Belaugh Broad

The water at Belaugh Broad sits absolutely still on a calm morning, which is precisely when you should visit if you want to avoid the weekend speedboat crowd. It's a proper working broad - one of the less fussed-over ones in the Norfolk system - and that's exactly what makes it appealing. You won't find gift shops or hot dog vans, just reedy banks, sailing dinghies, and the occasional heron doing its thing.

The broad is best explored from the water itself, whether you're hiring a boat from nearby Wroxham or arriving by kayak. Walking the perimeter works too if you're not the nautical type, though the paths are intermittent and muddy after rain. On the water side, you get proper views of the landscape - the kind that explain why people spend serious money on Norfolk holiday homes.

For families with young kids, it's a bit hit-or-miss. The scenery keeps adults entertained for longer than the children usually last. Birdwatchers and boating types? They'll find it worth the detour. History enthusiasts will note its medieval peat-working origins, though there's nothing visible to show for it these days.

If you're based at Norfolk Broads Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just over 5 miles away, Belaugh makes a solid morning or afternoon outing. Allow two to three hours depending on whether you're messing about on water or just walking. Free to visit, obviously - it's a broad, not a theme park. Go between May and September when the weather cooperates.