Avoid Ash And Strikes With A Norfolk Broads ‘staycation'

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With the disruption caused by volcanic ash from Iceland, the threat of industrial action by airline staff, the weak pound and the ongoing economic uncertainty, its no wonder that more Brits are giving up on the thought of a foreign holiday and deciding to spend their vacation much closer to home.

The so-called ‘staycation' phenomenon has really taken off in recent years and as well as helping millions of people to save money, it has given them the opportunity to explore the beauty of the UK like never before.

One area that has benefited from this newfound interest in British holidays is the Norfolk Broads, an area of the country that is packed with things to do and places to visit. The Norfolk Broads is Britain's largest protected wetland with status equivalent to a National Park.

Located near Norwich in East Anglia it boasts 200km of lock-free navigable rivers, shallow lakes, woodland, fens and grazing marshes and is home to some of the rarest flora and fauna in the UK.

For many years the area has been popular with tourists, thanks in part to the variety of accommodation ...
... available for anyone planning a Norfolk Broads holiday.The area is most famous for its network of waterways that make boating holidays in the Norfolk Broads a popular alternative to more traditional B&B or hotel-type holidays.

Norfolk Broads boat hire is easy to arrange and a wide variety of boats are available, from luxury cruisers to more modest craft. Whether you are a couple looking for a romantic break, a group of friends looking for a holiday to remember or a family looking to escape the stresses of everyday life, what could be more relaxing than a journey on these enchanting waterways?

What's more, no previous experience is needed as full training is provided before you set off so there's no better way to enjoy Britain's premier waterways.

Of course, those who prefer more traditional accommodation can choose to stay in a wide range of hotel and B&B accommodation. The medieval city of Norwich provides everything from family run businesses to national chains and across the Norfolk Broads you will find small guest houses, traditional inns and self catering facilities as well as cottages to let.

In recent years camping in the Norfolk Broads has also become increasingly popular, with campsites seeing a 40% increase in 2009 over previous years.

Norfolk Broads camping holidays are not new, but more people than ever before have discovered the benefits of a holiday under canvas.

In the current economic climate it is no surprise that camping has become so popular. It's relatively inexpensive and gives holidaymakers unrivalled flexibility. At a minute's notice its possible to load up the car and head off on a journey of exploration without the need to plan weeks or even months ahead.

At the same time, anyone choosing a Norfolk Broads camping holiday can avoid the hassle of airport delays while enjoying a series of short breaks spread out over the summer at a fraction of the cost of a fortnight in foreign climes. As well as saving money, camping in the Norfolk Broads can also help to save the environment. Research has shown that a camping holiday has a much lower carbon footprint than travelling to a foreign resort.

The UK's newfound love of camping holidays has also coincided with a resurgence in popularity for touring caravans and across Norfolk both campers and caravaners are well catered for with modern facilities at an affordable price.

Whether you are under canvas, on a boat or find a Norfolk Broads cottages to let, the weather will always be a factor when it comes to holiday enjoyment. Once again the Norfolk Broads has a significant advantage over other areas of the UK as figures from the Met Office show that Norfolk enjoys less rainfall than any other part of the country.

In fact with an average rainfall of just over 600mm a year it is nearly twice as dry as Cornwall and three times drier than the Lake District.

On top of this average levels of sunshine are amongst the best in the country and although you can never guarantee sunshine in the UK, by visiting the Norfolk Broads you can give yourself the best chance of picking up a tan!

Author bio: Michael Bailey has been in the UK Holiday Scene for over 25 years, specialising in British holidays. His involvement has been in most segments of the market from caravan, camping and hotels to Norfolk Broads boating holidays and city breaks.