Sail back in time on a Broads wherry

Visitors to the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads this summer can enjoy a rare trip on a historic sailing wherry.

The Broads Authority has chartered Olive and Norada, each almost a century old, for its annual wherry tour. Trips lasting from half an hour to a whole day will be on offer. For the Authority, Rachael Miller explained: "This is the perfect way to enjoy the Broads. It is very quiet and peaceful, and you don't need any boating experience as the wherries are sailed for you by a trained crew."

Wherries are the traditional sailing craft of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. They evolved as trading craft, carrying goods between the village quays or staithes - but their numbers declined as railways and roads took their trade.

With their graceful lines, shallow hulls and huge single sail, they were quick to evolve into charter craft for the first Broads tourists at the end of the 19th century. Soon wherries were being converted or specially built for holidaymakers.

This year, the wherries will be sailing down the River Bure to Great Yarmouth and up the Yare to Norwich between the 2nd and 21st of August. Full details of the trips are available in a leaflet from any Broads Information Centre or from the Broads Authority - telephone 01603 610734, or email broads@broads-authority.gov.uk.

Longer trips, which include connecting transport, must be booked in advance. For half hour short trips no advance bookings are taken - just come along on the day. And if you don't want to set sail, there are plenty of opportunities to look around these beautiful historic boats when they are moored up.