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The best bed and breakfasts in the Broads

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Now is the perfect time to book yourself a sneaky, out of season break!

As summer turns to Autumn and life begins to quieten down on the waterways of the Suffolk and Norfolk Broads, now is the perfect time to book yourself a sneaky, out of season break.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend hideaway or a few days with friends enjoying the great outdoors, a cosy B&B could be just the thing.

Staying in a Bed and Breakfast property offers all the charm and intimacy of a home from home, with someone else doing all the work. Start each day with a fabulous breakfast and get all the insider knowledge from your hosts on the best things to see and do in the area.

Here are our top suggestions for the best B&B breaks in the Broads National Park, all bringing their own unique charm.

Hoveton Hall

A large brown wooden double bed with white walls and white sheets. A red pillow is on the bed and a red lamp is on a wooden bed stand next to it
A cosy room at Hoveton

Soak up the beauty and atmosphere of Hoveton Hall. This fine Regency Hall was built between 1809-1812 and has been home to the Buxton family since 1946. Guests can enjoy a touch of elegance in the luxury accommodation while getting to know this lovely part of the Broads.

Hoveton Hall Estate covers 620 acres of parkland and gardens for visitors to explore and is surrounded by beautiful countryside, farmland and winding lanes making it the perfect place to unwind. If you’re looking to explore a little further afield, Hoveton Hall is only a few minutes from the villages of Hoveton and Wroxham, otherwise known as the capital of the Broads. Full of places to eat and shop, an abundance of day boats to hire and river trips to get you out on to the water, there’s plenty to keep you occupied.

Somerleyton Meadows

The frontage of a large, grand grey Georgian hall, a green climbing bush is situated around the door of the property and there is a white seating area with umbrellas just in front
The beautiful and grand surroundings of Somerleyton Meadows

This gorgeous Georgian house is set in beautiful grounds overlooking the Waveney Valley. A range of boutique accommodation offers you peace and tranquillity. Choose from the luxury suite with its king-sized bed or your own secluded shepherds hut and private wood-fired hot tub.

Somerleyton Meadows is only a short distance from the tip of Southern Broads and the historic market town of Beccles. Beccles is well known for its fascinating landmarks including the church tower, which at 97 feet tall offers spectacular views of the town and the Waveney Valley. Beccles has a wide range of cafés and restaurants serving excellent food. Don’t miss OakFired Award Winning Neapolitan pizza restaurant, one of only three in the UK accredited by the Azzociazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) Naples, to serve True Neapolitan Pizza.

Cotenham Barn

Exterior of a brown wood-cladded barn, with a grey path in the foreground and black umbrella parasol and seating area to the left
The gorgeous cladded exterior of Cotenham Barns

Set in 3 acres of beautiful gardens with a large pond and surrounding woodland, Cotenham Barn offers a relaxing, natural environment and the perfect base for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

There is a footpath leading across fields and country lanes to Ranworth. NWT Ranworth Broad is three hectares of wet grassland, alder carr and scrub with plenty to do for naturalists all year round. 20 minutes away you’ll find the beautiful beach at Winterton. Winterton Dunes Nature reserve is a birdwatchers delight and a haven for wildlife with tern and seal colonies in residence.

There’s a variety of accommodation on offer at Cottenham Barn, perfect for couples and larger groups. Choose from one of the recently converted barns or the stay in the Nook, where other than the occasional walker, your only companions are likely to be ducks, moorhen, rabbits and deer.

Swiss Cottage

A close up view of a white rendered cottage, a blue sign says 'Swiss Cottage' in script writing, with a phone number underneath reading '01493 866742', drain pipes to the right of the frontage are blue in colour and there are ornate blue patterns underneath the upstairs windows
Swiss Cottage is a great place to stay in Great Yarmouth

Experience all the quirkiness and charm of a traditional British seaside holiday in this Edwardian Guest House. Sitting on the quiet North Promenade, Swiss Cottage enjoys panoramic views across the Venetian waterways park towards the sea at Great Yarmouth.

Here you have the best of both worlds, everything you would expect from one of the UK's most popular seaside resorts; Great Yarmouth’s famous golden mile which runs between two fun-packed piers and 15 miles of stunning sandy beaches, and easy access Broads National Park.

The accommodation at Swiss Cottage is a mix of old and new, with period features and modern facilities.

The Moorhen

A street of thatched cottages, with a street stretching in to the distance, a white cottage is in the foreground and a red-bricked cottage is next door, other historic buildings are next to the cottage, and cars are parked outside
Picturesque views of Horning

Nestled in the heart of one of the Broads prettiest villages at Horning, The Moorhen Bed & Breakfast boast an enviable location a few feet from the river Bure. Here you can immerse yourself in Broadland life. Get out on the water in a canoe or day boat or explore the winding country lanes on two wheels. Bikes can be hired from Broadland Cycle Hire, who will deliver them straight to your door.

Just 5 minutes away, the twin villages of Wroxham and Hoveton sit either side of the meandering River Bure. Together known as the capital of the Broads, this community is the heart and hub of boating on the Norfolk Broads.

Dairy Barns

A large red brick barn and paved courtyard area, a sunny day with clear blue skies behind the barn
Dairy barns at Hickling

Experience a stay on a proper working farm, covering 360 acres of grazing marshes and arable land. The traditional Norfolk Farmhouse Breakfasts are known far and wide and made using locally sourced ingredients.

Dairy Barns has a range of luxury en-suite rooms and self-catering accommodation for you to choose from.  They are perfectly located between the Broads at Hickling with its glorious waterways and Nature Reserve and Sea-Palling beach. Known for its safe waters calmed by the man-made coastal defence reefs, Sea-Palling is perfect for paddling of any description. A few miles along the coast you’ll find Horsey Windpump. Climb to the top and take in the beautiful views of the Broadland countryside.

Waveney Inn

An outside pub beer garden, showing reflective glass tables/black wicker chairs on a concreted area in the foreground, with flat, light-brown fields in the distance on a cloudy day
The Waveney Inn is lucky to be surrounded by stunning countryside views

Part of Waveney River Centre in the Southern Broads and overlooking SWT Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, the Waveney Inn has 7 nautically themed rooms with huge king sized beds and their own en-suite shower room. After breakfast, jump on board the free ferry service that runs daily across the river to Carlton Marshes, where you will discover over 100 acres of beautiful Suffolk grazing marsh, fens & peat pools to explore via waymarked trails, along with a brand-new visitor centre. If you want to get out on the water by yourself and explore a little further, canoes, kayaks and day boats can be hired for the day or half day. Once back at base, the outdoor decking area offers a great place to sit and unwind with stunning views over the marshes and marina.

Discover lots of other great places to stay when you Visit the Broads.