Holiday cottage in Norfolk: Broads, coast and nature

Norfolk combines extensive wetlands, coastal landscapes and an unusually tangible prehistoric past. Between waterways, bird reserves, dunes and historic sites lie many different facets of a region that can be explored step by step.

Water and trails

The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads are the UK's largest protected wetland and the third-largest inland waterway; at the same time, they have National Park status. The Broads National Park offers 200 kilometres of navigable waterways to explore. In addition, The Broads has around 303 kilometres of public footpaths and 17 kilometres of public bridleways. Across the county of Norfolk, the Norfolk Trails network comprises more than 1,200 miles of walking, cycling and riding routes.

On the North Norfolk coast, the King Charles III England Coast Path features long sections with boardwalks and raised embankments and can be used at all states of the tide. For regional connections, Norfolk's rail network runs directly from Norwich to Cambridge, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Sheringham.

Coastal nature

The Cley and Salthouse Marshes form a coastal reserve covering more than 300 hectares. Trails and boardwalks lead to several birdwatching hides. The area has Ramsar, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designations.

The RSPB Snettisham nature reserve offers expansive views along the Norfolk coast over brackish lagoons, salt marshes and extensive mudflats. From late summer to early winter, tens of thousands of waders gather on the mudflats; during particularly high spring tides, large flocks take flight. In winter, up to 40,000 pink-footed geese travel from Iceland and Greenland to The Wash and gather there.

The Holkham National Nature Reserve covers 10,000 acres of coastline between Stiffkey and Burnham Norton. Its landscape includes grazing marshes, salt marshes, dunes and pine forests. Holkham Beach is accessible via a boardwalk through pine forests that leads to Holkham Bay.

History and landscape

Grime’s Graves was used around 4,500 years ago by Neolithic flint miners; more than 400 pits were created there. The site is the largest known prehistoric flint mine and also the only prehistoric flint mine open to the public.

In 1985, Grime’s Graves was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Chalk soils, sandy heathland and acidic grassland support a wide variety of unusual plants there. Some of the re-excavated mines provide winter roosts for five species of bat.

Regional events

The Cromer Crab & Lobster Festival is a spring event featuring cooking demonstrations, food stalls and activities for families.

If you are considering a holiday cottage in Norfolk, you can compare the individual properties directly. The location's assignment to your preferred part of Norfolk should also be clearly visible there. The features and terms that apply depend on the individual property.

Places in Norfolk

Other places in Norfolk: Hopton, King's Lynn, Norwich, Fakenham, Snettisham, North Walsham, Great Yarmouth, West Somerton, Bacton, Roughton, Cromer, Little Walsingham, Sedgeford, Foulsham, Aldborough, Hunstanton, Heacham, Burnham Market, Yaxham, Wymondham, Wroxham, Weybourne, Watton, Swaffham, Stalham, Sheringham, Sculthorpe, Scole, Reepham, Overstrand, North Wootton, Northwold, Mundesley, Martham, Marsham, Litcham, Honingham, Harleston, Great Bircham, Gorleston-On-Sea, Gissing, Beechamwell, Aylmerton, Attleborough, Thorpe Market, Saham Toney, Mundford, Dersingham, Hethersett, Costessey, Lessingham, Catfield, Hempstead, Wells-Next-The-Sea, Northrepps, Dereham, Hindringham, Swannington, Coltishall, Salthouse, South Creake, Pentney, Thetford, Yelverton, Outwell, Great Cressingham, Langham, Acle, Gayton, Oulton, Brancaster, Long Stratton, Holt, Narborough, Ringstead, Drayton, Great Witchingham, Grimston, Taverham, Fritton, Tharston, East Harling, Methwold, Hevingham, Diss, Lyng, Gimingham, Clippesby, Lamas, Loddon, Thursford, Horning, Tivetshall St. Margaret, Hemsby, Reedham, Feltwell, Caister-On-Sea, West Runton, Mattishall, Burgh Castle, Banham, Blakeney, North Elmham, Lingwood, Hainford, Hindolveston, Broome, Downham Market, Little Plumstead, Matlaske, Upwell, Thornham, Scratby, Syderstone, Sidestrand, Mulbarton, Ludham, Dickleburgh, Bircham Newton, Billingford, Wiveton, Wighton, Whissonsett, Tuttington, Tattersett, Stiffkey, Stanhoe, Spixworth, Sharrington, North Tuddenham, North Creake, Necton, Melton Constable, Horsford, Hockwold Cum Wilton, Heydon, Helhoughton, Great Snoring, Great Plumstead, Great Massingham, Garboldisham, Freethorpe, Elsing, Edingthorpe, Ditchingham, Colby, Brundall, Brooke, Binham, Beetley, Baconsthorpe, Aldeby, Blofield, Wheatacre, Potter Heigham, Hockering, Clenchwarton, Belton, Aylsham, Shipdham, Castle Acre, Great Dunham, Runcton Holme, East Barsham, Edgefield, St Ouen's, Barney, Bawdeswell, South Pickenham, Wiggenhall Saint Peter, Corpusty, Bradenham, Easton, Spooner Row, Winterton-on-Sea, Toft Monks, Terrington Saint Clement, Swanton Abbott, Waterden, North Burlingham, Tittleshall, Briston, East Runton.

For the higher-level travel overview: East of England.