Wroxham is considered the Gateway to the Broads, where boating holidays began in the late-1800s. A bustling, pretty village on one bank of the River Bure.

An ideal holiday location at the centre of the broads – yet just 8-miles from the fine City of Norwich and 10-miles from Norfolk’s sandy beaches. 

Norfolk was primarily a farming county, but gathering by the rivers has always been popular. Hundreds of years ago, crowds would watch wherries sailing, packing and unloading. By the 1830s, there was a desire for faster sailing craft, with yacht and rowing races bringing regattas around the Broads. Bets would be wagered among busking musicians, and it generally became an event to eat, drink and be merry.

The railway arrived in 1844, making it easy to reach the Broads, and by the 1880’s new lines brought tourists from all over the country. Wroxham station was a popular alighting point because of its Broadland central location. The Victorian middle class loved dining by the water.

Fast trains made the working boats redundant, so they adapted their business to encourage day-trippers to stay longer and party on their vessels. Steamers converted from cargo to pleasure cruising.

Most villages had just one tiny shop. In 1899, the Roy brothers capitalised on this new opportunity by opening their ‘largest village shop in the world’ at Wroxham. Today Roy’s stores are all over Wroxham, expanding from yachting provisions and groceries, to toys and even a McDonald’s restaurant.

In the 20th-century hire boats really took off in Wroxham, attracting flocks of holidaymakers. In 1881 the population of Wroxham was just 374, today the village records about 1,500 citizens, but soars many times more in the summer.

• Wroxham Bridge – built in 1619, but originally much older than 400-years.

• Tourist Information centre along Station Road – open April 1st to October. Tel: 01603-782282.

• The Bure River – you MUST get out on the water to see the broads from its natural perspective. No excuses! Cruise boats are comfortable, safe, wheelchair friendly - and offer refreshments, bar, music and commentary. For schedule & booking click Broads Tours. 

For the more ambitious, I recommend hiring your own self-drive boat. Many are electric and anyone can drive. For more info go to Wroxham Boat Hire (internal link).

• Roy’s Department Store and supermarket opposite is a lifeline. Free parking at all Roys.

• Bure Valley Steam Railway – 9-miles of narrow-gauge to Aylsham (45-minutes ride), stopping at picturesque Broadland villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. To book click Bure Valley Railway. Combined steam train and boat tickets- details click here. There's also a Festive Express train in December with mince pies & Santa.

• Wroxham Park runs along the riverbank. Watch boats and an abundance of swans from outside seating at pubs and restaurants.

• Wroxham Broad and its sailing club is under a mile from the Peninsular. Turn left at the end of Staitheway Road and following The Avenue round to the right. There is a public slipway from the carpark, for canoeing or launching a small boat. Quieter than the river, and ideal for children. To download a canoeing guide there click Go Canoeing.

• Wroxham Barns: craft shops, like stained glass, jewellery, gifts, photography, Norfolk cider, and many other shops. More details here.

There are too many restaurants to individually list, but most are visible on foot, close to Wroxham Bridge. All Wroxham’s pubs offer food and free wifi, with some serving carvery and riverside seats. A few of the most noticeable eateries are:

• Many fish & chip shops & tea houses.

• Take-away is available from most cafes, with pizzas, Chinese & Indian in the centre of Wroxham.

• Liberty: newly-built contemporary cedarwood and glass restaurant on Wroxham Bridge, with in and out riverside dining. Picture on left. Claim 10% off arriving by bike!

• The Old Mill Café & Bar, riverside sitting along Norwich Road, Hoveton.

• The Station Smokehouse: sizzling steaks, burgers & ribs along Station Road, by Wroxham Railway Station.

• McDonalds inside Roy’s. For the not-so-young, Roy’s café beside, offers more traditional home-made tastes.