richardsonsboatingholidays.co.uk Reviews 941

We booked our boating trip With Richardson’s via Hoseasons and having been on a Ferry Marina boat earlier in the year we were really looking forward to another week on the broads. On arrival at our allotted time on Saturday 3rd October we were asked to wait as they were busy and ended up queuing for over an hour. We were shown our boat Commander 6 and the crew member that explained everything to us was great and really helpful, he also pointed out we should have enough fuel to last 2 weeks on a boat our size. When we eventually got on to the boat and away it was passed 4pm so when I found the boat to be less clean than I would have liked it especially in current conditions with Covid I had no choice but to clean it myself whilst my husband headed to our overnight destination. Compared to Ferry Marina who cleaned so well and also fogged to give it us that final reassurance I was concerned with how Richardson’s were taking the extra steps for safety. The next day we woke up and had showers ready for the day ahead and were concerned that there was a strong sewage smell from the main bedroom en-suite which made it unusable. We decided as there was only the 2 of us in a boat for 8 people we would use the 3rd bedroom en-suite as the smell was so bad. After showering we noticed that the shower tray was not draining the water properly and my husband had to plunge it! We also noticed that there was a smell of gas when using the cooker and the grill wouldn’t work! With a much needed week of relaxation planned we decided to “put up with the niggles” . On Monday 5th we arrived in Norwich for an overnight stay and found the mud weight would not work and as we needed to use this to moor up we called Richardson’s to tell them. They agreed to send someone someone out to fix it and at this point we mentioned the toilet and shower issue, we were told “pump it out”. Having spoken to the yacht ranger he said it was usual to have to do this after less than 48 hours with 2 people on a boat so big but we went ahead and whilst pumping out he commented that the tank was “full”! This made us think that as well as not cleaning properly the tank also hadn’t been emptied. On our last full day we noticed that we were running low on fuel so paid to put in £25 to finish our last day without any worry. We headed back to Ludham ready to go under the bridge and noticed that the height restriction were at 7ft 7inches with our boat height at 8ft 6inches we were concerned they we wouldn’t get under so called the boat yard to ask for advice. We were told by the lady that answered “well you got it Under last week and read your tide times”! Not as helpful as i would have expected.
We eventually got back to the boat yard ready to hand over the boat and come away. We were left standing in the cold for over 30 minutes and was then given the diesel confirmation paperwork to take in to reception. Now bearing in mind we were told 2 weeks of fuel, we filled up £25 of our own money we were shocked to be told by the lady in reception that we owed £31 for fuel!! We did get a refund for the pump out after complaining about this but all in all a disappointing end to what should have been a relaxing week away. The boat clearly hasn’t been cleaned properly or prepared for us properly and we then had to pay the charges for this. Whilst it was a beautiful boat design we have learnt a valuable lesson and will use Ferry Marina next time and would not recommend Richardson’s to family or friends due to these issues.

We booked a Richardsons boat through Hoseasons. Hoseasons were dreadful and did not even tell us where we needed to go to start our holiday. We ended up doing everything through Richardsons who were helpful, reassuring and friendly. The holiday was the perfect thing after 4 months of my husband being locked up because he was shielding. Everyone from Richradsons was friendly, organised, efficient and just wonderful; the people who answered the phone when I could not contact Hoseasons, the men on the gate, the man who taught us to drive the boat, the people who greeted us when we returned and measured our fuel... and the man on reception. We have just got back and have tried to book again but - unfortunately - all booked up. We will definitely go on a holiday with Richardsons again. Also, everyone who was boating was friendly and helpful, especially when I had trouble with mooring the boat! Loved Norfolk. If you want a beautiful and slow break - this is the ideal holiday.

Post Lockdown I wanted a holiday with my young adult children and elderly Springer Spaniel. Our holiday was simply fantastic, a throw back to UK holidays of my childhood. The staff at Richardson's were friendly and beyond helpful despite all the Covid restrictions. 2 Days into my week's holiday I had to go home and leave the boat due to work commitments, again the team were incredibly helpful... We then returned for Saturday and Sunday, the keys were left where we were told and we were back on the water in no time at all. I think the gentleman who welcomed us was Tony? and the lad who showed us the boat was Calam? I just felt the need to share great customer service, even in these difficult times. thanks

I would just like to say how impressed I am with this company I should be there on the broads tonight with two friends a holiday I was so looking forward to .Clearly the holiday could not go ahead due to coronavirus ,they kept us update to the position, giving us the option to transfer or cancel ,we were not in a position to rebook so requested a refund.they said it would be processed on our day of departure it was including the deposit no hassle no problem will definately book again when wea are able to do so excellent customer service

Hired Capri for a week in October, nice clean and reliable boat with a good warm air heating system. Have been hiring on the broads for 21years and have always found Richardson's staff to be friendly and helpful. Have already booked Star gem with them for March next year.

