Hickling Broad

Hickling Broad is the largest and wildest of the Norfolk Broads with an area of about 350 acres.

The Norfolk Wildlife Trust own Hickling Broad and maintain it as a nature reserve. It is home to many different species of animals, birds, butterflies and plant life.

The nature reserve provides a haven for birdwatchers who may see red shank, marsh harriers, snipe, bittern, ospreys, green shank and the rare spoonbill. Hickling is also the place to see rare dragonflies and the swallowtail butterfly which is the largest butterfly in Britain. It is not found anywhere else in the UK.

If you enjoy angling, you can expect some of the best pike fishing in the area. From time to time, wild Polish (known as Koniks) and Welsh ponies are allowed to graze the reserve.

For further information about the nature reserve, you can visit the information centre.

We can recommend the guided boat trip that runs from May to September (you need to book in advance). The trip lasts approximately two hours and visits bird hides and a 60ft tree tower that are inaccessible to the general public. They can be contacted on 01692 598276.