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On the Water

At the heart of Fairhaven lies our private Broad, part of the historic South Walsham Estate. Major Henry Broughton, later the 2nd Lord Fairhaven, bought the estate in 1946 and spent the following years transforming the overgrown woodland and waterways into the garden we know today. During the Second World War, South Walsham Broad was even used as part of the Home Guard training ground, with pleasure boats sunk and the water covered with barbed wire to prevent flying boat landings.

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Today, the Broad is a much more peaceful place to be. Take a gentle boat trip across the Broad, glide quietly through the water on a paddleboard or enjoy a refreshing wild swim. Keep your eyes open as you go, as the Broad and its surrounding reedbeds and woodland are home to an ever-changing cast of wildlife.

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You might spot kingfishers flashing across the water, great crested grebes, herons, cormorants and moorhens along the shoreline. Look up and you could see buzzards, marsh harriers or a passing osprey, while the reedbeds and woodland provide plenty of places for smaller birds to hide.

 

With luck, you may even catch sight of a stoat, otter or water vole along the water's edge.

 

Cared for by the Fairhaven Garden Trust, this special area of outstanding natural beauty is protected for future generations to enjoy and learn about. 

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Bring your binoculars, keep your eyes peeled and see what you can spot.

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Boat Trips

Step aboard our boats and leave the garden behind for a while as you explore South Walsham Broad from the water. Our peaceful boat trips offer a different perspective of Fairhaven’s woodland, wildlife and waterways.

Our experienced skippers provide a relaxed, informal guided tour, sharing their knowledge of the Broad and pointing out the wildlife and interesting sights along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for kingfishers, herons, grebes and other wildlife as you cruise through this beautiful landscape.

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Daily Boat Trips

April–October
Weather permitting

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20-minute trips
11:30am & 3:15pm

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2026

Adults £7.50 | Children £4.95

Dogs free | Under 4s free

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50-minute trips
12pm, 1:50pm & 2:15pm

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2026

Adults £13.00 | Children £8.95

Dogs free | Under 4s free

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Garden entry is required in addition to the boat trip ticket.

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St. Benet's Abbey Trip and Tour

​Set out across our private Broad and journey along the beautiful River Bure to the atmospheric ruins of St Benet’s Abbey for a fascinating guided tour, in partnership with the Norfolk Archaeological Trust.

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Departure: 1pm
Duration: Approximately 3 hours

Fortnightly Saturday tours
Selected Saturdays, June–September

 

2026

Adults £16.95 | Children £11.95
Dogs free | Under 4s free

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Garden entry is required in addition to the boat trip ticket.

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Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Enjoy a quiet paddle across the Broad surrounded by woodland and wildlife, with the chance to spot birds along the banks as you go.

 

April–October
Seasonal sessions available

Check our What's On calendar for current dates and times.

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Wild Swimming

For a completely different way to experience the Broad, take the plunge with one of our wild swimming sessions. There is something rather special about swimming in these peaceful waters, surrounded by woodland, birdsong and the changing seasons.

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April–September

Saturdays

8:30am–10:30am

Wednesdays

6pm–8:30pm
May–August

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Public £12 | Members Free

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Wild swimming is for ages 18+. Members swim free of charge, as wild swimming is included with your membership. All sessions are subject to water quality, water temperature and weather conditions.

Sessions may be postponed or cancelled if conditions are unsuitable.