Exploring Norfolk and the Broads by campervan

As the warmer weather approaches all thoughts turn to your next campervan adventure. The UK has some incredible places to visit so don’t overlook what’s on your doorstep. Take Norfolk and the famous Broads.

This beautiful part of the country offers everything you need for a great classic campervan adventure – golden beaches, quaint country villages, an abundance of wildlife, and much, much more.

Whether you’re planning a solo staycation, a trip with your partner or a family holiday, Norfolk and the Norfolk Broads is the place to head.

In this article we’ll cover what to see, where to stay and learn a little bit more about this fascinating area of the country.

With the right insurance for campervans in place to cover your trusty home on wheels, you’ll be heading for adventure in no time. Get a quick quote from the team at Lancaster today and you’ll soon be on your way.

Where is Norfolk and the Broads National Park?

Located in East Anglia in the East of the UK, Norfolk boasts 90 miles of unspoilt coastline and a pleasant climate that makes a holiday here a great idea at any time of year.

Here you’ll find the Broads National Park – Britain’s largest protected wetland. It’s an incredible man-made waterway with 125 miles of lock-free navigable waters.

Stretching across the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, the Broads are often referred to as the Northern and Southern Broads.

The northern ones being the Broads north of Great Yarmouth, and the southern Broads stretching down to Norwich and Beccles.

What can you do there?

Explore by train

Train enthusiasts should head straight to the Bure Valley Railway, a pretty little narrow-gauge steam railway running between Wroxham and Aylsham.

It’s an 18-mile round trip passing ancient meadowlands alongside the beautiful River Bure. The perfect afternoon adventure if you’re travelling with little ones.

If you’re visiting around Christmas time, they also run a special Festive Express with Santa himself!

Wander in the woodland at Fairhaven

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is the perfect place to escape the midday sun. Wildlife lovers will enjoy wandering around the peaceful 130-acre woodland while gardening enthusiasts will delight in the wild and cultivated planting around the site.

With almost four miles of pathways to explore, this is the perfect afternoon outing. Check to see if the bird hides, boat rides and tea rooms have reopened post-pandemic before your trip.

Get on your bike!

Explore the Broads on two wheels and cycle through many of the quaint villages, stopping for the odd pint along the way!

Make your final stop in Ranworth at St Helen’s Church to get a great view of the area from what’s known as the Cathedral of the Broads.

Remember that insurance for your campervan can cover theft of any contents – ask for details when you get a quote.

Discover the windmills

There are many windmills dotted around the Broads and you can find out more about their history and use at the Wind Energy Museum in Repps with Bastwick.

Discover the part windmills and wind power played in the evolution of drainage in this area, through working models, photos and stories in this interesting collection.

See the seals

Did you know that North Norfolk is home to England’s largest seal colony? Take a boat trip out to see the seals at Blakeney Point and marvel at these amazing and inquisitive creatures.

Have fun on the pier

Cromer’s award-winning Grade II listed Victorian pier boasts the last remaining end-of-the-pier variety theatre in Europe.

Shows are changing all the time, so take a look at the website to see what’s on during your trip.

With entertainment to rival that in the West End, make sure you pay a visit to this amazing spectacle. And even if you don’t catch a performance, the pier is said to offer some of the best crab fishing in Norfolk so don’t forget your net!

Spot some Royals

This part of the world is so beautiful it’s easy to see why the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have made one of their homes here.

Anmer Hall is part of the stunning Sandringham estate – the Queen’s country retreat and a must-visit for anyone interested in royal history.

All the ground rooms are open to the public and the lakes and formal gardens offer a pleasant place to rest your tired feet after all that exploring! Tickets to Sandringham should be pre-purchased via the website.

Do a spot of twitching

Norfolk really is a bird lover’s paradise. Grab your binoculars and head off to one of the reserves in Welney, Snettisham, Titchwell or Cley to try to spot one of the very elusive Bitterns.

Things to see and do in Norwich

Norwich has more history that you could shake a stick at. Based on the River Wensum, the city was an important medieval centre and it has retained many awe-inspiring buildings and points of interest from this time.

As well as the history, Norwich is a great place for shopping, taking in some culture and treating your taste buds at numerous cafes and restaurants.

Let’s look at some of the most unmissable sights in Norwich.

1. Norwich Cathedral

You can hardly miss the cathedral with its 315-foot spire – the highest in England after Salisbury Cathedral. Some parts of the building date back to 1297 and the interior is packed with fascinating tombs and architectural features. The area around the cathedral also has many historic buildings, including the Cathedral Quarters with many little shops and cafes.

2. Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery

This big Norman castle is built on a defensive mound and is now home to an extensive museum full of medieval weapons, glassware and ceramics. There is also an art gallery with some beautiful paintings by English and Dutch masters of the 17th and 18th centuries.

3. Tombland Alley

This historic site was once a marketplace in Anglo-Saxon times, and many features remain from those times. There are two huge town gates, a medieval deanery and access to Elm Hill, a charming street with many medieval houses. At one end is the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell, which features exhibits devoted to the history of handicrafts in Norfolk and a display of Queen Victoria’s silk shawls.

