Step Into A Different Time On The Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads is an area of the county of the same name. It is mostly an interconnected area of rivers and waterways set among grassy lands. The area is renowned for its scenery and its laid back style of life, which harks back to a time that has long been forgotten.

The most popular way to navigate the Norfolk Broads is by narrow boat. These long, thin boats – as the name would suggest – are an ideal way to move along the Broads, which are narrow themselves. No previous experience is required to pilot a narrow boat, and a quick lesson at the start of any holiday from the hiring company is sufficient. The boats move particularly slowly, which only adds to the relaxed feel that permeates all of the Broads.

As you are moving along slowly, there is plenty to see along the rivers. There is a startling amount of natural wildlife and birds, most of which are used to the passage of boats and thus do not scare away. A holiday on the Broads is an ideal place for any twitcher, as there is a huge amount of birdlife in the area, all in their natural unspoiled habitat.

Unspoiled is a key word when describing the Norfolk Broads, as much of the area that the rivers pass through is protected. While the occasional industrial estate or engineering plant can be seen in the distance, most of the views are of the fields and natural fauna. There are also windmills dotted along any route, most of them disused, which provide a stunning photograph opportunity for any amateur photographer.

The real bonus of a holiday on the broads is being able to get on and off as you please. Many pubs, villages and towns have moorings right on the river, and one can just pull up, park and disembark for a day on dry land. The holidays are also inexpensive, as narrow boats come with their own accommodation – this ranges from basic bunk beds to luxury narrow houses beneath the waterline. For a gentle, relaxing and surprisingly affordable holiday, the Norfolk Broads of England is the place to go.