Norfolk's most famous destination is the Norfolk Broads, a national park with more than 125 miles of waterways weaving through beautiful landscapes, twisted woodlands and charming villages. Boasting fabulous beaches, fun family attractions and lots of dog-friendly holiday cottages to rent, this is a great place to escape from everyday life.
If you love being on the water and want to take your four-legged friend along for the ride, then the Norfolk Broads is the perfect place for a special staycation. You can spend days aboard a boat chugging along the watercourses and channels. Take a lunch break at a charming riverside pub or dock in a bustling town for the night. Alternatively, you could hire a day boat or hop on an organised boat trip.
If you're looking for something to do to keep the family and the pooch happy, we've rounded up some of the best dog-friendly attractions in the Norfolk Broads. All that's left for you to do is decide whether you want to stay in a cosy cottage with an enclosed garden for Fido, or splash out on a rambling farmhouse with its own private hot tub!
Pooch-friendly attractions in the Norfolk Broads
Horsey Beach
Best for: Paddling and wildlife spotting
Horsey Beach is a wild, unspoilt stretch of golden sand which attracts hundreds of seals each year. It's a great place for walking, paddling and playing fetch, and is just a short distance from the Norfolk Broads. Dogs are welcome all year round but owners should be cautious during pupping season (November to January). Keep dogs on the lead, under control and away from the seals at this time.
Great Yarmouth
Best for: A day out at the seaside
The seaside resort of Great Yarmouth is just a short drive from the heart of the Broads. The bustling town offers plenty of fun activities and attractions for the whole family including adventure golf, bowling alleys, the SeaLife Centre, a model village, the Pleasure Beach and lots of cafes, tearooms and restaurants. Sit on the promenade, tuck into fish and chips, shop for sweets or take in one of the town's many museums.
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens
Best for: Beautiful woodlands and whimsical woods
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens is a pet-friendly haven for wildlife enthusiasts with 130 acres of wild woodland and beautiful gardens, and almost four miles of pathways to explore. Daily boat trips run on the private waterway between April and October. Dogs on leads are welcome but the terms of service do suggest a small charge.
Bure Valley Railway
Best for: Sightseeing in style
Enjoy an 18-mile round trip on the Bure Valley Railway steam train from Aylsham to Wroxham and back again. The railway follows the River Bure through pastures and the villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. Dogs are welcome to hop on board or can stretch their paws following a footpath that runs alongside the track.
Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve
Best for: Immersing yourself in nature
Carlton Marshes is a 233-hectare nature reserve in the Waveney Valley, at the southern tip of the Norfolk Broads. The reserve's marshlands, fens, pools, meadows and scrubland are home to countless species including dragonflies, water vole, birds of prey and the rare Fen Raft Spider. Entry is free and dogs are welcome to explore the site's walking trails if kept on the lead.
