Brancaster harbour is a wonderful place to sit and have a picnic or to watch the wildlife from. You can also access the coast path and walk west to Branodunum – the site of a Roman Fort!

During the summer, food and drink are available from the Crab Hut and an ice-cream van. We also have a single, accessible toilet on site.

Parking is free but the harbour does get very busy around high tide, with boats launching and recovering, so we ask that visitors time their visit accordingly. The harbour starts to get busy from 2 hours before high tide and then for the following 2 hours after high tide (see Tide Times ).

Harbour information

Harbour Master’s office

Brancaster Staithe harbour is owned and managed by the National Trust. Our Harbour Master oversees harbour safety and operations and will be happy to assist with any harbour-related queries you may have, whether you are visiting for the day or have a boat moored in the harbour.

You can contact the Harbour Master (Mike Parker) by email at norfolkcoast@nationaltrust.org.uk. For anything that requires urgent attention, please call him on 07810 850 334, or the Area Ranger (Keith Miller) on 07733 002 204.

Tides

Click here for the latest local tide information.

Moorings and chain

The harbour has moorings for approximately 150 boats – all of which are currently taken. We also provide a chain on the hard for small boats and tenders to be stored on. Boats can be attached to the chain between 1 March and 30 November. All boats on the chain must be registered with the National Trust, so that we can contact the owners in the event of a problem.

From 2024, places on the chain will be subject to a ballot, which will be open throughout August. Click here for full details on the new mooring fees and the ballot for places on the chain.

Harbour rules

All harbour users are asked to read and abide by the harbour's conditions of launch and general directions.