Butley River

[Suj]

Does anyone have advice about anchoring in the Butley River with a boat of 1.7m draught? Thanks.

 

[johnalison]

I haven't been there for yonks, 1977 in fact, but we used to anchor to two anchors, fore & aft, to restrict the swinging circle, which is what I would still do.

 

[Suj]

Thanks, good suggestion.
Was also after current info re depths at LW & entrance to the creek.

 

[Plum]

Thanks, good suggestion.
Was also after current info re depths at LW & entrance to the creek.

Don't cut the corner at the entrance, particularty if the saltings are covered, but if they are exposed then there is still a spit of mud. See here Google Earth

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Suj]

?

 

[fredrussell]

There’s a deepish bit just (50 metres) downriver of Boyton Dock. Upriver of the dock it shallows a lot.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

It gets rather busy sometimes. The alternative is to anchor close by in "Abraham's Bosom" which is marked on the chart, and then go exploring in the dinghy.

 

[Suj]

Thanks

 

[Troublesome Reach]

It’s a couple of years since I have been up there,
However I remember going up the creek shortly after LW, with 1.5m draft, without too much difficulty, ie minimal weaving to find enough water.
After you get past the spit at the entrance Best water is generally on the port side when going up river.
My favourite place to anchor is just before or just after Boyton Dock. Between the dock and ferry crossing/ moored boats things get significantly more shallow.
The ebb runs quite fast, but holding is glorious mud

 

[Suj]

Great, thank you for the advice

 

[Leighb]

It gets rather busy sometimes. The alternative is to anchor close by in "Abraham's Bosom" which is marked on the chart, and then go exploring in the dinghy.

If you anchor there I would recommend using earplugs, the geese and other denizens of the island can be incredibly noisy around sunrise. ?

 

[Suj]

Thanks.
That's what we wondered, especially at the weekend. AB certainly an option.

 

[sailorman]

Does anyone have advice about anchoring in the Butley River with a boat of 1.7m draught? Thanks.

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[Seashoreman]

I spend many weekends throughout the year in the Butley, its my 'go-to-place'. I was there last weekend and hope to be there this weekend to escape the Aldeburgh Carnival. I agree with all the comments so far. Keep to port side of river up to Boyton Dock and then the middle up to ferry. There are many deep draught vessels past the ferry on private moorings.
I would recommend anchoring before the Dock as depending on tide direction you may need turning space and at low water it can be relatively narrow further up. You will find plenty of water to anchor in there, Past the dock it can drop to around 2.75 M at low but 4 M at high. Please be aware that the ladder has been removed, you can just about clamber ashore on the rocks on left of dock. you can also tie-up a dinghy on the ferry pontoon either side of river, not hindering the rowing ferry of coarse.
There can be evening parties on the Dock and groups of youths diving into the river but recently they have not been a rowdy lot.
I love the sounds of the local cattle, sheep and ducks etc. It is very unspoilt, no roads, telegraph pylons etc although if you take the river wall to the mouth of the Butley you can see the remains of the tank range practice grounds.
Occasionally Pinney's big blue fishing cat will come past at some unearthly hour of the morning, returning in the afternoon, fishermen are always willing to give a wave. Further past the ferry on starboard side is Pinney's oyster beds, best keep well clear of them if you go exploring in a dinghy. you can get quite a way up the 'creek' through the reedbeds towards the old mill.
Orford is a good 45 mins walking along the road and totally exhausting along the river wall after a beer in town.
The other side you can walk to Butley Oyster pub but it is a marathon, about 1.5 hours each way. In 40 years I have only done that once.
Hope that helps a little more. I am a Leisure 23sl called Sea Sharp. Malcolm.

 

[DanTribe]

The entrance is a bit narrow and there's a shallow patch about 150 metres in, but we manage either 1.7m, sometimes we touch. Deepest spot is just below and above Boyton Dock. The ladder has been removed so almost impossible to get ashore now .we had to dinghy up to the ferry landing.

 

[Slowboat35]

I'm afraid in 25 years I've only been to the Butley Oyster pub once. It'll be longer than 25 years before I risk it again.
Check that one carefully, it garners more appalling reviews than is usual but of course times can change.

The Butley Oysterage however is a simple, uncomplicated seafood restaurant in Orford village and where much of the fish from that big blue cat ends up. Now that place is quite another matter...

