1970s, as the popularity of foreign holidays and other forms of leisure activity grew.

The Museum of the Broads.

The Museum of the Broads is located in Stalham and is a fascinating attraction that tells the story of the Broads through a series of interactive exhibits, displays, and artefacts. Visitors can learn about the region's unique ecosystem, the history of the Wherry boats, and the people who have lived and worked in the area over the years.

The museum is also home to a collection of historic boats, including several Norfolk Broads Wherry's, which visitors can see up close and even take a ride on. Additionally, there are various hands-on activities for children, making it a great destination for families.

Traditional boat-building courses and workshops.

Today, there are still a number of boatyards on the Norfolk Broads that build and maintain boats for hire and private ownership. While the boats themselves have changed over the years, the skills and craftsmanship of the boat builders remain an important part of the area's heritage. Many of the boatyards also offer boat-building courses and other workshops.

If you are interested in boat building and are looking to learn new skills or improve your existing ones, the Norfolk Broads is the perfect place to do it. The region has a long and rich history of boat building, and there are several boat-building courses available for those looking to learn more about this craft.

Boat Building Courses on the Norfolk Broads

1. The International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC)

The IBTC, located in Lowestoft, offers a range of boat-building courses, from introductory courses for beginners to advanced courses for experienced boat builders. The courses cover a range of topics, including traditional boat-building techniques, modern materials and construction methods, and boat restoration and repair.

The courses are taught by experienced boat builders and craftsmen, and the college has a well-equipped workshop with all the necessary tools and materials. The IBTC is also home to a museum of historic boats, providing students with the opportunity to study and learn from these classic vessels.

2. The Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust

The Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust offers a range of boat-building courses, focused specifically on the construction and restoration of Norfolk Wherries. The courses are taught by experienced boat builders and cover all aspects of wherry building, from lofting and framing to planking and finishing.

The Trust also offers courses on wherry restoration and repair, providing students with the opportunity to work on classic boats and learn traditional boat-building techniques.

If you are interested in boat building, there are a few better places to learn than the Norfolk Broads. With its rich history of boat building and its range of boat-building courses, the region offers a unique and exciting opportunity to learn new skills and develop your craft. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced boat builder, there is a course on the Broads that is perfect for you. So why not book a course today and start your journey to becoming a skilled boat builder and be part of the long line of skilled boat builders.