The prospect of wintry weather doesn’t always have the most romantic attraction, but as spring edges closer and brings with it the promise of more sunshine, you might start thinking of planning some days out with your other half.
Here are some of our favourite ideas for romantic and fun dates in the Broads area:
Hiring a paddleboard, kayak or canoe for the day can be great way to soak up the atmosphere of being on the water and have a good laugh along the way. You can hire your own craft each or work together on a double kayak/canoe (although depending on your level of experience this may lead to more arguments than anything, steering can be tricky!).
There’s plenty of places to hire from and some of the best routes are in the quieter areas. Check out Three Rivers Campsite to explore the Waveney (you can paddle from here to the Geldeston Locks Pub which is a scenic out and back trip). Go Paddle at Horning is a great place to hire from to explore the popular River Bure or try Salhouse Broad where you can hire a canoe/kayak and explore the surrounding waterways.
For something different you could also try hiring a pedal boat from Hippersons Boatyard in Beccles and then heading into the town for a soak in the Lido or some food/drink at one of the many quality restaurants/pubs in the area.
We’re blessed to have countless wonderful circular walks to enjoy in the Broads, perfect for a sunny day and a home-made picnic.
Some of our favourite loops, which aren’t too long, offer great views and plenty of flat areas to stop for a picnic, include Salhouse Broad (pictured), Surlingham Church Marsh, the Rockland Ramble and the loop around Whitlingham Broad. Longer routes include the Bigod's Way around Bungay and one of the loops from Acle. Both have delis and shops in the villages selling high-quality local produce to stock up on for the walk.
Wherever you fancy going, there’s plenty of routes to choose from on apps such as AllTrails or Komoot, taking the stress out of navigating.
There’s something undeniably special about drifting along the water, soaking in the surroundings at your own pace. Hiring a day boat is a fantastic way to explore the hidden corners of the Broads, whether you fancy a leisurely cruise with a picnic or stopping off at a riverside pub along the way.
Companies like Norfolk Broads Direct, Broom Boats, Herbert Woods and Richardson’s offer easy-to-handle day boats, so you don’t need any prior experience to enjoy a relaxing trip. All of these are based in the northern rivers, for example at Potter Heigham, Wroxham and Stalham, which means there's plenty of free moorings and riverside pubs to choose from. These are just a short drive from Norwich and have public transport options available too.
If you prefer to sit back and let someone else take the helm, opt for a guided boat tour - Broads Tours at Wroxham (Queen of the Broads, Vintage Broadsman and Cordon Rouge), Waveney River Tours at Oulton Broad (three different route options available) and the Museum of the Broads at Stalham (Falcon Steam Launch) all offer unique ways to experience the Broads from the water.
For small trips, the Broads Authority offer experiences at How Hill, Hoveton and Ranworth where you can get on the rivers as part of a group.
Offering easily one of the best views of the Broads landscape, St Helen’s at Ranworth is a church tower which you can climb in exchange for a small donation. There's lots of steps and a few ladders to climb, but the view from the top is spectacular and it can be very romantic if you have the tower to yourself.
An afternoon itinerary could include parking at the Staithe, taking a walk to explore the nearby Norfolk Wildlife Trust visitor centre, then a stroll to climb the tower and admire the view from the church.
Finish up with refreshments at the nearby Maltster's Pub or the church tea-room. Or again pack a picnic and perch up at Ranworth Staithe where you can enjoy the views and watch the boats as they come and go.
The Broads are famous for their sunsets, with the sky often painted in shades of pink, orange and gold as the day winds down. It certainly helps being such a flat landscape, and the still bodies of water can provide some amazing reflections.
Finding a vantage point to watch the sun dip below the horizon can be a special moment to share. Some of the best spots include the banks of Hickling Broad, the surroundings near Horsey Mill or the viewpoint at Burgh Castle overlooking Breydon Water. All of these sites have car-parks nearby and aren't too far from pubs or restaurants to warm up in afterwards.
Pack a blanket, bring a flask of something warm, and stay a little longer as the stars begin to appear. Even though the Broads isn't designated as a dark skies reserve, it still gets very dark here as long as you can avoid the areas of light pollution near towns/villages.
Of course these are just some ideas for you to think about and if you're willing to build your own itinerary there's plenty more options available to plan the perfect date. Check out our 'things to do' listings for more ideas and providers.
Visit the Broads and the Broads Authority work in partnership to give visitors all the information and inspiration they need to make their trip to the Broads perfect.
The Broads Authority looks after the national park for visitors, boaters, wildlife and its community.
Visit the Broads provides a strong unified voice for Broads tourism-related businesses, from accommodation providers to holiday boat operators, and other stakeholders with an interest in tourism activity.
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