broads tours hoveton

Broads Tours River Trips

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Broads Tours River Trips - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Broads Tours River Trips

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BROADS TOURS RIVER TRIPS (Wroxham) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Hoveton & Wroxham: two of the most beautiful villages to visit in the Broads

Introducing the Broads National Park and some of its most beautiful villages

The Broads National Park, or simply The Broads, is home to some of the most beautiful villages in Norfolk. It is also the most emblematic national park in East Anglia. The Broads is part of the  15 UK national parks  and is home to a diverse ecosystem. With over 200km of wildlife and breathtaking landscape, the Broads offer countless options for outdoor lovers. One can walk, cycle, take a boat ride or simply enjoy one of the many idyllic villages located around the park.

You can reach The Broads National Park from Norwich , Salhouse , Hoveton & Wroxham, Worstead, North Walsham, Gunton, Roughton Road, Cromer , West Runton and Sheringham . These cities and villages are connected through Bittern Lane, a train route which makes possible communication between these beautiful cities and villages in The Broads. The regional train operator is Greater Anglia . Some other smaller places can only be reached by bus.

The Broads is only two hours away from London, making it ideal for a weekend away in nature. Norfolk County is also close to one of the busiest London airports (Stansted). There are direct train services from London (Stansted) to Norwich, which can get you to the Broads in approximately two hours. You may be able to purchase train tickets to Norwich from the train operator, Greater Anglia .

Travel to The Broads National Park and visit some of its most beautiful villages: Hoveton & Wroxham

If you decide to visit the Broads, your possibilities are countless. You can choose a weekend away in which case I would advise you to book your accommodation closer to the village/city you intend to explore. Alternatively, you can set up your base in Norwich and travel from here to the park since the furthest point (Sheringham) is only 40 min away by train.

Hoveton & Wroxham, two beautiful Norfolk villages, are often called the gateway to the Broads. The two villages are one of the most popular choices for those who decide to visit the Broads. By train, from Norwich, Hoveton & Wroxham, are only 15 minutes away. A return train ticket bought at the train station is around 6,40 GBP. The price ticket can vary slightly depending on whether you opt for an on-peak/off-peak train ticket. You can purchase the train ticket from the same train operator, Greater Anglia, either online, via their mobile app or at the train station in Norwich.

By car, Hoveton is 20 minutes away from Norwich. You must take Wroxham Road and then A1151 road. Car parks are available throughout Hoveton, with most of them concentrated on Station Road.

How to enjoy the most of Hoveton & Wroxham, two of the most beautiful villages in The Broads?

There are plenty of outdoor activities catered for all types of fitness levels. The most popular ones are walking, biking or boat riding.

Boat trips  are a popular activity visitors opt for while in Hoveton. There are boat hire facilities everywhere in the village. You can opt for private boat hire or group tours. For more information on what is available on the day, please visit the Hoveton Visitor Centre (on Station Road, in Hoveton). Most rental boat facilities are around the Wroxham Bridge (Broads Tours, Wroxham Broads Hire, The CanoeMan Wroxham and Wroxham Launch Hire).

Take a walk in Hoveton . The village centre starts on Norwich Road and continues onto Stalham Road. Most of the shops and restaurants can be found on Norwich and Stalham Road. There is a McDonald’s and a Roys Store as well. Smaller independent restaurants, as well as local bakeries, can be found along Norwich Road. Everything you need is in Hoveton. Wroxham is more of a residential area that’s half an hour walk from Hoveton. However, there isn’t anything to visit or do in Wroxham, except for admiring the posh English mansions.

Hikes/Bike rides  are also popular. Hoveton might not be very big. However, it’s the start point for many walking trails which connect the village with nearby even smaller places.

Walking Trails

There are several hiking trails around Hoveton. However, the hiking trails I will talk about in this post start in Hoveton (close to the train station). These walking trails options help those of you travelling by public transport who don’t have a car to reach more isolated countryside areas.

• Stroll by the River Bure . River Bure cuts through the village of Hoveton. River Bure is navigable, but it’s only used for tourism purposes nowadays. The area around the River is accessible on foot and integrates some of the most extensive hiking trails which eventually expand beyond Hoveton. This walk is only 2km long and includes a walk from the train station, along River Bure, up to Norwich Road. This walk is very easy and suitable for anyone regardless of their fitness level. For this walk, you will need to follow the following steps:

As you exit the train station and reach the bottom of the stairs, you will see the sign below. Follow the Path to River direction.

At the end of the path, you will have two options. The right path will take you to a dead-end area of River Bure. You can still check out this area, but you will need to return to this same spot to continue your walk into Hoveton.

This is how the dead-end point looks like.

Now, that you have covered the dead-end area, continue your walk into Hoveton by following the path walk. Norfolk Road (aka the village centre) is less than 10-15 minutes away at this point.

