Top 10 Great & Alternative Things to do in the Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads offers so much for everyone and a very popular location for holiday makers and weekends away. The Broadlands National Park, only recently awarded National Park status encompasses both Norfolk and Suffolk. Take a journey through Britain’s waterland national park from the city of Norwich to the Norfolk Coastline.

There are many things to do in and around the Norfolk Broads but we have compiled a 10 alternative ideas of great things to do the Norfolk Broads. We welcome any other ideas you may have that we can add.

1. Take a Trip on a 120 Year Old Traditional Norfolk Wherry – Albion is one of only 2 remaining trading barges built specifically for the Broads. BBC Countryfile Magazine named Albion as one of the Top 10 Boat Trips in the UK so don’t miss out on this unique opportunity. Charter the Wherry Albion for a special occasion with your family or a group of friends. Alternatively day cruises are available on set dates throughout the year. This is a novel way to enjoy the sights of the Norfolk Broads.
2. Let off Steam on the Steam Train from Wroxham – Take a trip down memory lane on The Bure Valley Railway, Norfolk’s longest narrow gauge railway. Enjoy 9 miles of beautiful countryside between the market town of Aylsham and bustling town of Wroxham, at the heart of the Norfolk Broads.
3. Stroll the Cobbled Streets of the City of Norwich – This historic city is just 20 mins from the Broads in the heart of rural East Anglia and is the only city within an English National Park. Take a stroll down the famous cobbled streets and take in the impressive heritage sites. There are over 1500 historic buildings within the city walls! This diverse city has so much to offer with plenty of museums and art galleries, great shopping, Europe’s largest permanent market and numerous places to stop for a bite to eat or a drink.
4. Go Wild at Bewilderwood – This award winning outdoor adventure park is a great day out for the whole family. There’s storytelling, fancy dress, mazes, zipwires, trips on a Bewilderboat, jungle bridges, tree houses and marsh walks!
5. Explore the Broads, Take a Day Boat to Riverside Pub – By far and away the best way to experience the Broads. Hiring a day boat gives the whole family the opportunity to explore the delights of this area at your own pace. With over 200 square kilometres of navigable Broadlands this is the perfect way to sightsee and stop off at the many riverside villages and pretty waterside pubs. Day boats can be hired from various bases throughout the Norfolk Broads.
6. See the Seals on the Beach at Horsey Gap – This is a sight that shouldn’t be missed. Horsey Gap is one of the best places in Norfolk to see the seals in the winter. From November to early February a colony of Grey Seals come onto the beach at Horsey, to have their pups. There are various viewing platforms on the top of the sand dunes from which you can watch the seals and their pups for as long as you like.
7. Roys of Wroxham “The World’s Largest Village Store” – Roys was established in 1895 by brothers Alfred and Arnold Roy and remains to this day a family owned independent business. There are 6 Roy stores in Wroxham which include a food hall, garden centre, department store, a DIY shop and toy shop. Roys proudly stocks over 1,000 local products from over 50 local suppliers.
8. Go ‘Twitching’ in the Reed Beds – Norfolk is often described as the birdwatching capital of Britain. This is due to both its geographic location and wide variety of habitats. There are numerous nature reserves, grazing marshes, wildlife-rich mudflats, estuaries and beaches all of which attracts great number of migratory birds during the spring and autumn.
9. Canoe Hire & Guided Canoe Trails – There’s no better way to discover the narrow backwaters, tributaries, dykes and streams (which large motor boat traffic can’t reach) than by canoe. These hidden waters are perfect for spotting wildlife. The Canoe Man can take you on a guided adventure or you can hire the equipment and they will drop off and pick up from where you want to set off from or end from. Overnight trips are also available with the option to camp or stay in a local B&B.
10. Horsey Windpump & Thurne Windmill – These two iconic Norfolk Broads landmarks are just 30 minutes from each other and make for a great day out. Horsey Windpump is a wonderful Grade II Listed Building with a tea room/gift shop onsite. Thurne Windmill is nearly 200 years old and has been restored to full working order. Just down the road from here is The Lion Inn offering good food, real ale & even a gin menu!

Come and enjoy the Norfolk Broads, Britain’s newest National Park for yourself. See the Broads National Park website for more information.

For ideas to stay by the water see Waterside Breaks – Norfolk Broads Cottages

Author – Waterside Breaks, Holiday Cottages & Lodges by Water across the UK