When it comes to low cost holidays in the UK, a trip to Norfolk should be top of the list. At just 2 hours drive or train trip from London, the beautiful Norfolk countryside is only a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the city, meaning a boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads can be part of a longer holiday in the capital.
But why should you explore Norfolk on a boat, rather than by car or train? There are a couple of reasons. Firstly, the Broads connect up all of the best Norfolk attractions across a series of over 120 miles of waterways, meaning it’s easy to get about. Travelling and staying on a boat is also a unique experience that most people don’t get to try out, and with hundreds of cruisers and river boats to choose from, you can certainly travel in style!
But one of the main reasons you should explore Norfolk by boat is because the Norfolk Broads is actually a tourist attraction itself – the Broads are in fact man made rivers and lakes created by mining in the medieval times. These shallow mines later filled in with water, leaving the landscape we see today.
Let’s take a look at some of the exciting attractions you can visit on your Norfolk Broads holiday, with some options for people of all ages!
Explore The Riverside By Bike Or On Foot
Boating on the Broads would not be complete without taking a cycle ride to explore the surrounding landscape, where there’s some amazing scenery to experience as well as quaint towns such as Horning and Hemsby. Norfolk may be known for its flat landscape, but that doesn’t mean there’s no scenery. In fact, there are countless miles of incredible landscape filled with old castles, windmills, farmland and more.
A bike ride or hike through the countryside is great for people of all ages, and especially enjoyable for young families, with young children who are at their most inquisitive and just want to explore!
Amusements at Great Yarmouth’s “Golden Mile”
As it’s name suggests, the Golden Mile is a mile long stretch of beautiful beaches, banked by rows of amusement arcades, traditional British fish and chip shops, theatres, crazy golf, bowling alleys and much more.
Great Yarmouth certainly is the best place to experience the Great British seaside holiday of yesteryear, thanks to the beautiful sandy beach and traditional Victorian-era pier – perfect for families of all ages!
Fishing On The Broads
A trip on the Broads wouldn’t be complete without fishing. Perfect for old and young people alike, fishing is a relaxing experience and giving you an opportunity to work on your tan at the same time! Most Norfolk Broads cruisers feature decks perfect for fishing on, however some river boats may not have this luxury, in which case you can moor your boat on an island or river bank and fish, or hire out a smaller day boat to fish on.
Visiting Norwich By Boat
One of the Broads’s best kept secrets is that Norwich is reachable on the extensive river network. That’s right, rather than mooring the boat and driving to East Anglia’s capital, you can actually moor your river cruiser right in the heart of the city, just minutes away from the Norwich FC football ground. This is great for football fans, while other family members may prefer to experience Norwich’s unique independent shopping are called The Lanes. The Lanes is a shopping district made up of hundreds of independent shops in the City’s historic centre, quite unlike anything else in the UK!
Meanwhile, twenty-somethings can experience Norwich’s famous nightlife by mooring at the Yacht station, putting them just a 2 minute walk from the nearest clubs. Visit the famous Wonderland and Mercy XS clubs, the largest in the city, or smaller boutique clubs like Lola Lo, Bar 11 and Vodka Revolution in the City’s Tombland district, just a few minutes walk up from the Yacht station.
As you can see, there’s plenty of activities available in and around the Norfolk Broads for all ages!