Spent a week with family aboard Astral Gem, the boat was clean but old, itmet all our needs, it's age was reflected in the price we paid.
The service we received on arrival and departure by Richardsons was more than excellent the process being well organised and seamless.
This is the first time we have used Richardsons and would have no hesitatation in recommending them.
This was in contrast to the service received from Hoseasons, in future I will book direct wth the boatyard.

We have always used Richardson’s . But I would like to leave some honest feedback. I work in the service industry and appreciate that I do not know everyone’s role at the boatyard or understand what they do , and this is just my observations. While we waited on our boat for handover at the start of our holiday it became really frustrating to watch the Richardson’s marina guys walking around while seemingly ignoring us. Many chatted up the cleaners , walked up and down - one we counted passed us 7 times with his hands in his pockets doing nothing ( we watched him just walk and turn around) One guy did nothing but shout ‘bingo dollar’ and wander about . All this time we are waiting to start our holiday , and we saw others waiting too. Each side of us were waiting while the men stood around chatting. It just felt like we didn’t matter. Eventually I stood outside the boat and caught one guys eye...he said he didn’t see us and had been looking for our boat...we were opposite the office in Swan quay where all the men were stood so I doubt he lost us. It just felt chaotic and that they would get to us when they felt like it.
We also have never owed the boatyard money on our fuel but this year we had to pay, we usually get cash back. We didn’t go much further than we usually do , so that was strange. We moored up on the 3rd day and took the opportunity to top up with water...and found to our surprise that the tank must have been really low and now wonder if it had been filled up to start with.
Overall we just didn’t feel cared for and will try another yard next time.

Myself and my family booked a boating holiday through Richardsons this Summer. The office staff were very friendly throughout the year in payments and upon arrival. The changeover despite being busy with eager holiday makers is made very easy and you are provided with a Captains Manual, life jackets (And hairdryer if you ask). Upon board there is a little starter kit of a washing up bottle about 6cm high, couple of cloths, spare bin bag and small box of matches for the gas cooker. You will need to bring your own cafetiere for those who like a filter coffee (Tea Pot was in the cupboard) but the usual can opener, sieve, wine glasses all present. The Broadland Mars was a lovely Cruiser. We was given 20 minute tutorial refresher on the Saturday to go up the river a little but couldn't set off sailing due to the High Winds. So, all Holiday makers had to spend their first night at Richardsons. Once we set off on the Sunday the boat was easy to handle despite it not having a bow thruster like a previous vessel we have hired. Over the week we did need to pump out once but heed my warning....we were heading for Richardson's at Wroxham...just very shy (As its not signposted the Day Hire) and the map of the water ways is a little confusing when cruising into Wroxham for the first time. We actually were heading in the right direction but stopped off just shy of Richardsons at the Sabena Marina as they had a blue large sign saying `Pump Out` who never informed us it was literally at the end of the same inlet of water (Less than a minute away) and whilst pumping out charged us £15 and then informed us it was at the end. We felt a bit cheated as one man insisted that we turned our 38ft boat around infront of their Marina which was a task! It was cheeky as all Richardsons boats have Richardsons on them. Felt like the man took advantage of us being tourists. We wont be making that mistake again. The man wasn't even friendly, polite nor gracious! Literally everyone else in the Norfolk Broads were absolutely charming. Would have been more than happy to pay for a pumpout anywhere but being so close and it was just how unfriendly he was)....Anyway, all in all, moorings were fine to find, we moved on every day. We only paid for one night mooring fee at £10 which we didn't mind as it was an island payable to the Broads Authority but managed to get free moorings the rest of the week. Taking on water at £1 charge was no problem. Plenty of friendly marinas and mooring points have this facility....but wasn't given this opportunity at the Sabena! We filled up after the bridge in Wroxham! at least the ducks smiled at us!...there I go again... We loved our boat but at 6.10`` head draft - it doesn't fit under the Acle Bridge nor will cross to the South Broads due to the Vauxhall Bridge nr Great Yarmouth. I would recommend Richardsons, great cruising base with plenty of walks, wildlife to see!

as a richardson myself its a fantastic experience!

