Burnham Overy, one of the local villages know collectively as ‘The Burnhams’ is notable for its harbour and its name, ‘Overy’ meaning ‘Over the river,’ in this case, the River Burn. Less than a mile away is Burnham Thorpe, the birthplace of Horatio Nelson who, according to local records, learnt to row and sail from Burnham Overy Staithe.

In centuries past, Burnham Overy was the port for the Burnham villages but with the silting of the river, commercial traffic switched to the Staithe downstream and with the subsequent coming of the railway, ceased altogether early in the early 1900s.

Today, this attractive drying harbour is a centre of much small craft activity, both leisure and fishing. While not a prospect for the cruising yacht visitor, unless prepared and able to take the ground, the day sailor, wishing to launch over a tide would be hard pressed to find greater enjoyment than from pottering around the creeks and salt marshes out of Burnham.

For local advice before your visit, please consult the Harbour Warden.