Herbert Woods Reviews 

From booking right through the holiday a great company to deal with if any minor thing is car parking but they find space for you

Easy check in, and boat ready early. Second day engine overheated, engineers attended and advised weed filter blocked. This was a reoccurrence wherever we went for the entire 2 weeks, and we constantly had to pull over and clear, despite carrying out the daily engine checks, (I've been boatng on the Broads for over 40 years so understand the importance of these checks).
Day 3 and we've no gas, bottle empty, and only the 3rd time we'd used it, so it was running on memories when we collected the boat.
Minimal cruising due to the weed filter issue, and not run hard due to overheating, and I had the pleasure 3 months after the holiday, to be informed, for the first time, I owe £56 for fuel, and it's OK if its an "oversight", but please pay urgently.
On the plus side the yard staff are friendly. Really couldn't fault them. But I'll be spending my money elsewhere in future.

Avoid Herbert woods boats are filthy that’s all I’ve got to say

Well we have been hanging on to write about our trip with Herbert Woods. But we have been hanging for a refund. Thought we would try and do the decent thing and give them a chance. But it seems like they don't want to take that chance so now I can tell everybody exactly what happened and what to look out for. We were booked in on the Evesham light for a week.. On arrival the whole boat stank of diesel, the boat looked completely dated and not particularly clean. But we decided that because it was my last trip on the Broads. To try and give this boat a go, and make it work. Prior to this I had been on the Broads about 7 or 8 times from a child up to my adult adventures. So not particularly impressed by first sight things got gradually worse. Firstly with the electrics. We were told that we would need to run the boat for four hours to get a decent charge which we did on three of our days or since we had been there. But low and behold when we try to charge our phones and maybe watching telly afterwards we would get a beeping noise which meant that the battery was not coping with the electrics. I am not a technical man about these things but it would cut off the electric literally .., so while trying to get our evenings entertainment we could not watch the TV which was about it apart from maybe reading books. We had brought a number of films with us thought we would, see the evenings through with them. But that seemed like it wasn't going to happen. We still carried on with the trip, managed did what we could just play along with the old boat. We even manage a couple of nights but honestly these boats are so outdated they need a revamp or binning off and a new Fleet. If only that was the only problem we had. low and behold, unknown to us our toilet was filling up and starting to overflow and by the time we got to the third day there was s*** and p.. s everywhere in the shower/toilet room. After my wife had had a shower in the second morning we were starting to be flooded with this horrible liquid. To cut a long story short it was so disgusting we obviously went back to base which now was taking up another day of our holiday. We had contacted Herbert Woods and they suggested we come back to base. For those of you with any experience you know you can't go very quick on the Norfolk Broads. Which is the whole idea of the holiday pretty much. On the phone call they said they would possibly would give us another boat or give us a boat we could use during the day and come back once they had repaired and tidied up the boat we were using. Now that might sound fair but on the Norfolk Broads when you lose a day like this you're losing two days. And we didn't want a day launch because most of the day had gone anyway. We gave it some thought but on arrival back there was another couple that had the same problem with a toilet situation and also an engine situation. where the boat nearly caught fire through engine trouble. And that just about swayed it for us we weren't interested in anything anymore on the Norfolk Broads. We had enough the smell was awful and had made as quite ill. When we got back there was a H Woods employee that tried to accuse my wife of leaving the pedal down in the toilet. which shouldn't be able to happen anyway. I'm glad he was out of my reach. Because he would have been in the drink. After having such a horrible situation like that to be accused and say it was our fault was just bang out of order. And that definitely finished it. we thought well, we will come away and see what happens with a refund. Which we fully deserve a whole refund let alone a part of one. So our holiday was in ruins my last time on the Broads and they have offered us £100 for half of our holiday. Well folks all I can say is. Be careful when dealing with these people. if this is what they are like to us. I know Richardson's boats are lot better I've used them. We are now waiting to hear back from Herbert Woods. if only you could have just dealt with this better and treat us fairly that's all we wanted. So beware when using Herbert Woods.. You're better off trying to hire a skip and see if it floats.