Thankyou again richardsons for another brilliant boating holiday.Our friend had major surgery before the holiday so we had to change our boat to make it more accessible for her as was using a wheelchair.An employee called bob came and spoke to us and couldn't have been more helpful lovely man.It was a lovely week on the bright horizon what a lovely little boat.We have booked for next year on the broards sunrise thankyou again see you next year

We have used this boat company since 2000, and had no problems until this last holiday.The boat which we hired was San Franciso 1, the boat was grubby, green mold behind the near side rear windows.then there was the sliding canopy, it had at sometime been hit, you needed the strength of popeye to move it, the safety rail on the roof was all bent the inside of the roof had patches on it which had fallen of showing holes,. The rear bathroom was so old that it had cracks inside the bowl and unhygienic. Strips that covered the floor had loose screws and had to be tightened down, the boat was grubby and not up to the standard we are use to expecting from Richardsons,also the staff members who served us when we returned needed to take a happy pills all we got when we went to return the life jackets was throw them over there, and the woman at reception gave the impression she would rather be somewhere else its a shame really after all these years that i have had to write a review like this, very disapointing

We had a fantastic week on the broads, Richardson’s staff was really good, especially Brian the team leader his knowledge and advice was second to none, the boat was very spacious and clean, the fridge, microwave, and cooker was excellent, the only downside is the beds they are very hard, however we had extra duvets and we lay on them which was far better. We would highly recommend this boat, we are in our mid sixties and managed it very well. If you decide to book this boat please look after it.

we have been coming to the broads for many years the past few years we have been coming for 2 weeks at the beginning of the season and 3weeks in October we always use Richardsons and have always found all the staff friendly and helpful this October were on gold gem which we found comfortable but lacking in hooks to hang things from certainly could do with some in the shower and bedrooms , the engine overheated on our 3rd day up river from Acle dyke my husband managed to get the boat moored onto a bank we honed for help and the engineers came within 45mins vey polite and even though another engineer had to be called to help fix another problem that was found we were on our way again in just under 2 hours as usual good service which is what we come to expect see you all again next year !

Hired Soprano 5-8 October 18. It sleeps 4-7 so with 4 we had plenty of space. Collection went smoothly; we turned up early and boat was ready. First timers on the Broads so took advantage of short tuition session and off we went. Ran out of potable water by tea time. Rang Richardson's from Ludham Bridge and after we went through potential faults over the phone a couple of chaps came out and checked system and filled us up again. Very polite and refrained from suggesting we had left a tap on! Boat is quite old but comfortable and in good working order. Bit tricky steering from cabin as visibility is poor, especially when raining. Easy to steer from flying bridge. Handback went smoothly also. Recommend Richardson's and Soprano (but not for more than 4).

We had booked bright horizon for a week 22nd - 28th Sept, ending up returning boat on Morning 24th which happened to be our wedding anniversary, as the boat was really uncomfortable, would never fit 4 people in, there was a terrible draft and no curtains on the front windows which made us feel exposed to everyone evening times, no microwave and oven looked ancient . Staff member was rude, said well you won't get a refund, and if you had rung us we could of sorted curtains,... Surely curtain issue should of been sorted before they let us have the boat??? Will not be returning unfortunately

Just come back from a week on the Sunlit Horizon II . This was our first boating experience but it won't be our last as we have booked again on Moonraker as we have enjoyed it so much. The Sunlit Horizon is an older boat but had all amenities only downside was it's quite draughty as windows do not close properly in main area. Richardsons are very helpful and friendly and the check in check out process is well organised and efficient. We visited most of the northern broads with the exception of potter heigham and beyond as the boat would not fit under the bridge on the day we arrived there but hopefully the next one will.

Just returned from a great week on Crystal Horizon 1. Boat well presented and everything thought of. This is one of Richardson's platinum boats and includes made up beds and towels.
Had a lovely week peaceful and relaxing.
Unfortunately our last few days were a little spoiled by the inconsiderate speed of another boat hired from Richardsons. Who felt that any speed limit did not apply to them. The speed on the Ant was such to make a Huge wake and rocking of our boat, even spilling the tea. We did report this to the company, but they didn't seem particularly interested. But this behaviour gives all us hiring a boat a bad reputation. Just hope this party are not on the broads at the same time as us next time.

Ok so we are on sapphire 2 atm the boat is ok however a bit small, I really don’t think it’s suitable for 4 adults as stated. We did try to upgrade on Friday when we arrived but the lady on reception said nothing was available she was a little rude Tbf , so we had no choice. The bedrooms are very cramped, when you are claustrophobic it’s difficult, We would book Richardson again but defo not this boat. The broads are beautiful and weather is stunning Paula barnes Northamptonshire

From basic to luxury richardsons have never let us down love our holidays aboard their cruisers and will continue to book wirh them . we live in norfolk and as beautiful as the scenery is you cant beat seeing the views whilst boating regards maggie

This was our first trip on the Broads and what a fantastic morning we all had. The team at Richardsons were friendly and welcomed us aboard to give us full instruction before they let us set sail with our life jackets on. It was a beautiful scenic route and just so relaxing, all the family took a turn sailing the 8+3 launch and we can thoroughly recommend it! We were able to bring our pet dog along too for £3...great value and a great time had by all. Must apologise to Paul again for getting back 15 mins late, we hadn't planned a "comfort break" and after several cups of tea struggled to find somewhere to stop that wasnt private....we shall know next time, can't wait to come back!!