Norfolk Broads
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One of the UK's largest and finest wetland landscapes. A unique patchwork of lakes, rivers, woodland, marsh and wide open skies. |
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An Introduction to the Norfolk Broads
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The Norfolk Broads is the UK's largest and finest wetland landscape. This unique patchwork of rivers and lakes is not, as was first thought, a natural landscape, but a result of intensive digging of peat in the Middle Ages to provide fuel. The empty pits were soon filled by rising water levels and now form a network of over 125 miles of navigable waterways providing leisure interest for many. The Norfolk Broads landscape is one of beauty and peace, of water, marsh, woodland and wide skies - with views of church towers and windmills. There is abundant wildlife including many rare butterflies and dragonflies. Some of the nature reserves can only be visited by boat and a tour by road can disappoint. Visit Broadland and you can enjoy many activities including Norfolk Broads boating holidays, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, walking, fishing and cycling. The Norfolk Broads has many lovely hotels, B&B, country cottages, parks and camping sites in which you can stay.
![Dogs](images/pet.png) |
The Norfolk Broads are pet friendly and dogs are welcome in most local pubs and inns. Please keep pets on leads when near wildlife. Most boat hire companies allow dogs on-board and we recommend pet life jackets are used. |
![Children](images/children.png) |
Kids love the water! There is plenty of local wildlife to spot including birds and even a thriving Otter population. Make sure your child is wearing a life jacket at all times while near the water. |
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Local Websites |
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Norfolk Broads Guided Picture Tour
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We start our tour of the Norfolk Broads in the Capital of the Broads - Wroxham. From Wroxham you can either hire your own self-drive cruiser for the week, weekend, day, or just for a few hours. Alternatively, you can take an organised cruise aboard one of the large comfortable cruise boats. Norfolk Broads boating holidays date back to the 19th century, when John Loynes founded his boatyard business in 1878. By the late 19th century, boating on the Broads by the Victorians had mushroomed into a substantial tourist trade and that trade continues into the 21st century. |
![Wroxham Scene](wroxham/wroxhamsceneTT.jpg)
A typical Wroxham scene of boats, refreshments and feeding the ducks! |
![Wroxham Bridge](wroxham/wroxhambridgeT.jpg)
Wroxham bridge over the River Bure |
![Broads Boat Tours](wroxham/broadstoursT.jpg)
Norfolk Broads Boat Tours |
![Barnes Brinkcraft Cruisers](hoveton/barnesbrinkcraftT.jpg)
Holiday cruisers for hire at Barnes Brinkcraft |
![Broads Cruisers](wroxham/broadstours1T.jpg)
River cruisers for holiday or weekend hire |
![Broads Day Boat](wroxham/broadstoursdayboatT.jpg)
The inside of a typical Broads Day Boat |
![River Cottage](wroxham/wroxhamrivercottageT.jpg)
Riverside holiday cottages in Wroxham |
See our suggested 3 day and 7 day Norfolk Broads cruising routes from Wroxham and from Stalham |
Wroxham is also good for shopping, it claims to have world's largest village store - ROYS - but also contains plenty of other independent retailers. Wroxham also has a good choice of places to eat and drink, including restaurants, pubs and cafes. With plenty of FREE car parking, Wroxham is a popular day out all year round. |
![Department Store](hoveton/roysdeptTT.jpg)
Roys Department Store in Hoveton |
![Hoveton Precinct](hoveton/hovetonprecinctT.jpg)
The small shopping precinct in Hoveton, now with a Costa Coffee |
![Bridge Gift Shop](hoveton/bridgegiftshopT.jpg)
Bridge Gift Shop |
![The Bridge American Restaurant](wroxham/bridgerestaurantT.jpg)
The Bridge American Restaurant (currently closed) |
