The Wherries

Ardea is Latin for Heron. The height of luxury, she was launched in 1927 and was the last ever wherry to be built. We like to think of her as the Rolls Royce of wherries.

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She also has a rather fascinating and colourful background...

With a lavish Egyption-themed interior, Hathor was commissioned by the Colman (as in Colman's mustard) family and launched in 1905. 

Launched in 1912 and named after a famous racing yacht, Norada’s design was inspired by the sleek hulls and extra deck space of the cruising yachts of the era.  

Olive, launched in 1909, was the first purpose built Wherry Yacht to be constructed by local builder Ernest Collins for his Wroxham hire boat fleet on the Norfolk Broads.

The last wherry yacht ever to be completed, elegant White Moth was originally privately commissioned in 1915.  

She later rejoined Ernest Collin’s hire fleet at Wroxham in 1921. 

The rich heritage of the Norfolk trading wherry stretches back to the 17th Century.  In the Edwardian and Victorian eras the boats evolved to carry passengers in comfort and style.