An alternative to this walk is to reach the village centre by exiting the train station and turning right on Station Road. You will continue walking on Station Road until you see the big McDonalds. At this point, you would have arrived in the village centre. I’ve walked both ways. However, the walk along the river is much more beautiful and picturesque.

2. A second hiking trail you can try is longer. This second option is around 13,53 km long and it gets you out of Hoveton. Because the hiking trail it’s in the shape of a loop, you will eventually end up in the same place you started. To start this hike, you will need to head to Bure Valley Railway-the steam train station. You can also take the steam train to cover more of the Broads area. For this hiking trail though, you won’t need to get any train.

Once you find the steam train station, walk behind it until you find the path that follows the train tracks as you can see in the pictures below:

Continue walking straight, you will cross a road junction and you will see a train barrier on your right-hand side. After the road junction, you will need to be careful not to miss the red brick bridge.

Immediately after the bridge, turn left and take the stairs to get on the main road. Once you are on the main road, turn right and continue walking.

Continue walking on this road until you get to the next junction. As you can see there is no pavement, so make sure you pay attention to the traffic and give way to cars coming either way. At the next junction, turn right as indicated in the picture and continue until the road gets very narrow as shown in the final picture:

Once the road gets very narrow as shown in the last picture above, turn left. Now, you have 2 options: you either take a path that’s straight in front of you or take the public footpath that’s more to your left. You must take the public footpath that’s more to your left.

At the end of this public path, you will end up in Coltishall where you should be able to see Kings Head Inn across the street and a telephone cabin on the left-hand side. There is also a post office across the road. At least you will see some civilization after spending some time in open fields and deserted country roads. Now, go towards the inn’s car park and walk diagonally. At the end of the car park, on your left-hand side, you will see a bridge. Cross it and continue towards the end of the park.

At the end of the park, you will see a wall. Go around it and continue walking straight onto the road until you reach the end of the street. You will see beautiful cottage houses on your right-hand side as you get to the end of the street.

At the end of the street, you will get to a meadow. This is where my hiking route changed and I had to improvise a returning route to Hoveton. I changed my hiking route because I came across 10+ very inquisitive cattle and decided to return.

I would have probably continued if the people in front of me would have not walked back. However, because the animals were getting closer and closer, and there were quite a few young bulls as well, I considered it was not safe to walk through them to continue my hike. This is the beauty of hiking. You always have to be open to changes. Luckily, even if I altered the route, the walk was still enjoyable.

When I decided to get back, I headed back to Anchor Street, turned right on the same Anchor street and ended up on Wroxham Road. Here, you could walk back to Hoveton by following the Wroxham Road. However, the road is busy and there is no pavement, so I did not feel safe. Instead, I did what some locals advised me to do. I crossed the road and walked back to Hoveton via Belaugh Green Lane. It’s much quieter and there isn’t that much traffic.

At the end of Belaugh Green Lane, you will see the same train barriers you passed by earlier in your walk. Turn right and continue walking along the train tracks. They will take you back to Hoveton. At this point, you should recognise the hiking trail because you’ve already walked this portion of it. This is my modified hiking trail. The original route would have been this one . I stopped between numbers 9 and 10.

These walks are part of bigger hiking trails called Bittern Line walks . As I might attempt to do some other walks in the Broads using these trails, I will feed it back to you and let you know what I found difficult and what was easy. I am not a very experienced hiker, but I would say this walk was pretty easy. The terrain has been mostly flat (except for some steps I had to climb at some point). Maybe the distance might constitute an impediment for some walkers. However, as you’ve seen in my case, you can cut it short. You don’t need to walk the entire trail.

Both walking trails I suggested in this blog post, could be good biking routes too. There might be some portions of the trail where you might need to get off your bike, but in general, I would say is doable. You can judge it yourself by looking at the pictures I provided.

Alternatively, you always have the option of taking the steam train . This way you can obviously cover more of the region than you would do by walking or biking.

Budget & Safety

The UK is widely known as being a safe country. However, if you read my previous blog posts, you will see that I stick to some basic safety rules wherever I go. One of these rules is to complete my activities by the time it gets dark. So even if I started the hike after midday, I made sure I was back at the train station before it got dark. This is the one golden rule I stuck to for the last 10y as a solo female traveller . Except for that, there are no other serious safety concerns, except for the cattle when they are left free.

The UK is generally known as being an expensive country and this is true. However, you can still get good deals like this trip where I managed to spend less than 10 GBP/11.70 Euro for food and transportation on the day. If you travel from Norwich, the return train ticket is around 6 GBP. For your meal, you could go with one of the meal deals you can purchase from any UK supermarket. The most affordable is Tesco. For only 3 GBP, you get a sandwich of your choice, a drink and a snack. These types of meal deals are perfect for budget travellers.

Hoveton and Wroxham are indeed some of the most beautiful villages in The Broads. If you want to experience the authentic English countryside, you should definitely add it to your list with places to visit in the UK.

Are you more of a big city fan or a village and nature lover? Would you consider visiting Hoveton and Wroxham, two of the most beautiful villages in The Broads, next time you are in the UK? Let me know your thoughts on the UK countryside below.

