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When is the best time of year to visit the Norfolk Broads?

We’ve picked our top things to see and do season to season on the Norfolk Broads, to help you decide when you’d like to visit.

There are activities to enjoy no matter the time of year on a Norfolk Broads boating holiday, from unique sights and rare wildlife to exciting family attractions and a range of heritage sites. We have been providing boating holidays on the Broads for 80 years now, and in that time we have amassed a long list of things to see and do with the whole family in spring, summer and autumn. Here are our top suggestions by season, so you can figure out the best time to book your next holiday.

Sensational spring

We at Richardson’s believe that one of the best ways to explore the Norfolk Broads no matter the season is by boat, with wildlife havens and hidden wonders at every turn. If you’re looking for some inspiration, we have a fantastic selection of route ideas available here.

You could enjoy a short break travelling from Stalham to Acle and back, or try the original Broads boating route from Robert Richardson Jnr, who founded the company in 1944.

There is a fantastic array of wildlife to see during spring and the Norfolk Broads are home to some species that can’t be seen anywhere else. Not only is spring one of the best times of year for bird watching, Visit the Broads says it’s also the best time to spot a rare harbour porpoise off the coast. When heading on your wildlife expedition, you’ll be pleased to know that no experience is necessary to drive one of our cruisers as we provide a full demonstration of all equipment on board and a trial run to help you gain confidence before setting sail, and our experienced team are always on hand to help too.

Summertime excitement

For many families, summertime means the summer holidays, and a trip on the Norfolk Broads can be just as exciting for school-aged children as it can be for adults. Our boating holidays are family friendly, dog-friendly, and we have a variety of boats available to hire, some even sleep up to 12! Buoyancy aids of all sizes are provided too.

You can explore some of the exciting family-friendly attractions that are local to the Broads, from BeWILDerwood at Wroxham to the Bure Valley Railway. You could also spend a fun summer’s day at the beach, whether you choose to visit one of the coast’s quieter spots or the Pleasure Beach at Great Yarmouth. Take a dip in the sea, indulge in an ice cream and play on the arcades before freshening up in your cruiser ahead of an evening meal, a family game of bowling, or a theatre show. Or, just cruise along the water at your leisure while enjoying the sunshine – the maximum speed limit on the Norfolk Broads is 3-6mph, so you can take it easy!

Discover more things to do on Norfolk Broads holidays here.

Autumn tranquillity

If you’re holidaying later in the year and the weather takes a turn, why not visit a local museum and discover the Broads’ fascinating history, or explore some of the Broads Discovery Hubs?

Created by the Broads Charitable Trust in cooperation with the Broads Authority and supported by Richardson’s, the Discovery Hubs are a network of accessible sites that provide information on the history, wildlife and landscape of the area. To find out more, click here.

Hoping to get away from it all on your next holiday? You’ll be pleased to know that fall is when the Broads are at their most tranquil. As the rivers are less busy, this is a great time to gain confidence on the water and explore some of the most picturesque routes, such as the three-night scenic route. You could go off-grid altogether and spend some quality time on your cruiser with your family. They all come equipped with Wi-Fi and all the mod cons you need to have a cosy day indoors. Early autumn can be an excellent time of year for fishing too, and with a Richardson’s cruiser, you can fish from your boat and find fishing spots that are inaccessible on foot. Find out more here.