Farm Stay East Anglia

Aylsham and Broadland and The Norfolk Broads

An enjoyable way to explore some of this area is to use the Bure Valley Railway from Aylsham to Wroxham buying a combined rail & boat ticket which includes a 11/2 hour cruise on the Broads with bar & coffee on board. You can also hire a boat yourself for a few hours here or at Horning, or follow the Wildlife Water Trail at How Hill Nature Reserve (A1062 from Wroxham).

Do take time to explore this busy centre of the pleasure boat industry which boasts of having the biggest village store in the world to make classic countrywear which you can see being made in the workshop. A good place to eat here is the restaurant at The Greens. Just up the A140 is Alby Crafts with a wonderful display of crafts & 14 studio workshops set in a plantsman's garden of 4 acres featuring unusual plants, shrubs & a wild area. Again the tearoom is recommended. Another beautiful garden nearby is Mannington Hall which has an outstanding collection of heritage roses. There is also a Saxon church, Victorian Follies and country walks & trails.

Blickling Hall (National Trust), a Jacobean mansion, has a fine display of tapestries and furniture and beautiful gardens in a magnificent parkland setting. Walk through the park to enjoy the wildlife on the lake before having a bite to eat in the restaurant or the Buckinghamshire Arms.

If you like exploring the countryside on foot or by bike, this is a good area to get off the roads. Wolterton Park has marked trails, and an adventure playground, in 340 acres of historic parkland and do leave time to sample the food at the Saracens Head here.

We have mentioned the Bure Valley Railway where there is a 9 mile walk beside the line and you can relax on the train for the return journey. You can hire bikes at Reepham Station and ride along the Marriott, s way , a traffic free 26 miles from Aylsham to Norwich or get off the beaten track in Broadland - maps available.

We have several B&B and holiday cottages near Alysham and The Norfolk Broads at Aylsham, Spixworth,  Frettenham, Sloley, Great Plumstead, Ludham and Hickling

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