River Bure
Access: free
County: Norfolk
Species
- roach
- bream
- perch
- pike
- rudd
- tench
- eel
Facilities
- boat hire
- moorings
- public access
- walking routes
- broadland villages
The River Bure is one of the principal rivers of the Norfolk Broads and one of the best-known waterways in East Anglia. Rising near Melton Constable in north Norfolk, the river flows east through market towns, broadland villages and open marshes before eventually joining the River Yare near Great Yarmouth.
Overview
The River Bure is central to the Broads national park landscape and is widely known for boating, angling, wildlife and tourism. The river combines upper freshwater reaches with broadland marshes and navigable lower sections, creating a diverse environment for recreation and conservation.
The Bure flows through a mixture of rural countryside, historic settlements and internationally important wetland habitats. It supports a large range of birdlife, aquatic plants and fish species and forms part of the wider Broads protected wetland system.
Course
The River Bure rises near Melton Constable and flows through Aylsham, Coltishall, Wroxham, Horning, Ranworth and St Benet’s Abbey before continuing toward Great Yarmouth.
The river passes through several famous Norfolk Broads locations, including Wroxham and Horning, both major centres for boating and tourism. Below Wroxham, the river becomes fully navigable and widens as it enters the broadland marshes and connected broads.
The Bure eventually joins the River Yare and River Waveney system near Breydon Water before reaching the North Sea at Great Yarmouth.
Fishing
The River Bure is one of Norfolk’s best-known coarse fishing rivers and is especially popular for roach, bream and pike fishing. The lower river and connected broads regularly produce large bream catches, while the upper reaches provide mixed-species river fishing.
Pike fishing is particularly well known during the winter months around Wroxham, Horning and the surrounding broads. Perch, rudd, tench and eel are also commonly found throughout the system.
Many stretches are controlled by angling clubs, boatyards or private landowners, although public fishing access exists in some locations. Anglers require a valid Environment Agency rod licence.
Navigation and Recreation
The River Bure is one of the busiest navigable rivers in the Broads system and supports leisure boating, canoeing, paddleboarding and riverside tourism.
Wroxham is often referred to as the “capital of the Broads” and acts as a major starting point for boating holidays. The river includes numerous staithes, moorings, marinas and boat hire centres.
Popular riverside destinations along the Bure include:
- Wroxham
- Horning
- Ranworth
- Coltishall
- Aylsham
- St Benet’s Abbey
Walking routes, nature reserves and waterside pubs are found throughout the river corridor.
Conservation
The River Bure forms part of the Broads Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Ramsar wetland network. Conservation work focuses on maintaining water quality, protecting wetland habitats and balancing tourism with environmental protection.
The river and surrounding marshes support important populations of birds, fish, insects and aquatic plants. Ongoing projects within the Bure catchment include habitat restoration, bank stabilisation, invasive species management and flood resilience work.
Organisations involved in conservation work include the Broads Authority, Environment Agency, Norfolk Rivers Trust and local wildlife groups.
Notes
- The River Bure is navigable from Coltishall downstream to Great Yarmouth.
- Wroxham Bridge is a well-known navigation bottleneck with limited clearance for larger boats.
- The river connects with several famous broads including Wroxham Broad, Hoveton Great Broad and Ranworth Broad.
- The lower reaches become increasingly tidal toward Great Yarmouth and Breydon Water.
- The Bure is one of the most visited waterways in the Norfolk Broads national park.