Our First Ever Norfolk Broads Walking Break – Trip Report
Our first visit to the Norfolk Broads as a Large Outdoors walking break took place in October 2025 — a fully car-free weekend designed around steady walking, relaxed company and exploring one of England’s most distinctive landscapes.
A stormy forecast kept us on our toes, but we were lucky enough to miss the worst of the weather and still enjoy two great days of walking, wildlife and sociable time together.
A Warm Welcome in Norwich
We based ourselves on the outskirts of Norwich, giving everyone an easy car-free arrival and the chance to settle in before the walking began. Friday evening was a relaxed affair: a good meal at the hotel, plenty of conversation and time to get to know one another.
As always, a friendly mix of solo travellers, couples and small groups joined the trip, and by the end of the evening the group felt well and truly connected — exactly what our weekends are all about.
Saturday: Broadland Countryside, Coastal Paths and Hundreds of Seals
Saturday’s plan took us deep into the quiet countryside around National Trust Horsey Windpump. The building was closed due to the weather forecast, but conditions turned out to be far gentler than predicted. With breezy fresh air and wide skies, we set out through classic Broadland scenery — open fields, grazing marsh and the first hints of the Norfolk reeds that define the area.
From here, we made our way to the coast and onto Horsey Gap, a stretch of beach known for one of the UK’s largest grey seal colonies. Even though it was a little early for pups, we were treated to the unforgettable sight of hundreds of adult seals hauled out on the sand. Some rested quietly, others shuffled their way across the beach, and plenty lounged contentedly just above the surf line. Seeing so many at once — all wild, protected and undisturbed — was a real highlight of the weekend.
After leaving the beach, we began making our way back towards Horsey Windpump, but the group energy was unanimous: we needed tea and cake. Cue Poppylands 1940s Tea Room — a wonderfully quirky café filled with wartime memorabilia, vintage décor and decorations from floor to ceiling. It’s a real slice of 1940s nostalgia, and their cakes and brews certainly hit the spot.
We returned to the hotel with time to freshen up before meeting in the bar for pre-dinner drinks. The evening meal was at the Ferry House, a well-known riverside pub in Surlingham. With its warm welcome, proper pub food and relaxed atmosphere, it proved to be a great choice for our first Norfolk Broads weekend.
Sunday: Reedbeds, Riverbanks and Classic Broads Scenery
Our original route had to change after weather warnings closed a nearby reserve, but once again, luck was on our side. Sunday’s conditions were far better than expected, and we enjoyed a peaceful, steady walk along the River Ant.
Starting from Ludham Bridge, we followed paths alongside marshes, reedbeds and wide-open embankments — exactly the image many people picture when they think of the Norfolk Broads. The pace was gentle, the views were expansive, and the group really settled into the calm rhythm of the day.
A short detour took us to the Toad Hole Cottage Museum, a small but fascinating former marshman’s cottage cared for by the Broads Authority. It offers a glimpse into the lives of families who lived and worked on the water — eel catching, reed cutting and maintaining the waterways. Even a brief visit gave us a real sense of the area’s human history.
If this trip has inspired you to join us in the Broads, you can sign up for our next Norfolk walking break here:
https://www.largeoutdoors.com/norfolk-broads-walking-break
Or explore all our upcoming trips in Norfolk and the Broads:
https://www.largeoutdoors.com/norfolk-the-broads
