The Norfolk Broads

With one of the widest ranges of preserved vehicles in the country, this fascinating museum traces the development of mechanical transport over the best part of a century. It has its own tramline and a two-foot gauge railway, as well as exhibition halls filled with historic vehicles and transport artefacts.

The setting for this well-presented museum is the Grade II listed 17th century Broad House, situated in Oulton Broad's Nicholas Everitt Park. It's dedicated to the history of the local area, displaying a rich variety of treasures, including 18th century Lowestoft porcelain and prehistoric fossils, as well as archaeological finds from the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods.

Named after an 11th century Norwegian king, this Augustinian priory dates from the 13th century. It's mostly ruined, but the 14th century refectory undercroft is wonderfully preserved and its vaulted ceiling, supported on marble columns, is an important early example of English brickwork.

Widely acclaimed as one of the most handsome stately homes in the UK, Somerleyton is a magnificent Tudor mansion set in lovely landscaped gardens on a 5000-acre estate. The Hall's stunning interiors include an impressive carved oak entrance hall, a stately ballroom, an elegant library and a sumptuous dining room with signature Crossley family carpeting.

Steam power is integral to East Anglia's agricultural and industrial heritage and its memory is lovingly preserved by enthusiasts across the region. This popular museum features a collection of 26 engines, farm machinery, cars and tractors from the golden age of steam, with the earliest exhibit dating from the late nineteenth century.

Presenting contemporary art in an attractive gallery space, Riverside represents a wide variety of painters, sculptors, potters and jewellery designers, many of them locally based. It's easy to find, located on the main Norwich Road through the town about half a mile from the station.

This stylish contemporary art space has a main gallery, lifecasting studio and art store, as well as independently-run upper floors exhibiting work by young designers, along with prints, clothing and music. It's located right in the centre of town, just a short walk from the station.

A microcosm of the Broads ecosystem, these wonderful wetlands are criss-crossed by dykes and teeming with wildlife, including exotic marsh plants, a rich variety of wildfowl and several types of birds of prey, including marsh harriers and barn owls.

Surrounding an elegant Regency manor house, the grounds of Hoveton Hall Estate comprise 620 acres of parkland, gardens, woodland, arable and grazing land. The gardens are made up of various distinct areas, including the walled Spider Garden, the Old Kitchen Garden, the Woodland Walk and the Arboretum.

This huge green space borders the Broad at Oulton and is a lovely place to enjoy a picnic, a walk or an expedition to spot some fascinating local wildlife. During the summer months, there are regular events, including brass band concerts, art displays and fetes.

Managed by the RSPB, Strumpshaw Fen features the complete range of broadland habitats and wildlife. The reedbeds, woodlands and meadows are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, including marsh harriers, bitterns and kingfishers.

Norfolk is famous across the country for its cuisine and this is reflected in the wide range of culinary offerings available in the Broads region. There are many excellent gastropubs, bistros and restaurants where the menus make good use of the top quality meat, fish, fruit and vegetables available locally. You can enjoy traditional dishes using signature local ingredients such as samphire or go for a continental option, such as Spanish or Italian-themed fare. Of course, dining in the Broads should ideally come with a stunning view, so it's worth seeking out one of the many establishments dotted along the banks of the waterways, many of which have boat moorings next to them or close by. These include the Albion Restaurant at the Wroxham Hotel, Reedham Ferry Inn and the Riverside Restaurant at the Waveney House Hotel in Beccles.

It's unlikely you'll be travelling to the Broads for a burger or a kebab, but there are a few take-away options if you're looking for an alternative to a sit-down meal. Obviously, the larger places like Beccles have the best choice, including fish and chips, Chinese and pizza. In the villages it's more likely to be a sandwich, roll or wrap from the local shop. Waterside establishments such as Acle Bridge Stores cater for the boating and barging fraternity so are relatively well stocked.