Brambly Trails Family Staycation Guide: Norfolk Broads

Brambly Trails Family Staycation Guide: Norfolk Broads

Erin's summer days in the Norfolk Broads

Hidden away in the Norfolk and Suffolk countryside, the Norfolk Broads has its own kind of charm. Peaceful, a little wild, and wonderfully easy to explore as a family.

As Britain’s largest protected wetland and a unique National Park, the Broads is made for slow, outdoorsy staycations. Winding waterways, big skies, boats days and endless picnic and pub stops, there's not much not to love.

On the broads, you don’t need a packed itinerary to have a good day. Just fresh air, muddy shoes, slow mornings and simple adventures that stay with you long after you’ve gone home.

Top things to do

  • Walk - Ranworth Circular, perfect for families, passing through woodland and reedbed habitats with beautiful views across the broad
  • Visit - BeWILDerwood for treehouses, slides and proper outdoor play - https://bewilderwood.co.uk/
  • Hire - a day boat from Wroxham, Horning or Potter Heigham and explore the Broads from the water
  • Spot - wildlife along the riverbanks, from herons and kingfishers to dragonflies and marsh harriers
  • Ride - the Bure Valley Railway from Wroxham to Aylsham - https://www.burevalleyrailway.co.uk/
  • Explore - Wroxham Barns for animals, play areas, mini golf, crafts and food - https://www.wroxhambarns.co.uk/
  • Go - canoeing or paddleboarding for a slower, closer-to-nature way to see the waterways
  • Enjoy - a picnic by the water and watch the boats plus the occasional paddleboarder looking one wobble away from falling in.

Best places to eat

Best places to stay

5 things to know about the area 

  • It’s not just “a few rivers”
    The Broads is a huge network of waterways, villages, marshes and big open skies. You can spend years here and still find new corners.
  • The best days are slow ones
    Don’t try to cram too much in. A boat trip, a riverside walk, a pub lunch and a bit of wildlife spotting is a very good Broads day.
  • Pack layers, even in summer
    The weather can change quickly by the water. Bring jumpers, waterproofs, snacks and shoes you don’t mind getting a bit muddy.
  • It can get busy in peak season
    In school holidays and sunny weekends, boat hire, paddleboarding and watersports can book up quickly, so it’s worth planning ahead and booking in advance.
  • The coast isn’t far away
    One of the best things about the Broads is that you can have a slow river day, then head to places like Horsey, Winterton or Sea Palling for sandy toes and seal spotting.

Conclusion

As someone local to Norfolk, and lucky enough to have called the Broads home for the last couple of years, I think it’s one of those places families can easily overlook. But it really is such a special part of the county.

It offers something slower, quieter and a little bit more unique than a typical seaside day out, which is exactly what makes it so special.

Whether you’re hiring a boat, walking by the water, spotting wildlife or stopping somewhere for lunch, it’s the kind of place that gives children space to explore and grown-ups a chance to properly slow down too.

My favourite thing to do is hire a boat, or take my paddleboard out, and make a little pub crawl of it (from the water, it’s much more fun.) My biggest tip would be to plan a few key things in advance, especially boat hire or watersports in the summer, but leave plenty of room for slow mornings, picnic stops and little detours along the way. 

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