 

[DanTribe]

When my son was about 10 (now 46) we managed to book a table at the Butley Oysterage. He ordered fish fingers, his favourite, but they were not on the menu. His comment was "what sort of fish restaurant is this !?".
Happily the waitress / proprietor had some in her freezer. Confidence was restored.

 

[Seashoreman]

I'm afraid in 25 years I've only been to the Butley Oyster pub once. It'll be longer than 25 years before I risk it again.
Check that one carefully, it garners more appalling reviews than is usual but of course times can change.

The Butley Oysterage however is a simple, uncomplicated seafood restaurant in Orford village and where much of the fish from that big blue cat ends up. Now that place is quite another matter...

Good God Man you sound like a local? Went there 25 years ago and the beer was warm. Ho Ha.
25 years ago would have been the widow Vera or was it Rita ( 3 generations of her family and she was elderly). Beer barrels behind the bar. Cant remember food, maybe a cheese and onion sandwich? Highlight of the week was Folk night on a Sunday, heaving with jolly funmakers. I used to play guitar and sing and bash my head on the beam. That was probably the night you went?
Anyway with respect a few years ago someone, who I knew made a crazy and risky decision to have a go at the Butley Oyster. Bought a decent piano from me, spent a lot of money on interior to keep it 'rural'. Expensive Chef, lunchtime stuff, good beer. Little shop, Cinema in the barn. A lot of care, love and money. Unfortunately no big feedback, it is a sparse area and with half the few properties being second homes/holiday rentals
she got out. Then another woman took it with great enthusiasm, then Covid hit and I am getting fed up telling you about the rest.
The Butley Oyster is something special. It has survived the storms, the colonisation of the area, the financial pressures and the criticisms.
Just a pity it is such a long walk from Butley Dock.
If any of you discerning gastronomes are in the area and have some sort of transport then you must also realise the Chillesford Froize Inn.
IP12 3PU. Mr David Grimwood has been a notable chef and host in these parts for getting on for 40 years (haha). He hunts and cooks local wildthings and also has the most incredible Folk Music events in the marquee out back ( advert for David).
So, after 25 years old bean, give it all a look again? Perhaps.

 

[greylag]

Good God Man you sound like a local? Went there 25 years ago and the beer was warm. Ho Ha.
25 years ago would have been the widow Vera or was it Rita ( 3 generations of her family and she was elderly). Beer barrels behind the bar. Cant remember food, maybe a cheese and onion sandwich? Highlight of the week was Folk night on a Sunday, heaving with jolly funmakers. I used to play guitar and sing and bash my head on the beam. That was probably the night you went?
Anyway with respect a few years ago someone, who I knew made a crazy and risky decision to have a go at the Butley Oyster. Bought a decent piano from me, spent a lot of money on interior to keep it 'rural'. Expensive Chef, lunchtime stuff, good beer. Little shop, Cinema in the barn. A lot of care, love and money. Unfortunately no big feedback, it is a sparse area and with half the few properties being second homes/holiday rentals
she got out. Then another woman took it with great enthusiasm, then Covid hit and I am getting fed up telling you about the rest.
The Butley Oyster is something special. It has survived the storms, the colonisation of the area, the financial pressures and the criticisms.
Just a pity it is such a long walk from Butley Dock.
If any of you discerning gastronomes are in the area and have some sort of transport then you must also realise the Chillesford Froize Inn.
IP12 3PU. Mr David Grimwood has been a notable chef and host in these parts for getting on for 40 years (haha). He hunts and cooks local wildthings and also has the most incredible Folk Music events in the marquee out back ( advert for David).
So, after 25 years old bean, give it all a look again? Perhaps.

The Froize, with pub sign hand painted by Simon Trinder. Work of art.

 

[Slowboat35]

Ho ha indeed!
Seashoreman, perhaps if you actually read what I wrote you'd realise I didn't say my visit was 25 years ago so much of your post is superfluous to say the least.
It sounds as though my visit was during the cinema era, perhaps towards the end. The reason for a lack of feedback was all too apparent.
But I did say things change so perhaps it's better now. (come to think about it it must be...)

As for the Froize, it has an excellent reputation but its website invites you to explore the food but then tells you absolutely nothing whatsoever about it, no menu, no prices, nothing, and then stipulates tables can be booked for between 1200 and 1230...Gosh! Not there for the customers' convenience, are they?