The Norfolk Broads

Featured Events

336 Friday 17 - Friday 24 May

Broads Outdoors FestivaI

There’s still time to catch the Broads Outdoors FestivaI, with events continuing until Sunday, including lots of opportunities to get out on the water. The festivaI guide is available from tourist information outlets in and around the Broads or go to www.outdoorsfestival.co.uk for full details of all events.

This Friday (17 May) and Saturday there are Walking Tours at Morse's Wind Engine Collection at Repps-with-Bastwick, 10am-2pm. Take a stroll along the riverbank to Thurne Windpump for a talk on the history of the mill and a chance to look inside. Wind permitting, you can see it turning. Return along country lanes to Morse's Wind Engine Park for a guided tour and working demonstration of this unique collection, followed by a strawberry cream tea. Tours cost £8.50 per person. Booking essential: 07796 407864. www.windengines.co.uk

For this Friday evening, 7pm onwards, there’s a Wherry Hathor Restoration Fundraising Event - a cheese and wine evening at How Hill Farm, Ludham. Wherry yacht Norada will be on view at the staithe and the How Hill Trust’s gardens will be open to explore. The evening costs £10, booking essential: Wherry Yacht Charter 01692 630674. www.wherryyachtcharter.org

Strumpshaw Fen Nature Reserve has two wildlife events this weekend. On Saturday Wake up to Wildlife runs 10am-3pm and offers a full day of wildlife activities for adults and older children, including guided walks, talks and workshops. Learn about birds, bees, moths, bats and much more of the fen’s amazing wildlife. Then on Sunday it’s Wild Family Sunday, 11am-3pm. Have a go at pond dipping, bug hunts, dissecting an owl pellet and a wildlife quiz trail through the woods. Booking essential for both events: RSPB 01603 715191, usual entry charges apply - £3.50 adult, £1.50 child, £7 family, RSPB members free. www.rspb.org.uk/strumpshawfen

Broads Tours at Wroxham has a special Boat Trip and Guided Walk on Saturday, 11am-2pm. Your journey will take you across Wroxham Broad and around Salhouse Broad as you cruise to Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail for a guided tour with the Natural England Warden. The boardwalk winds through a real Broads wilderness with wonderful sights and sounds. Listen to the noisy colony of nesting common terns, watch dragonflies gliding past and if you’re really lucky you may just catch sight of an otter before your return journey to Wroxham. The event costs £8 adult, £6.50 child, under 1s free. Booking essential: 01603 782207. www.broads.co.uk

On Saturday evening, take one of the Haunted River Tours in Norwich, leaving every half-hour from 7pm (last tour 9pm). From a candle-lit boat you’ll discover the frightening secrets that lay undisturbed beneath the streets of the historic city. Tours cost £7 for adults, £6 for concessions and £4 for children. Book at the Punt Station, Friars Quay or email info@norwichpunting.co.uk Information: 078 100 478 45. www.norwichpunting.co.uk

If you’d like to get out on the water on Sunday, take the Wherry Sailing from Salhouse to Wroxham. Sit back and relax on a beautiful 100-year-old wherry yacht as the skipper and crew transport you along the river in style. Learn a little about the history of wherries and their importance for the Broads. Complimentary hot and cold drinks are served and you are welcome to bring your own refreshments. Return land transport included. This afternoon sailing costs £15 per person. Booking essential: Wherry Yacht Charter 01603 781475. www.wherryyachtcharter.org

If you’d rather Let the Train Take the Strain on Sunday, head to Beccles Train Station, Station Road, Beccles to catch the 10.45 train from Beccles to Oulton Broad. Walk back along the Angles Way, with the River Waveney on one side and grazing marshes on the other. Buy your train ticket and the walk is free. Meet at Beccles Train Station. Book online at www.discoversuffolk.org.uk Information: 01473 264774.

Sunday is also the grand finale of the festival, with the Broads Green Boat and Tourism Show at Salhouse Broad, 10am-4pm. Find out about sustainable, ‘low carbon’ boating, green energy and environmentally friendly practices at this event for all the family, including young children. There’ll be a variety of stands with plenty of opportunities to get out on the water to experience 'green' boating. Free boat trips available: canoeing, sailing and electric boating. The entrance cost is £7 per car. If you arrive on foot or by bike, train or bus entrance is £1.50. Mooring costs £7 per boat and includes entrance. There’s even an electric water taxi from Wroxham to Salhouse for £8 return, including entrance. Free entry for all under 12s. Information: 01603 722775. www.greenboatandtourismshow.co.uk

You'll also find events in our free Broadcaster magazine, available from Hoveton Broads Information Centre, Toad Hole Cottage (How Hill, Ludham), Whitlingham Visitor Centre and Norwich Tourist Information Centre in the Forum.