Norfolk Broads Holiday Cottages

Self-catering holiday cottages in the Norfolk Broads

Often named "England's Venice", the Norfolk Broads are stunning inland waterways that are unique to the county and instantly recognisable. They are a wildlife and bird-watching delight, much of it designated with areas of special scientific interest. With tranquil waterside villages and gourmet restaurants scattered along the water’s edge, the Norfolk Broads are a delightful destination for relaxing holidays, where you will find a range of self-catering accommodation including many luxury properties for a truly memorable stay. Many people visit the Broads to enjoy boating, sailing, canoeing, walking, cycling and birdwatching. With its wide-open skies, charming villages and tranquil atmosphere, the Norfolk Broads remains one of England's most popular destinations for outdoor adventure.

The Norfolk Broads are loved for their rich wildlife and diverse landscapes. Reedbeds, grazing marshes and open waterways provide habitats for a huge variety of species, making the area a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Look out for marsh harriers, kingfishers, bitterns and herons, while lucky visitors may spot otters along quieter stretches of water. Nature reserves such as How Hill, Hickling Broad and Ranworth Broad offer excellent opportunities to experience the Broads' unique ecosystem throughout the year.

Norfolk Broads History

The Norfolk Broads have a fascinating history that dates back to the Middle Ages. Although many people assume that the Broads are natural lakes, they were created through extensive peat digging between the 12th and 14th centuries, as Norfolk . When the excavated peat pits because flooded, they turned into the waterways we see today. During the Middle Ages and into the 18th and 19th centuries, the waterways became essential transport routes, carrying wool, reeds, bricks and other goods that were moved by Norfolk wherries.

Things to do on the Norfolk Broads?

There are plenty of things to do on the Norfolk Broads, such as discovering quaint villages, cultural landmarks and historic sites including St Benet’s Abbey and Ranworth Church, known as ‘The Cathedral of the Broads’. Take a boat trip by Broads Tours and meander along the marshland while witnessing the unique wildlife both on the banks and in the water, be sure to keep an eye out for the impressive Norfolk wherries with their distinctive high-peaked sails. The Canoe Man in Wroxham will hire out watercraft or take you on a bespoke nature trip where you can reach some stretches of water not accessible to larger craft, you can get closer to the waters in a canoe or kayak, where the flat open waterways provide easy navigation. When it comes to lunch time, you can either seek out the perfect picnic spot or moor up at one of the many waterside pubs where you can sample the great local food. Spending the day in the county’s capital city of Norwich is a fun day out where you can browse the stylish boutiques and dine in one of the cosmopolitan restaurants, or soak up the sun at the traditional seaside town of Great Yarmouth.

There are some great award-winning family attractions too. Wroxham Barns is a must for families with smaller children whilst adults will enjoy the craft stores and local produce. Active families should head towards Horning, where they will find the superb adventure park, BeWILDerwood, full of family-orientated adventures and activities, or pick up the Bure Valley narrow-gauge steam railway, which runs from Wroxham to Aylsham.

What villages and towns are located on the Norfolk Broads?

Wroxham and Hoveton are the main centres for exploring the Broads National Park. Popular with tourists in the summer, they play host to a number of notable attractions, from boat-hire companies to the infamous Southern Comfort - a lively paddle steamer that takes you out on a round-trip cruise. If shopping is on the agenda, then pop into Roys of Wroxham, a unique and well-loved local department store in the heart of The Broads, where you can find just about everything.

However, The Broads are not just about Wroxham and Hoveton; there are many quiet villages to enjoy and explore. South Walsham, home to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens, has one of the prettiest stretches of water; from here you can take the small river boat for a short trip around their private broad where you may be lucky enough to spot an elusive kingfisher, watch the elegant grebe or see a playful river otter. Ranworth and Ludham are another two pretty villages. At Ludham Staithe, join the River Thurne for an enjoyable walk along the banks and see the windmills at Staithe and Thurne. In Ranworth, head up to the tower of St. Helen’s Church for some great views across the broad and countryside, or explore on foot via the numerous walks and pathways maintained by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.