National park · United Kingdom
Norfolk BroadsThe Broads
The Broads is free to enter: no gate, no ticket. Pay only for parking (£4–8/day, 2026 estimate), boat hire (from about £35 for 2 hours) or a nature-reserve entry; walk the Wherryman's Way or a short circular from a staithe, and go April–June or September to miss the summer boat traffic.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
303 km² (117 sq mi)117 sq mi (303 km²)
approximate
Established
1989
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
At a glance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Area
- 303 km² (117 sq mi)117 sq mi (303 km²)
- The Broads Authority area is about 303 km²; the national-park designation dates from 1989 and the area is not a true national park in the English sense (check).
- Established
- 1989
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
The Broads is a network of navigable rivers, shallow lakes and marshes in east Norfolk and north Suffolk, protected as a national park and run by the Broads Authority. The lakes are flooded medieval peat diggings, not natural features. There is no entrance gate and no entrance fee: you pay for parking, boat hire, or entry to a reserve such as How Hill or Strumpshaw Fen. Walking is the cheapest way in; boating is the reason most people come.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1989Broads Authority area, given national-park status with its own navigation remit.
Size and age
303 km² (117 sq mi)117 sq mi (303 km²) · national park since 1989
The Broads Authority area is about 303 km²; the national-park designation dates from 1989 and the area is not a true national park in the English sense (check).
Why go
- A wetland you can walk, cycle or boat through, with no ticket and no gate.
- Bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tit breed here; the swallowtail butterfly lives nowhere else in the UK.
- The Wherryman's Way and Angles Way give long, flat, signposted days out from Norwich or Great Yarmouth.
- Villages, staithes and riverside pubs break the day up, so a boat day is easy to plan without a guide.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, wet, few boats; some reserves closed
- FebCold; paths muddy
- MarMild; birdsong returns
- AprDry, quiet, nesting season
- MayWarm; swallowtails on the wing
- JunLong days; boat traffic builds
- JulBusiest month; book boats ahead
- AugPeak crowds and hire prices
- SepWarm, quieter, good light
- OctMisty mornings; fewer boats
- NovQuiet; short days
- DecWet, cold; limited hire
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bittern (heard more often than seen)All year · Booming call carries across the reeds, mostly at dawn. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Marsh harrierMar–Sep · Hunts low over reedbeds and grazing marsh. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Swallowtail butterflyMay–Jul · Found in the Broads and nowhere else in the UK. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Wintering wildfowl and raptorsNov–Feb · Best at Strumpshaw Fen and Halvergate Marshes. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Norwich
Train to Wroxham, Hoveton or Brundall, or drive east on the A47; the Broads start about 8 km (5 mi) from the city.Train to Wroxham, Hoveton or Brundall, or drive east on the A47; the Broads start about 5 mi (8 km) from the city.
15–30 min
From London
Train from Liverpool Street to Norwich, then onward by train or bus.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Great Yarmouth
Train or bus to the southern Broads; the Wherryman's Way ends here.
