A family day out at NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes

This stunning nature reserve, which features the largest Broad in Norfolk, is a haven for some of the UK's rarest animals and plants, and is home to Britain's largest butterfly, the famous and spectacular swallowtail. And to help you enjoy your wilder day out even more, you can make the most of our Kids Go Free offer, with free child admission to all of our nature reserves across Norfolk.

What to expect from the Hickling Broad reserve

When you arrive at Hickling - which offers free parking, including disabled parking - you'll find our welcoming visitor centre. Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to help you plan your perfect day at Hickling, as well as share some expert tips on what to look out for.

You can then head out to explore the reserve, which features accessible trails and boardwalks, as well as bird hides which offer you the chance to take a look at the beautiful vistas across the marshes and water. Will you spot marsh harriers, great crested grebes, Norfolk hawker dragonflies or egrets? With the reserve offering woodland, reedbed, grassy areas, gorgeous fenland flowers and wide-open skies, every turn will reveal something new.

Using binoculars, a person gazes across a reedbed at Hickling Marsh nature reserve

Take to the water on a Norfolk Broads boat trip

For a completely different perspective on the reserve, take the chance to step on board one of our electric boats to enjoy a guided tour of Hickling's wildlife from the water. We offer daily one-hour and two-hour boat trips from April to October, while between June and August you can also enjoy a two-hour evening trip on selected days. Between November and February, we also offer trips on selected weekend dates. This is the perfect chance to explore the Broad's hidden corners, looking out for Norfolk wildlife that you may not get to see from land and visiting parts of the reserve that can only be reached by boat. Our experienced boat operators are full of knowledge and stories about the reserve, and will be happy to share their expertise with you.

A smiling boat operator at Hickling standing in the boat wearing a thick coat and hat and with binoculars around his neck

Visit Hickling Broad visitor centre

When lunchtime calls, make use of our peaceful picnic area by the visitor centre, with the centre also offering drinks and snacks to keep you all feeling refreshed. And of course, no Norfolk family day out is complete without an ice cream! Our visitor centre also has toilets, including an accessible toilet, and baby changing facilities.

Before you head home, don't forget to check out our shop! You can expect to find a range of nature-inspired gifts and accessories, from books and birthday cards to toys and games, as well as binoculars so that you can keep exploring wildlife wherever you go. All profits made at our visitor centre go towards continuing our vital work for nature, so your visit will help us to keep protecting this incredible wild space for the future! You can also share your wildlife sightings with our team, who would love to hear what you've spotted during your time with us.

What else can you do at Hickling as a family?

During Norfolk school holidays, you can join us for a range of fun, hands-on activities for children, all carefully designed to inspire kids to care for the wildlife around them. From discovering the magic of moths and minibeasts, to exploring our unseen watery world with some pond dipping, we have sessions to suit every interest. Check our website for the latest event listings – these do usually need to be booked in advance.

And if you'd like to extend your day at Hickling, why not pay a visit to our very own pub, The Pleasure Boat Hickling? Refurbished and reopened in August 2024, this beautiful local pub has given us a unique new opportunity to introduce visitors to the landscape and wildlife of Hickling, all while enjoying a drink, pizza or classic pub meal in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. The Pleasure Boat offers free parking, baby changing facilities, highchairs and a children's menu, while there is also a selection of games available in the snug.

A child pond-dips with the help of their parents

Hickling Broad is a year-round Norfolk highlight

It's not just a summer visit to Hickling Broad that is special. With each season bringing new wildlife highlights, you'll always have something spectacular to spot. Spring is alive with birdsong, with cuckoos, bitterns, marsh harriers and egrets feeding on the reserve. Some lucky visitors may even spot a pair of cranes leading a newly hatched chick through the marshes.

Autumn brings migrating birds, particularly a variety of waders, while winter is a birdwatcher's paradise as the marshes brim with birds including wild geese and bearded tits. Our much-loved Stubb Mill raptor roost is a must-visit for bird fans, as our lookout platform may reward you with glimpses of marsh and hen harriers and cranes.

We can't wait to welcome you and your family to Hickling Broad and Marshes soon! You can take a look at all of our wonderful Norfolk nature reserves on our website.