Discover Norfolk: The Broads, coastal marshes and nature

Vast waterways, coastal marshes with seasonal flocks of birds and a prehistoric mine reveal different sides of Norfolk. Public paths and bird hides offer views into the landscape; Grime’s Graves tells the story of the land’s use by flint miners thousands of years ago.

Waterways and walking routes through Norfolk

The Broads National Park offers 200 kilometres of navigable waterways to explore. The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads are Britain’s largest protected wetland and its third-largest inland waterway; they also have National Park status. The waterways and the size of the protected area describe different features of this landscape.

The Broads has around 303 kilometres of public footpaths and 17 kilometres of public bridleways. The Norfolk Trails network uses a different measure: countywide, it includes more than 1,200 miles of walking, cycling and horse-riding routes. These figures refer to different networks and types of route. When planning, you may want to consider whether footpaths, bridleways or cycling routes are your priority.

Coastal marshes and birdwatching

Cley and Salthouse Marshes form a coastal reserve covering more than 300 hectares. Paths and boardwalks lead to several bird hides. The RSPB Snettisham reserve offers extensive views over brackish lagoons, salt marshes and broad mudflats on the Norfolk coast. From late summer to early winter, tens of thousands of waders gather on the mudflats. Large flocks take flight during especially high spring tides; the timing of sightings depends on the tides and migration movements.

Another seasonal birdwatching opportunity is at The Wash: in winter, up to 40,000 pink-footed geese arrive from Iceland and Greenland and gather there. Holkham National Nature Reserve covers 10,000 acres of coastline between Stiffkey and Burnham Norton. Its landscape includes grazing marshes, salt marshes, dunes and pine forests. Holkham Beach can be reached via a boardwalk through pine forests, leading to Holkham Bay.

Traces of prehistory

Grime’s Graves was used by Neolithic flint miners around 4,500 years ago. More than 400 pits were dug there. In 1985, the site was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). A wide variety of unusual plants grows on chalk soils, sandy heathland and acidic grassland. Some reopened mines provide winter roosts for five species of bat. At Grime’s Graves, traces of prehistoric mining sit alongside habitats that continue to support distinctive plant and animal life today.

Planning routes, connections and dates

The King Charles III England Coast Path along the North Norfolk coast has long sections of boardwalks and raised embankments; these sections can be used at all states of the tide. Before setting off, check the official route information for current diversions, closures and seasonal changes. Norfolk’s rail network may also be relevant when planning your trip: it connects Norwich directly with Cambridge, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Sheringham. Check current timetables and any service changes for your travel dates.

The Cromer Crab & Lobster Festival is a spring event featuring cooking demonstrations, food stalls and family activities. Dates and programmes vary from year to year. If you would like to include the festival in your plans, check the event dates for your intended travel period.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Cromer, Little Walsingham, Sedgeford, Stalham, Thornham, Tittleshall, Methwold, Hevingham, Diss, Lyng, Gimingham, Clippesby, Lamas, Loddon, Matlaske, Scratby, Syderstone, Sidestrand, Mulbarton, Ludham, Dickleburgh, Bircham Newton, Billingford, Wiveton, Wighton, Whissonsett, Tuttington, Tattersett, Stiffkey, Stanhoe, Spixworth, Tharston, East Harling, Gorleston-On-Sea, Gissing, Beechamwell, Aylmerton, Attleborough, Thorpe Market, Thursford, Foulsham, Downham Market, Wymondham, Wroxham, Weybourne, Watton, Swanton Abbott, Little Plumstead, North Tuddenham, North Creake, Necton, Melton Constable, Horsford, Hockwold Cum Wilton, Heydon, Helhoughton, Great Snoring, Great Plumstead, Great Massingham, Garboldisham, Freethorpe, Burnham Market, Yaxham, Briston, East Runton, Langham, Acle, Gayton, Oulton, Brancaster, Long Stratton, Honingham, Harleston, Great Bircham, Elsing, Edingthorpe, Ditchingham, Colby, Brundall, Brooke, Binham, Beetley, Baconsthorpe, Aldeby, Martham, Marsham, Litcham, Winterton-on-Sea, Toft Monks, Terrington Saint Clement, Narborough, Ringstead, Drayton, Great Witchingham, Grimston, Taverham, Fritton, Holt, Swaffham, Horning, Tivetshall St. Margaret, Hemsby, Reedham, Feltwell, Caister-On-Sea, West Runton, Mattishall, Burgh Castle, Banham, Blakeney, West Somerton, Bacton, Roughton, Fakenham, Snettisham, North Walsham, Great Yarmouth, Potter Heigham, Hockering, Clenchwarton, Belton, Aylsham, Shipdham, Castle Acre, Great Dunham, Runcton Holme, East Barsham, Edgefield, St Ouen's, Barney, Bawdeswell, South Pickenham, Wiggenhall Saint Peter, Corpusty, Bradenham, Easton, Spooner Row, Saham Toney, Aldborough, Hunstanton, Heacham, Sheringham, Sculthorpe, Scole, Reepham, Overstrand, North Wootton, Northwold, Mundesley, Waterden, North Burlingham, Wheatacre, North Elmham, Lingwood, Hainford, Hindolveston, Broome, Mundford, Dersingham, Hethersett, Costessey, Lessingham, Catfield, Hempstead, Wells-Next-The-Sea, Northrepps, Dereham, Hindringham, Swannington, Coltishall, Salthouse, South Creake, Pentney, Thetford, Yelverton, Outwell, Great Cressingham, Upwell, Hopton, King's Lynn, Norwich, Sharrington, Blofield

For the wider travel overview: East of England.