Things to Do in the Broads National Park

Whether you’re planning a family holiday, a day trip with friends or a romantic getaway, there's plenty of things to do in the Broads during your visit. Discover wonderful woodlands and waterways, thrilling theme parks and superb seaside locations. Visit the many charming villages and towns where you can enjoy shopping and eating out. There's plenty to do for all ages, and all year-round in the Broads National Park.

Cycling and walking: Discover the Broads on its lakes and rivers and alongside them, on quiet cycle ways and paths. With miles of peaceful country lanes, exploring the Broads by bicycle and walking means you can enjoy some of Norfolk's most stunning scenery. You can hire a bike from cycle hire centres in the Broads, many of which are close to moorings and there are plenty of cycle routes suitable for all ages and abilities. Choose from over 300 km of footpaths and circular routes through attractive landscapes and nature reserves when exploring the Broads by foot. 

Boating: Exploring the Broads by boat is one of the best ways to discover these magical waterways. The popular Cruiser is an easy to handle boat with plenty of home comforts on board. Discover hidden places only reached by water, find great places to fish and wonder at wildlife along the way. And there's plenty of it! The Broads is home to over a quarter of the rarest plants and animals in the UK and is Britain's largest protected wetland.

Birdwatching: With its many nature reserves, the Broads is also an excellent place for birdwatching all year round. In the summer, keep an eye out for kingfishers and marsh harriers. There are 11,000 wildlife species and 230 nationally important invertebrates in the Broads, such as beetles and moths including the fenn's waistcoat and reed leopard. Keep an eye out for the darts of colour of dragonflies and damselflies, the flash of yellow and black of the swallowtail butterfly, and you may even spot an otter.

Days out and attractions: The Broads National Park is also great for family days out. Choose from miniature railways, country parks, animal parks and guided boat trips. The nature reserves are ripe for exploring with expert staff on hand to tell you what to look out for. Visit the Museum of the Broads where you can find out the story of the Broads and then take a boat ride on a Victorian steam boat or electric boat. There's lots of events around the Broads throughout the year, and pretty towns and villages to explore with pubs offering amazing riverside views.

Discover the Northern Broads

River Bure, Wroxham Broad and Salhouse Broad: These are considered to be one of the prettiest rivers in the Broads area. The birthplace of Broads cruising, the River Bure provides many routes for the explorer. Starting from the quaint village of Coltishall, it flows on through the popular town of Wroxham, before meandering onto the picturesque village of Horning, with its riverside pubs. There's plenty to explore on this route including Wroxham Broad, where you can sail or take a boat trip, and Salhouse Broad, with a grassy bank and sand, where you can hire canoes and SUPs.

River Ant and Barton Broad: The River Ant is narrower than the other Broads rivers and in places is a quieter, more peaceful place to sail with some beautiful towns to visit along its banks. It begins surrounded by reed beds before heading upstream to the market town of Stalham, then opens out in to Barton Broad, the second largest broad, popular for cruising and sailing. Regattas are held here throughout the year including the Barton Regatta in October.

River Thurne and Hickling Broad: Here you will find vast expanses of clear blue sky and sparkling water stretching out as far as the eye can see with only churches and windmills breaking up the horizon. The River Thurne, Norfolk's shortest river at five miles, meanders onto Hickling Broad, the largest broad in the region, and forms part of a nature reserve run by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. The river then continues on to the town of Potter Heigham with 14th century medieval bridge and staithe.