Picnic
⭐ Best for families
Best for: Families, longer days, comfort
- Seats up to 7 — comfortable for family groups
- Onboard toilet — makes a big difference on longer trips
- Covered seating — shelter from sun or showers
- Picnic ready — space for food, bags, and everything else
Picnic Day Boat Hire on the Norfolk Broads
⭐ Best for: Families, longer days out, comfort, riverside picnics, first-time boaters
Looking for a comfortable family day boat hire on the Norfolk Broads? Picnic is one of our most popular family-friendly day boats at Barnes Brinkcraft, perfect for relaxed days exploring the Norfolk Broads from Wroxham.
With seating for up to 7 people, onboard toilet facilities and space for food, bags and family essentials, Picnic is ideal for longer cruising days, family adventures and relaxed riverside lunches.
Why families love Picnic
👍 Comfortable space for the whole family
Picnic offers cushioned seating for up to 7 people, including babies and toddlers, giving everyone room to relax while enjoying the Norfolk Broads.
👍 Onboard toilet facilities
One of the biggest advantages for families with children. Having a toilet onboard makes longer days on the water far more relaxed, especially with younger crew members.
👍 Perfect for picnics and lunches on the river
Make tea, warm up lunch or stop for a proper riverside picnic during your day on the Broads. Picnic includes a hob, grill, kettle and sink onboard.
👍 Comfortable whatever the Norfolk weather
The foldaway canopy gives you flexibility throughout the day, offering shade in warm weather and shelter if the rain appears.
Why hire a family day boat on the Norfolk Broads?
A Norfolk Broads day boat is one of the easiest ways to spend quality time together outdoors without the stress of organising a full holiday.
There’s no experience needed, no locks to navigate from Wroxham and no pressure to follow a schedule. Simply cruise at your own pace, stop at waterside pubs, enjoy a riverside picnic or explore some of the quieter parts of the Norfolk Broads National Park.
For lots of families, a day on the boat ends up being the bit everyone talks about afterwards.
Great for:
- Family days out on the Norfolk Broads
- Mixed family groups
- Grandparents and kids spotting ducks together
- Relaxed pub lunches by boat
- Full-day picnic adventures
- First-time boating experiences
- Not having to stick to a timetable
Is Picnic the right day boat for you?
✅ Choose Picnic if:
- You want onboard toilet facilities
- You’re planning a longer day on the water
- You’d like simple onboard cooking facilities
- You want a comfortable family-friendly boat
- You need space for bags, coats and picnic supplies
- You’re looking for an easy-to-drive Norfolk Broads day boat
- You’re hiring a boat for the first time
❌ You may prefer another boat if:
- You’d like a quieter electric boat → try Sun Charm
- You need space for 8 people → look at Brinklet
- You’d prefer a larger open picnic deck → consider Sundeck
- You’re planning a multi-day boating holiday → view our Norfolk Broads holiday cruisers
What’s it like onboard?
Your Norfolk Broads adventure starts from our marina in Hoveton, directly opposite Wroxham on the River Bure.
Within minutes of leaving the boatyard, you’ll be cruising through open countryside, passing riverside pubs, windmills, Broadland villages and some of the most peaceful scenery in Norfolk.
Picnic is designed to make family boating feel simple and relaxed, even if it’s your very first time driving a boat. The controls are straightforward, visibility is excellent and the boat feels stable and reassuring for beginners.
The onboard facilities make a real difference on longer trips, especially with younger children. You can stop where you like, make drinks onboard, enjoy lunch beside the river and spend the day exploring at your own pace.
Easy family boating without the stress.
A typical day onboard Picnic
🍺 Most families spend the morning cruising gently towards Horning, stopping for lunch at a riverside pub or quiet mooring spot before slowly making their way back during the afternoon.
🦆 Some bring a picnic and wildlife books for the children. Others simply enjoy switching off for a few hours and seeing the Broads from the water.
🌿 There’s no set route, no timetable and no experience needed, just an easy day outdoors together.
👉 That said, you might like to look at some of our suggested day boat routes.
Day boat hire near Wroxham
📍 Barnes Brinkcraft, Hoveton, Norfolk
Our base is directly opposite Wroxham on the River Bure, right in the heart of the Norfolk Broads National Park.
Our location gives you access to easy, lock-free cruising routes ideal for beginners, families and relaxed day boating.
Free customer parking is available, subject to availability.
Important information
- Seats up to 7 people, including babies and toddlers
- Hob, grill, sink and kettle onboard
- Please bring your own crockery, cutlery and cooking equipment if needed
- Toilet and running water provided (non-potable water)
- Foldaway canopy for shelter or sunshine
- Map provided before departure
- Free life jackets available for all ages
- Fuel included in the hire price
- Free customer parking, subject to availability
- Open from Easter until the end of October
- No boating experience needed
- Full handover and instruction before departure
- Friendly team available to help before you set off
Looking for a longer Norfolk Broads boating holiday?
If one day on the Broads isn’t enough, take a look at our Norfolk Broads holiday hire cruisers and enjoy a longer boating adventure with overnight accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need boating experience?
No. Picnic is designed to be beginner friendly and easy to handle. Our team will show you everything you need to know before you leave the marina.
How many people can the boat take?
Picnic can carry up to 7 people, including children, babies and toddlers.
Does Picnic have a toilet?
Yes. Picnic includes a private onboard toilet with running water.
Can we cook onboard?
Yes. Picnic includes a hob, grill, sink and kettle for simple onboard meals and drinks. We do not provide cooking equipment such as pans, cutlery and crockery.
Are dogs allowed onboard?
Yes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome onboard, there is no extra charge for them.
Is parking available?
Yes. Free customer parking is available at Barnes Brinkcraft, subject to availability.
Are life jackets included?
Yes. Life jackets are provided free of charge for all passengers, including children and toddlers.
Is fuel included?
Yes. Fuel is included in the hire price.
Where does the boat depart from?
Picnic departs from Barnes Brinkcraft in Hoveton, directly opposite Wroxham in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.
Why book your Norfolk Broads day boat with Barnes Brinkcraft?
We’ve been helping visitors enjoy the Norfolk Broads for generations, and many of our customers are first-time boaters returning year after year.
Our aim is simple, make boating easy, relaxed and enjoyable from the moment you arrive.
Whether you’re organising a family day out, introducing the grandchildren to the Broads or just fancy doing something different together, our team will help you get out on the water with confidence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here for directions.
Yes, you can bring a max of 2 dogs with you It’s worth remembering some dogs love being on a boat, but not all. We recommend bringing a dog bed with you. We would recommend the Brinklets for dogs as these are the easiest for them to get on and off.
Yes, we do, via the Broadcaster magazine provided with each hire.
Please see our suggested itinerary here.
There is a speed limit between 3 and 5 mph in this part of the Broads National Park. This is designed to protect the wildlife on the banks from wash caused by boats.