Travel to the Broads

There are good links to the Broads of Norfolk and Suffolk whatever means of travel you choose to take – road, rail, boat or air – and once you get here it’s simple to get around. Find all the details you’ll need here about travelling to the Broads

Land – train, car, coach

Access to the Broads is easy however you choose to travel. National Express operates a train service between Norwich and London. There are also connecting services from the Midlands, the north and Scotland via Peterborough. National Express also operates daily coach services from all major cities to Norwich.

Train

National Express operates a half-hourly train service between Norwich and London Liverpool Street with local connecting services within East Anglia. Average journey time from London 1 hour 50 minutes. There are connecting services from the Midlands, the North of England and Scotland via Peterborough.

Local Broads stations are located at: Acle, Beccles, Berney Arms, Brundall, Brundall Gardens, Buckenham, Cantley, Great Yarmouth, Haddiscoe, Hoveton and Wroxham, Lingwood, Lowestoft, Norwich, Oulton Broad, Reedham, Salhouse, Somerleyton and Worstead.

Contacts:National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com National Express 08705 808080 www.nationalexpress.com London Midland www.londonmidland.com For northern Broads and north Norfolk www.bitternline.com For central and southern Broads, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft www.wherrylines.org.uk

Bure Valley Railway

Narrow gauge steam trains from Hoveton/Wroxham to Aylsham with wheelchair accessible carriages tel 01263 733858 info@bvrw.co.uk www.bvrw.co.uk

Car

Major trunk roads to the Broads are the M11, A11, A12, A140 and A14 from London, the South East of England, ferry ports and the Channel Tunnel.

The A14, A11, A47, A17 and A1 serve the Midlands and the North.

Coach

There are daily services from all major cities to Norwich operated by National Express, which also operates regular connections from Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

National Express 08705 808080 www.nationalexpress.com

Bus

Number 54 offers a regular service Monday to Saturday (first bus 8.32, last bus 18.17) from Norwich (Castle Meadow, stand B) taking in the picturesque route through Rackheath, Hoveton, Horning, Ludham and Catfield to Stalham. tel Traveline, 0871 200 2233.

Acle Flexibus - please telephone and pre-book - 01493 752223. For local bus information contact Traveline 0871 200 2233 www.travelineeastanglia.org.uk

Car parks

There are many car parks around the Broads from where you can access the water. The Broads Authority manages free parking at locations including Barton, Filby, How Hill, Ranworth, Herringfleet Hills, Stanley Hills and Sutton Staithe and Rockland Staithe

Coach parks

The city of Norwich and most of Norfolk and Suffolk’s market towns have parking suitable for coaches and/or drop off points. Detailed town and city centre maps and route maps are available from Tourist Information Centres. Many attractions in the Broads also have facilities for coach parking but it is advisable to ring ahead to check availability.

Boat – from Overseas

If you are bringing your own boat from overseas, you can access the Broads from either Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft. Great Yarmouth is a busy, commercial harbour with strong currents so entry needs to be timed carefully. You can contact the Port on Channel 12 who will advise any restrictions. Low bridges on Broads’ rivers may present restrictions for vessels with a high flybridge or unable to lower their masts. Access to the Broads from Lowestoft is available through Mutford Lock, again some size restrictions apply. The Broads Authority’s website has all the information you need to know.

Ferry

Contact:Stena Line 08705 707070 www.stenaline.co.uk DFDS Seaways 0870 5333000 www.dfds.co.uk

Air

Norwich is home to a major regional airport, Norwich International, with over 300 worldwide connections via Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam. Journey time from Norwich to Amsterdam 40 minutes (daily flights). London Stansted is within easy reach by road (85 miles).

Contact: Norwich International 01603 411923 www.norwichinternational.co.uk Stansted 01279 680500 www.stanstedairport.com

Travel in the Broads

Most towns and villages and many of the attractions featured can be reached by public transport, so why not leave the car behind and explore the Broads by bus and train? For more information about all the things that you can see and do by public transport contact the Broads Information Centres.