Did you like this blog post? Then, pin it!

17 thoughts on “ Hoveton & Wroxham: two of the most beautiful villages to visit in the Broads ”

Gorgeous presentation

Thank you so much!

Hey no thanks you like my posts

Hoveton & Wroxham certainly do look beautiful! I love learning about new places!

I love walking in English towns and would enjoy hikes in this countryside. Thanks for sharing this lovely area.

I’ve not explored this part of the country, I need to get out of my London bubble more often!

I’ve never explored the English countryside! I would love to, though, the next time I am in the U.K. These spots look like awesome locations to visit. Thank you for sharing!

Lovely post – it’s amazing how many hidden gems there are in England 🙂

Indeed, England is packed with such beautiful places! 🙂

Love to see this area.

I love Norfolk, it’s such a beautiful county, so I’ll try to write as many blog posts about it as I can. I’m glad to read so many people like the posts on Norfolk. 🙂

English countryside looks like a dream and I had never heard about Hoveton and Wroxham but they look stunning! Thanks for sharing this guide.

Thank you so much for your kind words, Nishtha. I’m very happy you like Hoveton and Wroxham. Indeed, Norfolk seems to be less known, so I’ll do my best to write more about it because there is so much more to do and visit in this part of the country 🙂

[…] walk in Salhouse, Norfolk A circular walk in Hoveton & Wroxham A coastal walk between Cromer and […]

[…] I will talk about today is great for beginner and advanced walkers alike. Salhouse alongside Hoveton, Wroxham, Norwich, Cromer, Sheringham and several other locations in Norfolk, are excellent […]

[…] Hoveton & Wroxham: one of the most beautiful villages to visit in the Broads […]

[…] moving on to more famous places in Norfolk for walks, let’s have a look at the lovely village of Wroxham. Officially known as Hoveton & Wroxham, these 2 villages are definitely more popular than […]

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Broads Tours

Explore Britain’s Magical Waterland at your own pace

Take to the helm and hire one of our fantastic day boats on the Norfolk Broads. Our Wroxham day boat hire allows you to independently explore the beauty of the Broads at your own pace and in your own style, from the perfect starting location.

Broads Tours require at least two adults on our Day Boats (at our discretion we may allow one adult with a child of 14 years or over).

Our fleet of passenger trip boats offer a fabulous opportunity to discover the Norfolk Broads. A full commentary from the skipper will ensure that you don’t miss a thing, explaining the origins of the Broads, identifying points of interest along the way and showing you the abundance of local water birds as they come into view. There is no better way to learn about the Broads whilst taking in the beautiful scenery all around you.

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The Broads Authority has three visitor centres where our staff can help you get the most out of your visit to the Broads.

All run a boat trip that allows you to explore the nearby waterways and has touchscreen technology screening films about Broads wildlife. You can buy short visit boat licenses as well as books, maps, postcards and gifts.

Our Visitor Centres at Hoveton, How Hill and Ranworth are open daily from Easter until the end of October.

Hoveton Visitor Centre

• tel 01603 756097
• email [email protected]

This information centre is situated on the River Bure and has information and displays about Hoveton and the Broads. From April to October the centre offers a wildlife boat trip on Ra , an accessible, solar-powered boat that journeys along the River Bure towards Coltishall and back, with plenty of time to enjoy the woodlands and meadows of this tranquil and varied stretch of river.

Ranworth Visitor Centre

Ranworth Information Centre Farm Lane, The Staithe, Ranworth, NR13 6HY

• tel 01603 756094
• email [email protected]

Ranworth Visitor Centre is situated at picturesque Ranworth Staithe, overlooking Malthouse Broad.

The centre offers information and displays about the local area and the rest of the Broads National Park, as well as offering a selection of books, maps and gifts for sale. There is a boat trip on Liana , our Edwardian-style launch, which explores Malthouse Broad, Ranworth Dam and the nearby River Bure.

Paid 24 hour moorings are available at Ranworth Staithe, and car parking available nearby along with a café and pub just a short walk away.

Toad Hole Cottage at How Hill Nature Reserve

• tel 01603 756096
• email [email protected]

This tiny marshman's cottage situated on the River Ant, was home for a whole family in Victorian times. See how they lived and the tools they used for working on the marshes. The cottage also has information and displays about How Hill and the Broads and tickets can be bought for the wildlife walking trail.

The Electric Eel boat trip runs from April to October, offering you the chance to explore along dykes fringed with marshland plants. Our experienced guide will also show you some local and rare wildlife including dragonflies, marsh harriers, wildflowers and swallowtail butterflies. To book please call Toad Hole Cottage or email  [email protected] .

Interpretation for use with a mobile phone has been created for the How Hill National Nature Reserve. Augmented reality uses the camera and GPS capabilities of smart phones to show additional information on screen, on top of the real view fed in from the phone's camera. There is also an ebook available, ask our staff for further information.

