Things to do on the Norfolk Broads
Norfolk’s unique Broads National Park is made up of 125 miles of man-made, lock-free waterways, with stunning scenery and wildlife including some of the rarest species in the UK. They’re also the only English National Park with a city in it – the charming medieval city of Norwich.
Many of the locals will tell you that the Norfolk Broads are best seen from a boat, however they're also a great places to walk, cycle or even ride a heritage steam train. There is also plenty of opportunity to enjoy water sports or to simply relax surrounded by beautiful scenery. This is Haven’s definitive list of the best ways to explore the Broads and the best things to do while you’re there.
1. Get active at Whitlingham Country Park
Located just outside the majestic town of Norwich, Whitlingham Country Park consists of 35 hectares of beautiful open parkland and water that provides your gateway to the Broads. Head to the fantastic visitor centre where you can try out canoeing, sailing or paddleboarding surrounded by green banks and woodlands.
The Whltlingham Adventure Centre also operates courses in a number of non-water-based outdoor activities too, such as climbing, off-road biking, and Archery. Otherwise, you can take it easy on the solar-powered Ra boat or simply enjoy one of the lovely walks all around the park. There's also a wheelchair accessible path around the Great Broad if you should require it.
2. Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
Fairhaven is a secret hideaway in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. This award-winning organic garden is home to abundant wildlife with an eclectic mix of native and cultivated plantings plus an exclusive, private broad. With 130 acres of ancient woodland to explore, you can spend an entire day discovering the beautiful woodland walks and paths crossing waterways.
If get lucky you may even catch a glimpse of otters on the broad along with other amazing wildlife that calls the broad home. Boat trips run April through to October and there is an excellent café for refreshments as well as a shop and plant centre. The gardens are open to the public all year round, (closed Christmas Day) and tickets are reasonably priced so there really is no reason not to add this to your list of things to do in the Norfolk Broads.
3. Ride on a traditional steam train
Boats aren’t the only way to get around the Broads. You can also experience a nostalgic trip by steam on Norfolk’s longest narrow-gauge railway which runs between the historic market town of Aylsham and bustling town of Wroxham. The Bure Valley Railway will take you on an 18-mile round trip that follows the meandering River Bure through the beautiful meadowland and ancient pasture that lies at the heart of the Norfolk Broads. Along the way are stops at the picturesque Broadland villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall for photo opportunities.
Alternately, you can take a regular train on the Bittern Line. This railway branch line links Norwich to Sheringham and passes through the Broads on its route to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the North Norfolk coast. It is named after the bittern, a rare thickset kind of heron that can be seen amongst the reeds of the Broads.
4. Explore the Broads by boat
With more miles of navigable waterway than world-famous Venice, the Broads National Park is best explored on the back of a boat. The Norfolk Broads has provided the perfect setting for boating holidays for over a hundred years and its popularity is no surprise given the tranquil nature the surroundings. There is nothing quite like the birdlife and beautiful countryside of Britain’s largest protected wetland. As you slip along, listen out for a booming bittern or catch sight of a rare swallowtail, Britain’s largest butterfly, which is unique to the area.
Alternately, take a trip on a ‘wherry’, one of Norfolk’s very own native boats with their recognisable, single large black gaff sails. These boats have wide, shallow bottoms with keels, designed specifically for navigating the Broads with large cargos. Some of these boats were able to extend their reach up-river by slipping their keels and lowering their masts to shoot under bridges. While many of these wherries were sunk to strengthen riverbanks, there are still some left in operation which are now used as pleasure boats. Don’t miss your chance to have a truly unique, nautical experience with a wherry cruise.
5. Hire a bike
Why not hire a bike and cycle around the Broads’ villages? There is the Bure Valley Cycleway - a nine-mile off-road trail alongside the Bure Valley steam railway or plenty of other shorter cycle routes that you can enjoy as a family through quaint and picturesque waterside communities. At Woodbastwick can stop for a refreshing pint of Norfolk Wherry, while in Ranworth, you can climb to the top of St Helen’s church, known as the ‘Cathedral of the Broads’, from which you can get a superb view over the local landscape. There is free parking and route maps available at many of the rental centres so you can easily enjoy cycling along quiet country lanes of Britain's Magical Waterland - with plenty to see along the way this has to be one of the top things to do in the Norfolk Broads.
Start planning your Great British break
Related Posts
Top 9 Coastal and Circular Walks In Norfolk
Best Norfolk boat trips and tours
Best walks in Norwich
Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
*Holiday home price is based on a new 3-bedroom ABI Horizon holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 August 2024, price is available at selected parks Blue Dolphin, Craig Tara, Cleethorpes Beach, Caister, Combe Haven, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggerston, Orchards, and Quay West. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 31 JULY 2024 *Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2024 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 31 July 2024, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Caister, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Greenacres, Golden Sands, Haggeston, Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2031
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed or equivalent or superior grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. It is available across 40% of eligible Parks and applies when letting a new Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home (or equivalent or superior grade for 15 weeks.
An example of how “Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset until 2031” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Atlas Sahara 3 Bed holiday home at Primrose Valley with a monthly site fee of £585.00 (includes purchasing discount of £45) and monthly letting income of £803.67. The monthly difference equates to £218.67, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2024 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Atlas Sahara 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.