Hickling Broad and Marshes (credit: Richard Osbourne)
Wildlife boat trips from the Pleasure Boat Hickling
Guided wildlife boat trips from The Pleasure Boat Hickling
Discover the wildlife of the largest of the Norfolk Broads - from the water! Starting from the Pleasure Boat Hickling pub, enjoy a guided wildlife boat trip exploring Hickling Broad. You could spot kingfishers, marsh harriers, dragonflies and much more!
June - August
During June, July and August, take a memorable two-hour sunset boat tour followed by pizza at the pub. We also run daily guided wildlife boat trips throughout the weekends - full timetable coming soon!
Pleasure Boat Inn aerial view (credit: Robert Smith)
Weekend guided wildlife boat trips
Discover the nature of Hickling Broad with a 45-minute guided wildlife boat trips, leaving from The Pleasure Boat Hickling pub at NWT Hickling Staithe.
Timetable and pricing
Full timetable coming soon.
To be among the first to hear about new boat trips and other exciting events, why not sign up for our nature news?
How to book
Book on the day at the NWT Welcome Cabin next to the Pleasure Boat pub. Card payments only. For groups of 8 or more, please call the visitor centre in advance on 01692 598276.
Sunset boat tour and pizza at The Pleasure Boat Hickling
Starting from The Pleasure Boat Hickling pub at NWT Hickling Staithe, take a truly memorable guided evening boat trip across Hickling Broad and explore the stunning landscape of the largest of all the Broads. At the end of the trip, enjoy a lovely meal of pizza at the pub. Trips run every Tuesday from 5.30-7.30pm in June, July and August, followed by the meal.
Sunset over a lake and reeds (credit: Ross Hoddinott)
Timetable and pricing
| Ticket type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset boat tour and pizza (5.30-7.30pm), Alternate Tuesdays in June, July and August |
Adult (non-member) | £30 |
| Adult (NWT member) | £28 | |
| Child (non-member) | £26 | |
| Child (NWT member) | £24 |
How to book
You can book a sunset boat tour and pizza event from The Pleasure Boat Hickling via Eventbrite. Please note an Eventbrite booking fee will be applied to these prices.
Wilder Wardens boat trip (credit: NWT)
Wildlife boat trips at Hickling Broad
Take a guided wildlife boat trip from NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes nature reserve and enjoy the chance to spot some of the most iconic wildlife in the Norfolk Broads - from soaring marsh harriers to skulking bitterns.
How to book
We're always happy to answer any questions you have about enjoying a guided wildlife boat trip. The quickest and easiest way to contact us about boat trips from NWT Hickling Staithe and The Pleasure Boat Hicking pub is by calling the NWT Hickling Broad visitor centre on 01692 598276.
Weekend boat trips (June - August)
Full timetable coming soon!
Book on the day at the NWT Welcome Cabin next to The Pleasure Boat Hickling pub. Card payments only. For groups of 8 or more, please call the NWT Hickling Broad visitor centre in advance on 01692 598276.
Sunset boat tour and pizza (June - August)
Book a sunset boat tour and pizza event from The Pleasure Boat Hickling pub via Eventbrite. Please note an Eventbrite booking fee will be applied to these prices.
Frequently asked questions
I have limited mobility - can I go on a boat trip?
For your own and other passengers’ safety, you need to be able to get on and off of our boats on foot, negotiating two steep steps. If you are coming with someone, we recommend they get on/off first so they can offer you assistance.
Please bear in mind that when our boats moor at the jetty, you may need to step up into, or step down into the boat depending on water levels. Hickling Broad is tidal so water levels fluctuate daily throughout the year.
We reserve the right to refuse carriage if we feel you would be putting yourself, other passengers or our staff at risk.
At Hickling there is a walk from the car park to the boat departure point of approximately 1km. This can take up to 20 minutes and is why we ask you to arrive 30 mins prior to your departure. Please call Hickling visitor centre on 01692 598276 for more information.
Is there car parking?
At The Pleasure Boat Hickling there is a free car park adjacent to the pub.
What time do I need to arrive?
Please arrive 15 minutes before the trip departure time.
Where do the boats go from?
Boats leave from NWT Hickling Staithe, which is adjacent to The Pleasure Boat Hickling pub. The staithe is a short walk from the car park.
Are toilets available?
There are no toilets onboard the boats. For boat trips leaving from The Pleasure Boat Hickling there are public toilets in the car park.
What should I wear?
Please bring appropriate clothing for all weather conditions as the boats are open to the elements. Even on warmer days it can be cool out on the open water. Sun hats and sunscreen are advised on sunny days. Please consider the crotch straps on our buoyancy aids that are required to be worn by all passengers when dressing for the occasion.
Should I bring binoculars?
We advise you to bring binoculars should you have them.
Can I bring food on the boat?
Yes, you can bring light refreshments to consume on the boat. Food and drink is also available from the pub before or after your boat trip - opening times and menus can be found on The Pleasure Boat website.
Is the boat covered?
Our boats are open craft to allow for the best views. We highly recommend wearing clothing appropriate to the weather. Layers, a hat and sunscreen are recommended. Waterproofs are always useful.
Is there a minimum child age for boat trips?
We would not recommend booking infants under 8 months as all passengers will be required to wear buoyancy aids. We have appropriate buoyancy aids for infants of that age however we often find that little ones can find them uncomfortable, especially in hot weather. Once on board, all passengers are asked to remain seated throughout the trip for their own safety.
If you have an active child please consider booking the shortest boat trip (45 minutes) to ensure everyone enjoys the experience.
Will the boat operator help me with bird identification?
Our boat operators are very knowledgeable about the wildlife, nature and history of the broads and will guide you with bird identification and other natural history experiences.
Why do I need to wear a buoyancy aid?
As part of our licensing agreement to be able to run public boat trips all of our passengers are required to wear correctly fitted buoyancy aids. Ours have crotch straps which must be done up at all times please consider this when dressing for the occasion. Our boat operators will help you to fit them correctly.
Do you offer bespoke boat trips?
Yes! We can arrange tailored guided boat trips for larger groups of at least 10 people, whether for wildlife watching, photography, or celebrating a special occasion. Visit our bespoke boat trips webpage for more information.