Lisa - Marketing Executive, VisitNorwich
Myself and a small group of other keen amateur sailors and lovers of the Broads, hired the
black-sailed Wherry Albion, a former trading wherry, for a day last summer.
Departing early morning from Hunters Yard in
Ludham, and in the safe hands of a very knowledgeable skipper, we enjoyed a leisurely, picturesque sail to
Malthouse and South Walsham broads. After a pub lunch at the Maltsters at Ranworth and a walk along the attractive boardwalk to the unique Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s floating visitor centre, we headed back to Ludham with an opportunity to get hands-on, winch the sail, steer the tiller and learn a little more about this most beautiful of
Broads craft. There was also plenty of opportunity to simply sit back and enjoy the stunning Broads scenery.
Wherries are the traditional Broads sailing vessels used originally for trading and later as the first pleasure craft for boating holidays. The Albion can be chartered through the
Norfolk Wherry Trust - 01493 740140. For the 12 of us the cost was about £20 each which we thought was excellent value for money.
More details on the Norfolk Broads Sandra - Finance, VisitNorwich
The best summer day out for us is going to
Caistor Roman Town (Caistor St Edmund) or Venta Icenorum, just 3 miles to the south of
Norwich.
It is so peaceful and relaxing and you can really escape the bustle of the city. We always take a picnic and then sit by the river. The countryside is beautiful and there are some lovely walks that can be taken around the area. Two self-guided walks take you around the
Roman defences and the other one along the
River Tas.
If you really fancy treating yourself, take a picnic lunch and then book dinner at the nearby
Wildebeest Arms for a fabulous meal.
Website:
http://www.norfarchtrust.org.uk/caistor Paula - Administration and Membership Support Executive, VisitNorwich
I'll begin with a good day out in Norwich for adults.
Start at the
King of Hearts on Fye Bridge Street for breakfast, they do fantastic muesli and crumpets or if you are a carnivore, their bacon sandwiches are also great. You can choose from a selection of coffee or a cornucopia of fruit teas.
After you have sated yourself, you will be up for a wander round the city centre. Firstly walk up
Elm Hill and look in all the weird and wonderful shops on the way, there are some really good galleries and antique shops, but don’t wear high heeled shoes as the cobblestone road is lethal.
Then head for the
market where you can buy anything whilst watching various Norwich characters in action. After you have had quite enough of shops and people head to the
Playhouse bar where you can sit outside and enjoy a beer or whatever you drink and then start walking alongside the river for a bit of exercise, scenery and to visit a few of the local hostelries.
Don’t miss; the
Ribs of Beef or the
Adam and Eve (the oldest pub in Norwich). Walk up through the cathedral grounds from Pull’s Ferry and head back to near where you started to
Torero, a fine authentic Spanish restaurant, you can eat tapas and drink Spanish wine or beer into the night.
Now a day for everyone!
Wear some sensible shoes and be prepared to tramp the streets and experience what
Norwich can offer.
Off to the
castle where you have to go on the battlements and dungeons tour. First you go to the top of the castle where you can see the whole of Norwich in miniature and then you are taken into the depths of the dungeons where there are torture instruments, death heads, and dark dank dungeons. They even turn the light off so you can experience what it would have been like to be a prisoner in the middle ages.
After the tour take some time to look round the exhibitions in the castle – there are some really interesting things as well as some stuff which is just quite frankly ‘odd’.
After all that walking make a visit to
The Waffle House where you can get a savoury or sweet waffle and a drink. Then head off around the city to have a look at the shops and book a ticket for the theatre for later. For dinner why not try something different – head off to the
Belgian Monk and sample some of their mussels. After the theatre try and get a seat in
Marzanos at the
Forum and watch the world go by.
Anne - Marketing and Web Exec, VisitNorwich
My favourite evening out is enjoying a performance at the
Norwich Castle Gardens open-air theatre. On a warm balmy evening there is absolutely nothing better! We take a few nibbles and some mini bottles of cava (don't forget the straws) and then sit back to enjoy the evenings entertainment. The atmosphere is fantastic and whether you do this on your own or with friends it's a fabulous summer evening treat.
Afterwards we take a walk down to
Tombland for some alfresco drinks and dinner.
Clare - Head of Marketing, VisitNorwich
My personal recommendation has to be a visit to the lovely village of Ranworth. I enjoy taking time out to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this popular spot in the Norfolk Broads.
I always make sure I pop into the tourist information centre to pick up a copy of The Broadcaster – an annual guide to what’s going on in the Broads – essential reading as there is always something new to discover.
From here, I like to take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk following the nature trail through the woodland and fen to open water and to the conservation visitor centre which is floating on a pontoon on Ranworth Broad. For any keen photographers, this is a perfect area to capture the essence and beauty of the Norfolk Broads.
