20 Attractions to Explore Near Hickling Broad

Horsey Windpump is a windpump or drainage windmill in the care of the National Trust in the village of Horsey, on The Broads near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. The structure is a grade II* listed building. The windpump was working until it was struck by lightning in 1943. It was acquired by the National Trust in 1948 from the Buxton Family and has been restored. The mill's damaged sails were removed in 1956, and replacement sails and fantail were installed in 1962.

The Museum of the Broads is an accredited museum and registered charity in Stalham, Norfolk, England. It describes its mission as being to "bring the story of the Broads alive". The Norfolk Broads are a network of mostly navigable rivers and lakes in the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. The Museum has an extensive collection of boats, models, marsh working tools, boat plans, paintings, books, photographs, postcards, wildlife, and social history items and memorabilia.

A beautiful, wild, unspoilt sandy beach where nature abounds. Backed by one of the largest sand dune systems on the east coast, this beach is often deserted outside of summer. From November to the end of January the beach will be crowded with Seals and their newborn pups. It was one of the iconic attractions in this area and is famous among tourists.

Barton Broad is a 164-hectare nature reserve north-east of Norwich in Norfolk. It is owned and managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. It is part of the Ant Broads and Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve. The Broad was created in the Middle Ages by digging for peat and the River Ant was later diverted through it, which allowed navigation. It has diverse aquatic plants and fish, and the surrounding fens have nationally rare plants and invertebrates.

Sea Palling is an excellent sandy beach with 9 artificial offshore reefs created as part of a flood prevention scheme. Backed by sand dunes, the curving beach has been awarded Blue Flag status for its pristine waters and is rarely over-crowded. It has amusements, cafes and amenities just set back from the beach. This beach is one of a number of Norfolk beaches to be awarded the Blue Flag status.

The Abbey of St Benet at Holme lies deep in the Broads, close to the meeting place of the rivers Bure and Ant. This was the only Norfolk monastery founded in the Anglo-Saxon period which continued in use throughout the Middle Ages, and is the only monastery in England which was not closed down by Henry VIII – the Bishop of Norwich is still the Abbot.

The Royal Air Force Air Defence Radar Museum is a museum on the site of the former Royal Air Force radar and control base RAF Neatishead. The Museum tells the story of Air Defence and Radar from 1935 to date. Using a combination of a guided tour and over 23 themed rooms, the visitor is encouraged to find out about this previously Secret World. It includes a complete Cold War-era Operations Room from which the air defense of Britain was conducted for several decades and so more.

An exotic coastal garden with traditional borders, exotic garden, desert wash, sunk garden, topiary, water features, walled and Mediterranean gardens. It is located quite close to the sea and well protected from the full blast of the wind by dense wind breaks, making it possible to grow remarkably tender plants. Exotic and unusual plants from around the world flourish alongside more hardy species. Notable are the tree ferns, succulents and palms which surround the house, as is the Californian '

Ranworth Broad is a 136-hectare nature reserve on the Norfolk Broads north-east of Norwich in Norfolk, United Kingdom. There is areas of woodland and reedbeds and also there are many species of birds can be seen from the floating Broads Wildlife Centre. An informative boardwalk leads you through a tapestry of beautiful scenery and allows you to explore both the environment and its history.

A huge, award winning forest of family fun and outdoor adventure. Treehouses, Wobbly Wires, Slippery Slopes, Crocklebogs, Twiggles and Boggles, storytelling, boat rides, marsh walks and really yummy food. The whole family can spend hours running, whizzing and clambering on the sustainable wooden play structures, from aerial ropewalks to climbing walls, balancing logs and muddled mazes in a beautiful forest setting.

Happisburgh Lighthouse is the oldest working light in East Anglia, and the only independently run lighthouse in Great Britain, Built in 1790. Visitors can find out about the history and operation of the lighthouse, and climb the 112 steps to view the stunning views from the lantern.

A beautiful 130 acre ancient woodland and garden in the heart of the broads. An unusual mix of wild and cultivated plantings creates a habitat rich in wildlife.Within the garden is an ancient fishpond , a 950-year-old oak, over 95 recorded species of birds, a private broad, many species of wild and cultivated plants.

The beautiful Hoveton Hall Estate covers 620 acres of parkland, gardens, woodland, arable and grazing land. This fine Regency Hall was built between 1809-1812 and has been owned by the Buxton family since 1946. Its 19th-century iron glasshouse is a must-see for all visitors to the gardens. Throughout the year the gardens host many different events most of which are free to Historic Houses members.

Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens is a progressive zoo with a focus on conservation. Most of the animals at Thrigby Hall are species found in Asia, including tigers, gibbons, otters and alligators. Attractions for all age groups include Snow Leopards, rare tigers, gibbons, deer otters, crocodiles in a swamp house, avaries, waterfowl, gift shop & cafe. Tropical & forest houses give good all-weather cover.

Great Yarmouth Racecourse is a historic racing venue on the Norfolk coast. With horse racing taking place over the Summer season and events all year round, this seaside venue has a lot to offer. It is a left-handed course, used for flat racing only. An extension to the finishing straight allows races of up to a mile to be run on the straight course.

Strumpshaw Fen is a beautiful and adventurous nature reserve where you can get close to the outstanding wildlife of the Norfolk Broads. Walk around the reedbeds, woodlands, and orchid-rich meadows and you could chance upon marsh harriers, bitterns, and kingfishers. It forms part of the Yare Broads and Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest and lies within the area of The Broads.

Breydon Water is a large expanse of water that opens to the sea through Great Yarmouth Port. It is part of the Berney Marshes and Breydon Water nature reserve, which is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. It is the UK's largest protected wetland and also It has been a popular shooting area for centuries, and the shooting continues, but on a very much reduced scale.

Burgh Castle Roman Fort is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the country. Built in the 3rd century overlooking Breydon Water and the outlet of the River Waveney. After the Roman period, the site may have been occupied by an early Christian monastery; and after 1066 a Norman castle was built inside the Fort walls.