Discover the Norfolk Broads
A guide to 10 great days out around the Norfolk Broads compiled with local knowledge
Discover the Norfolk Broads - A guide to 10 great days out around the Norfolk Broads compiled with local knowledge
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Day Four: Living Landscape - Market Day in Broadland - Trinity Broads

While the Broads is known as an area of water and wildlife, it is also inextricably linked to the towns and villages dotted throughout the area. Indeed, the Broads themselves were man-made, and have to be maintained by man on an ongoing basis otherwise they would revert back to woodland over a period of around 25 years. This day is designed to provide an insight into the communities living and working in the Broads National Park, while also enabling you to explore some of the less well known stretches of water, the Trinity Broads. Our suggestions will take you to market day in a modern Broadland village; lunch at an independent, locally-owned Broad-side restaurant; followed by an afternoon exploring the peaceful Trinity Broads by rowing boat.

Start : Acle leisure centre car park
Ordnance Survey Landranger map 134; grid reference TG402107

•   Drive to Acle and park, for free, at the leisure centre, before strolling through this typical Broadland village, past the church and Budgens supermarket, to Horners auction yard.

•   OR, for a more environmentally friendly option, you can catch a train to Acle from either Norwich or Great Yarmouth, with the station only a short walk from the auction yard and the village.

•   Thursday is market day in Acle, starting around 10am, with viewing allowed earlier in the morning, and the combination of the varied stalls selling local produce and the auction conducted by Horners provides a vibrant taste of life in a modern Broadland village.

•   After your visit to the market, either drive along the A1064 towards Caister, or in the summer months, catch the circular village bus service run by Our Hire, stopping at Filby Bridge. On the way, you will cross the River Bure at Acle Bridge. The old bridge, which was replaced many years ago, was the scene of many grisly executions in olden times, with the unfortunate criminals left to rot, hanging from the bridge itself. The bridge’s reputation for being haunted is well-deserved!

•   Filby is a fine example of how small communities can survive and thrive. Located along the A1064, the village supports two pubs, a family-run restaurant and tearoom (serving the best Eccles cakes in the Broads!), centred around the village shop and post office run by the Thompson family, which provides a wide range of services for the local community. The Thompson family also help to co-ordinate the village’s entry into the national and regional Village in Bloom competition, won on several occasions. If you are lucky enough to visit during the spring and summer, take some time to linger in the village and experience the riot of colour spread along the main village road.

•   Back at Filby Bridge, you can enjoy lunch at the restaurant, with its lovely views over Filby Broad. In the afternoon, why not hire a rowing boat to enjoy one of the most peaceful stretches of water in the Broads. This is because the Trinity Broads, as Filby, Rollesby and Ormesby Broads are known, are no longer connected to the main waterways system for navigation purposes, with the result that there are no hire craft on the water here.

•   These Broads are also ideal for fishing enthusiasts, either out on the water or from the recently built fishing platforms incorporating disabled access at Filby, with parking located just to the west of the Broad on the A1064. You can explore south on Filby Broad under the road bridge, or north into Rollesby Broad (and the small Lily Broad, inaccessible by any other means).

•   On the north shore of Filby Broad, you can even moor up for a pint at the Eels Foot Inn, located right on the Broads edge. Sunsets from these Broads can be magnificent, and we can think of no better way to end a day exploring the Broads than paddling gently back to Filby across the water, with the sun slipping down over the horizon.

Useful Norfolk Broads Contacts

Below you will find suggestions for accommodation, activities, attractions, food & drink and shopping.  All useful contacts while visiting the Norfolk Broads.

Accommodation

Activities

Attractions

Food and Drink

Shopping


Sutton Staithe Hotel

Sutton Staithe Hotel is located yards from the River Ant in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. The Hotel boasts thirteen fully en-suite letting rooms all with internet access and Satellite television. Special offers can be found on our website.


Stalham Circular Walk

There is an attractive 5 mile circular walk around Stalham and the surrounding countryside. The town itself is interesting, with many Georgian buildings and an inn dating from 1380. The walk goes past todays holiday boatyards, as well as the old staithe.


BeWILDerwood

A huge forest of wild family fun and adventure. Treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, mysterious marsh walks and really yummy food.


Sutton Staithe Hotel

Sutton Staithe Hotel is located yards from the River Ant in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. The Hotel boasts thirteen fully en-suite letting rooms all with internet access and Satellite television. Special offers can be found on our website.


Linda H. Matthews Artist

Working artists studio & gallery, in the beautiful northern broads. Paintings & gifts from Lindas work. Also offering structured painting courses and private tuition, for individuals & groups, with an experienced tutor & art materials for sale

 
Day One Gateway to the Norfolk Broads - Wroxham
Day Two Hidden Heart of the Norfolk Broads - Picturesque Ranworth
Day Three Conservation in action - Salhouse and Cockshoot Broads
Day Four Living Landscape - Market Day in Broadland/Trinity Broads
Day Five Weaving, Potting & Bittern Spotting - Hickling Broad & Sutton
Day Six The Norfolk Broads Canoe Safari
Day Seven The Perfect Picnic - Cycling tour to How Hill
Day Eight Fringe benefits - Explore the Norfolk Broads coastal fringe on foot
Day Nine Our vanishing coastline – A range of perspectives
Day Ten Sail from Ludham, Gather from Horning
  Rainy Days

"Mardle is an old Norfolk term for a chat or gossip about the day's happenings, so why not mardle over a pint of Mardler's?"

TOP TIPS
1. Choose a Thursday for this trip, as the market and auction at Acle only operates on this day each week
2. As you walk to the market, remember to check bus times at the stop outside the King’s Head public house in the centre of the village
3. In high season it is advisable to telephone Filby Bridge Restaurant in advance and pre-book your lunch and rowing boat
4. There is free parking at Acle next to the leisure centre, and at Filby Bridge Restaurant for customers


Each of the days suggested on this website are covered by the OS Map, Landranger 134

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Discover the Norfolk Broads - A guide to 10 great days out around the Norfolk Broads compiled with local knowledge