A brief history of Herbert Woods Boatyard

Herbert Woods’ is a name synonymous with both the Norfolk Broads and Potter Heigham. His colourful association with the area began in 1929, when as a young man Herbert took over the family boat building firm Walter Woods & Sons following a buyout of his brothers and sisters holdings. He then began an ambitious plan of expanding the small fleet of broads hire cruisers and creating the boat building and mooring facilities of ‘Broads Haven’ that make up the marina that you see today.

We are proud of the legacy left to us by this pioneering man and continue to expand our fleet of cruisers in true Herbert Woods’ spirit. The fleet now comprises 123 cruisers and 31 day boats. The word ‘Light’ features in all our boat names following in the tradition of the first fleet of ‘Light boats’. We are pleased to introduce 2 new boats, the Supreme Lights to our fleet for 2011.

1891 - Herbert Woods is born 3rd February.
1907 - Young Herbert begins his apprenticeship at Broads Yachting Co Ltd at Potter Heigham
1922/23 - Herbert and his family move to Potter Heigham to work at the family business Walter Woods & Sons
1926 - Herbert builds the first of the ‘Light’ cruisers ‘Speed of Light’
1929 - Herbert buys the family business and Herbert Woods Boatyard is formed
1930 - Work begins on digging out the yacht basin and creating mooring facilities at ‘Broads Haven’
1931 - Inaugural cruise of the ‘Delights’ around the newly completed yacht basin
1954 - Herbert Woods dies aged 64 years