![Wherrymans Restaurant, Bar and Cafe](wroxham/wherrymansT.jpg)
Wherrymans Restaurant, Bar and Cafe in Wroxham |
![Old Mill Restaurant and Cafe Bar](hoveton/oldmillrestaurantT.jpg)
The Riverside Old Mill Restaurant and Cafe Bar |
![Kings Head Pub](hoveton/kingsheadgardenT.jpg)
The riverside entrance to the Kings Head Pub |
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![Bure Valley Railway](burevalleyrailway/steamspitfireTT.jpg)
Steam train on the Bure Valley Railway at Wroxham |
![Great Britain Model Layout](miniatureworlds/britainsceneT.jpg)
Part of the Great Britain model layout at Miniature Worlds |
![Riverside Line](bartonhouserailway/riversidelineT.jpg)
A steam train at the Barton House Railway |
![Wroxham Barns](wroxhambarns/craftbarnsT.jpg)
Individual Craft Barns, situated around a courtyard at Wroxham Barns |
![Hoveton Hall Gardens](hovetonhall/spidergardenhouse2T.jpg)
The cottage in the walled Spider Garden at Hoveton Hall Gardens |
Next on our tour around the Norfolk Broads is Salhouse Broad, located a little way down the River Bure from Wroxham. Salhouse Broad takes our vote as the most beautiful of the Norfolk Broads and yet it is one of the smallest. It is surrounded by ancient woodland and is the only Broad to feature a small sandy beach. It is ideal to anchor the boat and go for a walk, enjoy a picnic or let the kids splash around. |
![Salhouse Broad](salhouse/salhousebroadviewT.jpg)
Salhouse Broad |
![Mooring at Salhouse](salhouse/salhousemooringsT.jpg)
Boats mooring at Salhouse Broad |
A short cruise down the River Bure takes us to Horning. This is one of the most picturesque villages on the Norfolk Broads and contains some fine old cottages, shops, pubs with river gardens and riverside walks. Horning is also one of the main boating centre's on the Broads. From here you can take a cruise aboard the paddle steamer "Southern Comfort" or watch the sailing from the Horning sailing club, which organise's the famous annual three rivers race. |
![River Bure at Horning](horning/horningriverT.jpg)
Riverside properties backing onto the river Bure at Horning |
![Norfolk Broads Pub](horning/swanT.jpg)
Swan Inn, Horning, Norfolk Broads |
![Swan Inn](horning/cottage1T.jpg)
Horning thatched cottage |
![Holiday Cottage](horning/ferrycottage1T.jpg)
Holiday cottage at Horning |
![New Inn Garden](horning/newinn2T.jpg)
A lovely Norfolk Broads riverside garden at the New Inn |
Downstream, just off the main river, you will find the lovely village of Ranworth. Here you will find the Cathedral of the Broads - a beautiful old church with steps allowing you to climb the church tower for fantastic views over the Broads. The village also has a fine pub (the Maltsters), a nature reserve and attractive local walks. |
![Norfolk Broads View](ranworth/ranworthchurchtopviewT.jpg)
The fabulous view of the Norfolk Broads from the top of Ranworth church |
![](ranworth/ranworthchurchT.jpg)
The Cathedral of the Broads, Ranworth |
![Nature Reserve Centre](ranworth/ranworthnaturecentreT.jpg)
The thatched visitors centre at Ranworth Broad |
Ranworth Broad is a boating paradise with all style, shape and size of boat, and their crew can often be found having a pint of local beer in the pub! Ranworth Broad is said to be haunted by a 12th century monk that is often seen rowing his boat out onto the Broad early in the morning mist. |
![Norfolk Broads Staithe](ranworth/ranworthstaitheT.jpg)
Ranworth Staithe, Norfolk Broads |
![Norfolk Broads Pub](ranworth/themalstersT.jpg)
The Malsters Pub, Norfolk Broads (currently closed) |
Moving up the River Ant, we pass How Hill, a lovely place to moor up and explore. Although the main house is not open to the public (as it is a study centre) there is loads of things to see and do at How Hill. You can enjoy views of the river, including Turf Fen windmill, or take a river trip aboard the " Electric Eel", operated by the Broads Authority. Adjacent to the staithe is a small marshman's cottage, open as a free museum during the summer months. Walking up the hill towards the house, you will also find a nature reserve (small cost), a beautiful secret garden (free) and a large grass field for a picnic or family games. |