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Visiting Wroxham and Hoveton

Wroxham is often called the Capital of the Broads, an accolade that may, with some merit, be challenged by Hoveton. Hoveton is Wroxham’s twin village on the other side of the river, where most of the local businesses and boatyards are situated. Wroxham & Hoveton was the first centre for boating holidays and excursions on the Broads, beginning in the late 19th century after expansion of the rail network made access to the area much easier. The East Norfolk Railway arrived in Wroxham & Hoveton between 1874-76 and John Loynes started the first boat hire firm on the Broads at Wroxham. There is a Broads Authority tourist information centre on Station Road in Hoveton. This article lists some helpful information for those visiting Wroxham and Hoveton!

There are free Broads Authority 24-hour moorings on the Coltishall side of Wroxham Bridge (some hire boats cannot pass under the bridge and using the bridge pilot – £15 fee – is compulsory). There are also free moorings when available at the Norfolk Broads Direct and Barnes Brinkcraft hire boat yards.

Visit the Broads’ latest family attraction,  Wroxham Miniature Worlds on Station Business Park, Hoveton (01603 781728), billed as the largest indoor modelling centre in the UK, stretching over 10,000sq ft. The attraction houses some of the largest model railways in the world on permanent public display. It is made up of many zones including model railways in various scales, slot car displays, doll displays, a whole city made from Lego and a host of toys from across the decades!

Wroxham Barns  (01603 783762) is a popular craft and retail centre with a restaurant and café renowned for its locally sourced produce. It’s also a great destination for children, with a fun fair and junior farm, as well as a top class mini-golf course.  Wroxham Barns  can be reached by car or by bus from outside the Roys store in Wroxham.

Broads Tours  (01603 782207) are an award winning tour operator offering a range of river trips from Wroxham. Tours feature entertaining live commentary and a bar offering light refreshments.

You can also hire a canoe or book a canoe trail or bushcraft course from  The Canoeman  (01603 783777), based at the Norfolk Broads Tourist Information and Activities Centre on Wroxham Bridge.

Shopping is also one of the biggest leisure activities in Wroxham, with a visit to the famous Roys stores, including the toy shop, a must on the to do list!

You could also take a ride on the  Bure Valley Railway , Norfolk’s longest 15in gauge line, running between Aylsham and Wroxham with country stations serving the villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. The 18-mile round trip goes through the picturesque Bure Valley countryside, following the meandering river through meadowland and ancient pasture (01263 733858), simply lovely!

There’s a wide choice of takeaways and reasonably-priced cafés in Wroxham & Hoveton.

The Bridge Restaurant, on Norwich Road, gets good reviews from holidaymakers, according to staff at Norfolk Broads Tourist Information and Activities Centre, while the nearby King’s Head Hotel remains popular with boating visitors.

• BeWILDerwood
• Dog Friendly Norfolk Broads: Hoveton and Wroxham
• Wroxham Barns
• Norfolk Broads Day Boat Hire – Richardson’s Day Boat Hire in Wroxham
• Richardson’s Day Boats, Wroxham (Fineway)
• Eating Out in Wroxham and Hoveton

Hoveton Viaduct

Hoveton Viaduct Moorings

Length of Mooring = 319 Metres

Approx No. of Mooring = 64

Double-Alongside (AA)

Free Moorings - Maximum Stay 24 Hours

Anglers are welcome but must make way for boats seeking to moor

Danger: Do not swim from these moorings

*Information from Broads Authority.

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Broads Tours

Explore Britain’s Magical Waterland at your own pace

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• Two day boating itinerary: Upper River Bure

Two day boating itinerary: Upper River Bure -->

Wroxham, salhouse broad and horning, day 1 – wroxham and salhouse broad.

Holiday cruisers are available to hire from Norfolk Broads Direct and Barnes Brinkcraft in Wroxham, and Ferry Marina in Horning.

This 2-day itinerary starts in Wroxham, the heart of the Broads. The two villages of Wroxham and Hoveton sit on either side of the River Bure. Bustling hubs full of places to eat and shop, they are often referred to as the capital of the Broads. There is a Broads National Park Information Centre based at Station Road Hoveton. Book an early table at the Hotel Wroxham where you can enjoy breakfast on the terrace overlooking the water. The restaurant and stunning waterside terrace are open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Watch the hustle and bustle of the day unfold as the hire boats go out and people start to arrive for their Broads Tours river trips.

After breakfast, wander up to the Bure Valley Railway station at Wroxham, where you will take a nostalgic trip by steam train on Norfolk’s longest narrow-gauge railway. Steam trains operate regularly between the old market town of Aylsham and Wroxham. The Bure Valley Railway was built on the trackbed of part of the former Great Eastern Railway and the 9 mile line runs through meadowland, ancient pastures and picturesque Broadland villages. The trip to Aylsham by train takes about 45 minutes. At Aylsham station, you’ll find lots of facilities including the Whistlestop Café and a shop stocking a wide range of railway-themed souvenirs and gifts, as well as being a paradise for any model railway enthusiasts.

