Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads are, perhaps, the feature for which Norfolk is best known (that and the myth that it's flat, although the fact that there's not a single lock on the Broads does rather tend to add credence to that stance!).

The Broads, which in fact, stretch through Norfolk and North Suffolk, comprise around 150 miles of navigable rivers and over 40 lakes, without a single lock. Thought until the early 1950s to be a natural feature, it is now accepted that the broads themselves (unlike the rivers connecting them which are, for the most part natural features) resulted from the digging of peat for fuel in medieval times which flooded in the 14th century (due to a rise in sea levels!) to form the current landscape of shallow broads joined by a series of rivers.

It is a unique area of water, grazing marshes, fen and woodland, and home to some of the rarest plants and creatures in the UK. The Broads, which have a status similar to that of a National Park, offer fishing, boating, nature trails, bird watching, waterside pubs, cycling and walking.

The Broads can be enjoyed on foot, by car, by bicycle, by train, on a tour boat, by canoe, via a self-drive launch or on a number of guided tours on larger boats and small launches, some of the latter being electrically powered. Larger parties might even consider a skippered private charter.

Day boats, as the name suggests, are usually hired by the day (!) or half day, although some boatyards will hire by the hour, especially out of the peak season.

Guests at White Lodge Farm Cottages can benefit from discounts on day boat hire and we will be happy to assist those travelling by bicycle or on foot with itineraries, perhaps enabling part of the journey to be undertaken by train (many carry bikes) and/or using the Broads Hopper bus service, which also conveys cycles. There are maps available via our cycling page or cycle routes around the Norfolk Broads.

Canoeing or kayaking is available either with or without a guide. If you fancy being part of a group the Canoe Man offers a range of guided trails, including early morning outings to spot otters.

For the ultimate in low environmental impact you could take a trip on the Electric Eel. Departing from How Hill (which is worth a visit in itself), the trip lasts 50 minutes, including a short walk to a bird hide. An experienced guide will show you the wildlife - stunning dragonflies, marsh harriers, wildflowers and swallowtail butterflies. Booking is essential. The boat takes six people and has a roof but the sides are open.

Also, sailing tuition on a 24 foot yacht is available by the day or half day and you can also have a go at dinghy sailing, wind surfing or kayaking at Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre.

Whilst at Whitlingham Country Park, which is on the River Yare on the edge of Norwich, you could take a trip on ‘Ra’, Britain's first solar-powered passenger boat, offering a hi-tech boating experience, excellent views and the chance to see Broads wildlife close to the city.

Visitors to The Waterside attraction at Rollesby can take a 40 minute guided informative tour of Rollesby Broad in the Victorian launch ‘Gentleman Jim’.

Visitors in April until the end of October to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden at South Walsham can take a short (20 minute) boat trip on the private broad or a relaxing 50 minute trip down the river to the historic ruins of St. Benet&rsquos Abbey. It is a great way to see Kingfishers, Grebe and Swans or maybe even an Otter.

Guests with limited mobility will be interested to know that there are a number of boats on the Norfolk Broads which have been adapted for use of wheelchair users and those who would benefit from being able to board a boat via a ramp or hoist.

Due to their limited availability and popularity pre-booking of these adapted craft is either advisable or essential:

• Waveney Stardust 07817 920502
  
  A modern, comfortable, centrally heated cruiser with wheelchair access and full disabled toilet facility. The vessel offers skippered trips along the river Waveney from Beccles to Oulton Broad, also South Walsham and Stalham.
  
  
• King Line Day Boats 01692 630297
  
  Electric dayboats designed with the disabled and elderly travellers in mind. There are two boats with a platform lift - one can take 3 wheelchairs and the other takes 4 wheelchairs and also allows lateral transfer to the driver's seat from a wheelchair.
  
  
• Broads Tours 01603 782207
  
  Their river boats operating from Wroxham can accommodate up to 4 manual wheelchair users and have hydraulic lifts.
  
  
• Ra 01603 756094
  
  Ra, Britain's first solar-powered passenger boat, is based at Whitlingham Country Park on the River Yare on the edge of Norwich, offering a hi-tech boating experience, excellent views and the chance to see Broads wildlife close to the city. Ra has a ramp so is accessible to wheelchair users and takes up to 12 passengers.
  
  
• Nancy Oldfield Trust 01692 630572
  
  The Trust offers and teaches both water and land based activities for people of all ages who are disadvantaged or who have disabilities. Visitors can attend on a residential, day or part day basis.
  
  

Contact details

• Canoe Man 0845 4969177
• How Hill 01692 678555
• Whitlingham Outdoor Education Centre 01603 632307
• Posh Boats luxury cruisers 01603 441044
• Barnes Brinkcraft Self-drive launches from Wroxham 01603 782625
• Ludham Bridge Boats Self-drive launches from Ludham Bridge (10% discount to White Lodge Farm guests) 01692 630486
• King Line Cruisers Self-drive launches from Horning 01692 630297
• Broads Tours Self-drive launches from Wroxham 01603 782207
• The Waterside 01493 740531
• Museum of the Broads 01692 581681
• Norfolk Sailing School 07796 974050
• Norfolk Broads Cycling Centre 07887 480331
• Lola Charters 07917 004497
• Day boat hire
• Canoe hire
• Rowing boat hire
• Sailing boat hire
• Electric Eel 01603 756096
• Broads Tours River trips from Wroxham 01603 782207
• F George Smith & Sons River trips from Wroxham 01603 782527

Guests say ...

“Horning: We really enjoyed time watching life on the Broads. Lovely riverside pub and small shops.”

-The G & E Families

“Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden: Lovely here and wonderful walks. You can also do boat trips. If you sit where the boat comes in you can take advantage of watching swans and ducks. A really lovely spot.”

-The Bs

“Boat Tour of the Broads from Wroxham: Interesting and relaxing. The Broads really are beautiful.”

-The F Families

“Lovely day boating from Wroxham - Boat accommodated 8 plus dogs. Scenery and housing along riverside amazing.”

-C, I, F & Molly

“If you go for a day on the Broads probably best to hire your own boat.”

-K, P, G, C & C & P

“Recommend Southern Comfort Broads boat trip from Horning - very quaint village and you can take a large wheelchair on board.”

-The M Family