The beauty of the Broads holiday is that you are free to go wherever you choose! You can travel all day or just go a short while, moor up and relax on the boat. Please remember to be mindful of bridge heights and of course tide times when crossing Breydon Water.
Please note, journey times are a rough guide only.
Stalham to Wroxham – 4.5 hours
Wroxham to Acle – 3.25 hours
Acle to Stalham – 3 hours
Your holiday begins from Stalham, a country town with a high street containing a wide range of shops, pubs and eateries. The Museum of the Broads is a five minute walk away. Stalham is only half a mile from moorings on the River Ant where you can take in the unspoilt nature reserves of Barton Broad and How Hill. The Barton Broad reserve covers 35 acres!
Continue on to Ranworth which has a nature trail and a floating wildlife centre. Also at Ranworth is a church with a tower you can climb giving you great views over the Broads. After Ranworth continue onto Horning, a small village but very much a hub of the Broads with picturesque boat houses and a variety of pubs, shops and restaurants.
From Horning go to Wroxham. Wroxham has many restaurants, shops and gift shops. It is also home to Hoveton Hall Gardens with over 10 acres of gardens, and Wroxham Barns with a junior farm, tea room, play areas and gift and craft shops. There is also Bure Valley Steam Railway and a shopping precinct at Roys.
Next travel to Acle which has a lovely church, shops, pubs and eateries. Finish back at Stalham.
Stalham to Norwich – 11 hours
As for the short break route you will start at Stalham and cruise through Barton Broad and How Hill. Continue onto Acle and from there you can visit Great Yarmouth – famous for its pier and bright seaside lights! Great Yarmouth is one of Britain’s most popular coastal resorts with miles of sandy beach, amusements, shops and food outlets. The Pleasure Beach and Joyland are on the seafront with rides and games for all the family. Greyhound and stock car racing can also be seen at Great Yarmouth and there is also one of the biggest Sealife centres in the UK.
After Great Yarmouth go through Breydon Water and Marshes. This is home to breeding waders, windfowl and lapwings. At the southern end is Burgh Castle with lovely views of Berney Arms Windmill and some great scenic footpaths.
Next continue along the River Yare to Brundall via Reedham which is well served with pubs, a fish and chip shop and gift shop. Reedham also has a famous chain ferry and there is a beautiful nature reserve at Strumpshaw Fen and Surlingham Marsh.
After Bramerton Norwich waits with everything you could want from a city; culture, history, great shopping, restaurants and a vibrant night life. There are over 1,500 historic buildings including a Norman castle and cathedral. Norwich also has a market open 6 days a week. Family fun can also be had with ten pin bowling, cinemas, quasar and much more. When you are done exploring, retrace your route back to Stalham.
Stalham to Oulton Broad 12 hours
Oulton Broad to Loddon – 3.5 hours
Loddon to Stalham – 8 hours
Start by passing Barton Broad and How Hill and then continue onto Acle, Great Yarmouth and Breydon Water as above. From here, cruise the gentle waters of the River Waveney to Oulton Broad, one of the finest yachting lakes in Britain. It is popular for fishing, windsurfing, rowing and speedboat racing. Nearby is Lowestoft, with many shops and restaurants – it is also home to Richardson’s Family Entertainment Centre where you can enjoy ten pin bowling and indoor play.
Return via Reedham and onto Loddon, a pretty Georgian market town on the River Chet with a wide range of facilities. The main street has a range of shops and there are also some great walks and a good bird spotting area at Hardley Floods.