So, first off, I have to say the ladies on reception were spot on. Unfortunately I can't say the same for the, as he was happy to tell me. 'Fleet coordinator' I love the Norfolk Broads but my little boat is too small to spend any decent amount of time on so on a recent short visit, my wife and I decided to look around a few boat yards for a 2 week rental in 2022. Herbert Woods was high on our list but thanks to this rude and obnoxious employee that will not be happening and would advise anyone reading this goes elsewhere. The whole reason for his behavior was all because, and wait for this... Desperate for the loo we moored and went to use the facilities before paying the 1 hour fee of £4! Yes you did read that right. On returning to our boat we found this obnoxious scruffy looking employee rolling a cigarette in his car waiting to question us on the what how and where we had been and had we payed. Explaining the situation seemed to mean nothing but I bit my lip and went to pay. Unfortunately that still was wasn't enough. I then was beckened over to discuss my payment on paying and displaying my receipt so it could be seen. That fact I wasn't given one didn't sit week at all. 'I will discuss this with reception' is what he said, he then rolled himself another cigarette before walking of to do, I assume what was needed about me not being issued with a recipet! Let's not forget, this was all about £4 and it's also worth mentioning that the keyhearding didn't even have anywhere other than waste pump out pipes to tie ropes.
I think it's worth noting that we were also told several times that everything we did was on CCTV.
If this is the meatality for an hour, I dread to think what would be expected for any lenghy service. Don't bother, take your money elsewhere!

Two couples on Tranquil Light 2 with a late booking. Herbert Woods were helpful and efficient in the handover and return. The Northern Broads were busy for the time of year and moorings were no problem but best found by 1500. This was our first time on the Broads and in a boat of this size but it was easily manageable, although others seemed to have some difficulty. We didn't have a bow thruster, if you're nervous book a boat with one. If you like beer, moor in Salhouse Broad and walk to the Fur and Feathers next to its own brewery. If you like a plateful of great food go to the Ferry Inn at Stokesby. Thank you, this won't be our last visit.

Had a great week on Dancing Light 2 the boat was really nice and spacious for 5 adults and 3 children .The broads are a beautiful place to go.The only complaint I have is that one of the toilets hadn't been pumped out so we were one toilet down so always check they have been pumped out.Herbert Woods is a company I would recommend.

29th year on the broads so we have some experience by which to comment. Comparing Richardsons to Herbert Woods, Herbert Woods gives significantly better service on the quayside, plenty of attentive staff and really nothing more that you could ask for. Parking is a nightmare at HW, really stressful to get a space after a long drive. However, where they badly drop the ball is on reception. A busy Saturday in July and only one member of staff working is wholly unacceptable. When we eventually got the quay we found all the quay staff sat down waiting for customers to arrive, but due to the poor service they were all queuing outside reception. Clearly a management issue.
I'm still searching for a boat holiday company who gives good service in reception and the quayside but I'm thinking it'll never happen.

went on holiday on golden light for 11 days unfortunatly only lasted two days due to wifes becoming ill(not covid) when we got home recieved a phone call from herbert woods who refunded the bulk of the cost as a goodwill gesture not many companys would do this after all the business that was lost recently booked again for next year well done HW

Had to cancel our planned trip on the Broads due to covid, Herbert Woods have been amazing thank you

Got a boat out over a long weekend and HW were great at providing a lovely boat and provide all of the help we needed to get started. Super fun weekend

Stayed in one of Herbert Woods cottages, Marsh View, for two weeks. We had a great experience from checking in to checking out. All the staff were friendly, knowledgeable and extremely helpful, nothing was too much trouble.
We had a couple of slight glitches that were resolved immediately to our satisfaction.
I highly recommend Marsh View, it was clean, well equipped and very comfortable with everything you need for a relaxing break. The beds were the most comfortable we've ever encountered at a holiday rental.
The cottage, although located on the edge of the yard is very peaceful and looks out over the marshes where we spotted deer grazing.
We enjoyed it so much we've already booked for next year.

We went on lime light on the 19th march 2020 and I must say I would never.go on a boat again from this boat yard ever again. From day 1 there was problems with the boat. The first one was that the speedometer didn’t work at all so we could have had several large fines. When we called the engineer out he came and told us that it was due to 2 magnets being stuck together and just to look at the revs to gage how fast we were going. The rest of the problems are as follows:: from day 1 the toilet at the front of the boat leaked and therefore was not useable, and to use the toilet at the back of the boat you had to clime on to it as it was nearly 3 feet off the floor. The windows at the side of the boat in the main galley didn’t go up to the sides of the boat so you had a 2/3 cm gap at either side of the boat for the wind and rain to come in which meant the boat was very cold indeed. The heating on the boat was useless and didn’t keep the boat warm at all and after having it turned off for half an hour the boat was like a fridge, also when we went under a small bridge we had to lower the roof of the boat and wen we did this the wind screen fell off in to the seating area of the boat due to having some rivits missing, thankfully no one was sat where it landed other wise they could have been badly injured. On the 23rd of March 2020 we just received a text saying we need to go home as the boat yard was shutting down due to COVID. Wen we rang them to find out what to do with the boat we was just told to more it up at the boat yard. When we arrived at the boat yard the current was so strong we could not get in to more up. When we rang the boat yard to let them know we were struggling due to the current they just said to more it up at the grass area outside the boat yard, no one came out to help us at all which was disgusting to say the least as they knew that one of us on the boat was registered blind so there was only 2 people who could more the boat up when we could have done with an extra pare of hands to more the boat up. We only received a refund for the fuel we didn’t use and got nothing else off them for having our holiday cut short as we had only been on the boat 3 and a half days instead of the full week. So yes I would never go on a boat from them ever again.

