The Norfolk Broads are Britain’s finest and best-loved holiday boating location. For decades this beautiful part of East Anglia has provided holidaymakers with unique scenery, some of the region’s finest stately homes, access to wild birds and flowers, and an abundance of thatched cottages, watermills and windmills that have become the Broads trademark.
Why Choose the Norfolk Broads for your Holiday
Since Victorian times, the Norfolk Broads have been a popular holiday destination for many thousands of visitors – there really is nowhere quite like it for simply messing about in boats!
There are five rivers which flow through the Broads – the Bure, the Yare, the Ant, the Thurne and the Waveney.
The Broads themselves are basically 40 or so shallow lakes which are the result of flooding in the remains of medieval peat diggings.
Altogether there are some 125 miles or 200 kilometres of lock-free navigable waterways to explore.
The Broads are popular with first time visitors and “seasoned” boaters alike. Being the country’s largest inland waterway system, there are always new areas to explore year after year, and the added attraction of not having to negotiate locks is welcomed.
A Broads cruise means waterside pubs, restaurants, easy and abundant mooring places and a peaceful relaxed atmosphere that is the essence of every good holiday. If that appeals to you, the Norfolk Broads will not disappoint.
The beauty of a Broads holiday is its flexibility. The historic city of Norwich is well worth exploring with its two magnificent cathedrals, several excellent museums and the two new shopping mall developments all waiting to be discovered. To the East of the Broads are the famous golden sands of Great Yarmouth with its exciting seafront packed full of attractions and entertainment. Both Great Yarmouth and Norwich offer plenty of nightlife for those with lots of energy left at the end of the day, with a host of restaurants, clubs, pubs and cinemas to suit all.
The Broads are bordered by trees and tall reeds and are abundant with wildlife including ducks, coots, herons and geese. The area is great for fishing and is famous for pike, perch, roach, rudd, bream and tench.
If you are cruising from Stalham, in a short break you would be able to explore the top half of the Broads up to Breydon Water. In a week or longer break any point on the navigable Broads is within reach. If cruising from Acle for a short break you could choose to explore either the top or bottom of the Broads area.
See our AREA GUIDE for more information on things to do while holidaying on the Norfolk Broads.