The, I always save the best bit till last, a visit to St Helen’s Church, Ranworth. Dating back to 1370, the church is known as the Cathedral of the Broads. It has some splendid old woodwork, including a painted rood-screen, one of the finest in the country. There is a glorious view from the top of the church tower across the Broads – it takes my breath away every time. But be warned, the climb to the top up the winding steps is dark, damp, steep and very narrow – not for the faint-hearted.
From here, head along the country lane to the next village of Woodbastwick and to the Fur and Feather Inn – one of my favourite places to stop for a drink or for a tempting meal. It's a beautiful setting to eat or drink - a thatched pub, in one of Broadland's prettiest villages.
The atmosphere is as traditional as the setting, friendly staff behind the oak-topped bar, and the day's newspapers on top of it. A welcoming fire (in winter) and definitely no television, juke box or pool table. Next door is Woodforde's brewery and the Fur and Feather serves their award winning ales straight from the cask. A fabulous few hours out and about.
Mike - Managing Director, VisitNorwich
I have twin boys aged 5 and half, so the opening of
BeWILDerwood, the fantastic new treehouse adventure park between Wroxham and Horning has been a huge hit - Tim and Sam can’t get enough of all those thrilling ropeways, slides and zip-wires! Wheeee!
We also have a young black Labrador, Ollie, and one of our favourite walks is the 2.5 mile trail around Whittlingham Broad at Trowse on the edge of the city. The boys go round on their bikes while my wife and I try and keep up with them and the dog!
Whittlingham provides a real slice of the Broads right on the city’s doorstep – there’s wonderful birdlife on the water, a fascinating visitor centre, the beautiful setting of the country park and a terrific watersports centre where you can have lessons in sailing, windsurfing and canoeing or hire craft to use yourself. Great spot for picnics too.
When the weather’s not so good we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to entertaining two youngsters. The boys love the
Norwich Puppet Theatre which presents lots of workshops for young children, especially during the school holidays, and the
Castle Museum is also a great place for kids’ activities – not to mention an insight into Norwich’s remarkable history.
We have some marvellous gastro pubs in the Norwich area and with a young family one of our favourites is the Fur and Feathers at Woodbastwick. As well as good wholesome home cooking, you can enjoy an excellent pint of Woodforde’s Ales straight from the barrel - the pub is also home to this award winning independent Norfolk brewery. Only trouble is, some one has to drive home!
Here are some other ideas on how to spend your days and nights in and around Norwich.
Tke a beautiful stroll along the river in Norwich leading through into the Cathedral grounds. During the hot summer months there is nothing nicer than taking a gentle walk in the evening, working up an appetite for dinner.
From the Cathedral head towards historic Tombland which comes alive in the evening with its bustling restaurants and bars and has a real continental feel about it. There are so many restaurants to choose from you will always find one that appleals and eating al fresco is always a treat.
Go for a walk around Earlham Park and University Broad, taking in the
Sainsbury Centre Gallery and tea room. Start at the Sportspark, walk across the open parkland, through the bluebell woods and come out next to the
Sainsbury Centre. Check out the gallery and have tea. Finish with a circuit of University Broad and back to the start. For a longer version, begin in Eaton Park.
Cycle along the
Marriott’s Way from the centre of the city out to Reepham. Don't forget to stop at the station tea shop and check out the station shop full of bohemian-type furniture, floaty fabrics, candles and other homeware (take a bike bag just in case you make a purchase). Cycle back.
Take a walk around
Blicking Hall parkland. You don't need to pay for entry to the house or gardens to enjoy the parkland. Walk around the lake and down through the bluebell woods at Itteringham, then back round to the house via the courtyard tea rooms, mini garden centre and Samphire shop full of delicious goodies. The parkland is also good for picnics and sports – lots of shady trees to escape that intense summer sun.
Read more for picnic recipes.
Spend a really lovely evening in
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens in South Walsham. It is incredibly peaceful, just what you want after a really frantic day in the office.
The gardens are open in the evenings during the summer (Wednesday and Thursday nights) until 9pm. What's more they also welcome well-behaved dogs - (admission fee is 50p including a doggy bag just in case nature calls!).
Pack a picnic dinner and enjoyd dinner a deux with the dog overlooking the private Broad. Count glistening dragonflies flashing past the picnic table and watch as Terns dive for their dinner.
Spend the evening sitting out in the lovely green garden of
RARE, the new grill and steakhouse at the
Georgian House Hotel on Unthank Road. It's so peaceful you wouldn’t guess how close to the city centre you are. The patio is in just the right spot to enjoy the early evening sun (yes, sun!) and after a busy day it is wonderful to unwind over a glass of perfectly chilled white wine. Have dinner afterwards in the stylish new dining room. The combination of a sunny evening, good company and excellent food makes it a great place to spend a summer's evening.