Here are our expert-recommended campsites and attractions in and around the Broads National Park
The Broads National Park is one of England's most popular national parks. The park is mainly located in Norfolk, England and covers an area of 117 square miles. It comprises over 60 open areas of water known as Broads, which were dug out of the underlying peat by the medieval monks who used it as fuel. These workings subsequently flooded to create the landscape that we see today. There are a total of 125 miles of navigable waterways within the park, including seven rivers.
Found in the East of England, The Broads is a lowland region characterised by fens, marshland and, of course, the broads themselves.
Like many of the UK's National Parks, The Broads have long attracted pleasure seekers. Tourism peaked in the mid-1800 with the arrival of the railways, and the area remains a firm favourite with holidaymakers of all ages.
Camping in Norfolk can be very popular in the high season, and with over 7 million visitors a year, we recommend booking well in advance, especially in the summer.
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Several other habitats within the park include woodland, heathland, grassland and farmland. The park is a haven for wildlife and an important habitat for many species of birds, mammals and insects. The fens of the park are also home to one of the largest populations of bitterns in the UK; its distinctive booming call can be heard from up to 2 kilometres away.
If you visit the Norfolk Broads with children, there are plenty of natural activities to keep them entertained, such as boat trips along the broads and birdwatching from the hides in the park. There are also plenty of places to walk or cycle through the park, including the National Trust's Blickling Hall or the picturesque village of Ludham.
From the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth to the Wildlife Gardens at Thrigby Hall, the Broads has something to entertain the entire family. The Wind Energy Museum re-opens in 2023 following refurbishment and will feature over 200 years of energy generation history with hands-on displays designed to inspire youngsters.
Norfolk Broads Caravan and Motorhome Club site is an open and tranquil holiday destination set amid the scenic Norfolk Broads. These combine over 200 miles of waterways with windmills, market towns and several lovely river settings in between. The site is a great option for dog owners, with a variety of walks to choose from nearby. The site is also only a short distance away from the attractive villages of Horning, Ludham and Potter Heigham, giving you easy access to all the conveniences you could wish for. The Norfolk countryside is great for exploring by bike and perfect for all abilities, with plenty of country lanes to explore - you can buy a guide to local routes from reception. The site has 111 mainly hardstanding pitches (some serviced) all with 16 amp electricity.
Set in the heart of the Broads National Park this is a spacious, high quality site where you can be sure of a warm welcome from the Lindsay family, who have lived in the Hall for many years. Clippesby offers the choice of pitching amongst the shady woodland, on the gently sloping lawns of the hall with colourful mature trees and shrubs or in a new area, The Meadow, which offers fully serviced pitches with hardstanding. The 110 touring pitches are well spaced and clearly numbered (80 have 10A electricity). Children can roam at will in safety, and parents can relax and unwind at this beautiful park.
This is a large caravan park alongside the sandy dunes bordering the sea. There are 270 reasonably level grassy pitches with 150 for touring, 90 with 10/16A electricity. About 30 touring pitches, open all season, are in the Long Beach site dotted amongst the static caravans close to all the main facilities. Most of the touring pitches are in the Hemsby Touring Park, a few hundred yards further inland and only open during school holidays and some Bank Holidays. Here there are two large grassy fields with little shade and many of these pitches are a long way from the toilet block and other facilities.
Scratby Hall Caravan Park is a touring caravan and tent site. The perfect base to explore the stunning countryside, beaches and Broads of Norfolk. It is situated in a secluded, rural setting on the outskirts of the coastal village of Scratby, Norfolk. The site is surrounded by arable farmland and is less than one mile from the nearest beach. It is the perfect holiday location to relax and reflect.
This family touring site has a pleasant atmosphere and visitors are given a warm and friendly welcome by the resident wardens. There are 70 level pitches with 16A electricity, 14 with hardstanding, and 10 pitches for tents, all arranged on well trimmed grass with tarmac access roads. There are some mature trees throughout the site providing shade to many of the pitches. Adjacent to the campsite is The Grange, a free house offering meals, beers and real ale, plus play equipment for children (open all year). The site owner also has a holiday campsite at Hemsby (4 miles) with its own wide sandy beach, which guests at The Grange are welcome to use. There is a little road noise from the bypass.
Grasmere Caravan Park in the Roman town of Caister is a quiet, family-run site which, whilst maintaining a personal and friendly service is looking somewhat tired. It is a quiet site, which doesn't offer on-site catering or entertainment, though there is a small children's play area. The site does make a suitable base for exploring the surrounding countryside, beach and Great Yarmouth along with the Broads and other local attractions.
Owned by the Parkdean Resorts group, these well established holiday parks (formerly Liffens Holiday Park and Welcome Holiday Centre) are in a semi-rural area on the edge of the Norfolk Broads within easy reach of Great Yarmouth.
Haven’s Wild Duck Holiday Park is a large welcoming holiday village with an area set aside for touring units. There is a wide range of activities on and off-site and the park is ideal for active families of all ages seeking a full on-site, all-day entertainment programme. There is a total of 636 pitches which includes 108 undelineated, grassy/stony pitches for touring. Irregularly arranged in pine woodland, some have shade and 90 have 15A electricity. An attractive wildlife-themed complex offers several shops, a restaurant, bar, entertainment room, electronic games room, plus indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The site is secluded despite its proximity to the town.
Set in the Norfolk Broads adjacent to the River Waveney, this site has something for everybody but will particularly suit those interested in boating. There are 14 mainly level, grass touring pitches all with 16A electric hook-up, plus 35 large tent pitches, many with electricity. The facilities are of the highest standard and include an indoor swimming pool complex with a café. There is a recently refurbished pub that serves local Adnams ales and locally sourced food. A games arcade for children (in the pub), a wildlife garden and an adventure play area will keep children busy. There is boat hire available and launching facilities for own boats. A foot ferry service is available across to the marshes, offering miles of rambling and wildlife watching in the wetlands.
Great Yarmouth Racecourse Caravan and Motorhome Club site is located in an excellent position next to the racecourse should you fancy a flutter and the famous 18-hole golf course offers hours of leisurely pleasure. The site is a mere 300 metres from the seafront, making it perfect for sunbathing in summer and long relaxing strolls. Also within the lively holiday resort of Yarmouth, visitors have access to a self-contained six-acre pleasure beach complete with countless traditional seaside attractions to delight both young and old. 108 grass pitches with 16amp electricity. Some seasonal. No arrivals on race days.