Leave the station and take in the historic market town of Aylsham. The prominent marketplace is surrounded by beautiful 18th-century houses and reflects the town’s prosperity from the textile and cloth trade at the time. A mile from the marketplace you will discover Redwings Horse Sanctuary , home to almost 90 friendly horses and donkeys who now live there. They love visitors and you can get up close and cuddly every day between 10:30am - 4pm until the end of August. Take the return journey by steam train back to Hoveton station, where you will pick up your holiday cruiser.

Follow the River Bure south out of Wroxham, taking in the pretty riverside properties along the way. After about 30 minutes, gently cruising you’ll come to Salhouse Broad . Moorings are available but it can get very busy in high season, so please arrive early. Salhouse Broad is a place of great natural beauty, where you can explore the nature boardwalks, walk through the woods or hire a canoe. In fact, you might find that one night just isn’t enough. If you decide to stay on, it’s worth hiring a canoe and paddling over to Hoveton Great Broad to discover some real Broadland wilderness at one of Britain's finest National Nature Reserves. Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail is only accessible by boat and promises a peaceful hour-long stroll around this isolated reserve. Alternatively, you can moor up on the River Bure, just on the other side of Hoveton Great Broad, and walk to the start of the route.

Spend some time enjoying the peace and tranquillity of Salhouse Broad before dinner. You’re on holiday, so it’s time to leave the cooking to someone else! When hunger gets the better of you, head up to Woodforde’s Brewery and the Fur & Feather Inn , 20 minutes’ walk from the edge of the Broad. Their award-winning real ales and traditional home-cooked food are a Norfolk institution. Visit early for a brewery tour and some shopping, or just enjoy a great meal and a pint in the cosy pub or outdoor beer garden. You’ll need to take a torch if you’re planning to walk back to your mooring after dark.

Day 2 – Horning

In the morning take a 15 minute walk, into Salhouse village for a stop off at Prima Rosa . Combining crafts with a passion for baking, the owners Judith and Martin have created an amazing vintage style tea-room and craft shop that’s well worth a browse. From 9:30am you can treat yourself to breakfast or pick up a packed lunch to take away for later.

Back on board your holiday cruiser, continue your journey south along the River Bure for about half an hour or so to the pretty village of Horning. There are several places for you to moor at Horning, either side of the river, although it can get incredibly busy so please do arrive early. For this itinerary, you’ll need to access land from the north bank. Not to worry if you’ve moored on the other side, as the Horning Foot Ferry is available to take walkers and cyclists across the River Bure and also provides a customised water taxi service in the area.

Horning is full of riverside houses and pubs, restaurants and shops. It’s a stunning iconic Broads waterside location with so many places to sit back, relax and watch the world go by. At the weekends you can watch the sailing races from Horning sailing club. If you’d like to try something a little more energetic, book yourself a paddleboarding session with GoPaddle . They provide beginner sessions for adults and children of all ages and abilities as well as daily and weekly hire.

Walk from Horning village for approximately 20 minutes to BeWILDerwood , the award-winning forest of wild family fun and adventure. At BeWILDerwood you’ll discover treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, Crocklebogs, boat trips, storytelling and fabulous marsh walks where the whole family can enjoy a few hours running off some steam and exploring the wild Norfolk landscape.

After all that fun and adventure, it’s time to relax on board your cruiser and plan what you’re going to do tomorrow.

If you would like to do this itinerary as part of a land-based holiday, here are our suggestions for places to stay nearby.…

• Hotel Wroxham – Hotel, Wroxham
• Hoveton Hall – B&B,
• Waterside Breaks – Self-catering, Horning, Wroxham, Ludham and South Walsham
• Hall Farm Cottages – Self-catering, Horning
• Salhouse Broad – Camping, Salhouse
• Cobbleacre Holidays – Camping, Hevingham
• Cotenham Barn – Self-catering, Panxworth
• Norfolk Holiday Escapes – Self-catering, Coltishall

Visit the Broads and the Broads Authority work in partnership to give visitors all the information and inspiration they need to make their trip to the Broads perfect.

The Broads Authority looks after the national park for visitors, boaters, wildlife and its community.

Visit the Broads provides a strong unified voice for Broads tourism-related businesses, from accommodation providers to holiday boat operators, and other stakeholders with an interest in tourism activity.

Visit the Broads welcomes new members - read more information for Broads businesses →

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Wroxham and Hoveton

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 By road
• 2.2 By rain
• 2.4 By boat
• 3 Get around
• 5.1 Boat hire

Wroxham and Hoveton are two towns in Norfolk separated by the River Bure. They are connected by a road, foot and rail bridges. Wroxham is unofficially often known as "Capital of the Broads", though in practice Hoveton has the vast majority of marinas, boat yards and boat hire centres, and most of the commercial activity.

