The local village of Loddon has something for everyone, from pubs and restaurants to river trips and wildlife walks. While 20 minutes by car will find you in the cathedral city of Norwich, with shops, restaurants and museums. Close by are the historic towns of Beccles and Bungay and within easy reach is the Suffolk coast and the picturesque town of Southwold, home of the famous Adnams brewery. The RSPB bird reserves at Minsmere and Titchwell are both within reach, while other local reserves such as Strumpshaw, Wheatfen and Hickling offer excellent opportunities to see local wildlife.

Google Map

In the immediate area, Loddon has a great deal to offer – boat hire is available from Loddon staithe with access to the river and broads network. Horse riding, walking and cycling are also available and the Wherryman’s Way, a 35 mile recreational route, is close by. Hales Hall is nearby, with its medieval barn and specialist plant nursery. Norfolk and Suffolk are renowned for their beaches with beautiful sand, shingle and dunes. The region boasts several Blue Flag beaches including Lowestoft, Gorleston and Southwold, while further a field there is Dunwich Beach and Heath.

The historic market towns of Beccles and Bungay are less than 10 miles away. Both are on the beautiful river Waveney and offer a range of local shops, museums and attractions. Bungay has a market on Thursday and bustling street fairs for keen gardeners in the summer and festive Christmas shopping in the winter. Somerleyton Hall is a stunning example of a Tudor/Jacobean stately home and the hall and gardens are open to the public. Raveningham Hall has gardens open to the public including 18th century walled garden, Victorian conservatory, herbaceous borders and unusual plant species. Fairhaven Garden Trust at South Walsham has woodland and water gardens and a private broad.

Great Yarmouth, famous for the traditional sea-side holiday, as well as the fun fair and kiss-me-quick hat image has several museums including Time and Tide and the Elizabethan House and a Race Course holding regular meetings. Some of the other attractions worth a visit include Pleasurewood Hills near Lowestoft – with white knuckle rides and animal shows; Bewilderwood near Wroxham – treehouse adventure, Banham Zoo and the new giraffe house, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve and Gardens – home of this year’s Spring Watch and Africa Alive near Lowestoft – big African game set in a coastland park.

Raveningham Gardens
www.raveningham.com

Visit Norfolk information
www.visitnorfolk.co.uk

Norfolk Broads Wildlife Information
www.norfolkbroads.com/leisure/wildlife

Somerleyton Hall
www.somerleyton.co.uk