All Things Norfolk Directory - Entries tagged with Norfolk Broads

Delightful natural woodland and water garden with a private Broad. 

The Sensory Garden is the first thing you’ll see as you walk into Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden. It has been designed with our visually and mobility impaired customers in mind.

In spring the garden 'springs' into life again. The primroses come into flower along the Broads Walk and the woodland paths. In May the glorious sight of bluebells will delight you, and our spectacular candelabra primulas, together with azaleas and rhododendrons.

There's lots of activity among the water birds and if you are lucky you may see a flash of vivid blue as the kingfisher dives for its prey.

In Summer there are flowers and shrubs including hydrangeas – in particular along our Hydrangea Walk – foxgloves and many other wild flowers. Several varieties of butterflies can be seen on our butterfly path.

Autumn brings its own special pleasure, the glow of the golds, reds and browns of the trees as they shed their leaves. The stark contrast of bare branches in Winter has a different kind of beauty, and withering birds come to shelter in the broads.

In December you can buy Christmas trees, wreaths and gifts and Father Christmas will visit before Christmas with gifts for children.

Fairhaven has three miles of peaceful walks. Boat trips are available on our Private Broad and South Walsham Broad from Easter to the end of October, including trips to St Benet's Abbey.

There is a plant sales area which specialises in woodland and bog plants, a Gift Shop, small provisions shop and the Kingfisher Tearoom for breakfast (from 9.15am) morning coffees, lunches and afternoon teas, using the best of local produce. Free entry to tearoom, shop and plant sales.

Dogs welcome on leads (small charge for poop scoop).

2020 entry charges: adult £7.50, concessions £6.95, child £3.95 (under 4 free).  

Please note we close at 4pm in the winter.

The tearoom opens at 9.15am every day for breakfast (served until 12noon).

We open until 9pm on Wednesdays from May to the end of August.

The Bure Valley Railway is Norfolk’s longest Narrow Gauge Steam Railway and operates between the old market town of Aylsham and the bustling Broads towns of Wroxham and is within easy reach of Norwich and the coast.   It was built on the track bed of part of the former Great Eastern Railway and the nine mile line runs through a stretch of lovely, rural Norfolk, following the river Bure through meadowland and ancient pastures, stopping occasionally at small country villages.

Trains operate on a daily basis from the beginning of Easter to the end of October with special events throughout the year, including Santa and Mince Pie Specials.   The railway also offers a very popular boat train which gives the opportunity for a journey by steam followed by a cruise of the Norfolk Broads.   For those who would like to realise their childhood ambitions to be a train driver, Driver Experience Courses are available during the off-peak periods.

The railway’s facilities include an 80-seater café at Aylsham, which can provide everything from a cup of team to a full meal, a large souvenir and model railway shop.   The railway’s workshops are also based at Aylsham and often open to the public.   At Wroxham Station there is a gift shop and a large second-hand book shop with over 5,000 books run by the Friends of the Bure Valley Railway.  

All trains have special wheelchair accessible coaches and disabled toilet facilities at both Stations.  Free parking is also available at both Stations. We are also Dog Friendly.

If you want to create your own memory of your visit to Norfolk you can take part in one of Linda's painting workshops, offered all year round either at her studio, abroad or your own venue.

Having worked as a full time artist and tutor for over 15 years, Linda has studied Teaching Through Creative Practice & Process at the University of East Anglia.  Inspired by everything around her, she prefers the freedom of painting from life, en plein air, in the countryside of Norfolk, France and Morocco. As it evolves her work it is looser in style and brighter in colour  her philosophy is "Where ever you look there is something to paint".

Linda, writes for Leisure Painter Magazine, had work selected for exhibition at the Designer & Artists Copyright Society in London, has tutored for Artist & Illustrator Magazine, as well as her own workshops. Linda is an associate tutor at Flatford Mill and Epping Forest for the Field Studies Council and for Shades of France.

Hall Farm Cottages offer a wide range of high quality self-catering, bed and breakfast and holiday cottage accommodation in the Norfolk Broads. Our spacious Norfolk Broads Holiday Cottages are situated between the villages of Horning and Ludham a short drive from Wroxham, an ideal base for your holidays and exploring the North Norfolk Coast.

Our aim is to provide you with luxury accommodation at affordable prices in the heart of the broads. These holiday cottages provide disabled access, with dog friendly accommodation available upon request. There are also options if you are on holiday with the children, of any age. If you have a specific requirement please tell us, if we can’t help, we’ll know a man who can. The Hall Farm team will be pleased to help you anytime.

Our luxury self catering cottages include - WiFi Internet access available from your holiday cottage. - Spacious lounge with comfortable furniture and colour Flat Screen TV (Freeview). - Dining room with pine furniture. - Fully fitted kitchen with Microwave and Dishwasher. - Downstairs bedroom (twin or double) with roll-in en-suite shower room and WC. - One or two further bedrooms on first floor (twin or double). - Bathroom with shower and WC on first floor.

On your doorstep, just a stone’s throw away from your accommodation are pubs on the river, boat hire, shops, churches, fishing and an adventure playground to name but a few.. You can hire our holiday cottages for as little or as long as you desire.

Please feel free to contact us anytime. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Enjoy the only waterside Museum of Broadland life at the historic and picturesque Stalham Staithe.  We are family and dog friendly, have an accessible site, with a small café and picnic area.

So why visit?

• Superb displays using a variety of media telling the story of the Broads including Vikings!
• A cracking range of boats ranging from a water bicycle, an airborne lifeboat, racing yachts, punts to an ice yacht and loads more!
• Plenty to do for Children including our play boat, our steering boat and why not try out our new Ellis Eel trails for families!
• Displays of life on the Broads from marshmen, boatbuilders to holidaymakers and including life during the two World Wars.
• Sail back in time and watch Broads wildlife on board our Victorian steam boat, ‘Falcon' or on our electric accessible boat "Marsh Harrier"
• Take a hat selfie during your visit and share it online.
• Our lovely riverside setting is perfect for a picnic
• Free entry to our shop and cafe selling gifts, some great books plus hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice cream.

Don’t just take our word for it check out our Trip Advisor reviews and #makeitstalham 

2020 Opening times and admission prices:

Open from 25th March 2020 Sundays to Fridays until the beginning of November, 1000 – 1630.  Closed Saturdays.

Adult: £6, Children and Young People  (5-18): £2.00

Family Tickets available (see website for details)

All above tickets are valid for one year from purchase.

Twilight ticket (valid on day of purchase only and during last hour before closing): Adult: £2, Child: £1

Free admission to: Friends of the Museum, a Carer of a Disabled visitor, and members of the Museums Association (please show card).  Please note, we are not part of Norfolk Museums Service and cannot accept their pass card.

Steamboat trips 50 mins: Adult: £6.00, Child: £3.00; 30 mins: Adult: £4.50, Child: £2.50

Under fives free.  Well behaved dogs are welcome.