Wayford Bridge

Explore the tranquil waters of Norfolk’s only canal – The North Walsham and Dilham Canal – by hiring a canoe at Wayford Bridge. The little boating centre, next to a road bridge on the River Ant, is a convenient place to moor for the night and has a pub, farm shop and cafe plus a garage with a convenience store.

The best place to stop in Wayford Bridge is the free moorings just before the road bridge. Make sure you check your boat’s clearance if you wish to pass under the bridge where there are privately managed moorings.

Wayford Bridge has plenty of facilities for an overnight stay. The Wayford Bridge Inn overlooks the river near the bridge and there is an excellent farm shop, plant centre and cafe a short distance along the main road. On the opposite side of the bridge there is a garage with a convenience store.

Make sure you hire a canoe from Bank Boats (located next to the bridge) to explore Norfolk’s only artificial, locked sailing canal – the North Walsham and Dilham Canal – which joins the River Ant just upstream of Wayford Bridge. 01692 582457.

The canal was built in 1826 for sailing wherries to carry cargo nearly nine miles to mills in Antingham (near North Walsham) but was abandoned about a century later. Today the historic waterway is gradually being restored for recreation and you can paddle along the first two miles of the canal from Wayford Bridge to Honing Lock.  The tranquil waterway is only accessible to non powered craft making it a relaxing place to canoe through beautiful countryside.  Look out for the abundant wildlife – including kingfishers and water voles.

For a shorter paddle try exploring along Dilham Dyke to Dilham Staithe where you can eat at the historic Cross Keys Inn (see Eating Out).

Moorings

Wayford Bridge
Mooring for five boats on the downstream side of the bridge.

Wayford Bridge Yacht Station moorings
Moorings on a long grassy bank upstream of the bridge. A mooring fee is collected at your boat.

Eating out

Wayford Bridge Inn
Hotel, pub and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Has a patio garden overlooking the river and a choice of real ales. 01692 582 414.

Vera’s Coffee Shop
Cafe at A G Meale and Son farm shop and plant centre. Serves home cooked breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea using their own or local produce. 01692 583971.

The Cross Keys Inn – Dilham (accessed via Dilham Dyke)
Historic inn serving pub food and real ales near Dilham Staithe.  This is accessed by boat via Dilham Dyke, which is popular for canoeing. 01692 536398.