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Related categories: Bicycle Routes in Norfolk.
Great ideas for discovering the best of the Broads by cycle
Use a cycle to explore the tranquil beauty and natural treasures of the wetland landscapes that make up the Broads – a unique area characterised by windmills, grazing marshes, boating scenes, vast skies, reedy waters and historic settlements. There are idyllically quiet lanes and virtually no hills.
If you're touring the Broads by boat, you can stop off for a while and hire bikes from several places by the water, and see some of the area's many other attractions.
Cycling in the Broads gets you to places public transport cannot reach, and you see much that you might well miss from a car or even a boat. It's also a healthy and environmentally friendly way of getting around.
The Broads by Bike network consists of nine circular rides exploring the northern Broads area from Wroxham, Ranworth and South Walsham along the River Bure, to Neatishead, Barton Turf and Dilham on the River Ant, with a lot more in between. There is even a stretch of the Network that reaches the coast, at Horsey, with its sand dunes and resident seal population.
The overall boundary route covers 58 miles, and with links to off-road routes connecting you with the Bure Valley Railway path and National Cycle Route 1 via North Walsham and Aylsham, the Broads by Bike network enables serious and leisure cyclists alike to plan a rewarding trip around this special part of Britain.
Bike hire is available from Broadland Cycle Hire at Bewilderwood near Horning, Clippesby Hall camping and touring park at Clippesby, Ludham Bridge Boat Services and Riverside Tea Rooms & Stores at Stokesby.
Shown below is a collection of 9 circular Broads By Bike cycle trails around the Northern Broads area, which have been developed by cyclists for cyclists. View Complete Area Map | Printable Area Map
An easy ride along quiet country lanes passing through the villages of Runham and Mautby. There is ample public car parking space in the village of Stokesby, where you can also fnd refreshments at the cafe or pub. Cycle hire is available at the village store/cafe. Why not extend your visit with the optional detour to Thrigby Wildlife Gardens not far of the main route?
A longer ride with some sections on slightly busier roads, so potentially unsuitable for younger children. An ideal ride to explore some of the many interesting churches to be seen in the Broads, with the route including those at Thurne, Repps, Martham, Somerton, Rollesby and Clippesby. With plenty of places to stop for refreshment, this is an ideal all-day ride, with public car parking available at Thurne and cycle hire available from Clippesby Hall.
A shorter ride, but with one section on a busier road, so potentially unsuitable for younger children. With public car parking available at Thurne and Filby, together with parking available at Clippesby Hall cycle hire centre and cofee shop, this ride can be started at many diferent points, and takes in the Trinity Broads and the River Thurne, with its easily recognisable mill an ideal picnic spot.
A medium length ride along quiet country lanes and ideal for a family picnic. The route crosses the River Thurne at Potter Heigham, a traditional and busy Broads boating centre, but then takes you into the peaceful countryside around How Hill nature reserve, managed by the Broads Authority. An ideal picnic site, there are also walking trails and boat trips (Apr. to Oct.) and a museum in Toad Hole Cottage. An optional spur leads to the historic ruins of St. Benet's Abbey on the River Bure. Car parking is available with permission at Clippesby Hall cycle hire centre and cofee shop.
A longer ride utilising part of the National Cycle Network along the coast between Somerton and Sea Palling, taking in Horsey Mill, owned and managed by the National Trust, and Waxham Barn, one of the largest barns in the county and now home to a museum of local life and crafts. With the opportunity to visit some stunning beaches and with plenty of refreshment stops, this ride is suitable for a full day of exploring.
A short ride along quiet country lanes, this ride is suitable for the whole family and includes visits to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve at Hickling Broad, home to many rare species of Broadland wildlife, and Sutton Mill, one of the tallest mills of its type in the country. You can also visit Sutton Pottery, a small studio and workshop.
A longer ride, with a variety of potential starting points, along quiet country lanes apart from the short section through Stalham. This ride takes in some of the most peaceful and least explored parts of the Broads, including an of-road section of the Weavers Way long distance path ofering the opportunity to visit the only lock in the Broads at Honing, together with the traditional weaving village of Worstead. You can also visit the Museum of the Broads from this route at Stalham Staithe.
A pleasant ride along quiet country lanes starting from the cycle hire centre at Bewilderwood and passing through the picturesque Broads villages of Neatishead and Barton Turf. Refreshments are available in Neatishead, and nearby there is also access to the boardwalk and viewing platform at Barton Broad, one of the Broads Authority's fagship projects for improving water quality in the Broads. You will pass the Radar Museum, Hoveton Hall Gardens and Wroxham Barns. This route also provides access to the Bure Valley cycle path to Aylsham.
A longer ride, mainly along quiet country lanes but with several short sections along busier roads. A tour of the villages on either side of the River Bure, this route provides a real taste of Broadland life, from the bustling boating centres of Horning and Wroxham, to the quieter, picturesque villages of Woodbastwick and Ranworth. There are plenty of refreshment stops and cycle hire is available at Ludham Bridge and Bewilderwood, ofering car-parking facilities. It is important to note this route includes the short ferry crossing from Horning village, which it is advisable to book. You can also visit Ranworth Broad Conservation Centre, Cockshoot Broad Nature Reserve, Woodfordes Woodbastwick Brewery, Fairhaven Gardens and St. Helens Church, Ranworth.
All information on this page has been reproduced with kind permission of The Bike Hire Association, and The Broads Authority. © 2006 - 2009
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