![How Hill View](howhill/antviewTT.jpg)
An aerial view of the River Ant from How Hill (looking north towards Barton Broad) |
![Electric Eel](howhill/howhillelectriceelmooring2T.jpg)
Mooring the Electric Eel at How Hill |
![Toad Hole Cottage](howhill/toadholeT.jpg)
Toad Hole Cottage, now a museum |
![Nature Trail](howhill/howhillnaturebridgeT.jpg)
Part of the Nature Reserve at How Hill |
![How Hill Secret Garden](howhill/secretgardenT.jpg)
The Secret Gardens at How Hill |
The River Ant opens onto beautiful Barton Broad, the second largest of the Norfolk Broads and until recently you could only enjoy its delights from a boat. The Barton Boardwalk changed all that by providing a viewing platform at the end of a walkway through ancient woodland. Barton Broad itself is a magnet for boats, particularly sailing. The Broad is also home to the Norfolk Punt Club, one of the most famous sailing clubs on the Broads. The villages surrounding Barton Broad ( Neatishead, Irstead and Barton Turf) offer much to the visitor, including historic churches, a fine village pub and plenty of beautiful countryside to explore on bike or foot. |
![Viewing Platform](neatishead/bartonboardwalkviewplatformTT.jpg)
Barton Boardwalk Viewpoint |
![Barton Broad Sailing](bartonbroad/bartonsailingT.jpg)
Sailing on Barton Broad |
![Riverside Cottage](irstead/irsteadthatchedT.jpg)
Thatched riverside cottage in Irstead |
![Barton Staithe](bartonturf/bartonturfstaitheT.jpg)
Barton Turf Staithe |
![Country Lane](neatishead/countrylaneT.jpg)
A typical country lane near Neatishead |
Upstream from Barton Broad are the villages of Stalham and Sutton. Stalham is home to the Broads Museum, showcasing the history of the Norfolk Broads, including mans influence on the Broadland landscape. Returning to the river, you will can also find one the most picturesque windmills in Norfolk - Hunsett Drainage Mill - now privately owned. |
![Norfolk Broads Windmill](bartonbroad/hunsettmillTT.jpg)
Hunsett Mill on the Norfolk Broads |
![Broadland River](bartonbroad/antstalhamT.jpg)
Cruising the River Ant near Stalham |
![The Museum of the Broads](museumbroads/mariaT.jpg)
Norfolk Broads Museum at Stalham |
Returning to Thurne Mouth we come to the junction of the River Bure and River Thurne. The village of Thurne is marked by its famous white windmill and is also on the Weavers Way, the long distance footpath covering much of Broadland. |
![River Thurne](thurne/aerialthurneTT.jpg)
The entrance to the dkye at Thurne, with its magnificent windmill,, looking south towards Thurne Mouth |
![Norfolk Broads View](thurne/thurnerelaxviewT.jpg)
Enjoying the view at Thurne |
![Norfolk Broads Footpath](thurne/thurneweaverswaysignT.jpg)
Norfolk Broads Footpath |
Womack Water leads from the River Thurne to the village of Ludham. Here you will find Hunters Yard, the home of the Hunters Fleet, who hire out original heritage 1930's gaff and lug rigged yachts. Ludham village also has an attractive staithe and tea room. A road leads from the village towards the ruins of historic St Benets Abbey, founded in 1020 and at one time was one of the wealthiest Benedictine houses in the country. |
![St Benets Abbey, Norfolk Broads](norfolkbroads/stbenetsabbeyTT.jpg)
St. Benets Abbey, Norfolk Broads |
![Hunters Yard](ludham/ludhamhuntersyardT.jpg)
Hunters Yard, Ludham |
![Norfolk Broads Hunters Yacht](ludham/ludhamhuntersyardyachtbuildT.jpg)
Norfolk Broads Boat Building |
![Ludham Staithe](ludham/ludhamstaitheviewT.jpg)
Ludham Staithe |
![Norfolk Broads Tea Rooms](ludham/ludhamalfrescoT.jpg)
Al Fresco Tea Room in Ludham |
Further up the River Thurne lies the village of Potter Heigham. Here you will find the famous medieval low arched bridge and the Herbert Woods Tower. Herbert Woods is one of the most famous names in the Norfolk Broads boat hire industry and he built the first ever yacht marina on the Broads at Potter Heigham. |
