Loddon on the Southern Norfolk Broads (c) Norfolk Tourism

Secrets of South Norfolk

South Norfolk is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of 21st century life. It is a part of the world where historic market towns nestle in peaceful and beautiful countryside and where every village has an ancient church waiting to be explored. The area also includes the Southern Broads, making it ideal for wildlife watching or a relaxing holiday afloat.

Boats moored on the Norfolk Broads (c) Norfolk Tourism

A view of South Norfolk

South Norfolk covers an area of approximately 350 square miles stretching from the southern edge of Norwich to the Suffolk border and the peaceful Waveney Valley. It is home to more than 100 small parishes where you will find clusters of thatched cottages, welcoming pubs and historic churches.

The countryside is gentle and picturesque with an abundance of woodland, farmland and narrow country lanes with grassy verges which are filled with wildflowers in the summer. There are 51 conservation areas in South Norfolk ensuring that village greens, historic buildings and ancient woodland are protected for future generations.

The Southern Norfolk Broads offer some of Britain's finest wetlands with miles of navigable waterways set amongst marshland and reed beds. The area is perfect for those who enjoy walking, cycling and birdwatching or simply relaxing.

Waveney Valley

Running through the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, the Waveney Valley is an unspoilt haven linking the Brecks to The Broads - offering the chance to relax in tranquil surroundings, walk through rolling countryside, and explore the market towns and idyllic villages, whilst sampling a wide range of local produce.

The beautiful natural landscape, awash with nature reserves and acres of wildlife habitat, make it a haven for birdwatchers and others wishing to get a little closer to nature. This, along with the historic market towns and villages, provides a wonderful opportunity for sightseeing, walking, cycling, canoeing and many other leisure activities.

Each of the market towns (Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Harleston, Diss, Eye and Loddon) within the Valley offer their own unique experience of shopping, heritage, culture, art and above all, a community spirit to rival any town. There is also a wide selection of places to sample the very best locally produced food and drink that the area has to offer.

Throughout the Valley there are many auction houses, weekly town markets, farmers markets, farm shops or even the local producers themselves, that allow the visitor to take a piece of the Valley home with them.

Easily accessed by road or rail, the Valley is then serviced by well signposted cycling and walking routes, as well as accessible and regular buses travelling the length of the Valley.

Swallowtail butterfly in the Norfolk Broads (c) Norfolk Tourism

Take a South Norfolk nature trip

According to Dr David Bellamy, the Ted Ellis Nature Reserve at Wheatfen Broad is "as important as Mount Everest, or the giant redwood forests of America. It is probably the best bit of fen land we have, because we know so much about it". In the heart of the Southern Broads, Wheatfen is a wild and remote area of open fen, reed-beds, alder and willow woodlands with two small broads and a nature trail.

Opposite the village church, the RSPB's reserve at Surlingham features a circular walking route of one and a half to two miles. There is a diverse range of wildlife to be seen although you will definitely need walking boots or wellingtons!

South Norfolk towns

Wymondham (pronounced Windum) is full of ancient buildings including the stunning market cross and the ancient Abbey church. The town is always lively and has a popular shopping centre. You can enjoy the traditional weekly market on a Friday, or hop on the Mid-Norfolk Railway from Wymondham to Dereham.

Diss is a thriving and picturesque market town which borders a beautiful mere, home to a variety of wildfowl and other wildlife. It has some beautiful timber framed buildings dating from the 16th century and its market and auction take place each Friday.

Hingham is a small but elegant town in the heart of South Norfolk. It has a variety of Georgian and other period houses overlooking two pretty greens together with a stunning church.

Loddon is a popular start or stop-off point for people enjoying a boating holiday on the Southern Broads. The small town has a thriving community and combines the best of traditional Norfolk life with a holiday atmosphere

Find out more about South Norfolk

In this section we've given you just a taste of the South Norfolk area. You can find out lots more about places to stay and things to do by visiting the official website for South Norfolk: