Hickling Broad
The largest lake in the Norfolk Broads and the flagship reserve of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, where you can see cranes, marsh harriers and swallowtail butterflies.
Hickling Broad is the largest open water body in the Norfolk Broads. The surrounding reed marshes are managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, making it a top birdwatching destination in Britain. Visitors may see common cranes, marsh harriers and bitterns, and in early summer the Norfolk Broads subspecies of swallowtail butterfly appears. The reserve has a visitor centre, wooden boardwalks and birdwatching hides, and guided boats run into the waterways in summer. In winter evenings, you can watch birds of prey return to roost at Stubb Mill. There is an admission fee to the reserve.
Opening hours
Reserve approx. 10:00–17:00 (shorter hours in winter)
Nearby sights
- Horsey Windpump
- Horsey Gap Seal Colony
- Museum of the Broads
- How Hill & Toad Hole Cottage
- St Benet's Abbey
- Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden
- Ranworth Broad & St Helen's Church
- BeWILDerwood