Destination Wedding Etiquette - See the Best of the Norfolk Broads on a Canal Boat Holiday

You could find canal boat hire in Norfolk affords you the chance to experience tranquillity, if you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life for a while.

Which is Britain's largest nationally-protected wetland, you might like to consider the unspoilt surroundings of the Norfolk Broads, when searching for the perfect location to make your UK boat hire purchase.

Which is popular among punters, or explore Cambridge down the River Cam, you can travel through small market towns and boat-building villages. The tranquil area boasts many waterways and rivers on which to while away the hours while enjoying the slow pace of life and feeling closer to nature.

Just remember you'll need a navigation licence from the Environment Agency or the Conservators of the River Cam to travel down the river. Moor your boat below Jesus Lock on either side of the river or on the western bank near Clayhithe and explore the university city on dry land for a while.

Taking in the local wildlife and scenery as you do so, you might want to see the sights of Cambridge from the river and journey on along the many waterways, if you prefer peace and quiet.

Stopping occasionally at bird-watching stations and gazing in awe at the picturesque setting, expect the pace to become slower as you meander down through the area, on a Norfolk Broads canal boat holiday.

Why not sample some local ale at the Norfolk Brewery, you might like to stop off at the village of Woodbastwick on the edge of Cockshoot Broad to give your legs a bit of exercise and while you're there? Causing peat pits from medieval times to fill with water, the waterways were formed when the sea level rose 700 years ago. Try setting off from Horning in Wroxhom to benefit from more than 120 miles of lock-free cruising over flat land.

Which might be particularly appealing to youngsters as shipwrecks are visible from the windows of the floating visitor centre, climb more than 90 steps to the top of the ancient church tower at Ranworth for a cultural experience and fantastic views of the broads and then take in the sights of the local nature reserve.

Why not try out an exciting watersport such as windsurfing in the area, if you're feeling up for a challenge, meanwhile? Swallowtail butterflies and bearded tits, rare insects, which houses wintering wildfoul, the area is a popular sailing boat location and is also home to a large nature reserve. Especially if you have a penchant for sailing, you might want to visit Hickling Broad next, after returning to your canal boat.

Follow in his historical footsteps and give sailing a go or take part in the annual sailing regatta held every August if you want to try out new experiences during your boat hire trip on the Norfolk Broads. The seaman fought with the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars before losing his life in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Which is famous for being the place where Admiral Lord Nelson learned to sail, nearby is Barton Broad.

There's plenty of ground to cover across the 365 acres if you're looking to stretch your legs. Or go for a stroll in the separate woodland area, explore the building and its beautiful Edwardian gardens. Which was built in 1904 by architect Edward Thomas Boardman, home to How Hill House, you'll reach How Hill, at the end. Why not journey down the River Ant's narrow and winding course for eight miles, next?

There are plenty of walking opportunities in the local marshes and woodland areas, again. Run by the Broads Authority, which was once home to a marshman and his family and is now a museum, continue on to Ludham and visit the How Hill Nature Reserve and Toad Hole Cottage.

Before leaving the area, which is open to the public, and don't forget to call in at the well-preserved drainage mill Thurne Dyke Windpump. Drink in the countryside scenery on a stroll down Weaver's Way or pay a visit to the round tower church at Repps. You can pilot your canal boat down the River Thurne for six miles to reach the village of Thurne, after a good night's sleep.

They are also steeped in history and you'll find plenty of examples of architecture through the ages as well as chances to witness and join in rural living at its best, offering a wealth of opportunity to explore nature; not only are the broads breathtakingly beautiful. What better way to relax and unwind than on a canal boat holiday in Norfolk?