East Anglia rewards slow travel. The Norfolk Broads are a network of navigable rivers and lakes threading through a landscape that has not changed fundamentally in centuries — windmills, thatched villages, reed beds, and medieval churches visible from the water. The sights here are mostly gentle, but Blakeney Point and the city of Norwich justify a detour from anywhere on the network.
Blakeney Point National Nature Reserve
The tip of a four-mile shingle spit on the North Norfolk coast, managed by the National Trust, and home to one of England's most accessible grey seal colonies — around 3,000 individuals at peak season (November to January for pups). Boat trips run regularly from Morston and Blakeney quays; most operators can take you close enough to the seal haul-out beaches to photograph without disturbing the animals. From the water, the point is also a significant landmark for the Norfolk coastal passage — the buoyed channel into Blakeney Pit is navigationally interesting in its own right.
Blakeney Pit provides anchorage on the south side of the point in 2–3m, accessible from the coast passage. The village of Blakeney (accessible at high water up the creek) has a good pub at the White Horse.
Norwich Cathedral and the City
Norwich Cathedral — 11th century Norman, with the second-tallest spire in England after Salisbury — is one of the finest medieval buildings in Britain. The cloisters are among the best-preserved in the country; 400 carved roof bosses run the full length of the vaulted ceiling. Entry to the cathedral is free. The city around it repays wandering: Elm Hill (a cobbled medieval lane of timber-framed buildings), the Norwich Lanes, Norwich Castle (now a museum, entry around £12), and Colman's Mustard Shop on Bridewell Alley are all within 10 minutes of the cathedral.
By water: Norwich is accessible from the Broads via the River Wensum. Moor at Novi Sad Friendship Bridge pontoon (central Norwich) or at the yacht station at Foundry Bridge. Journey time from Wroxham by boat is 3–4 hours depending on current; train from Wroxham station takes 20 minutes.
Horsey Windpump and Horsey Mere
The National Trust's Horsey Windpump — a four-storey drainage windmill built in 1912 — stands at the head of Horsey Mere, the most remote of the open Broads. Climb the mill for views across the reed beds to the coast (less than a mile away but invisible at water level). Horsey is also one of the best places on the Broads to see cranes — reintroduced in the 1980s and now nesting here regularly. The staithe at Horsey has basic mooring alongside the mill.
Ranworth Broad and Floating Conservation Centre
Ranworth Broad is a National Nature Reserve — one of the few Broads where motorboats are restricted, keeping the water clear and the wildlife undisturbed. The Broads Authority's floating conservation centre is moored at the head of Ranworth Staithe and explains the ecology of the Broads in detail. Free entry. From the thatched church tower at St Helen's Ranworth (a 10-minute walk from the staithe), the view across the Broads — open water, reed beds, and the distant tower of Ranworth itself — is one of the finest in Norfolk.
Burgh Castle Roman Fort
Three sides of a 3rd-century Roman shore fort (Gariannonum) stand to their full height at the confluence of the rivers Waveney and Yare at the southern end of Breydon Water. The walls — 4.5m high in places, with projecting rounded bastions — are among the best-preserved Roman military architecture in Britain, and the setting above the marshes is atmospheric. Free access at all times; managed by English Heritage. Moor at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station and walk or take a bus south (3 miles), or approach from the river at Burgh Castle staithe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the best time to see grey seals at Blakeney Point?
A: November to January for newborn pups, when the colony is largest and most active. Year-round for adults hauled out on the beaches. Summer visits see fewer seals but the tern colony (several thousand sandwich, common, and little terns) is at its most spectacular from May to August.
Q: Can I moor overnight in Norwich city centre?
A: Yes — the Norwich Yacht Station at Novi Sad Friendship Bridge takes visiting boats (VHF 12). Book ahead in summer as berths are limited. The city is very walkable from the moorings.