20–40 min
From United Kingdom travel guide
Where the Broads sits in a wider UK trip.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Broads | Rivers Bure, Ant and Thurne; Wroxham, Salhouse, Barton Broad, Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere. | Open; busiest area in summer. |
| Southern Broads | Rivers Yare, Waveney, Chet and Wensum; Breydon Water and Oulton Broad. | Open; quieter, better for walking. |
| Trinity Broads | Five broads near Ormesby and Filby with no navigable link to the main network. | SSSI; access strictly limited (check). |
| Reserves and marshes | Bure Marshes, Ant Broads and Marshes, Ludham–Potter Heigham, Halvergate Marshes, Strumpshaw Fen. | Footpaths and hides; some areas closed in nesting season. |
Sketch map
- 1Wroxham and Hoveton · Town≈52.711, 1.409Map ↗
- 2Hickling Broad · Beach≈52.738, 1.579Map ↗
- 3Horsey Mere · Viewpoint≈52.742, 1.627Map ↗
- 4Barton Broad · Viewpoint≈52.739, 1.497Map ↗
- 5Strumpshaw Fen · Trail≈52.606, 1.456Map ↗
- 6How Hill · Headquarters≈52.706, 1.523Map ↗
- 7Great Yarmouth · Town≈52.608, 1.730Map ↗
- 8Norwich · Ranger station≈52.631, 1.297Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across the Broads, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entrance fee; the Broads is open access. |
| Car parking at a staithe or reserve | GBP 4–8 (≈ US$6–11) | day | 2026 estimate; varies by site, some free. |
| Canoe or kayak hire, half day | GBP 20–40 (≈ US$30–55) | boat | 2026 estimate; 2–3 person canoes. |
| Day boat hire, 2–3 hours | GBP 35–50 (≈ US$50–70) | boat | 2026 estimate; book ahead in July and August. |
| Nature reserve entry (e.g. How Hill, Strumpshaw Fen) | GBP 0–5 (≈ US$0–7) | person | Some reserves free, some charge (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
None for walking or cycling no permit
Boat toll no permit
Reserve access permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- £4–8≈ US$6–11
- £20–40≈ US$30–55
- £35–50≈ US$50–70
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Broads Authority — official site before you go.
Park rules
- Boat speed
- Most waterways have a 3–6 mph limit; slow down for moored boats and wildlife.
- No night cruising
- You may not cruise between dusk and dawn.
- Mooring
- Moor only where allowed; do not block staithes or private frontages.
- Check, clean, dry
- Clean and dry kit between waterways to slow invasive species such as killer shrimp and signal crayfish.
- Dogs and nesting birds
- Keep dogs on leads near nesting areas and on reserve paths.
- Litter and fires
- No fires; take all rubbish away.
Where to stay
Near the park
Wroxham and Hoveton
Boat-hire base with hotels, pubs and a rail station.
Near the park
Horning and Ludham
Riverside villages with inns and easy staithe access.
Near the park
Norwich
City base with the widest choice of beds and direct trains.
In the park
Hire cruiser
Sleep aboard for a few nights; book well ahead for summer.
Safety
Falling in or cold water medium
Getting lost on marsh paths low
Boat collisions on narrow dykes medium
Sun and midges low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Several reserves have boardwalks and hides suitable for wheelchairs; check each site.
- Wroxham, Horning and Ranworth staithes are close to parking with short, level paths.
- Hire boats vary; ask about boarding steps and handrails before booking.
Visiting lightly
- Follow the check, clean, dry routine for boats, canoes and boots.
- Keep to footpaths across grazing marsh to avoid disturbing nesting birds.
- Buy from village shops and riverside pubs so the Broads economy stays local.
- Use the electric or rowing options where offered instead of a motor day boat.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Norfolk Broads?
Nothing. There is no gate and no entrance fee. You pay for parking (about £4–8 a day, 2026 estimate), boat or canoe hire, and entry to a few reserves.
What are the best hikes in Norfolk Broads?
The Wherryman's Way, about 56 km from Norwich to Great Yarmouth, and the longer Angles Way to Thetford. For a short day, pick a marsh loop from a staithe at Ludham, Horning or Ranworth.
When is the best time to visit Norfolk Broads?
April to June and September: dry, mild and quieter. July and August are the busiest months, so book boats and beds ahead.
Do I need a permit to boat on the Broads?
Hire boats include the Broads Authority toll. Private boats need a toll. Speed limits of 3–6 mph apply and you may not cruise between dusk and dawn.
Can I visit the Broads without a car?
Yes. Trains run from Norwich to Wroxham, Hoveton and Brundall, and to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Buses and bikes cover the rest, though some villages are a walk from the station.
Where can I see a swallowtail butterfly?
In the Broads in May to July, at reedbed and fen sites. It is found nowhere else in the UK.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go