Understand [ edit ]

The Broads are an important aspect to the area and both towns have "their" broads 52.6986 1.4184 1 Wroxham Broad and 52.6948 1.4288 2 Hoveton Great Broad & 52.7058 1.4494 3 Hoveton Little Broad .

Both towns have a lot for tourists are can get quite busy during the height of summer. The River Bure from the town and downstream can also get busy through high season. However, the road bridge connecting the towns is quite low and upstream the river is generally quieter as the larger cruisers are unable to get under the low bridge.

Get in [ edit ]

By road [ edit ]

The A1151 main road connects the towns to Norwich to the S (9 miles to the SW) and runs on to the NE to other local towns. The B1354 connects the towns to Coltishall (2½ miles to the NW) and the A1062 connects the towns to Horning (3 miles to the E) and on to Ludham and Potter Heighham (9 miles to the E).

By rain [ edit ]

By bus [ edit ].

Sanders Coaches X11 service connects the towns to Norwich (to the SW) and Stalham (to the NE).

By boat [ edit ]

The towns lie on the River Bure and are in the Norfolk Broads National Park (at least the river bank parts of the towns lie within the National Park). There are both commercial marinas (private) and some free Broads Authority moorings in and close to the towns. The river can get busy in the height of the summer holiday season.

Get around [ edit ]

The towns are small enough to see on foot.

See [ edit ]

• 52.71524 1.40906 1 Wroxham Minature Worlds ( Indoor Model (Railways) Attraction/Exhibition ), Station Business Park, Horning Rd West, Hoveton NR12 8QJ , ☏ +44 1603 781728 , [email protected] . Adult £9.93, child (5+) £6.95, concession £9.95 . ( updated May 2017 )

Do [ edit ]

• 52.7111 1.4492 3 Broadland Cycle Hire Centre ( Between Hoveton and Horning on the A1062 at BeWILDerwood ), ☏ +44 7887 480331 (mobile) . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.7133 1.4085 4 Broadland Cycle Hire Automated Station , Station Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8UR , ☏ +44 1603 552563 (to book) . 24/7 . Call in advance to book and get PIN to release bike from station. ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.7342 1.4132 6 Wroxham Barns , Tunstead Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8QU , ☏ +44 1603 783762 , [email protected] . Daily 10AM-5PM (closes at dusk in winter) . Junior farm (incl. bottle feeding lambs). Children's fun-fair. Shops and crafts. Restaurants and cafés. Free parking. ( updated May 2017 )

Boat hire [ edit ]

If out on the water on the River Bure in the Wroxham/Hoveton/Salhouse area, keep your eye's open for the "Ice Cream Boat" (you'll know it when you see it - selling ice creams to those in boats or on the shore.

• 52.7108 1.40887 7 Wroxham Boat Hire , The Broads Centre, Riverside Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8UD , ☏ +44 1603 783051 . High season: 1 hr £20 to 4 hr £65; low season: 1 hr £20 to 4 hr £65 . Day boat and Canadian canoe hire. ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.7098 1.40954 8 Barnes Brinkcraft , Riverside Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8UD , ☏ +44 1603 782625 , [email protected] . Summer: daily 8AM-5PM; winter: M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-4PM . Cruiser and day boat hire ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71134 1.40774 9 Broads Tours , The Bridge, Wroxham, NR12 8RX , ☏ +44 1603 782207 , [email protected] . Ma-Oct: daily 8AM-5:30PM Nov-Feb: M-F 8AM-5:30PM, Sa 9AM-2PM, Su 10AM-3PM . Day boat hire and river trips. ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71122 1.41063 10 Richardson’s Day Boat Hire , The Rhond, Hoveton, NR12 8UD , ☏ +44 1603 782309 . Various different day boats. ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71213 1.40847 11 Wroxham Launch Hire ( Day boat hire ), King's Staithe, The Bridge, Hoveton, NR12 8DA , ☏ +44 1603 783043 , [email protected] . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.6888 1.4302 12 Salhouse Broad Canoe & Kayak Hire , Lower St, Salhouse NR13 6RX ( 3 miles SE of towns (by road) ), ☏ +44 1603 722775 , [email protected] . ( updated Jun 2020 )

Buy [ edit ]

• 52.7125 1.4099 1 Roys ( Department Store ), Stalham Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8DB , ☏ +44 1603 782131 . M-F 9AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 10:30AM-4:30PM (browsing from 10AM) . Department store, and nearby garden centre, toy store, food hall, petrol station. Known as "the world's largest village store". ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71175 1.40979 2 Nisa ( Convenience Store ), Riverside Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8AJ , ☏ +44 1603 782859 . M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 9AM-9PM . ( updated May 2017 )

Eat [ edit ]

