Things to do while you’re visiting the Norfolk Broads
Discover more to do on your Norfolk Broads holiday, from paddleboarding and cycling to local markets, fishing, sailing and family days out. Whether you’re staying in one of our waterside cottages or cruising the rivers, there’s always something new to enjoy nearby.
Whether you’re setting off on a boating holiday or settling into one of our waterside cottages, there’s plenty to enjoy while you’re here. The Broads are made for slow days, fresh air, riverside exploring and trying something a little different.
Here are a few local ideas to help you make the most of your time in the area.
Paddle, play and unwind at Salhouse Broad
Salhouse Broad is a lovely place to spend a few relaxed hours, whether you arrive by boat or by road. You can hire a paddleboard or canoe and enjoy a completely different view of the water. The broad is calm and sheltered, which makes it a great place for beginners to try canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding.
There’s plenty for families too, including a children’s play area with monkey bars and a climbing frame, plus a small beach area for paddling and playing by the water.
The Hungry Otter serves barista coffee, speciality teas, cakes, pastries and local ice cream, so it’s a great stop for a treat while you watch the world go by.
If you’re arriving by road, you’ll need to pay for parking before taking the gentle stroll down to the water. If you’re arriving by boat, a small mooring fee applies. Toilets are available in the car park.
Salhouse Broad is also a wonderful overnight mooring spot. On a clear evening, head to the dark skies viewing platform, lie back and watch nature’s show above you.
Find out more about Salhouse Broad
Try paddleboarding in Horning
You can also hire paddleboards from Go Paddle in Horning. They offer taster sessions, beginner lessons and even a paddle-based escape experience, where you have 120 minutes to unravel the mysterious fate of the missing fisherman and lift the curse of the River Bure.
The escape experience is best suited to people who have paddled before, but there are options for beginners too.
Mooring in Horning can get busy, especially in peak season, but it’s a lovely village for a wander, with local cafes, pubs and riverside spots to enjoy.
Learn to fish on the Broads
Have you always wanted to try fishing? Or have you given it a go before but never had much luck?
Broads Fishing Instruction can help you get started. They offer one-to-one instruction and, even better, they can come to you or meet you at an arranged location. They can even meet you on your boat and bring all the gear, so there’s no need to store fresh maggots on board.
Their beginner sessions cover the basics, while their lure fishing sessions are ideal if you’d like to learn a different technique.
Find out more about Broads Fishing Instruction
Browse local crafts and workshops at Wroxham Barns
For a relaxed day off the water, Wroxham Barns is well worth a visit. This local attraction hosts a monthly Makers Market, where independent crafters and local sellers offer a lovely range of handmade goods. There is sometimes a food and drink market too, so it’s a great place to browse, pick up gifts and enjoy a little taste of Norfolk.
Wroxham Barns also runs creative workshops, from weaving a willow pheasant to making your own terrarium. You’ll often find pop-up shops and local makers on site too, so it’s worth checking what’s on while you’re in the area.
Find out more about Wroxham Barns
Book a pamper session at your holiday base
For a real holiday treat, Perfect Pamper brings the spa to you. Their “spa by car” service sets up a pop-up salon in your holiday accommodation, and they can even offer treatments on board your cruiser.
It’s a lovely option for families, friends, hen parties, birthday celebrations or anyone who simply wants to relax. Treatments include massage, facials, manicures and pedicures, with packages available for groups of three or more.
Find out more about Perfect Pamper
Explore by bike from Coltishall
For an adventure on two wheels, Bure Valley Cycle Hire in Coltishall is set right beside the Bure Valley Railway path. It’s a lovely route where you can ride alongside the narrow-gauge steam trains as they travel between Wroxham and Aylsham.
The full path is around 9 miles long, with Coltishall about 3 miles from Wroxham. Bure Valley Cycle Hire has mountain bikes suitable for riders aged 8 and above, but bikes must be pre-booked.
If you’re arriving by boat, you can moor at the Lower Common in Coltishall and walk around 15 to 20 minutes to the pick-up point near the station.
Find out more about Bure Valley Cycle Hire
Step back in time with a sailing trip at Hunter’s Yard
If you’d like to try sailing on the Broads, Hunter’s Yard offers skippered 2-hour and 4-hour trips, as well as RYA-approved sailing courses.
Their skippered sails are ideal for up to five people, and dogs are welcome too. Based in a peaceful dyke off Womack Water in Ludham, Hunter’s Yard is home to a beautiful fleet of vintage yachts. Some now have an additional electric motor to help with mooring or getting under bridges.
The yard still has the feel of the 1930s, when the boatsheds were first built. Sailing from Hunter’s Yard really does feel like stepping back into a quieter, simpler era.
Find out more about Hunter’s Yard
Build your confidence on the water with Eastwood Whelpton
Eastwood Whelpton, based at Upton, is another traditional Broads sailing company with a long-standing connection to the water.
Many boaters feel nervous about crossing Breydon Water because of the strong tides and the risk of grounding on the mudflats. Eastwood Whelpton runs regular “Crossing Breydon with Confidence” weekend flotilla courses, which are a great way to learn the skills needed to make the crossing safely.
They also have yachts, motor cruisers and half-decker yachts available to hire.
One of their popular experiences is the “Wellbeing on the Water” women’s retreat, where no experience is needed. It’s a chance to recharge, connect and sail with skippered support.
Find out more about Eastwood Whelpton
Get boat training on your own vessel
For those lucky enough to be buying their own boat, Gary Ross, a senior RYA instructor, can provide training on board.
Sessions can be tailored to whatever you need, from learning the basics to improving your mooring skills. Gary can even join you when you collect your boat, helping you understand how everything works and giving you more confidence from the start.
His teaching style is fun, calm and pressure-free, which makes it easier to relax and get to grips with your vessel.
Email: gdross@ymail.com
Telephone: 07739 207949
Make more of your time on the Broads
One of the joys of a Broads holiday is that you can do as much or as little as you like. Spend the day cruising quietly along the river, stop for coffee and cake, try something new on the water, explore by bike or simply sit back and enjoy the view.
However you choose to spend your time, there’s always something a little different waiting just around the river bend.