The boats are well maintained and cared for. Well fitted out with all you need for the holiday. All... read more
The boats are well maintained and cared for. Well fitted out with all you need for the holiday. All... read more
I had never sailed before the holiday, but now I really know my way around the boat and the key... read more
Best way to unwind... in the wind!
After the fun and excitement of arriving and setting sail you can feel life's pressures falling away.
Eastwood Whelpton is a lovely family owned boatyard on the beautiful Norfolk Broads. A short stay gives you just enough time to sail up to Hickling and Horsey, two lovely sailing destinations, where you can experience life at a pace it is meant to be.
We have had a number of holidays on the broads and, once you get into sailing a 'proper' broads yacht, you will never turn back. Those that have cruisers are the 'hullabaloos' that Arthur Ransome talks about and sailing past Potter Heigham Bridge filters out the majority of hullabaloos and it makes for a tranquil time on the water.
Cannot wait until we go again.
Lovely friendly yard, great service, boats are kept well and in good condition. Ropes replaced when getting worn, which is so important for enjoying sailing. Goodie bag and pint of milk in the fridge on arrival - they really take care of you.
I have had two separate days sailing one of the half-deckers this year. The boats were clean on pick-up and all Covid precautions were taken. It felt very safe. Both days were windy and reefs needed but the boat still handled well. This yard is a very good place to set off from for a days sailing and fits beautifully into a morning sailing, moor up for a picnic lunch and sail again in the afternoon pattern. They provide a small electric outboard which can be a help getting out or into the dyke. ( I think a way of securing the outboard while saying will help)
I hope to make these days a regular event-have also hired one of the cruisers for a few days and can highly recommend that experience as well. Great family stay-cation.
We had a fantastic trip aboard Windjammer. The staff at Eastwood Whelpton were very helpful and the boat was clean and tidy on arrival. All social distancing was maintained as we did the introduction before setting sail.
We had mixed weather, but thankfully the torrential rain and high winds were confined to the nights.
Some great sailing on Horsea and two journeys through Potter Heigham bridge.
If you want somewhere to sail from this is a great place.
Eastwood Whelpton are an extremely friendly and professional team and this year also offering a very careful Covid-aware service, along with their traditional warm welcome. Annie and Andy are such sailing enthusiasts, their energy is revitalising. Lovely new loos at yard, probably the best on the Broads and definitely worth a visit. 'South Seas' is a gaff rigged, beautifully crafted boat designed for the Broads. Just boarding begins to replenish the soul and a week aboard is life enhancing. We are amateur sailors with a more experienced young skipper. Engine very useful. Fridge is fantastic and very neat and serviceable oven/hob. Bunks very comfy. Added extras very welcoming. Exhilarating sailing on Barton and Hickling Broads, and the peace and precision of goose winging up meadow dyke utterly sublime. Other things to do: row to Ranworth from the island moorings; mud weight overnight at Horsey; eat yummy donuts at Potter Heigham, ice creams at Ludham Bridge (served to the mooring by the very kind shop owner) and great pizza at the White Horse Inn Neatishead; book for next year.
Thank you so much! What a kind review - our favourite one of the year so far! Glad you all had a super family week together on South Seas. See you all again soon.
Excellent boats, beautiful, well equipped and scrupulously clean. Lots of local knowledge about the state of the waterways and best places to moor up. They have a choice of traditional boats and easier to sail modern ones. I can't wait to sail with them again.