Iconic club has much to offer on and off the water

There’s a warm welcome for all at the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club

Lowestoft’s seafront has many landmarks, but none is more elegant than the Edwardian clubhouse of the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club. Tucked inside the town’s busy Outer Harbour, this striking Grade II*-listed building is an all-weather haven for sailors at all states of the tide, organises racing at sea for a number of competitive classes, and offers a unique setting for dining, drinks and overnight stays.

Almost-instant access to the uncluttered waters of the southern North Sea make RN&SYC – one of Britain’s oldest yacht clubs – a fabulous location for regattas; Squibs, Merlin Rockets, Toppers, Lasers and the highly competitive Broads One

Design keelboats all take part in racing here and in early August this year the club will host its own Sea Week Open event. After a day of fierce competition, the excellent social facilities within the clubhouse are ideal for post-race catch-ups – private function rooms can be booked for more formal events and presentations.

Leisure sailors receive an equally warm welcome; RN&SYC has its own marina with pontoon berths for members’ and visiting vessels. Facilities include water, electricity, fuel, pump-out and waste disposal, plus 24-hour access to toilets, showers and laundry facilities. New glass-fronted floodwalls for 2023 enhance the view across the marina. All vessels must call VHF Ch14 for permission to enter and leave Lowestoft’s busy working harbour, and call VHF Ch80 for instructions on berthing in the RN&SYC marina.

The RN&SYC was founded in 1859 and this year is the 120th anniversary of its iconic clubhouse. Visit and you’ll find stunning original features including period fireplaces, a snooker room and an impressive art collection. Generations of members have ensured that their Royal Club continues to preserve its traditions, while fully embracing the changes required to continue its future success – numbers have risen from 94 in the foundation year to more than 750 today – with Family and Junior categories among the memberships available. Visiting crews and competitors in any race sponsored or organised by the club have access to all the facilities too, and as an accredited RYA Training Centre RN&SYC offers courses for power boating and yachting as well as a range of shore-based tuition.

You don’t have to be a sailor or boat-owner to join the RN&SYC, however: an extensive schedule of social events appeals to adults and children both on and off the water. For many the opportunity to meet friends, enjoy a drink and dine in such a distinguished setting is appeal enough; the club has two well stocked bars –one for members only – alongside a traditional restaurant and an airy sun lounge for food and drinks with marina views.

•www.rnsyc.net

The RN&SYC has nine comfortable rooms for overnight guests, alongside a quiet seating area overlooking the marina. Members can book two complimentary nights’ accommodation each year, while for non-members B&B rates are highly competitive – prices for 2023 range from £32 for single occupancy of a room with shared facilities to £70 for an en-suite twin room.

Arrange a stay and you’re perfectly positioned to explore the Suffolk Heritage Coast, which stretches south from Lowestoft to Felixstowe. Upmarket Southwold, Aldeburgh, Orford and Woodbridge are all within driving distance, and for nature-lovers Dunwich Heath and the RSPB reserve at Minsmere are must-do destinations.

Upriver, Oulton Broad (below) is the southern gateway to the Broads National Park and a busy sporting centre with many places to shop, eat and drink. The extensive water frontage makes a walk around Nicholas Everitt Park unmissable; call into the Lowestoft Museum to see one of the best collections of Lowestoft Porcelain as well as other artefacts relating to the area’s history. Alternatively, stroll the promenade from RN&SYC and you’ll see the gorgeous sands of South Beach (above), the stunning Victoriana-style East Point Pavilion – a hub for street food vendors and year-round events – and the Claremont and South Piers. Some very fine properties and genteel Kensington Gardens sit above the prom as you reach the neighbourhoods of Kirkley and Pakefield; the former was the birthplace of composer Benjamin Britten while the latter has a pretty cliff-top church and is home to Lowestoft’s oldest pub.

Home to Deben Café on HMS Vale

Here at Melton Boatyard we pride ourselves on good, honest service. We are down to earth and, in a boating world increasingly full of shiny paint and expensive solutions, refreshingly straightforward. This is a traditional working boatyard, and we are proud of it.

Our 30-berth marina is modestly priced and our floating berths stay full all summer, although we can usually accommodate short-term requests by moving our own small fleet to free up a berth. Long-standing customers become our friends and many have been here for years. Customers tell us they appreciate our friendly service, relaxed attitude and open approach.

We are able to store 100 boats ashore, can offer mud berths on request, and offer membership to Deben Bar, our licensed club house located in The Engine Room of HMS Vale.