The Norfolk Broads

18/04/2026

🚤🌞 Fancy heading to the Horning Boat Show on 2nd May?
It’s a bit like a village fête… but boat‑related! 😉

The show is a great day out on the Broads, whether you’re a seasoned boater, new to life on the water, or just enjoy having a look around. Expect plenty of boats to admire, friendly chats, and lots of useful advice for anyone thinking about buying or upgrading a boat. ⚓👀

If you’re new to boating, it’s the perfect chance to learn more about what to consider — from size and layout to running costs and budget 💭💷🚤

And if you already know your stuff, it’s still a lovely way to spend a spring day by the river.

Curious, considering, or just fancy a wander?
It’s well worth a visit.

Now just a month until the 2026 Horning Boat Show on Saturday 2 May. Do come along to see boats both large & small on & off the water, chandlery, everything else for your boating or Broads holidays, classic cars & much more!

28/03/2026

If you are looking for an lovely day out over the Easter hols, or just to enjoy some Spring sunshine this weekend, Barnes Brinkcraft Dayboat Hire are open for the season with a new and improved site and more electric boats this year.

06/02/2026

With the sniff of sunshine in the air (sorry if I jinxed it) I am sure many of you can't wait to get out boating on the Broads. Lovely to hear that Barnes Brinkcraft day boat hire facilities are being enhanced at Hoveton. Such a fabulous way to spend the day!

🚤 Big news at Barnes Brinkcraft!
We’re investing and expanding our Hoveton day boat base with:
⚡ 12 brand new electric day boats
🚻 Improved customer facilities
🚗 More parking (yes, really!)

Our expanded site includes a larger reception area, new on-site toilets and upgraded customer facilities, all designed to make arriving, getting afloat and heading home at the end of the day simpler and more relaxed. Increased parking will also help take the stress out of busy summer days, meaning customers can start their adventure sooner.

As well as enhancing the customer experience we are adding to our existing electric fleet of day boats. Our electric boats have been very popular. All of our boats are easy to use, but the electric boats are a bit quieter, adding to the tranquillity of day exploring or fishing the Norfolk Broads.

Most of the new boats and facilities will be available from the start of the season, in March, with more boats joining as the season continues, once we have given them a Barnes Brinkcraft refresh!!

Additional staff have also been recruited to support the growing operation, ensuring customers receive a friendly welcome and plenty of help getting started.

We are very excited about giving our customers extra choice, convenience and comfort for 2026. We want to make enjoying the unique experience of the Broads easier, quicker, more accessible and more relaxed — especially on busy summer days.

Visit the Broads

01/11/2025

🎄Anyone looking for last Minute Christmas accommodation in Norfolk? Barnes Brinkcraft have had a cancellation in their Dog Friendly, Fishing Friendly accommodation, Spinnaker.
https://www.barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk/holiday-cottages/spinnaker/

24/10/2025

Fabulous news! Norfolk Wildlife Trust has bought Sotshole Broad, just south of Ransworth! 👏👏

We've just bought a new bit of land! 🥳

Sotshole Broad, just south of Ranworth, is a HAVEN for wildlife. Teal and water rail in wet woodland, kingfishers flashing across the Broad, bluebells in spring, and tawny owls hooting overhead! 🤗

This special place has been lovingly restored over decades by the late David Pooley and his family. Their care and dedication breathed life back into this site, and we’re so proud to carry their work forward, not just for wildlife in the Bure Valley, but for the local community and visitors who will get to enjoy their efforts too 💚

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this possible, including generous legacy gifts from Graham Churchyard and Peter Sinclair, and the Anglian Water Flourishing Environment Fund.

Peter Crook (South Walsham Parish Council) and our CEO, Eliot 📸

31/08/2025

So true!! This time of year does feel like a lovely lull when peace and quiet meets the delicious last of the summer sun.....

A fabulous time to be out on The Broads.

HEADS UP!! This week is the sweet spot of the year 😎 The best time to take advantage of the peace and quiet, whilst enjoying your pick of holiday accommodation and the last of the summer sun! ☀️☀️

This is a quiet week for us. Families have headed home to frantically buy last minute PE kits and dig out the school bags (hopefully without last years banana still in them....speaking from experience)! 🎒Whilst others are waiting until the coast is clear for a peaceful break.

Well, don't wait and miss the best bit! Call us and we'll get you a last minute break sorted in no time. 01603 782625

06/07/2025

🪶🪶What a lovely privilege, not just one but two lovely Kingfishers spotted on the rivers edge in Wroxham. Any keen bird spotters out there that can tell us more about these beauties??

27/06/2025

An osprey pair has hatched at least two chicks at Ranworth Broad and Marshes - which is the first successful breeding in centuries. Read more: https://share.google/AW8wRS1QW1Z7FdJ3G

Norfolk Wildlife Trust Great Yarmouth Mercury

An osprey pair has hatched at least two chicks at Ranworth Broad and Marshes - which is the first successful breeding in centuries.

18/06/2025

📸 Love Norfolk’s Nature? Great with a camera?

Norfolk Wildlife Trust 2025 Photo Competition is now open! 🌿🐦🦋
It’s free to enter, open to all ages, and you could win prizes 🎁 and feature in their 2026 calendar! 📅

✨ New mobile phone category too! 🤳
📍 Enter here: https://norfolkwt.uk/PhotoComp25
📢 Don’t forget to tag us—we’d love to see your snaps! 👀

Taken a photo of Norfolk's amazing nature recently? We want to see it! 📸

Our nature photography competition is open for entries - be in with the chance of winning amazing prizes, along with featuring in our 2026 calendar and exhibitions 🏆

The competition is free to enter and open to all ages. There'll be an Overall and Young Person winner, as well as a new Mobile Phone Photography category winner! 🤳

Enter at: https://norfolkwt.uk/PhotoComp25
Jon Bunting (April 2024 winner) 📷

04/05/2025

☀️ What could be better than a sunny day out on The Broads in an electric hire boat, complete with a toilet, hob, and kettle onboard? ☕🍳 That gets my vote!

It’s fantastic to see more eco-friendly electric boats cruising The Broads these days 🌿💚

Where are your favourite Spring days out on The Broads? 🌼🚤 Drop your must-visits in the comments below! 👇

Book a sunny family outing from £130 (half day) in our New Electric Picnic boat, Brinks Sun Charm (£180 full day).

Enjoy a spot of alfresco dining 🥪🍷, peaceful fishing, or make yourself a lovely brew☕ in the galley and kick back and relax on comfy seating. With a toilet onboard too, it is the perfect way to getaway from it all for the day.

• Silent run electric engine
• Upholstered cockpit for 7 persons (total includes babies and toddlers).
• Sink, Kettle and Hob.
• Toilet, Sink & cold running water (not potable).
• Foldaway canopy.
• Map & route planner provided.
• Free life jackets for all ages.
• Free car-parking (subject to availability)
• No experience needed.
• Max 7 persons for the day.