There seems to be a lot of mixed reviews for Herbert Woods and I have to say that four years ago we had a fantastic holiday with them but unfortunately we took a short break with them in early October this year and things have certainly changed. There is a definite lack of customer care from the boatyard staff - engineers etc. Our boat Delight 2 was ok, didn't expect 4 star on a well used boat and could put up with the few things not right. However we did report the stop, start not working correctly and haven't even had a reply to confirm it has been dealt with.
We like to trust people but we certainly did not like that they take £150.00 up front from you for the fuel and then you do not get to see how much you have used? They email you a few days later telling you how much they'll refund! No picture of the numbers recorded? Nothing stating the litres used etc? We did not expect to use £40.00 in two days?!!! Trust .....I don't think so. We won't be booking with them again.

We have just had 4 days on Sovereign Light what a fabulous time ,glorious weather ,plenty of fishing for my son and his friend.The boat was well equipped with everything you need for a great holiday.Just one fault the curtains didnt fit well and let in a lot of light as with the windscreen there was no covering /curtains, otherwise a great time. Sept 2020

Just had another 10 day boating holiday with Herbert Woods on Shimmering Light.We have had this boat/boats Shimmering Light 1 or 2 for the last 16 years and accept through constant use that problems can occur.We in the past have had problems but have always received expert, prompt,efficient attention.It is a mechanical thing after all.26 years we have [despite a 7 hour drive]each way visited the broads and have found Herbert Woods to be the most efficient operator,so much so we have already booked for next year.This holiday for my wife and myself,is absolutely ideal,despite our ages 74/68 yo.God willing we will continue our boating holidays with Herbert Woods for as long as we are able to.I just cannot recommend it or them enough.

Booked Amethyst Light 2 for a short 4 Day break this month set 2018 , boat was ready on arrival although we booked in an hour early , pleasant staff on reception and collection point , we where shown over our boat by a very pleasant young man who took us out on the trial run in the boat he could not have been more pleasant and helpful he deserves ver high praise , the boat was clean and very well equipped with a superb range of cooking utensils and crockery could not be faulted the only thing that we had problems with was the canopy lights which we could not get to stay on without continually adjusting the canopy closing system also one of the three toilets did not flush very well so we ended up just using the other 2 toilets , the boat was easy to handle although we had some very strong winds during our holiday .This is the second time we have booked a boat through Herbert Woods and we would book again but would like a boat with electric winch for the anchor and electric flush for the toilets.overall we had a super holliday .
RA Leighton.

We booked relatively late so 'Glistening Light 3' was the only boat left that would accommodate our party of 6. I was a little worried based on other reviews that the boat would be crummy...but I relaxed when we got there. Yes she was a bit tired and in need of some tlc in places; yes there was some condensation in the morning (I guess you expect that in late summer with cool evenings); and yes there was a bit of 'eau de diesel' after a day's sailing! But to offset that, the boat was clean and tidy, all the essentials worked and Glistening Light gave us a great way to experience a beautiful part of East Anglia. The Herbert Woods employees were always helpful and although a bit slow sorting things out on return I would definitely return and use Herbert Woods again.

Having just returned home from my first time on the Broads, I wanted to say how impressed I was by Herbert Woods and their boat 'Silver Light 1'. Although two out of our four man party had been on the Broads before, i hadn't and wasn't sure what to expect. The boat itself was excellent. Very clean and well kept and, with the excellent tuition given to us when we picked it up, very easy to use! We did have to call the engineer out to sort some minor problems, but they were small issues and they guys were more then helpful, one even coming out at 10pm at night! Everyone that i dealt with from Herbert Woods couldn't have been more helpful and i would fully recommend them to anyone.

Just returned from a fabulous holiday with Herbert Woods.Four first time boating pensioners enjoying a great week.All the staff from reception to the boatyard were all very helpful would definitely holiday with you again.
thank you.