Whispering Reeds

Whispering Reeds will be delighted to welcome you for a truly special day out from our family run boatyard at the head on Hickling Broad. We offer environmentally friendly electric day boats, canoe hire from Whitsun to the end of September and our very special houseboats until the end of October all from one site in Hickling on the Northern Broads.

Our smaller operation means that we can welcome each guest personally, and we like to think, offer that little extra which can make your trip truly memorable.

Houseboats from Whispering Reeds in Hickling

The houseboats can sleep up to five or six people, and are incredibly popular with customers returning up to 3 times per year!

We have two types of Houseboat at Whispering Reeds.

The Sundew Class are the larger boats which can sleep up to six people in 3 doubles.

The Sunrise Class which are the smaller blue boats in the picture below, can sleep up to five in two doubles and one single.

Our Sunrise Class of Houseboats are called Sunrise, and Sunrest. Sunrise is the one closest to the boatyard itself, with Sunrest the furthest away, right on the point. The bigger Sundew boats are sandwiched inbetween. The Sunrise Class Sleeps up to 5 people. There is a double and a single bed in the end cabin, and then another double bed which you make up as and when you need it in the Saloon.

The Sunrise boats have electric heating, and electric cooking facilities. All the pots, pans and crockery are included. They also have TV/DVD players with Freeview. There are showers on board too.

We normally let the boats from Saturday to Saturday for 7 nights, so they are priced accordingly. We can sometimes offer short breaks, but usually to fill gaps at short notice. You can always ring us to see.

All the Houseboats come with the use of a rowing boat included for free. You get discounted prices for the use of our other dayboats and canoes

Canoe and Kayak Hire from Whispering Reeds

Canoes and Kayaks are a great way to explore around Hickling Broad and these are available from us too.

Contributing to the peace and tranquillity, and lowering our carbon footprint at Hickling, we plan to offer many more canoes and Kayaks to our fleet so people to get out on the water and enjoy it from a unique viewpoint.

These are just suggested trips you might like to take. You can of course just paddle out of the yard and follow your nose for a while and see where you end up. The beauty of Canoes are that you can go where you like, you aren't restricted just to the channel.

Three hour paddle

We often suggest people venture up Catfield Dyke as part of a 3 hour paddle. After getting the hang of steering the boat and feeling comfortable on board whilst in the confines of the yard, venture out onto the Broad and follow the right hand bank as you make your way down, well away from any boat traffic. You can explore the inlets and dykes that you pass as you head towards Catfield Dyke, and then cut the corner that the bigger boats have to go around, before heading up the long straight dyke to Catfield Staithe.

This is a mile or so long and never more than about 20feet wide, so the reeds and trees are close by. You'll be amazed by the peace, quiet and huge abundance of wildlife on this sheltered stretch of river. The beauty of the canoe is that the wildlife doesn't hear you coming, so you can have some magical close encounters with all sorts.

Depending on your speed, you may find when returning from the end of the dyke that you have a bit of time left to explore some more of Hickling Broad, otherwise head back to the yard before taking a short walk around to the Pleasure Boat Inn for a cold drink and a chat about what you've seen.

Six hour paddle

In a six hour paddle you can reach the Staithe at Horsey for an ice cream and a trip up the windpump for an outstanding view over The Broads. This is a longer trip and probably not for people trying canoeing for the first time, but if you've paddled before it's well worth the effort. You'll start by heading across Hickling Broad.

If you're feeling confident then you can go straight over the middle, otherwise there is always the option of hugging the bank as you go around, before you know it you'll be into the river and heading down past Whiteslea Lodge, owned by the Cadbury family, and towards Meadow Dyke, the turning for Horsey Mere. Once you reach this turn you'll head down a winding reed fringed dyke, every now and again catching a glimpse of the windpump which marks your destination across the Mere.

A few years ago Marsh Harriers were a rare sight in the UK, now the Hickling and Horsey area has a population so large that you'll be hard pressed to miss these amazing birds of prey soaring around and quartering the reeds looking for their prey. Meadow Dyke will pop you out onto Horsey Mere, and you just follow the right hand edge of this patch of open water until you head up to the Staithe.

You'll find toilets, a national trust tea shop which sells excellent tea cakes, and of course the windpump which you can climb up to see the sea to one side, and across the broads on the other. Once you've had a rest and enjoyed your tea cake or ice cream, just head back the way you came and use any spare time you have left to explore Hickling Broad itself.

All prices are available on our website. Please phone ahead to check availability and to book