The 10 Best Bodies of Water in Norfolk, England

February 21, 2022 Rosalyn Ihle

A holiday in Norfolk is not a glamorous break. While the Norfolk Broads of East Anglia are a beautiful part of the UK, they represent a relaxing rural getaway rather than a high-powered city-break. Although its reputation is mostly rural, with people associating the county mostly with the wetlands of the Norfolk Broads, there are also towns such as Norwich and King's Lynn to visit, both of which provide shopping opportunities, nightlife and entertainment. Norfolk also contains a large stretch of coastline, and seaside destinations such as Cromer and Great Yearmouth mean there are great beaches to be found as well. Many areas of the Norfolk Broads and the coastal region are sites of outstanding natural beauty, and are also protected as bird reserves, so take a pair of binoculars on holiday. There are also popular wildlife attractions such as Banham Zoo, with a great collection of big cats, and Great Yarmouth's Sea Life Centre, one of the biggest of its kind in the country, complete with tropical sharks and conger eels. And of course, if any of your family are interested in boating, you'll need to rent a boat and explore the waterways of the Broads themselves!


Restaurants in Norfolk

1. Hickling Broad

Hickling NR12 OBW England +44 1692 598276 http://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/hickling.aspx
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 166 reviews

Hickling Broad

This small lake is said to be haunted by a young soldier during the Napoleonic War, who crossed it to meet his beloved, but met his icy death in its bone-chilling waters instead.

Reviewed By biburybill - Bilsborrow, United Kingdom

Visited on a lovely sunny day ,so relaxing to sit by the broad .Nice tea room nearby ,and toilets near by .

2. The Broads National Park

Norwich England +44 1603 610734 [email protected] http://www.visitthebroads.co.uk/
Excellent
72%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,226 reviews

The Broads National Park

Discover dramatic landscapes, raw natural beauty and a rare quality of light. Where big, bright skies meet endless horizons and dreamlike landscapes. A place where time stands still. Real peace, open space – it’s a place unlike anywhere else... The Broads National Park.

Reviewed By carolwise - Norwich, United Kingdom

We hired a day boat from Potter heigham and the views are amazing we also stopped of at a pub and the mooring was free. You see a lot of wildlife

3. Ranworth Broad

Ranworth England +44 1603 270060
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 172 reviews

Ranworth Broad

Reviewed By RestRelax9

This is a scenic and popular destination. You can arrive by boat in which case it's difficult to find a mooring along a bank although you can put a mud anchor down out in the broad or by car and there is a small car park belonging to the pub or I think that you can park in another car park just round the corner to the pub. On the front of the broad is a tea shop and craft shop and next door is a village store and post office. Across the road is The Maltsters which is a pleasant pub serving food. You can do a circular walk around the village. The church has a tall tower and there is also a wildlife centre to see.

4. Brancaster Bay

Brancaster England http://www.virtualtenby.co.uk/town.asp?name=Brancaster+Bay
Excellent
73%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 310 reviews

Brancaster Bay

Reviewed By 9kingsleyp - Brancaster, United Kingdom

As people may or may not be aware the Road to Brancaster Beach (Beach Rd) Floods on tides of 8.2mt or more and these can be at different times to the actual high tide times. In the attached photo's I have put the expected time that the road to the car park will flood and what time it will then be clear. These times may vary by 15 minutes or more if the wind conditions are with or against the incoming tide. Be aware also that tides of 9.2 mt or more can actually flood the car park. I hope visitors will find the information helpful as I've personally seen several stranded cars on the road during high tide and it can be an expensive experience if you decide to drive through it.

5. North Walsham & Dilham Canal Boat Tours

Excellent
42%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12 reviews

North Walsham & Dilham Canal Boat Tours

Take a guided boat tour of Norfolk's only sailing canal, built in 1826, onboard an electric boat named after the last commercial vessel to sail the route. Tours last around one hour and can be arranged at a time of your choosing, with boats thoroughly cleaned between uses and Covid secure measures in operation. Tours embark from Ebridge Mill car park, from where a steerer guides passengers upstream, taking in the wildlife and providing background history of this fascinating waterway. From its hay day, busy with working wherries, to years left abandoned, to its current period of restoration, the North Walsham and Dilham Canal has had quite a history. This boat tour is the perfect way to learn more about the waterway and support its ongoing restoration, with all money helping funding the charity that operates the canal: The North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust.

6. Cromer Boating Lake

Prince of Wales Road, Cromer NR27 9HR England
Excellent
58%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
4%
Terrible
15%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 26 reviews

Cromer Boating Lake

7. Diss Mere

Diss England http://www.disscouncil.com/mere.php
Excellent
47%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 135 reviews

Diss Mere

Reviewed By 713rytal

This is a delightful place to visit after the busyness of the town centre. To sit & dream watching the wildlife, was an act of complete relaxation. The town is full of wonderful architecture and a well attended market is in progress on a Friday. A local cafe nearby opposite Boots the chemist, serves delicious bacon rolls & paninis reasonably priced as well as good coffee and hot chocolate. We must support these local businesses to keep them going in these strange times.

8. Blakeney Conservation Duck Pond

The Quay Opposite Manor Hotel, Blakeney NR25 7ND England +44 7503 419171 [email protected] http://www.blakeneyduckpond.org.uk
Excellent
49%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 130 reviews

Blakeney Conservation Duck Pond

Reviewed By Bawtryscot - Bawtry, United Kingdom

Well maintained with an vast array of ducks and wildfowl. Easy access and layout. Easily manoeuvred round, access was easy.

9. Barford Lakes

Chapel Street, Norwich NR9 4BJ England +44 1603 759624 http://www.barfordlakes.com/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

10. Cockshoot Broad

Woodbastwick England

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