Accessible fun days out

Here are some ideas for accessible fun days out on land and by water.

Easy access paths and boardwalks

These are often the best way to explore the marshy areas of the Broads and many are on nature reserves. They are suitable for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs.

- Barton Broad, Cockshoot Broad (access by boat only), Filby Broad, Hickling Broad and Ranworth Broad

01603 625540

norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

- Beccles Marsh Trail

Go walking in the Broads (visitthebroads.co.uk)

- Burgh Castle and St Benet’s Abbey, near Ludham

norfarchtrust.org.uk

- Carlton Marshes

01502 359480

Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre | Suffolk Wildlife Trust

- Chedgrave, Wherryman’s Way

norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/norfolk-trails/access-tested-walks

- Horstead Mill

- Rockland Marshes

01603 715191

- Salhouse Broad

07795 145475 / 01603 722775

- Wheatfen, Surlingham (short boardwalk to bird hide)

01508 538036

For more accessible ways to visit the Broads by land, go to cycling and horse riding, and our train travel blog.

Boat trips, boat hire and other boating activities

Please check with operators for details of wheelchairs and weights they can accommodate.

Beccles – River Waveney – Waveney Stardust

Private cruises for groups with at least one person who requires accessible facilities. Two single-deck cruisers with hydraulic lifts, designed for wheelchair users and people with other disabilities, for groups of up to 12 passengers, up to six in wheelchairs. Skipper and crew included, galley and accessible toilet, other starting points may be available, book in advance.

07817 920502

Horning – River Bure – Southern Comfort

Takes up to five wheelchair users on its scheduled trips or eight for private parties. Please book.

01692 630262

Horsey – Upper Thurne – Ross' Wildlife Boat Trips

Daily trips on the nature reserve on a classic boat from Horsey Staithe. Good access for those with limited mobility and room for one wheelchair user. Small group size allows commentary to be tailored to individual needs; popular with visually impaired visitors.Book in advance (by text is best); on the day, you may be able to book at departure point.

07791 526440

Hoveton – River Bure – Ra

Neatishead – River Ant – nancyoldfield.org.uk

Day activities for disabled and disadvantaged people: motor cruises with wheelchair lifts and kitchen and toilet facilities, pedal launches, sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding, wildlife watching and well-being on the water; regular slots sometimes available; self-catering residential bungalow for up to 10 people, for weekends and short breaks. Cruises also start from Ludham Bridge, exploring the rivers Ant, Bure and Thurne.

01692 630572

Oulton Broad – River Waveney – waveneyrivertours.com

Some wheelchair spaces available. Book in advance.

01502 574903

Oulton Broad – River Waveney – waveneysailability.co.uk

Club for people with disabilities, offering the opportunity to sail in specially adapted dinghies.

07914 057678

South Walsham – River Bure – Primula

Wheelchair-accessible boat trip (additional charge) when you visit Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden. For best prices, book in advance.

01603 270449

Stalham – River Ant – Marsh Harrier

Boat trip on an Edwardian-style electric launch, with access for wheelchair users, based at the Museum of the Broads. Booking essential.

01692 581681

Wroxham – River Bure – Broads Tours

Wheelchair spaces on two river trip boats, steps to navigate for boarding. Pre-booking is essential. Wheelchair users are situated on the top deck, where there is an accessible toilet on both boats. There’s also accessible day boat hire (available for three hours or more) for up to five people, including one wheelchair user – with a maximum lift of 350kg.

01603 782207

Moorings

Most Broads Authority 24-hour moorings are level and without steps.

Angling

These places have platforms or other access suitable for wheelchair users. They are free or for use with day tickets. For more angling info go to

broads-authority.gov.uk/angling

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/angling

River Yare

- Buckenham Ferry

- Postwick – platforms upstream of Ferry Lane

River Waveney

- Bungay Cherry Tree Angling Club – membership and day or week tickets from Angling Direct, Beccles 01502 713379 and other local outlets

- Ellingham – 1 platform

- Worlingham Staithe – platforms

River Bure

- Upton Dyke

River Thurne

- Ludham – Cold Harbour Farm

- Martham Pits E2 – day tickets from Co-op shops in Martham – The Green, 01493 740230 and Repps Road, 01493 740190

- Potter Heigham – south-east (Martham) bank, upstream of the New Bridge – 10 platforms

Trinity Broads

- Filby Broad – on one boardwalk

- Rollesby Broad

Improvements at Whitlingham and Horsey

Accessibility has recently been improved at Whitlingham Country Park on the edge of Norwich and at the National Trust’s site at Horsey (01263 740241) in the northern Broads.

The path around the broad at Whitingham has been refurbished to make it fully accessible all the way round. The flint barn toilets now include a changing places toilet, with more space and equipment than a standard accessible toilet.

At Horsey, the full length of the path running from the car park along the dyke to Horsey Windpump, then on to the viewpoint over beautiful Horsey Mere, has been widened and resurfaced to make it fully accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs all year round, with improved drainage. This was a joint project carried out with the Broads Authority.

Accessible days out – on video

Watch our Accessible days out video highlighting some of the more accessible places to visit in the Broads National Park

There are suggestions for boating and land-based things to do, an example of holiday accommodation, tips on where to eat and shopping, and importantly, how to get help and advice. It will probably take some research and planning, but we hope that this video, and information here and on our website, will help you enjoy days out in the Broads.

Accessible visits (visitthebroads.co.uk)