Broads Tours is committed to providing a safe environment afloat and ashore.
Throughout the pandemic, we have taken a proactive approach to protect our customers and staff and have joined Visit England’s Good To Go scheme.
Our investment has included:
new safety and instructional videos to watch before and during your holiday;
new IT systems to reduce queueing and allow passenger boat tickets & day boats to be booked ahead;
electronic waivers to be signed in advance to reduce waiting time and the use of paper & pens;
streamlined handover processes to reduce face to face contact;
enhanced cleaning and sanitisation regimes around the workplace and public areas;
enforcing a strict signing in process for staff and contractors, displaying test & trace QR codes in public areas when appropriate.
Additionally, at times of heightened risk, we have:
introduced social distancing measures at our ticket windows and reception;
enforced social bubbles on board our passenger boats – protecting our guests and reducing capacity;
organised our staff into work bubbles so that they can continue to work safely;
worn face coverings and other PPE when we are face to face with customers or people from outside our work bubbles.
Many of these improvements are here to stay.
All of our boating fleet and customer toilets are cleaned with products which are DEFRA accredited and conform to EU requirements.
We will continue at all times to monitor and follow the advice from HM Government Department of Health, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and customers.
Following the announcement of the Roadmap to Recovery, we are very pleased to be able to offer day boats and day cruisers to single households from 29th March.
Under the roadmap, multiple households cannot mix together until May 17th at the earliest, and other restrictions will continue to apply – for example pubs will only be able to open for outdoor and takeaway/delivery service.
We intend to start operating our passenger boats again on May 17th, initially with reduced capacity and social bubbles enforced.
From 21st June, we hope that life will return to something like normal – including our famous Boogie Nights!
Our website is now open for day boat and day cruiser bookings and we look forward to welcoming you very soon…
We will remain closed as per current government guidance. We look forward to welcoming you back aboard when it is safe to do so.
Covid-19 (Coronavirus) Statement
Broads Tours is committed to providing a safe environment afloat and ashore.
Throughout the pandemic, we have taken a proactive approach to protect our customers and staff and have joined Visit England’s Good To Go scheme.
Our investment has included:
new safety and instructional videos to watch before and during your boat trip
new IT systems to reduce queueing and allow passenger boat tickets & day boats to be booked ahead;
electronic waivers to be signed in advance to reduce waiting time and the use of paper & pens;
streamlined handover processes to reduce face to face contact;
social distancing measures at our ticket windows and reception;
social bubbles on board our passenger boats – protecting our guests and reducing capacity;
enhanced cleaning and sanitisation regimes around the workplace and public areas;
organising our staff into work bubbles so that they can continue to work safely;
wearing face coverings and other PPE when we are face to face with customers or people from outside our work bubbles;
enforcing a strict signing in process for staff and contractors, and displaying test & trace QR codes in public areas.
Although we look forward to a future which does not involve social distancing, many of these improvements are here to stay.
All of our boating fleet and customer toilets are cleaned with products which are DEFRA accredited and conform to EU requirements.
We will continue at all times to monitor and follow the advice from HM Government Department of Health, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and customers.
We look forward to welcoming you when the law permits it – and in the meantime, please stay safe and play by the rules!
Whether you’re visiting Norfolk on holiday or are lucky enough to live locally, a boat trip out on the Broads is a great way to spend the day. It’s well known that the best way to explore the waterways is by boat, and with day boats and river trips available from our boatyard in Wroxham we’re sure to have the perfect option for you.
From River Trips for those who prefer to sit back and let someone else captain, to a variety of day boats available for hire that seat up to 11 people and are dog friendly, plus a wheelchair friendly boat with chair lift suitable to a maximum lift of 300kg ensures nobody misses out.
For those who haven’t been before we’ve made a list of FAQ’s to help you out, so why not tick ‘Driving a boat’ off your bucket list and book your day out today?
Day Boat Hire FAQ
Are the day boats easy to drive? Yes, our boats are easy to drive and you will receive an email with a link to a safety video to watch before you arrive.
Where can I go? There are plenty of villages and Broads to visit within a short distance from Wroxham. You can go under the bridge to Coltishall or head down river to Horning where you can moor up at a village pub or visit the local shops.
Should I book in advance or can I just turn up? It is advisable to book in advance, bookings can be made for a full day or a half day on our website.