• 52.71207 1.40914 1 Ken's Traditional Fish & Chips ( Restaurant & Take-away ), The Bridge, 63 Norwich Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8DA , ☏ +44 1603 784445 . Summer: M-Sa 11:30AM-2:30PM & 4:30-7:30PM, Su 11:30AM-6PM . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71221 1.40882 2 The Old Mill ( Restaurant & Café Bar ), Norwich Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8DA , ☏ +44 1603 783744 . Free Wi-Fi. Riverside. ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71158 1.40913 3 Yim Siam ( Thai Restaurant ), Riverside Centre, Hoveton, NR12 8AJ , ☏ +44 1603 781133 , [email protected] . Tu-F noon-3PM & 5:30-10PM, Su M 5:30-10PM . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71147 1.40789 4 Wherryman's ( Restaurant ), The Bridge, Norwich Rd, Wroxham, NR12 8RX , ☏ +44 1603 784041 , [email protected] . Jun-Sep: 9AM-9PM; Apr May Oct 9AM-3:30OM . Pizza £8; 8-oz steak £15. . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71541 1.40813 5 The Station Smokehouse ( Restaurant ), Station Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8UT , ☏ +44 1603 920123 . Hand made burgers, smoked meats cooked over a fire. ( updated May 2017 )

Drink [ edit ]

• 52.71205 1.40919 1 No 14 Coffee , Number 14, Norwich Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8DA , ☏ +44 1603 784348 . M-Sa 9AM-4PM, Su 10AM-4PM . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71112 1.40881 2 The River Kitchen ( Café & Restaurant ), Riverside Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8UD , ☏ +44 1603 926560 , [email protected] . M-F 9AM-3:30PM, Sa Su 9AM-4PM . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71238 1.40945 3 The King's Head Hotel ( Restaurant & Bar ), Station Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8UR , ☏ +44 1603 782429 , [email protected] . ( updated Jun 2020 )
• 52.7102 1.40726 4 [dead link] The Boatshed ( Bar & Food ), Staitheway Rd, Wroxham, NR12 8TH , ☏ +44 1603 783892 . M-F 4-11PM, Sa Su 1-11PM; food Th F 6-10PM, Sa 1-3PM & 6-10PM . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.71524 1.40913 5 Bijou ( Wine Bar, wine shop & Delicatessen ), Station Business Park, Horning Rd West, Hoveton, NR12 8QJ , ☏ +44 1603 784990 , [email protected] . Tu W 10AM-6PM, Th-Sa 10AM-late . ( updated May 2017 )

Sleep [ edit ]

• 52.71112 1.40884 1 Hotel Wroxham , The Wroxham, The Bridge, Hoveton, NR12 8AJ , ☏ +44 1603 782061 , [email protected] . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.7157 1.4125 2 Delaware Wroxham ( B&B ), Tunstead Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8QN , ☏ +44 1603 781947 , [email protected] . Check-in: 10AM , check-out: 4-9:30PM . AA 4*. No children under 14. No pets. £65-75 per night (2 people sharing) . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.7132 1.4124 3 St Gregory's ( B&B ), 11 Stalham Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8DG , ☏ +44 1603 784319 , [email protected] . Double/twin £75 per night (single occupancy £55) . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.7076 1.4015 4 The Coach House ( B&B ), 96 Norwich Rd, Wroxham, NR12 8RY , ☏ +44 1603 784 376 , [email protected] . No children. No pets. Single occupancy from £70. Double occupancy from £90. . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.7048 1.4008 5 Wroxham Park Lodge ( Guest House ), 142 Norwich Rd, Wroxham, NR12 8SA , ☏ +44 1603 782991 , [email protected] . Double/twin £68-70, single £48-50 . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.7177 1.4229 6 [dead link] The Vineries ( B&B ), 72 Stalham Rd, Hoveton, NR12 8D , ☏ +44 1603 782514 , [email protected] . £75 per couple per night . ( updated May 2017 )
• 52.6888 1.4302 7 Salhouse Broad Camping , Lower St, Salhouse NR13 6RX ( 3 miles SE of towns (by road) ), ☏ +44 1603 722775 , [email protected] . Pitches and camping "pods" ( updated May 2017 )

Connect [ edit ]

As of Sep 2022, these villages and their approach roads have 4G with all UK carriers, though O2 is patchy. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next [ edit ]

• North Walsham
• Potter Heigham
• Great Yarmouth

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Home › Travel Guides › Eastern England

48 hours in the Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads are Britain’s largest protected wetland – and the only UK National Park hosting a city’

By Joanna Davies Published: December 11, 2023

Set between the popular holiday destination of Great Yarmouth and the historic city of Norwich, the serenely beautiful Norfolk Broads are Britain’s largest protected wetland – and the only UK National Park hosting a city.

This striking and unique network of scenic lakes, rivers and wetlands was originally carved out by peat-diggers during the 12th century, and the area is now rich with wildlife, protected by nature reserves and RSPB centres.

Studded with pretty, historic villages as well as pockets of picturesque countryside, the Broads make the perfect spot for a weekend getaway.

Where to stay in the Norfolk Broads

Open between March and November in 2024, the Norfolk Broads CAMC Campsite is a peaceful site that, as the name suggests, is set within the picturesque Norfolk Broads and is ideally located for exploring the many delightful areas nearby.

