Upper River Bure – Coltishall, Wroxham Hainford and Neatishead by car and bike

This Itinerary starts with a gentle cycle ride of approximately 8 miles, taking in three stops and lots to see along the way. Some of the route is on the road. Please take care as you may meet cars and other traffic along the way. 

Bikes for ages 8+ can be hired from Bure Valley Cycle Hire in Coltishall, for either a half or full day, but please do book in advance. You will have easy access to the Bure Valley Path, a 9-mile traffic free track running alongside the railway line. This is a shared path for bikes and pedestrians. A route map can be provided when collecting your bikes.

Steam trains operate regularly between the old market town of Aylsham and Wroxham. The Bure Valley Railway was built on the trackbed of part of the former Great Eastern Railway, the line runs through meadowland, ancient pastures and picturesque Broadland villages. The train ride from Wroxham to Aylsham takes about 45 minutes.

Once you have your cycle, follow the path from Coltishall station for just under 3 miles towards Hoveton and then continue into Wroxham.

In Wroxham, you’ll find plenty of places to get a bite to eat, watch the hustle and bustle of boats coming in and out, or do a bit of holiday shopping. The “World’s Largest Village Store”, Roys of Wroxham has been a family run business in Wroxham since 1895. Although Roys has stores throughout Norfolk and Suffolk, it is synonymous with Wroxham where the company was born. See if you can spot all five of Roys stores that are based here!

When you’re ready, jump back on two wheels and follow the Tunstead Road north out of Wroxham.  You’ll shortly arrive at Wroxham Barns, where there really is something for everyone. Chat to the talented makers in their craft studios or watch them while they work. Take the children to the funfair or visit Junior Farm where you can groom, cuddle and bottle-feed the animals. Before you leave, take a break in the award-winning restaurant or the Farmyard Café.

Leave Wroxham Barns and head back towards Coltishall, along Belaugh Lane. Make sure to spend time at Coltishall common which looks out on the River Bure and the marshes beyond. It’s ideal for either a picnic or visit one of the two local pubs situated just at the water’s edge. The houses here haven’t changed much since Flemish gables were the fashion and make for a welcome time warp for true quintessential relaxation. Head back to the cycle hire via the hamlet of St James.

Coltishall in the Summer

Choose from two options for the afternoon: the first is a short 15-minute car journey to Neatishead, home of the RAF Defence Radar Museum. The museum occupies the site of the world’s longest continuously operating radar station and tells the story of air defence and radar from 1935 to date. The museum is not open all year, so please check opening times before you visit.

The second option, if museums are not your thing, why not spend a couple of hours on the water and hire a self-drive day boat from Aldiss Boat Hire back in Wroxham/Hoveton? This will give you the opportunity to relax and take a peek at all of the pretty and quirky riverside properties that are synonymous with the area.

End your day out back in Wroxham with some entertainment on the water. On selected evenings during the summer Broads Tours run music cruises. Sit back, tap your feet to the music with a drink and enjoy the sunset. Pre-booking is essential for the evening cruises, so please check availability beforehand.