Not looking to buy a boat just yet? Why not take boating holiday instead. When we think of boating holidays in Britain, one of the old favourites that immediately springs to mind is the Norfolk Broads. So, in no particular order, here’s our top 3 recommended locations for your Norfolk Broads Holidays…
Boating Holidays in Stalham – Enjoy unspoilt scenery and abundant plant, bird and wildlife at the tranquil Hickling Broad, which is the largest of the northern broads and an important National Nature Reserve and haunt of the rare swallowtail butterfly. As well as extensive cruising all over the Norfolk Broads, from this peaceful base you can head south to Potter Heigham with its infamous 13th century road bridge over the river, tie up at St Benet’s Abbey to explore the ruins, and then go on to the pretty thatched village of Ludham and Barton Broad, a popular venue for regattas, finishing this leg of your journey at the country town of Stalham.
Boating Holidays in Acle – In the heart of the Norfolk Broads, Acle is a great start point for a varied and interesting boating holiday. A market town since the 13th century and set on the Bure, some say, the prettiest of the Broads rivers, Acle is the gateway to the marshscapes of Haddiscoe and Halvergate.
To the south, the tranquil lower reaches of the River Waveney and the Berney Arms Windmill and pub, lies Breydon Water, a haunt of waterfowl and seabirds, with the seaside resort of Great Yarmouth at its northern end. Passing Surlingham Marsh Nature Reserve and some of Norfolk’s finest riverside pubs, a cruise of about 8 hours brings you to the heart of Norwich city and a mooring right by the magnificent 900 year old cathedral.
To the north is Wroxham, capital of the Norfolk Broads and home to a station on the Bure Valley Steam Railway as well as a number of riverside inns and shops, including the ‘world’s largest village store’. On the River Thurne, you’ll find Potter Heigham whose picturesque, 13th century low bridge arch leads to the magical and tranquil paradise of Hickling Broad.
Boating Holidays in Brundall – On the banks of the River Yare, downstream from the medieval city of Norwich and upstream from Yarmouth on the east coast, Brundall is the ideal start point for a boating holiday in the Norfolk Broads
.
Cruise to the city of Norwich, passing lovely Surlingham Marsh nature reserve and Bramerton Common, said to be one of the most beautiful places in the Broads, and when you reach Norwich, you can moor right by the magnificent cathedral, strolling though the precincts and along ancient, cobbled streets into the city itself. Here you you’ll find an imposing Norman castle, now a museum, a superb choice of cafés, bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and nightclubs as well as extensive shopping opportunities.
Norfolk Broads Boat Hire
There are many different types of hire boat available for taking a holiday on the Norfolk Broads. Why not try your hand at sailing a traditional wooden yacht, the oldest little yacht you can hire is over 100 years old and is based on the design of a Victorian gentleman’s yacht, perfect for 2. The larger yachts can sleep up to 8 people, but if sailing isn’t your thing, then you can still turn heads by hiring an original wooden Broads Cruiser, designed to be able to pass under the lowest of bridges on the River Thurne at Potter Heigham.
If you like boating with a few mod cons then why not hire a cabin cruiser from the huge choice of modern comfortable cruisers available. These boats may feature onboard heating, TVs and 240V mains type of power, complete with bow and stern thrusters for easy steering, sleeping from 2 people (2 berths) up to 12 berths.
All boats are hired complete with bed linen, some of the yachts have sleeping bags instead of duvets. They also come with cooking facilities, pots and pans, crockery and cutlery. You will normally need to bring your own towels. Hire boats generally have at least one toilet and cruisers usually have showers. Due to their design, it is not always possible to have a shower on a yacht, but there are showers close to overnight moorings on different parts of the Broads.
Tuition is always given on your arrival at the boatyard with all the boats, if you are hiring a sailing yacht, it is best that you have sailed before, however if required, sailing instruction by qualified RYA instructors can usually be arranged.
A Norfolk Broads boating holiday provides a fantastic mix of attractions and activities suitable for all ages and parties. There are plenty of waterfront eateries, endless options for scenic walks as well as water sports activities, all suitable for family boating on your Norfolk Broads Holidays.
The Broads are packed with idyllic Norfolk villages and market towns, offering access to the coast and Great Yarmouth as well as the historic city of Norwich. With a large choice of convenient moorings, there are plenty of areas to explore on foot, all easily accessible from your hire boat!
Pet Friendly Norfolk Broads Boat Hire
There are plenty of nature trails and open scenery to hop off and stretch your dog’s legs. A lot of the pubs on the Norfolk Broads allow pets too. Marinas are now starting to think of safety not only for the family but also for your treasured pet and you can usually borrow one of their doggy life jackets with the payment of a small refundable deposit.
Wildlife on the Broads
The Norfolk Broads, Britain’s largest protected wetland is packed full with spectacular and rare wildlife and plants, an example being the Swallowtail butterfly, Britain’s largest butterfly, unique to the Broads, appearing in June and sometimes August to September in warm summers. Dragonflies and damselflies also abound. You may be lucky and see otters, water voles, the timid Chinese water deer and if you walk to the beaches beyond Horsey Wind Pump, grey seals which arrive in early winter to give birth to their pups and are still there in early spring/summer.
Norfolk Broads Fishing Holidays
The Broads’ diversity of lakes and rivers offer lots of fishing opportunities. During the Open Season you could expect to catch a selection of rudd, bream, perch, pike and tench. The course fishing season runs from 15th June to 15th March, the only requirement is an Environment Agency rod licence which can be purchased from any Post Office. Visit one of the many waterside angling shops to stock up on your fishing gear and bait. Hire a boat for your holiday afloat and moor up in the middle of nowhere for a quiet bit of fishing in the evening, watching the magnificent sunsets and wide open skies.
A History of the Norfolk Broads
It had been thought to be an area of natural landscape, though research in the 1960’s revealed that the Norfolk Broads were infact manmade. Over sixty Broads and six distinct rivers were created as a result of flooding following early peat digging, the peat was an important source of fuel, dating back to the Roman era.
The managed reed marshes and wildlife habitats you see today attract over seven million visitors each year, offering tourists the opportunity to visit twenty five sites of special scientific interest.
The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads are known collectively as Britain’s Magical Waterland and the Broads is a member of the family of National Parks.