Boat Trips

Explore the beautiful Norfolk Broads from a new perspective with our daily guided wildlife water trails, now back for the 2023 season!

Journey into the hidden heart of the broads and discover wildlife-rich marshes, reedbeds and wet woodlands, up close and personal, at Hickling Broad and Ranworth Broad.

 

Hickling Broad:

Join us at Hickling for a trip on our 12-seater boat, Swallowtail, or our historic Norfolk reedlighter, Little Tern, where you'll look out for marsh harriers, great crested grebes and the elusive bittern.

The two hour guided water trail includes visits to remote hides only accessible by boat and a 60 foot tree tower, providing views of Hickling Broad and the landscape beyond. The one hour guided water trail will visit just one of these locations.

Exclusive guided boat trips for larger groups:

Trips can be tailored to suit your requirements and are suitable for groups with an interest in wildlife, birdwatching, photography, simply being on the water or to celebrate a special occasion. We can also provide a delicious picnic hamper on request. For further information please contact the Hickling Broad Visitor Centre Co-ordinator on 01692 598276.

Boat trips run from Easter until the end of October.

Booking essential for all boat trips: 01692 598276


Ranworth Broad:

Perhaps the best way to enjoy Ranworth is by joining one of NWT's boat trips. Explore the broad and its channels - as well as abundant wildlife, you will also see the wrecks of wherries sunk in WWII to prevent German seaplanes from landing on the water.

Ferry trips are available between Ranworth Staithe and NWT Ranworth Broad Visitor Centre. They depart 15 minutes before the boat trips above and then straight after.

The Cockshoot Broad Water Trail runs up the beautiful River Bure in the Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve to the very secluded and tranquil Cockshoot Broad. A short walk from the boat takes you down the boardwalk, where you may see damselflies and dragonflies resting on the abundant water lilies. Continue on to a bird hide where you may even chance upon an osprey, which are known to visit this quiet refuge in the heart of the broads. Arrival by boat to Cockshoot Broad is currently the only way to access this hidden wildlife haven.

The Evening Water Trail to St Benet's Abbey two hour trip is an enchanting guided boat trail from Ranworth to St Benet's Abbey, where you can experience first-hand the beauty and wonder of this unique landscape as the setting sun casts its magical spell.

Please call the visitor centre for more information: 01603 270479

Reserve list

Hickling Broad and Marshes
600 hectares, NNR, SSSI, Ramsar, SPA, SAC
Reserve Info
Ranworth Broad and Marshes
136 hectares, NNR, Ramsar, SAC, SPA, SSSI
Reserve Info