![River Thurne](potterheigham/potterbridgeviewTT.jpg)
The view of the River Thurne from Potter Heigham bridge |
![Potter Heigham Bridge](potterheigham/bridgerowingT.jpg)
Rowing through the medieval bridge at Potter Heigham |
![Norfolk Broads Herbert Woods](potterheigham/towerT.jpg)
Herbert Woods Tower, Potter Heigham |
Above Potter are the villages of Martham, Hickling and Horsey. These are lovely remote places to visit, as many boats cannot navigate through Potter bridge to get here! The largest expanse of water is Hickling Broad which is popular with sailors from Hickling sailing club. From Hickling, a dyke leads to Horsey, the closest of the Norfolk Broads to the the sea. Located on the staithe at Horsey is a fabulous four storey windpump, that was built in 1912 and is now owned by the National Trust. |
![Hickling Heath](hickling/hicklingheathaerialTT.jpg)
An aerial view of Hickling Heath |
![Norfolk Broads Dyke](martham/marthamdykeT.jpg)
Martham Dyke, Norfolk Broads |
![Norfolk Broads Boat Houses](hickling/staitheboathousesT.jpg)
Boathouses at Hickling on the Norfolk Broads |
![Norfolk Broads Windpump](horsey/windpumpT.jpg)
Horsey Windmill, Norfolk Broads |
![Norfolk Broads View](horsey/windpumpviewT.jpg)
Horsey Windmill View, Norfolk Broads |
Returning back to Thurne Mouth, the River Bure continues its journey across the Norfolk marshes, through the bridge at Acle and towards the sea at Great Yarmouth. Acle is a lovely riverside Norfolk market village, with plenty of historic buildings to admire. The village also contains plenty of shops and other facilities. |
![Acle Bridge](acle/aclebridgeT.jpg)
The modern Acle Bridge, built in 1997 |
![Norfolk Broads Wherry](thurne/thurnewherryT.jpg)
Norfolk Broads Wherry |
![Queen Victoria Memorial Markers](acle/aclejubileesignT.jpg)
The Jubilee Memorial in Acle |
Across Breydon Water are the Southern Broads which lead to Loddon, Reedham, Brundall and the Norfolk Suffolk border, before eventually arriving in the capital of East Anglia - Norwich. |
![River Waveney Cruising](burghcastle/burghcruisingT.jpg)
Cruising on the River Waveney past Burgh Castle |
![Breydon Water View](burghcastle/burghbreydonviewT.jpg)
Sailing towards Breydon Water |
![Berney Arms View](burghcastle/burghwindmillviewT.jpg)
Enjoying the view of Berney Arms Mill |
![Loddon Staithe](loddon/loddonstaitheT.jpg)
Loddon Staithe |
![Loddon Cottages](loddon/loddoncottagesT.jpg)
Loddon Cottages |
![Reedham Fishing](reedham/ReedhamFerryVehicleT.jpg)
A vehicle crossing on the ferry at Reedham |
![Reedham Boatbuilding Statue](reedham/ReedhamQuayStatueT.jpg)
Statue to commemorate the building of wherries at Reedham Quay |
![Norfolk Broads Yacht Station](norwich/norwichyachtstationT.jpg)
Norwich Yacht Station |
![Norwich Pulls Ferry](norwich/norwichpullsferry2T.jpg)
Norwich Pulls Ferry |
Norfolk Broads summary of what to SEE and DO
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![](images/pointblack.png) Take a boat trip along one of the rivers and Broads |
![](images/pointblack.png) Visit one of the pretty riverside villages, such as Horning |
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![](images/pointblack.png) Launch your own boat or canoe and explore the quiet back waters |
![](images/pointblack.png) Enjoy a pub lunch in one of the many riverside inns - try Horning |
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![](images/pointblack.png) Get to see one of the iconic Broadland windmills |
![](images/pointblack.png) Visit the capital of the Broads at Wroxham and enjoy some shopping! |
![](images/pointblack.png) Explore the Cathedral of the Broads at Ranworth |
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Our Verdict
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There is nothing quite like the Norfolk Broads anywhere else in the UK. It is a beautiful mix of woodland, marsh, meadow, water and sky. But to enjoy it you need to get out on a boat, a visit by car will usually prove disappointing. |
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