Ra, Liana and the Electric Eel
If you know the Broads, the word secret may not spring to mind in relation to Hoveton and Wroxham, known as the capital of the Broads in the early days of Broads holidays. But there are still secrets to be found on our Broads National Park boat trips and the Ra trip at Hoveton is no exception. What’s more, this year Ra is celebrating 25 years! The Broads Authority acquired Ra as part of the Clear Water 2000 millennium project to restore Barton Broad and provide recreational access for the public.
Our three small and friendly wildlife boat trips are fun for everyone, and will give you the chance to experience nature in tranquillity – the boats are all quiet, thanks to electric power. Our expert staff will ensure your safety and comfort, and will share their knowledge and love of the Broads with you on these special trips. Whether you’re a new or returning visitor, there are secrets to discover, whatever your interests.
Hoveton and Wroxham (B2/B3) lie either side of the River Bure. Take to the water here on Ra, named after the Egyptian sun god, and you’ll find yourself drifting into another world, transported along a beautiful stretch of the river, going to Caen Meadow on the short trip and into Bridge Broad and along to Belaugh on the long trip. Ra sits high on the water, so offers great views, and you can listen to the birdsong and relax in a green world, with meadows and wet woodlands on either side that can’t be explored by land. It’s hard to believe that you’re just minutes from the centre of Wroxham. Ra was the first solar-powered passenger boat in the UK, so you can also find out about solar power, and how the Broads Authority and partners are developing the greener next phase of boating on the Broads.
These trips depart from Hoveton Riverside Park, close to Hoveton Broads Information Centre, Hoveton & Wroxham Railway Station (on the Bittern Line between Norwich and Sheringham) and the Bure Valley Railway’s Wroxham Station. Parking and free 24-hour moorings are close by too. Ra is accessible to wheelchair users via a ramp.
- 1 hour or 1½ hours, up to nine passengers (at driver’s discretion) including up to four wheelchair users – please check when booking as number depends on the type of wheelchair
- April, May, October: weekends, bank holidays, Easter week and local half-term only 10.30am (short trip), 11.45am (long trip), 2pm (long trip), 3.45pm (short trip)
- June-September: daily 10.30am (short trip), 11.45am (long trip), 2pm (long trip), 3.45pm (short trip)
Cost: Short trip £11 adult, £9 child, £34 family; long trip £13 adult, £11 child, £44 family
Bookings: Hoveton Broads Information Centre, 01603 756097
Station Road, Hoveton NR12 8UR
01603 756097
hovetontic@broads-authority.gov.uk
Open (free entry)
- 29-31 March, April, May, October, 1-2 November: Monday-Friday 9am-1pm and 1.30-5pm;
Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm
- June-September: daily 9am-5pm
The centre has been refurbished for 2025, with new displays to help you enjoy the Broads and find out about other aspects of the Broads Authority’s work. The displays include audio recordings.
Expand your day out with a visit to Wroxham Barns for crafts and children’s activities, or Hoveton Hall Gardens (both about 1½ miles away), or BeWILDerwood children’s woodland adventure park (about 2 miles away). The Bure Valley Path is close by. Reburbishment work at Hoveton Riverside Park will be completed this year.
norfolk.gov.uk/article/42917/Bure-Valley-Path
bvrw.co.uk (Bure Valley Railway)
Set off on a voyage of discovery from Ranworth on board Liana, our Edwardian-style electric launch. As we cross Malthouse Broad, the activity of birds at the staithe subsides and there’s a wonderful view of St Helen's Church, known as the cathedral of the Broads. We go past the entrance to Ranworth Broad (the broad and marshes are part of the Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve) and if we’re very lucky, we may catch a glimpse of an otter or two as we pass along Ranworth Dam on our way to join the River Bure, heading towards Cockshoot Dyke. Birds peer out of the reed fringes at us, a kingfisher may be zipping across the water and look up too, a marsh harrier could be soaring overhead. These trips depart from Ranworth Staithe, where you’ll find moorings (with charge) and free parking.
- 55 minutes, up to eight passengers (at driver’s discretion)
- April-October: daily 10.30am, 2pm, 3pm
Cost: £11 adult, £9 child, £34 family
Bookings: Ranworth Broads Information Centre, 01603 756094
The Staithe, Ranworth NR13 6HY
01603 756094
ranworthtic@broads-authority.gov.uk
Open (free entry)
- 29 March to 2 November: daily 9am-5pm
At the information centre you can enjoy extracts from archive films about the history of Broads holidays. For ideas to expand your day out read our 10 Things to do blog.
