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Camping Bargain May Madness!
Half price short breaks and 7 for 3 offer throughout May!John Row - Storyteller
John Row, international storyteller will be appearing at the Waveney River Centre every Monday and. . . Raft Race Weekend 2012
July 21st & 22nd - fundraising weekend for Waveney Stardust. Raft Race Saturday @ 3pm.Betsie Jane River Tours
Skippered tours of the Southern Broads on a beautifully restored 1930s gentleman's launch - exclusively. . . New ferry service for 2012
Historic ferry service to resume - linking Waveney River Centre with Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve,. . .
Betsie Jane River Tours
New for 2012 - old fashioned luxury aboard Betsie Jane - a 1930s classic gentleman's launch.
Lovingly restored and completed in 2011, we're proud to offer skippered tours of the Southern Broads aboard this beautiful launch, from Easter 2012. Available for full and half day charter, this is the ideal way for larger parties (up to 12 passengers) to explore the Broads in style as part of your holiday or for a special day out.
Full day charter is £350, trips include bird-watching at Breydon Water or a cruise to Geldeston Locks. Half day hire is £200. Your skipper is included in the price so you can simply relax and let him do the driving for you. We can create a bespoke tour to suit your own tastes, or simply choose from our carefully planned menu. To check availability and book, please click here.
Full day cruises - approx 7 hours
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Kingfisher Tour
The Kingfisher tour covers the beautiful upper reaches of the Waveney River where we are usually escorted by stunning kingfishers and the occasional otter. Starting at the WRC we have tea and cake on Oulton Broad before moving on to Beccles where we stop for lunch, this can be provided by us or bring your own packed lunch. After lunch we travel further up the Waveney to the end of navigation at the historic Geldeston Lock where we stop for further tea and cake. For those wishing to try some of the local ale there is enough time for a pint in the famous locks pub before our return journey, approximately 2.5 hours, to WRC. Click to book
Round the Island Tour
This is a birdwatchers dream tour passing through a number of nature reserves including: Carlton Marshes, Oulton Marshes, Camps Heath Wildlife Reserve, Berney Marshes (RSPB) and Breydon Water Reserve (RSPB). We attempt to cross Breydon at low water to observe the masses of wading birds. From Breydon we continue on to circumnavigate Haddiscoe Island via Reedham and the Haddiscoe New Cut where we join the Waveney river for our return leg to WRC. Click to book
Morning and afternoon tea and homemade cake are provided. Hot or cold lunch can be provided or bring your own packed lunch.
The Wherry Tour
In this tour we explore the trading routes of the traditional wherries leaving WRC and travelling downstream to St Olaves. At St.Olaves we cross Chedgrave marshes via Haddiscoe New Cut to Reedham where we join the River Yare. From Reedham we head for Rockland Broad passing the imposing sugar beet factory at Cantley. At Rockland Broad we navigate the narrow channel into Rockland Staithe where we stop for lunch. Our return journey is via Rockland Broad where we can see the old skeletal frames of these historic vessels at the ‘wherry graveyard’. This tour covers quite a distance and gives you a sense of the challenges faced by the engineless trading vessels and the skill of the master and crew that sailed them. Click to book
Half day tours - approx 3.5 hours
9:30 am to 1:00 pm
2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Kingfisher Tour
Upon leaving the Waveney River Centre we head upstream to the market town of Beccles where we stop for tea and homemade cake. There may be time to explore the town or tide permitting we pass under Beccles Bridge and see the old trading part of the town. We are often escorted by kingfishers and sometimes spot an otter. Our leisurely return trip allows time for some rest and relaxation while enjoying the picturesque scenery that the Waveney Valley offers. Click to book
Wherry Tour
This tour takes us downstream on the Waveney River to Reedham where we stop for some tea and cake before returning via Haddiscoe New Cut. Built in the 1830s the canal joins the Waveney and Yare Rivers to assist the trading wherries ply their trade. On this trip we will experience the ‘big East Anglian skies’ of Haddiscoe Marshes and expect to see a number of marsh harriers, kingfishers and migrating birds during the spring and autumn migrations. Click to book
Oulton Broad Tour
A leisurely cruise to Somerleyton combined with an exploration of Oulton Broad where we will anchor in the broad and enjoy the peace and quiet with a slice of homemade cake and tea. After tea we continue to explore the broad and at certain times watch traditional yachts racing from the yacht club. On the return trip we pass through the Carlton Marshes Reserve and expect to see marsh harriers and the occasional otter. Click to book
Special Events
Betsie Jane is available for charter for special events such as the many summer regattas, watching powerboat racing on Oulton Broad or corporate entertainment - please get in touch with us.
Historical notes
Built in 1938 by Saunders Roe of Cowes, Isle of Wight, Betsie Jane is a motor cruiser of timber carvel construction and a diesel engine by Standard Motor Company, installed in 1952. Betsie Jane was commissioned by Lord Ebbisham in 1938. During World II she made two crossings to Dunkirk to assist the evacuations, her powerful engines enabling her to tow other vessels. The hull is virtually all original and there are many original fittings and cabinet work. Uffa Fox referred to her as "the finest example of the round bilge day cruiser we shall find".
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