A hire cruiser on the River Bure between Hoveton and Wroxham, with trees along both banks

Norfolk and the Broads

Norwich, the rivers and broads of the Broads National Park, the north Norfolk coast and the Sandringham estate

Norfolk is the county in the east of England that juts out into the North Sea, with Norwich as its city. The Broads, a network of rivers and shallow lakes shared with Suffolk, has a status similar to the national parks and is managed by the Broads Authority, which became operational in 1989. Along the north coast, the Norfolk Coast National Landscape runs from The Wash and the Sandringham estate to Winterton-on-Sea, with salt marsh, dunes, pine woods and two National Trails.

This guide covers five bases: Norwich, with its Norman cathedral and castle; Wroxham and Hoveton, where many Broads boat trips and hire boats start; Cromer and Sheringham at the end of the Bittern Line; Wells-next-the-Sea with Holkham and Blakeney; and King's Lynn with the Sandringham estate. Trains reach Norwich from London Liverpool Street, King's Lynn from London King's Cross, and the Bittern Line links Norwich with Wroxham, Cromer and Sheringham.

  • The BroadsStatus similar to a national parkManaged by the Broads Authority since 1989; about 303 square kilometres
  • Norfolk CoastNational Landscape, 453 square kilometresFrom The Wash to Winterton-on-Sea, per the National Landscapes Association
  • 从伦敦出发As little as 90 minutes by railVisit Norfolk's figure for the fastest trains to Norwich
  • 建议停留时间4至6天Pick two bases, for example Norwich and the coast

With kids in Norfolk and the Broads

Animal attractions, railways, science centres, beaches and caves from our Norfolk and the Broads guide, grouped by type. We hold no age ratings or child prices: check each place’s own site for age limits, height rules and family tickets.

Railways, trams and rides

Beaches and swimming

Practical help: travelling with children and where to stay in Norfolk and the Broads.

行程推荐

规划行程

用短途路线把各个区域串联起来。

Strangers' Hall, Norwich
2 天

Norwich and the Broads

Cromer Lighthouse, Cromer & Sheringham
3 天

The north Norfolk coast by train and bus

前往方式

Arriving in Norfolk and the Broads

Norwich is the hub for the Broads and the north Norfolk coast, and King's Lynn for the west of the county. Journey times below are the figures the named sources give; always check the operator for current times.

乘火车

Greater Anglia runs inter-city trains between London Liverpool Street and Norwich, and Visit Norfolk says the county can be reached by rail from London in as little as 90 minutes. From Norwich, the Bittern Line runs to Hoveton & Wroxham, Cromer, West Runton and Sheringham, typically once an hour. Great Northern runs from London King's Cross to King's Lynn via Cambridge and Ely; Wikipedia gives a typical journey time of 1 hour 45 minutes.

By bus along the coast

Lynx runs the Coastliner 36 from King's Lynn via Hunstanton to Wells-next-the-Sea and Fakenham. Sanders Coaches runs the Coasthopper buses along the north Norfolk coast from Wells towards Cromer.

乘飞机

Norwich Airport has scheduled KLM flights to and from Amsterdam Schiphol on its departures board. Check the airport's site for current routes.

We do not publish timetables or fares. Train times and journey lengths change: check National Rail or the operator before you travel.

Use the Bittern Line

Trains from Norwich stop at Salhouse, Hoveton & Wroxham, North Walsham, Cromer, West Runton and Sheringham, so the Broads and the coast work as day trips from the city.

National Rail: Norwich →

Coastal buses

The Coastliner 36 (Lynx) and the Coasthopper (Sanders Coaches) meet at Wells-next-the-Sea and link the towns and villages along the north coast.

Coasthopper →

遗产铁路

The Bure Valley Railway runs between Wroxham and Aylsham, the North Norfolk Railway between Sheringham and Holt, and the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway from Wells to Walsingham.

North Norfolk Railway →

On the water

Wroxham and Hoveton have boatyards and hire firms on the River Bure; Wroxham Bridge is low and a pilot service on the Hoveton side helps boaters for a fee.

Visit the Broads →

沿海岸步行

The Norfolk Coast Path, a National Trail, runs from Hunstanton along the north coast through Wells, Blakeney, Sheringham and Cromer.

最佳出行时间

Norfolk and the Broads through the year

Many attractions in Norfolk, including heritage railways and country houses, open on seasonal timetables. Check each venue's own site before you go.

Spring3 月至 5 月

The Barton House Railway in Wroxham opens on the third Sunday of each month from April to October, and heritage railways publish their season timetables on their own sites.

Summer6 月至 8 月

Harbour seals at Blakeney Point have their young between June and August, and the pups can be seen on the mud flats from seal-watching boats.

Autumn9 月至 11 月

Big tides on The Wash push huge flocks of wading birds onto the shore at RSPB Snettisham in autumn and winter.

冬季11月至1月

Grey seals breed at Blakeney Point between November and January, and the North Norfolk Railway runs festive trains in late November and December.

一日游

城市周边

Ideas for a day away from Norfolk and the Broads. Check the operators for times and tickets.

隔着 the Backs 的草坪远眺 King's College Chapel
Cambridgeshire

剑桥

Cambridge has its own guide on this site. Trains from Norwich run to Cambridge, and Great Northern trains from King's Lynn to London run via Cambridge.

Cambridge guide →
Britannia Pier and its theatre at Great Yarmouth, seen from the beach
Norfolk

Great Yarmouth

Seaside town on the River Yare, about 20 miles east of Norwich, with trains from Norwich.

Visit Norfolk →

常见问题

出行前须知

Is the Broads a national park?

The Broads has a status similar to the national parks in England and Wales. It is managed by the Broads Authority, set up under the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988, which is also a navigation authority.

Can I visit Norfolk without a car?

Yes, for the main bases. Trains run from London to Norwich and King's Lynn, the Bittern Line links Norwich with Wroxham, Cromer and Sheringham, and the Coastliner 36 and Coasthopper buses run along the north coast. Smaller villages have fewer services.

How do I get to Wells-next-the-Sea?

Wells has no railway station. Take the Lynx Coastliner 36 from King's Lynn or the Sanders Coasthopper from the Cromer direction; Sheringham is the nearest station.

When can I see seals at Blakeney Point?

Harbour seals have their young between June and August, and grey seals breed between November and January. Seal-watching boats run from Blakeney and Morston.

需要几天?

Four to six days lets you combine Norwich with one or two bases on the Broads or the coast. A weekend is enough for Norwich and a day on the Broads.

Nearby places

Guides near Norfolk and the Broads

Our closest other guides, by straight-line distance between centres. Road and rail distances are longer: check a journey planner.

More in England · Places A to Z · Getting between regions

图片来源

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits