Explore the waterways with a Norfolk Broads day boat hire

Often mistaken as natural features, the Norfolk Broads are actually man-made. Monasteries once excavated the landscape for peat. As sea levels rose, the pits flooded, creating the outstanding network of tidal rivers, lakes and marshland. Nowadays, the Norfolk Broads are a popular destination for boating holidays as the shallow waterways are easily navigated. To help you join in the fun, we’ve created this guide on how to make the most of a Norfolk Broads day boat hire.

Boats

The area benefits from similar protection rights as national parks. While there are no locks to navigate, strict speed restrictions are upheld to preserve the landscape. Most small motorised day hire boats are speed restricted to help you stick to the limits. The average hire price during peak season can range between £80 and £140. There are also Wheelyboats which can accommodate several wheelchair passengers and carers at one time.

Make your boating holiday a green one and hop on an electric boat. As well as being good for the environment, you also don’t have to worry about running out of fuel as plenty of recharge points line the waterways.

Still not green enough? Row boats, pedal boats, and canoes can be rented for anything between an hour, to a full day, costing £30 to £45. But, if all that paddling seems too much effort, another popular alternative is to hire a sail boat.

Why and Where

The main advantage of boat travel is being able to peacefully travel right through the heart of the scenic landscape, and is exactly why the Norfolk Broads has earned the nickname of Britain’s Magical Waterway. So where should you drift to?

Wroxham is the boating capital of the Norfolk Broads. Here, the River Bure’s Banks are lined with great cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants. Wroxham is home to the pretty 15 acres of Hoveton Hall Gardens and the Wroxham Barns craft workshop. Swap boat for train in order to enjoy the picturesque 18 mile roundtrip through Coltishall, Brampton, Buxton and Aylsham on the Bure Valley Steam Railway.

Also worth a visit is Norfolk’s main city, Norwich. As a past resident I may be biased, but Norwich really is one of the best cities in the UK! It is one of the most complete medieval cities, and a fantastic location for shopping, food and pubs. Trips to the open market, the Forum, the Cathedral, the Royal and Playhouse Theatres, and the university’s art gallery are highly recommended.

As the Broads cover such a vast area of Norfolk, it is easy to explore other attractions in the county. There are heaps of breathtakingly beautiful places such as Somerleyton Hall, the Ranworth Nature Trail, Burgh Castle, and many stunning beaches just waiting to be discovered.

Practical Stuff

Now for the boring water safety information that will actually help your trip even better. While sampling the Norfolk Broads fantastic pubs, remember that, just like drunk driving, drunk boating is not advised. Driving on the left is a sure way to make people think you are intoxicated as waterway driving dictates you stick to the right side. When mooring, manoeuvre the boat so it is facing into the tide in order to give yourself extra time to make adjustments. Step of the boat rather than jumping as it causes a lot less boat rocking, pointless flapping, and if miss judged, lots of splashing. And while we are talking about splashing, life vests are generally considered to be human accessories, not decorative boat bunting, so please wear them!  

Now slap on that sun cream, sling on those sensible boat shoes, and grab a picnic for some unforgettable fun on the Norfolk Broads! Take advantage of the boat yard information on potential routes and easy-to-use hire boats to see why Norfolk Broad boating holidays are so popular. And remember to take a camera to capture the beautiful scenery!