A boat in the Norfolk Broads (by Robert)

[caption id="attachment_2319" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Ready for the boat after donning our life jackets![/caption]

Robert, aged 10, writes:

After spending a few days in Norwich this half term we got into the car again and set off for Potter Heigham in Norfolk, about 20 miles away. It's in The Broads, a network of rivers and lakes in Norfolk and Suffolk. They aren't very deep and are known by some as a "magical waterland."

We arrived at a site run by Herbert Woods and were given the keys to our cottage at reception. When we opened the door to our new living space I was amazed by how great the rooms were. They were all big and extremely comfortable - you can see the cottage and more in the video I have made. Please take a look!

[kad_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22P9f4S3IPg" width=200 height=100 ]

We had two bedrooms; one had a large double bed while Jess and I had separate single beds. Both rooms had a wardrobe, table and chair plus a bedside table.  We had a lovely kitchen with lots of surface space and it was equipped with cooking utensils and crockery as well as a fridge, freezer, microwave, washing machine and other useful appliances. The living room had a TV and DVD player, and like the kitchen had a wonderful view of the river. Finally the cottage had a nice bathroom with a good shower plus a wooden veranda on the water’s edge. We were very excited when we saw some boats and swans go by.

[caption id="attachment_2320" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Jess on the veranda of Broadlands, our cottage at Herbert Woods[/caption]

After we had briefly unpacked we got back into the car and drove for around 10 minutes all the way to the sea. We got out in the car park at Horsey beach and walked for about 20 minutes until we got onto the sand to be greeted by loads of seals.(click here for mum’s post) We had a lovely time on the seaside and the seals were really amazing. I don’t think I had ever seen anything like it. Then, all of a sudden we were back at our cottage watching Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and eating pasta before getting into our beds and falling asleep.

[caption id="attachment_2321" align="alignnone" width="1200"] It was amazing to see the grey seals on Horsey beach[/caption]

After a great sleep (the beds were very comfortable), we got up and once we had got dressed and had breakfast we went back to reception where we were given life jackets and shown onto a spacious boat which we would soon be driving! I was so excited about this, as it's not something I had ever done.

[caption id="attachment_2322" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert loved driving the picnic boat![/caption]

We given a detailed explanation on how to drive the boat and soon after we were travelling along the river, just the four of us. It was hard at first but we got the hang of all the controls and we each had a turn at driving. It was an absolutely amazing experience (except for the bit when we nearly crashed) and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[caption id="attachment_2323" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The views from the boat were great![/caption]

At one point we climbed off our boat, tied it up and had a lovely walk. It was amazing as there was barely anything there except for the river and the grass.

The boat was called a picnic boat and it had a loo on board, more than enough space and even a hob and sink in case we wanted to cook anything.

After a few hours we made our way back to the site, handed in the keys to the boat and our cottage then waved goodbye. We crossed the road a nearby tearoom where we ate some delicious food before setting off for the terrible traffic that awaited us on our journey home...

I loved every bit.

Disclosure: We stayed in the Broadlands Cottage at Herbert Woods on a complimentary basis, although the company had no input into this post. A three night break in Broadlands cottage (off peak) is £328. We were also given complimentary hire of the picnic boat, which usually costs £140 for a day’s trip.

Read about our trip to Norwich and how we saw seals on Horsey beach!

And read more great posts about days out via Country Kids at Coombe Mill!