Can I take a dog on board? Yes, dogs are welcome on all of our self drive boats.
How many people can I take on a boat? A standard day boat and our day cruiser will take up to 8 people and our large electric day boat will take up to 11 people.
Do I need to pay for car parking? Yes, there is a pay and display car park and the machines can accept cards.
River Trips FAQ
Where do they go? You will go through Wroxham Village, Wroxham Broad, Salhouse Broad and towards Horning village.
Do I need to book in advance? It is advisable to book in advance and details on the layout of each boat is available on our website.
Why are the prices not per person anymore? We have adapted our passenger boats to allow for social distancing and you will need to buy a space which is the correct size for your party.
Do I have to wear a mask? We are currently asking all of our customers to wear a face covering while onboard.
Can I bring food and drink with me? You are only allowed to consume food and drink that has been bought onboard, we offer a table service to you during your trip.
Do I need to pay for car parking? Yes, there is a pay and display car park and the machines can accept cards.
When do I turn up for my trip? If you book in advance you will receive an email with details of what you need to know before you arrive. It is advisable to turn up at least 40 minutes before your trip departs so that you have time to park your car and go to the boarding area.
If you’d prefer to explore the waterways for longer, visit our sister site Norfolk Broads Direct where you can book your very own cruiser for your first boating holiday or even a waterside cottage if you’d prefer to keep your feet on dry land.
Finally getting into the swing of homeschooling just as the term draws to a close? Are you wondering how you are going to keep those little minds busy for the next 6 weeks?
We may be able to help!
The Norfolk Broads offer a great opportunity to learn and discover, no matter what your age!
Become a mighty bug explorer
Children of all ages love adventure. Create your own checklist to help your children spot and count as many different creepy crawlies as possible as you explore the Broads. You may spot the famous, and exclusive Swallowtail butterfly, dragonflies and water boatman all from the comfort of your day boat. During July and most of August you can even download the Butterfly conservation app and be a part of their annual Big Butterfly count.
Birdwatching
The past few months have been a busy and stressful time for many, including children who have had to adapt quickly to new practices and daily routines. Spend some down time together, spotting the amazing birds throughout the waterways. You don’t need to be the next David Attenborough either, to keep younger children engaged why not simply set out on a duck counting expedition?
Colour spotting
For young children colour spotting along the Broads can be a great and engaging activity. Pick a colour each and play to see who sees the most items of that colour during your journey.
Become a budding artist
The Broads is full of beautiful scenery and history, such as St.Benets Abbey. Moor up and take it all in with some observational drawings. And if landscapes aren’t your thing, maybe doodle your family, local dog walkers or even your ice cream! If you do create a masterpiece, we would love to see it! Share your photos with us using our hashtag #getonbroad and we will try to share your pictures in our Instagram stories.
Boost your geography skills with lessons aimed at KS2
There are loads of great resources available on the Broads Authority Website that support KS2, GSCE and A-level Geography. Ideal for a day out with children over 8, who can learn whilst experiencing the Broads first hand. You can find lesson guidance focusing on the water cycle, climate change and the origins of the Broads over on the Broads Authority website.
Take part in a boat trip treasure hunt
Before hiring your boat or joining your river boat trip, create a list of things you may see along the way. We suggest including a good variety of objects and landmarks such as;
A Feather
A Bridge
A Butterfly
A Swan
A Red flower
Fairbear
A Black Dog
Someone eating chips
A Captain’s hat
Create a paper list or a checklist on your phone and see how many of your items you can spot during your boat trip. You could always factor in a prize if you collect them all.
Create a pirate map for your journey.
ARGHH! Become a pirate for the day with your very own pirate map. You can print an existing map of the waterways and add your own pirate theme, to allow older children to navigate along your journey. Alternatively your children can create their own map along the way, adding landmarks such a Wroxham bridge as your vessel launches and other markers along the way, to ensure you can find your way back after a busy day on the “wild seas”.
Let them be wild!
Remember, you don’t have to pre-plan or structure your day out on the Broads for your children to learn and benefit from it. Just being outdoors is proven to enhance children’s ability to learn and has a profound impact on their personal and social communication skills. Being outdoors also boosts everyone’s mental and spiritual health, relaxing you overall. Is there a better excuse to get outside, take in the fresh air and spend some quality time together? We think not!
Ready for your big adventure? Book your day boat hire or river trip today!
