Winter boat trip on NWT Hickling Broad (23 November - 10.30am)

A boat with a NWT flag sailing through reeds.

Hickling boat trip (credit: Jimmy King)

A marsh harrier hunting over the reedbeds at Hickling Broad and Marshes. You can see one of the hides blurred in the background.

Marsh harrier at Hickling (credit: Jon Kelf)

A stretch of blue broad water surrounded by yellow reeds, under a clear blue sky

Hickling Broad and Marshes (credit: Richard Osbourne)

An otter pops its head out of the water, looking towards the camera

Otter (credit: Andy Rouse/2020VISION)

Winter boat trip on NWT Hickling Broad (23 November - 10.30am)

Location:
Hickling Broad and Marshes, Stubb Road, Hickling, NR12 0BW
Book
Discover Hickling's amazing winter wildlife on a boat trip into the heart of the reserve

Event details

Date

Time
10:30am - 12:00pm
A static map of Winter boat trip on NWT Hickling Broad (23 November - 10.30am)

About the event

Join us for a 90 minute guided boat trip and journey into the wild heart of Broadland. This unique excursion offers the opportunity to experience the peace and beauty of Hickling Broad National Nature Reserve in winter, while seeking out the remarkable array of wildlife that thrives here during the colder months.

During the trip we hope to see gatherings of wintering waterfowl, including tufted duck, pochard, mute swan, coot and several dabbling duck species. With a little luck, rarer visitors such as scaup, goosander, and a variety of grebes may make an appearance. We will keep an eye to the skies for flocks of pink-footed geese and winter thrushes, while numerous raptors hunt across the reedbeds and marshes before heading to their evening roost at Stubb Mill. There is always the possibility of rarer sightings too – from the elusive bittern and Broadland’s resident cranes, to otters and even red and Chinese water deer.

This immersive winter journey promises to be a memorable encounter with the wild side of the Norfolk Broads. 

Before or after your journey why not treat yourself to a warming meal at our pub, the Pleasure Boat Inn, Hickling (just a 5 min drive from the reserve) - to book a table call 01692 780660.

This event is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.

 

Booking

Price

Reserve entry fee for adult non-members applies – £5 gift aid / £4.50 standard entry

Suitable for

Adults

Know before you go

Dogs

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No dogs permitted

No dogs permitted on reserve. Dogs on a lead on all other paths.

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Mobility

Passengers may need to be able to negotiate a high step into the boat so please consider this, along with any mobility issues that you may have when making a booking. 

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What to bring

We strongly recommend wearing stout and waterproof footwear and warm, waterproof clothing. To allow for maximum all-round observation the boat is an open craft and during the trip we will be entering some relatively exposed areas. If conditions allow, during the trip we may disembark the boat to visit secluded areas of the reserve (often via muddy trails).

We recommend that you bring your binoculars and cameras if you have them (a limited number of pairs are available to hire at the visitor centre).

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Facilities

Toilets
Shop
Cafe/refreshments
Picnic area
Accessible toilet
Baby changing facilities
Disabled parking
Accessible trails

Additional information

Important Health and Safety Information

Events will take place in all weather conditions unless deemed unsafe.  Please ensure that you dress appropriately for the weather with suitable footwear. Please be advised to take caution when walking on a site with open water and ensure that you always remain on the designated paths. Biting insects can be present at certain times of the year and you may choose to apply insect repellent as a precaution.

Refund Policy

Tickets are non-refundable unless the event or activity is cancelled by Norfolk Wildlife Trust.  In the event that Norfolk Wildlife Trust has to cancel an event or activity due to low numbers, extreme weather conditions or other circumstances beyond our control, we will inform you at the earliest opportunity and will offer a full refund.

Check our website for updates on our events. 

www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk