Unwinding in the Broads National Park

Modern life gets the better of us all sometimes… our eyes are stressed by hours of screen time, our ears are ringing with the sound of traffic and the list of house chores are as high as the ‘to-do’ list at work. Fortunately, the Broads National Park is the perfect antidote to those in need of stress relief and since today is National Relaxation Day, here are a few of the best ways to spend the day relaxing…

Carlton Marshes

Carlton Marshes is famous for its whispering reeds, winding waterways and abundance of wildlife. If you take the time to meander through this Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve you’ll be amazed by how quickly you’ll find your heart rate slowing and the natural calm of the area allowing you to breathe a sigh of relief…

Chilled Churches

The Suffolk and Norfolk Broads are bejewelled with medieval churches filled with fascinating history in peaceful settings. They are the perfect locations to relax and are often set away from the hubbub in tranquil church yards. Look out for the churches who have taken part in The Norfolk Churchyard Conservation Scheme who have re-wilded their graveyards which are overflowing with wildflowers and the wildlife these environments encourage.

Relaxing Boat Trips

It is no secret that being out on the water is good for the soul, so in the spirit of relaxation why not take advantage of the many boat trips which can be taken in the Broads National Park? The electric eel is a silent electric powered boat which takes you through the reed beds to discover the wildlife within. You could ride on vintage vessel Liana at Wroxham or the solar powered Ra at Whitlingham, or head out on a trip with Broads Tours or Waveney Stardust. Whichever you choose you can simply sit back and let the skipper do the steering!

Hickling Hide-Away

Visit the bird hide at Hickling Broad and feel the worries melt away. Being out beside the water, watching the bird life and seeing the great expanse of broad and river bed you’ll soon feel your perspective shifting and come away with a more relaxed frame of mind. Expect a diverse mix of migratory and local species from cranes and whimbrels to avocets and grebes.

These are just a handful of the calm-inducing activities available to help you find some inner peace in the Broads National Park. For many more ideas and events in the local area keep a rejuvenated eye on the Visit the Broads website.