Alternatively, Reedham Ferry & The Archers Touring Park is open between March and October and is perfectly placed for not only exploring the Broads but also taking in the delights of Norfolk and Great Yarmouth.

Take a look at our guide to the best caravan sites for more ideas about where to explore in the UK.

What to do in the Norfolk Broads on Day 1

10am – A capital start

A great place to begin exploring this lovely part of the world is in the so-called ‘capital of the Broads’, the neighbouring villages of Wroxham and Hoveton. These charming places offer waterside beauty spots with plenty to do.

Seasonal boat trips along the local waterways are a great way to see the stunning scenery. You could board one of Broads Tours’ scenic passenger trips, or if you prefer, join an evening disco, a pirate voyage – or even a Christmas cruise!

1pm – Tudor history

Taking a very short drive from Hoveton will bring you to the ancient village of Horning, a pretty place full of distinctive Tudor buildings and offering a choice of pleasant walks.

After a gentle wander along the riverside, stop for a spot of lunch at Staithe ‘n’ Willow. ‘Staithe’ is an old local name for a landing stage for loading and unloading cargo boats. This delightful thatched-cottage café provides a delicious menu of homemade lunches and cakes.

2.30pm – Flora and fauna

Home to more than 30 Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserves and eight RSPB sites, the Broads are brimming with flora and fauna.

A 15-minute drive away from Wroxham is How Hill National Nature Reserve , home to the How Hill Trust Environmental Study Centre.

After a stroll through the beautiful Edwardian house’s landscaped gardens, you can ramble on walking and cycling paths to reach the Toad Hole Cottage Museum, on the banks of the River Ant. The charming cottage has been maintained as it looked in its Victorian heyday, when it housed a local marsh worker and his family.

Tickets can be purchased there for wildlife walks and boat trips (April to October).

6pm – Time to dine

On your way home, stop for dinner at the King’s Arms, in Ludham. This cosy pub serves a great selection of traditional favourites, along with modern classics, Sunday carveries – and there’s even a doggy menu!

What to do on Day 2

10am – Take the train

Running through the Broads is the iconic Bure Valley Railway, a heritage steam line connecting Wroxham and Aylsham. Hop on board in Hoveton, then sit back and enjoy the scenic stretches of Norfolk countryside from the comfort of a historic train, before exploring the market town of Aylsham and catching an afternoon service back.

1pm – Lunch by the river

Time for lunch at The Old Mill, a family-run café that overlooks the River Bure. This welcoming waterside eatery offers a menu of classic lunches, homemade cakes and local coffee.

After lunch, take a short stroll upriver and you’ll find Hoveton Riverside Park and the Visitor Centre, which is an excellent source of information about the area from the locals.

3pm – Serene waters

The Broads are scattered with plenty of charming villages, and Ranworth has to be one of the prettiest. With fine views across Malthouse Broad, these serene waters host Ranworth Moorings, a popular stop for boats.

They are also home to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Broadland Conservation Centre . A haven for walkers, nature lovers and birdwatchers, the Centre itself is built out over the water, while the boardwalks that surround it make the ideal base for wildlife spotting.

6pm – Local ales

Just a few minutes down the road from Ranworth, you’ll find the award-winning Woodforde’s Brewery and its fine restaurant, Fur & Feather. This welcoming gastropub serves pints of the iconic brewery’s beer, along with an extensive menu that includes grills and pizzas.

Thinking of heading to other beauty spots in the UK? Then take a look at our guide to the best Lake District caravan parks or why not find out about stargazing at Kielder Forest ?

Lead image: Getty

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Locations in this Region

Blakemere Touring & Holiday Park

Pine Cones Caravan & Camping

Clippesby Hall

Broadland Sun Club

Kelling Heath

Woodhill Park

Silverdale (Holgates Holiday Park)

Old Brick Kilns Caravan and Camping Park

Santa Cruise River Trip

Santa Claus is returning to the Broads to make this Christmas extra special! You can join us for a festive cruise to remember this December.

Santa Cruises leave from our boatyard in Wroxham.

Santa’s Elves will have a gift bag for all children aboard over 3 years old, including a juice box, activity book & crayons, and a festive treat. Plus, all children can visit Santa in his grotto and receive a present from Santa himself!

Under 3s travel for the reduced rate of £6.00 and will receive a present from Santa during the trip.

Santa still remembers all the adults aboard, who’ll receive a glass of mulled wine and a festive treat.

You can enjoy the festive music and activities aboard as we cruise down to Wroxham Broad.

When Santa has given out all of his gifts and chatted with the children, he will have to return to the North Pole, where he will be checking his list (twice) for who’s been naughty or nice!

Trips are 1½ hours departing on the dates listed below at 11am and 2pm.

Tickets £24.00 per person

We are sorry to say that we are unable to take wheelchairs on the Santa Cruise Trips.

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