You couldn’t UNLONDON yourself better than by escaping the exhaust fumes and bustle of the capital for the tranquillity, big skies and open waterways of the Broads National Park in the East of England.
What makes the Broads National Park so special?
The Broads National Park has 125 miles of navigable, lock-free waterways to enjoy. Within minutes of boarding a boat you’ll be out in glorious countryside, floating along in near silence with just birdsong to accompany you.
Fun facts: the Broads are the only National Park that are man-made, the lakes being inundated medieval peat diggings now joined up by natural rivers, and the Broads is the only English National Park with a city in it – Norwich.
Accessing the Broads National Park by train from London
The Broads National Park is easy to access by train from London. Get to Oulton Broad via Ipswich and you’re at the gateway to the southern Broads and just a mile or two from seaside Lowestoft.
The main part of the Broads is easy to get to from London via Norwich. The delightful district Bittern Line from Norwich to Cromer and Sheringham on the Norfolk coast stops at Salhouse and the capital of the Broads National Park, Hoveton and Wroxham. Its equally delightful district Wherry Line to Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft in Suffolk has many stops in the Broads, not least at Reedham which has lovely waterside pubs.
Choosing the Broads National Park for your next UK active holiday
The Broads National Park is the ideal location for a UK active holiday. Unless you want to climb mountains – we don’t have those in Norfolk and Suffolk. The Broads are great for walking holidays, dog walking holidays and cycling holidays, but the best way to see the waterways properly is by getting on the water – either a boat, a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.
When on the water you won’t be going more than 15 miles an hour, so this is the ideal location for enjoying a quieter pace of life, relaxing and watching the world by go.
Where to go
FAQs about the Broads National Park cities by train from London
The Broads are 125 miles of navigable, lock-free waterways – that’s more than Venice or Amsterdam – but they’re in a remarkably small area which means you can get to see a lot of it, whether on the water or by cycling or walking.
Yes, in fact it’s advisable to visit the Broads without a car. The best way to see the waterways is by boat but cycling and walking are great ways too. You could drive around for hours in the Broads National Park and never see water!
Yes, there are lots of water sport activities in the Broads, not least kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding. All are available for hire at various locations. In quiet corners you can even try a wild swim.
The Broads Authority has some great recommendations for walking routes in the Broads.
The Broads Authority has some great recommendations for cycling routes in the Broads.
Yes, you can take a dog on a Broads boat but make sure you and they are both wearing life safety belts. They’ll be supplied by the hire business.
There are a number of train stations in the Broads National Park, but the best way to see the water are at Salhouse, Hoveton and Wroxham on the Bittern Line and Brundall, Reedham and Oulton Broad South on the Wherry Line.
Yes, it’s advisable. Take the hassle out of your break by booking in advance and letting the train take the strain.