Wherry Yacht Sailing Cruiser Hire

Wherry Yacht Charter operates, maintains and restores four of the eight surviving wherries on the Norfolk Broads. Wherry Yachts Olive (1909), Norada (1912) and White Moth (1915) are joined by Pleasure Wherry Hathor (1905). All income from chartering and public sailings goes towards their maintenance.

Watch this video to see what an enjoyable experience it is to sail aboard one of these glorious old ladies....

Our offerings include private charters and public sailings. Chartering (minimum 1 day's hire) allows up to 12 day passengers, with overnight berths for 10. We supply bed linen. Holiday charters are offered on a fully skippered, self-catering basis, between Easter and October subject to availability. We can tailor charters for holiday, corporate and educational customers, and can also offer shore-based educational activities. Please contact us with your requirements and we will do our best to fulfil them!

On public sailings, individual spaces are bookable on scheduled itineraries ranging from a couple of hours to a whole day. Our experienced skippers are joined by knowledgable volunteer crew members to transport you along the river in Edwardian style, and tell you something of the operation and history of these boats as you go. Our one-way sailings include return land transport to complete your day. We offer complimentary hot and cold drinks and invite you to bring a picnic for longer sailings; where itineraries allow we will moor up for lunch.

Within certain events we also offer short sailings that do not require pre-booking. Some sailings in conjunction with third parties offer you the chance to visit other attractions such as Fairhaven Woodland & Water Gardens or St Benet's Abbey.

Our fleet's status:

Norada and White Moth are available for private charter and also operate a limited number of public sailings.

Olive is externally restored and in sailing order, but work is ongoing on her interior to allow day sailings and overnight charters. We anticipate she will be ready before the close of the 2013 season.

Hathor eturned in 2015 after extensive restoration, reuniting the original WYC fleet. A celebratory relaunch weekend at How Hill saw five wherries sail together on the Ant for the first time in perhaps a century. She is currently used for scheduled sailings and educational activities only.

Ardea is our newest arrival, and like White Moth is privately owned but with charter rights assigned to WYC. Her unusual history involves time in Paris as a houseboat. She arrived at our wherry base in 2015, is in sailing order, and we look forward to developing our corporate offering with her. She will not usually operate holiday charters or public sailings, but may do from time to time. A higher price for these sailings reflects her infrequent appearance and more luxurious accommodation.

Please see our website for full details of our boats and activities, or contact us to request a brochure.

We also welcome anyone who wishes to join us as a Friend. From £15 per year, membership supports the future of the wherries, and offers an exclusive quarterly newsletter, members' events, early access to public bookings, and opportunities to learn to crew or act as a visitor guide on these wonderful vessels. Contact us for details.

Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust is a registered charity, number 1096073