Summer. There is no time better to gaze into an expanse of mirror-like water, to watch the light cascade through a canopy of reeds, or gaze at the stars on a warm cloudless night. In short, it is the season of romance, and when it comes to romantic get-aways there really is no place quite like the Broads National Park. The only National Park in the country to include a city, the Broads offers such a unique selection of outings that you can fall under its spell again and again and never hold hands in the same place twice!
Here are our top five weekend destinations for the loved up couple…
Introducing the quintessential village of Ludham. When you’re not hankering after one of the chocolate box cottages or lusting over the cream teas in the historic Alfresco tea rooms, you’ll discover a host of magical things to do with your partner. And on the very top of your list should be a visit to St Benet’s Abbey. This is the rare and mysterious site of a 12th century Monastery (thought to have roots all the way back to the 9th century) with the last of its remains preserved by an eighteenth-century wind pump. For maximum romance points, walk around the low remains of wall that hug this historic nature site, and tumble away to where the rivers Bure and Ant meet.
Equally unmissable is the Wherry Albion. This 119-year-old sailing boat is one of only two remaining trading wherries built specifically for the Broads, and offers you the unique opportunity to feel its ancient wood beneath your feet. No romantic weekend in Ludham is complete without racing the grebes with its iconic black sails.
Don’t forget to finish off your romantic evening with a walk along Ludham Staithe, its vast expanse of flat farmland is the perfect place to spot barn owls at dusk.
Local Knowledge: Make sure you sit on the solar powered bench at St Benet’s Abbey, where at the touch of a button you can hear the story of a naughty monk and his run-in with a local dragon, besides more tranquil historical information.
The Boardwalk at Ranworth is a meandering pathway, twisting a route through towering reed beds and twinkling water views that stretch out in a panoramic vista before you. It is the ultimate amble for the amorous, offering the chance to stumble upon the great gems of the Broads, including the iconic flash of kingfisher turquoise and the emerald stripe of the wigeon. Make sure you drop in on the floating Ranworth Broad wildlife centre, the perfect place to learn more about the landscape and borrow a pair of binoculars for unrivalled views of the water!
An absolute must at Ranworth is St Helen’s church, often described as the cathedral of the Broads. Furnished by prosperous wool merchants in 1450, on the site of an older church, St Helen’s is a tapestry of rich stained glass and medieval treasures. Its hand painted medieval rood screen is a priceless antiquity that must be seen to be believed, but among the exquisite majesty of the place is an arguably greater gem… A panoramic view that can be seen stretching the whole way round from the top of the church tower, which you can climb right to the top of and see for yourself – but maybe best not to hold hands while ascending its ancient spiralled staircase!
Local knowledge: If you visit the floating wildlife centre make sure you climb the stairs; the view from the top is an unforgettable one.
Neatishead public staithe offers the perfect mooring spot, not only is it a stone’s throw from the picturesque village but it also has just enough room to set up a couple of deck chairs by your boat and bask in the glorious July sunshine. If you’re looking to mingle, the village is a small meander from your mooring and boasts an excellent refurbished local pub in the White Horse Inn, village shop and an eco-built village hall made from hay bales (not that you’d ever know) which hosts local events from farmers’ markets to film screenings.
The ultimate romantic offering comes when night falls. If at dusk you take your vessel for the short sail to Barton Broad, you can watch the nature change around you. As marsh harriers morph into tawny owls, not only does the fading light produce the perfect conditions for budding photographers but when night truly falls the complete lack of light pollution reveals more than just stars, but galaxies. A glass of wine and an endless sky… It doesn’t get much more romantic than that.
Local Knowledge: Take your boat to Barton before the light has changed to fully appreciate its glorious descent (and to avoid any issues if your boat doesn’t have any navigation lights!).
It’s not just boat sails that cast an iconic silhouette across the Broads National Park, but wind pump sails too, and none more so than at Thurne Dyke Mill. Owned by the Norfolk Windmills Trust, this 1820s pump can be opened by appointment for the ultimate romantic excursion, (although you could time your visit for one of their open days). Its shining white walls are a beacon of Broads heritage when caught in the July sun. Not only is Thurne the perfect sailing spot but it also offers a thriving refurbished village pub (the Lion Inn) and friendly village shop, where you can pick up everything from local lavender oil to foodie essentials.
If you’re a keen rambler then you’ll love The Weavers’ Way, a long distance footpath that runs for 56 miles from Cromer to Great Yarmouth and passes through Thurne.
For wildlife fans, a walk in the early hours is the prime time to spot an otter, so bring along an early morning croissant and picnic blanket and wait for the moment the glittering water’s surface breaks.
Local Knowledge: Thurne is a prime location for puppy love - couples with dogs, that is! Bring your pet with you along the river banks and Weavers’ Way for a weekend retreat that you’ll all fall in love with.
In keeping with its reputation as a national park like no other, the Broads includes the city of Norwich as part of its site. Famous for its UNESCO City of Literature status, Norwich is world famous for its literary ties. It boasts such names as Malcolm Bradbury who devised the famous University of East Anglia (UEA) Creative Writing Course, so where better to scribble away some romantic prose than by the river in Norwich? For extra romantic credit pick a spot where the willow tree fronds meet the water!
Norwich is a truly historical spot and Elm Hill is a road not to be missed. Twisted and cobbled, the main bulk of the buildings here are Tudor and the shops are as notable inside as outside. For art and culture buffs grab a bus to the UEA and discover the extraordinary collection at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts. Running until the 20th August is the Paul Nash exhibition, as well as its usual stunning array of ancient Egyptian artefacts and African tribal art, which can all be seen for free.
Local Knowledge: It might be a city with plenty of land accommodation on offer but Norwich seen by boat gives you a different perspective. Spend the night moored at Norwich Yacht Station, just across river from the cathedral and Pull’s Ferry. There are many historical buildings to soak up along the route and kingfisher sightings are not unheard of!
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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