Harvey Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Hi, I will be meeting family in Oulton Broad later this week. I want to take them out for a drive around the area and wondered if anyone could recommend a nice pub, one that has a garden overlooking the river so we can eat, relax and watch the boats go by. Anywhere north of Oulton Broad say within 25 miles. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meantime Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 On the Southern Broads you could sit outside The Nelson at Reedham, or Reedham Ferry and be by the water. Not really gardens, but patios. The Ship Inn at Reedham is more of a garden but quite close to the swing bridge and the view is quite limited, especially if boats are moored alongside. The Bell at St Olaves has a nice riverside garden, but the boat traffic is more limited due to the low road bridge. Probably the better locations would be The Coldham Hall Tavern Brundall or The Ferry at Surlingham. Both have nice gardens and good long views up or down the river. Further up river you have The Waters Edge Bramerton with a nice outside decking area and good views of the river. If your looking for good plentiful pub grub, then The Ferry Surlingham would probably meet all your requirements the best. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Perhaps 'The Bell' at St. Olaves might fit the bill, only a short drive from Oulton Broad. Hope the weather is nice for sitting in a pub garden, later this week (thunderstorms forecast for later today). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webntweb Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Rushcutters at Thorpe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvey Posted August 13, 2018 Author Share Posted August 13, 2018 Thanks for the replies, some good choices there for me to look through Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Surlingham Ferry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smellyloo Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 The Waveney Hotel Beccles has a nice riverside patio and a conservatory with river views if the weather doesnt play ball. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpy Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 The Waveney Hotel also does a cream tea to die for! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 By car it has to be surlingham, sit by the river watching the boats go by with a beer and a spot grub, sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 No one has mentioned Geldeston Locks! Doddle to find by road, not, but well worth searching for. Make sure that you have cash, they don't do cards. Spin your guest's visit out by a week then The Commodore at Oulton Broad will have a grandstand view of Oulton Broad Regatta and the food is good. Unless you like long queues avoid the Bell at weekends but it's a great place during the week and it's easy to find. The Waveney at Beccles is obviously in Beccles, would you believe, and it's a really delightful country town well worth visiting. However North of Oulton Broad does really limit you to St Olaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 I must say Geldeston Locks is one of my favourites and one of the best pubs on the Broads IMHO. However its maybe not quite so good for boats passing by as its at the end of the navigation and fewer boats can get under Beccles Bridge. Going North from Oulton Broad by road I guess you would have to go through Yarmouth. Horning is probably the best place on the Broads for sheer volume and variety of boats, yachts and everything else in between passing by. The Swan and New Inn have riverside terraces (rather than gardens) but riverside activity a plenty. Likewise the terrace outside the Hotel Wroxham is a real grandstand for boating activity. I would heartily endorse the Surlingham Ferry as has been mentioned. Excellent pub and a fair bit of traffic on the main river. The Bridge at Acle is excellent but the garden is partially screened by the flood bank so you don't get such a good view from your table. I love the Ship at Reedham although since the fence was erected by the river the view is a bit restricted particularly if those large boats are still there. You do get the trains as well. Rushcutters is good too but river traffic limited by the low bridges. It maybe depends what the OP is looking for, for example is distance an issue, are children involved etc etc. Which is more important, the food, the garden or boating activity. Plenty to think about! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turnoar Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Pleasure Boat Hickling, you did say 25 miles, watch the boating world come and go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VetChugger Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Am I the only one that prefers The Wherry at Geldeston rather than the Locks?? I tend to find the Locks a tad pretentious at times. Blowing all the candles out and switching the lights on rather killed the fairytale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanessan Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 6 hours ago, VetChugger said: Am I the only one that prefers The Wherry at Geldeston rather than the Locks?? No, you’re not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 No I agree, Wherry is a superb unspoilt pub serving some excellent Adnams. Highly recommended. Just that it doesn't fit the OP's criteria! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Just thinking about this. If you ask 20 people for pub recommendations you will get 20 different answers. Everyone has their 'pet' pubs and equally those they clearly dislike. It's difficult sometimes to get a truly impartial view. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that. The truth is there are no dreadful pubs on the Broads. There are a few I dislike but wouldn't try to put others off. I think sometimes it's best to take a step back and look through the eyes of the person asking for recommendations. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gracie Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 I agree Mr N. I also believe any pub Harvey chooses he will be on to a winner, Having a drink in a pub on the Broads over looking the river is a win win situation in my book Never been in a bad one yet but Surlingham is a safe bet, if you go in on a Sunday have the Roast, one of the best on the Broads in my opinion Grace 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelsea14Ian Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Its best to book,we moored at the ferry house Saturday before last very very busy,great friendly pub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyMorgan Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 No dreadful Broads pubs! Maybe, maybe not, but I can think of a few that I tend to sail past, preferring to carry on to the next one. Re the Geldeston Wherry, excellent, good food too, not much passing boat traffic though, unless its on a trailer!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helian Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 21 hours ago, EastCoastIPA said: On the Southern Broads you could sit outside The Nelson at Reedham, or Reedham Ferry and be by the water. Not really gardens, but patios. The Ship Inn at Reedham is more of a garden but quite close to the swing bridge and the view is quite limited, especially if boats are moored alongside. The Bell at St Olaves has a nice riverside garden, but the boat traffic is more limited due to the low road bridge. Probably the better locations would be The Coldham Hall Tavern Brundall or The Ferry at Surlingham. Both have nice gardens and good long views up or down the river. Further up river you have The Waters Edge Bramerton with a nice outside decking area and good views of the river. If your looking for good plentiful pub grub, then The Ferry Surlingham would probably meet all your requirements the best. Just a point, Coldham Hall is OPPOSITE Brundall, in Surlingham on the south bank. A bit of a detour required if you try to get there by road from Brundall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkNog Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 52 minutes ago, JennyMorgan said: few that I tend to sail past Completely agree JM, I do exactly the same! However there are pubs on my Manor which make the worst Broads pub seem like the Ritz! Hence my point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Wroxham Hotel is a must on a windy day at height of season for free entertainment and good beer, but this is further north than you specified. Reedham Ferry, Coldham Hall or Surlingham Ferry would be my choice. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tim Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Love the Surlingham Ferry, best pub imo on the broads, and there's plenty to choose from Great beer, great food, lovely garden, bookable moorings and super dog friendly, plus Sonia and her staff are fantastic Maybe I should buy shares in it? Another not mentioned (I think) is the Ferry at Stokesby? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 Coldham Hall at Surlingham serves a nice pint of San Miguel whilst you watch the boats go by Personally I also like the Hotel Wroxham The Kings Head, Hoveton (warning, food complaints incoming) The Bell at St Olaves The Ferry Inn at Stokesby (Best Pool Table Ever) Throwing one out there The Beauchamp Arms at Langley But the best must be The Ferry House at Surlingham ... Yes I like pubs ... There isn't a bad choice really though Harvey. Anyone who thinks a broads pub is dreadful wants to come take an evening in our local (riot gear and shield compulsary) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VetChugger Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 The Beauchamp Arms used to do a superb sunday carvery. One of the best I've had north and south including Yorkshire! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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