Sustainable Travel
Enjoy the Broads in ways that protect its wildlife, landscapes and tranquillity
The Broads is a living, breathing wetland — rich in species, sensitive to change, and shaped by centuries of human influence.
How we travel through it makes a real difference.
Sustainable travel helps protect habitats, reduces disturbance and allows visitors to experience the Broads at its very best.
This page highlights ways to move through the landscape lightly, respectfully and safely.
Travelling Sustainably around the Broads
Explore on Foot
Walking is one of the simplest, most rewarding ways to appreciate the Broads.
Using waymarked paths helps protect wildlife and reduces erosion, while offering peaceful views and a slower pace.
Explore on the Water
Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards offer a peaceful, environmentally gentle way to experience the Broads.
Moving slowly and quietly allows you to get close to wildlife, enjoy reflections on the water and see the landscape from a completely different perspective.
These smaller craft cause minimal disturbance when used responsibly, making them a wonderful way to explore the waterways with care.
Please ensure you follow the Broads Authority's safety guidance.
Lower-impact Boating
If you’re boating, travelling slowly, avoiding wildlife disturbance and following local navigation guidance helps protect the waterways for everyone.
Simple choices can significantly reduce wake impact and erosion.
Explore by Bike
Cycling allows you to travel quietly through lanes, marshes and villages while keeping your environmental impact low.
It’s an ideal way to link different viewpoints and explore further afield.
Public Transport Options
Where possible, using trains and buses reduces the number of cars in fragile rural areas.
Some Discovery Hubs are conveniently located near public transport, making it easy to start exploring sustainably.
View our guide to car-free access to the Broads
Please note: timetables, routes and accessibility can change, so it’s always worth checking with the relevant operator before travelling.
Leave No Trace
Protecting the Broads is a shared responsibility.
Key principles include:
-
take litter home
-
keep dogs under close control near wildlife
-
stick to paths and designated access points
-
avoid disturbing nesting birds and sensitive habitats
-
support local businesses
-
choose low-impact travel whenever possible
Small choices add up to big differences.