4. Theatre in Norwich

A trip to Norwich is not complete without an evening at the theatre. The city’s Norwich Theatre Royal is well known for hosting high quality touring shows, while the Maddermarket Theatre has an Elizabethan-style stage. Norwich Puppet Theatre is also well worth a look – housed in a Grade-I listed building, puppet shows will delight people of all ages.

5 fast facts about Norfolk

If you want to brush up on your Norfolk trivia before your trip, check out these fast facts:

1. Did you know that Norfolk has acted as a film location for many famous movies? The now disused Langham Airfield was used in the British classic The Dambusters, while the Broads acted as Asian paddy fields for the 1987 Hollywood blockbuster Full Metal Jacket.

2. The Broads themselves are actually man-made as a result of peat digging in the area. After flooding in the 14^th Century they were abandoned and left to nature.

3. Parts of the city of Norwich itself actually fall within the Broads National Park.

4. The largest Broads in the National Park are Barton Broad, Oulton Broad and Hickling Broad.

5. Lord Nelson was born in East Anglia and is believed to have learnt to sail right here in the Broads.

Norfolk’s dreamiest campervan sites

When it comes to places to park up in Norfolk, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

There is no shortage of campervan sites in the county, but make sure you have a checklist of your needs to help make the right choice: for example, some sites don’t allow dogs or offer laundry facilities.

Let’s look at some of the hottest campervan sites in Norfolk.

1. King’s Lynn Caravan and Camping Park

If you’re looking for a peaceful place to camp near the historic port town of King’s Lynn, this is the spot. Set in 10 acres of mature parkland, the site has great access (one mile to the Hardwick roundabout for the A47, A10, A149 and A17).

It’s a good base for exploring Norfolk and the fens, but it also has close amenities including pubs, a Tesco, Pizza Hut and Chinese restaurant. The Norfolk Arena is just one mile away with a packed schedule of sporting events.

2. Wild Duck Caravan Park

If you’re travelling with a family, you could not do better than this fun-packed campsite that boasts its own pool complex. Just a few miles from Great Yarmouth and the Broads, the site is ideally situated to combine sightseeing with chilled-out days by the pool.

Wild Duck is surrounded by mature woodlands, giving it a peaceful vibe. Swimming facilities include a heated indoor, outdoor and toddler pool, kids’ clubs and activities such as archery, trampolines, go-kart hire and mini ten pin bowling. There’s a shop and launderette onsite.

3. Waveney River Centre

Nestled in the southern Broads, this park is close to the long-distance Angles Way, the Wherry’s Way and offers moorings where you can hire out boats and canoes. All pitches have views over the water and electric hook-ups.

The site is achingly tranquil, and you can enjoy the surroundings knowing that you’re also minimising your impact on the environment.

The onsite pool is energy efficient and much of the energy used on site is generated by solar power. The site has even won awards for its green credentials.

4. Deepdale Camping

This North Norfolk campsite has space for 75 campervans in its five grassy paddocks. It’s right by the sea, with landscaping and hedging to help enhance the surroundings and provide additional privacy.

There’s a brand new wash block and laundry facility, a shop for groceries and helpful owners who can give you insights and tips on how to enjoy your trip to Norfolk.

5. Deers Glade Caravan Park

If rural is what you’re after, this is the perfect site. It’s located in a beautiful woodland clearing where you’ll feel in touch with nature, even though the city of Norwich is not far away.

Around the site there are tranquil countryside lanes where you can wander and soak up the atmosphere, or perhaps enjoy spotting wild deer.

This is a wonderful base for cycling, fishing, horse riding and walking and there’s even an onsite shop for your camping essentials.

Remember campervan insurance can help cover cycles and other camping accessories you take with you on your trip.

6. Clippesby Hall

This award-winning site has a choice of different areas, so you can opt to be snuggled into a wooded glen or base yourself on a wide-open lawn pitch.

The site is right next to the Norfolk Broads National Park and the Norfolk Coast, so every day can be a new water-related adventure. Great Yarmouth and Norwich are also on the doorstep.

There is a swimming pool, tennis courts, mini golf, bike hire and a coffee shop, bar and restaurant, making this an all-round great campsite.

7. Spring Farm Campsite

This campsite is ideal for those who want to get away from it all. Based in Shipdham, the site is pared-back but offers compost toilets, washing facilities, a shower room, chemical waste disposal and electric hook-ups.

The site is quiet and scenic, with a huge open sky filled with stars at night and the memorable sound of owls hooting from the surrounding trees.

The North Norfolk coast, Norfolk Broads and Norwich are all easy to reach, or you could just kick back and soak up the Norfolk atmosphere in footpaths that criss-cross the area.

Protect your Norfolk trip with campervan insurance

Don’t set off on your Norfolk adventure until you’re covered with the right campervan insurance.

The specialists at Lancaster can find cover for any make and model of campervan with benefits including:

• Motorhome Club member discounts
• Gas bottle and awning cover
• Limited mileage discounts

With optional breakdown cover and a 24-hour claims helpline, you can be sure we’re there to help if things go wrong.

Talk to the friendly team and get a quote for campervan insurance today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.