How Hill National Nature Reserve, close to the village of Ludham, has something of everything that makes the Broads special. The River Ant runs through the reserve and there are reedbeds, grazing marshes, wet woodlands and even a broad – all full of wildlife for you to discover.
Visit Toad Hole Cottage, lived in by generations of eel catchers, and imagine home life on the marshes in Victorian times. You can read about the marshwoman’s year on page ADD. Then take a boat trip to see where the marshmen worked. How Hill is still a working marsh – reed and sedge are cut for thatch, so you could see a ‘modern marshman’ at work. Explore the Wildlife Walking Trail, Secret Gardens, riverside walks and maybe even Hathor – one of the Broads sailing wherries (named after an Egyptian goddess). For more about wherries, read our blog Set sail with Dawn.
Entry to the site is free, there are public footpaths, and there’s a free car park (open all the time) and 24-hour free moorings. Visitors with disabilities may find it helpful to telephone in advance to check if How Hill is sufficiently accessible for you. In the summer and autumn you may find it helpful to bring an insect repellent for the How Hill trails.
Step on board at How Hill Staithe, leave the River Ant behind and enter a tranquil, secret world, where reeds and flowers fringe the narrow dykes. Glide along until we stop for a short walk to a bird hide overlooking Reedham Water. The changing seasons bring changing wildlife. In May, when the sun shines, the hidden warblers are in full song. June sees the Norfolk hawker dragonfly and the swallowtail butterfly on the wing. Summer is the season for flowers, including water lilies. In autumn, the birds are on the move again. The summer visitors leave for warmer climes and soon, duck including teal and wigeon will arrive from the north, as the marsh moves towards winter.
- 50 minutes for up to six passengers (at driver’s discretion)
- April, May, October: weekends, bank holidays, Easter week and local half-term only 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm
- June-September: daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Cost: £11 adult, £9 child, £34 family (not suitable for children under two)
Bookings: Toad Hole Cottage, 01603 756096
How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG
01603 756096
toadholetic@broads-authority.gov.uk
Open (free entry)
- 29-31 March, April, May, October, 1-2 November: Monday-Friday 10.30am-1pm and 1.30-5pm; Saturday-Sunday 10.30am-5pm
- June-September: daily 9.30am-5pm
Explore the trail to see wildlife for all seasons. Group bookings also available. In June look out for huge and very rare swallowtail butterflies; sometimes there’s a second brood in August. Assistance dogs only on the trail please.
Open
- April, May, October: daily 10.30am-5pm
- June-September: daily 9.30am-5pm
Cost: £3 adult, £1.50 child, includes guide booklet
From Toad Hole Cottage the riverside footpath continues downstream to Ludham Bridge and St Benet’s Abbey. Or you can take a short stroll upriver, past the boat shed, to Boardman’s Mill. The path then goes on to Clayrack Mill and Sharp Street. There’s a third mill, Turf Fen, on the opposite bank, going towards Ludham. Plans are under way for mill restoration at How Hill. For more about visiting Ludham, read our 10 Things to do blog.
Not as known by those who lived at the cottage – these are new for 2025! Pop into Toad Hole Cottage garden for hot and cold drinks, plus delicious savoury and sweet snacks from Natural Rise.
Explore the Secret Gardens, open all the time, entry by donation. These water gardens were created by local architect Edward Boardman for his family home at How Hill, which dates from 1904. The gardens are always lovely and secluded, and in early summer there are spectacular displays of azaleas and rhododendrons. Follow the signs from the car park, moorings and main house. The formal gardens surrounding the house are sometimes open too – check the signs on the gates.
01692 678555 howhilltrust.org.uk
- You may find it convenient to book your boat trip in advance at holiday times when trips
may be busy; as well as booking direct, you can also book at any Broads information centre
- Family tickets are for up to two adults and two children
- We are sorry we cannot take dogs, except assistance dogs, on any of these trips
- All passengers must wear the life jackets provided
- For spring and autumn trips bring warm, waterproof clothes
- Group bookings also available, including special dawn and evening trips – please ask for details
VisitTheBroads.co.uk/information-centres
Give your friends and family the experience of one (or more!) of our wildlife boat trips. Full details from our staff at Hoveton (Ra trips), Ranworth (Liana trips) and How Hill (Electric Eel trips).
Come and visit possibly the smallest national park information centre in the world – inside a former telephone box! Find out about Thurne and the Broads, then listen to recordings of Broads birds to hear who’s calling.
The Street, Thurne, NR29 3AP
Open daily (calls are free)
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.
Visit the Broads welcomes new members - read more information for Broads businesses →
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