Norfolk Broads with older children?

[TheWonderhorse]

The family are wanting to do a Norfolk Broads boating holiday next year. DC will be 16, 13 and 10. I think it sounds like something they'll love for a day or two but then they'll be bored and arguing in an enclosed space and we'll be limited in what we can do outside the boat should the lack of space cause issues.

Does anyone have any experiences of this to share? Is the boating enough on its own to keep kids amused?

Weve done this a couple of time with 3 kids. My eldest is now 16 and he said he'd happily go back and do it again. The actual day-to-day of boating is lovely, the older ones might like a go at driving the boat too. A couple of things we found on our trip:

1. Choose a boat where the steerage and lounge are together, this means that the person who is "driving" still feels like they're with everyone else rather than just isolated. We enjoyed 'Fair Empress' but there are others the same.
2. The weather makes a big difference, having the top open so you're boating along in the breeze is really nice (just bring blankets).
3. There's loads of places to break up the journey and explore. How Hill is really beautiful and there's a few pubs to moor at for an evening meal and a change of pace. Have a google around where you're going, you'd be surprised how many mooring options you'll have for a leg stretch.
4. Do a night of wild mooring, just you and nature it's gorgeous.

@NannyOgg1341 that's really helpful, thank you! I'll look into the boat and get one designed as you describe.

No problem! It's just personal preference, I just felt that there was once where the person steering felt a bit left out because he was in a steering cabin at the front when the seating/lounge area was at the back.

I've done a long weekend with DC 18, 16 and 10 on the broads. It was great, but make sure you get a boat bigger than you think you need. We got one with enough berths but it turned out we couldn't all sit inside together in the living space, there just wasn't enough room ( or seats!)
Also, take provisions with you - DS was sick on the first night, which blocked the toilet and there was nothing to clean up with other than a tiny amount of fairy liquid in a mini bottle. We'd planned to do a shop the next morning having been told that cleaning stuff was provided....
I wonder if getting a canalboat might work better in that it gives them more physical activity, and occupies all of them in opening locks etc, rather than just the one steering.

Great advice, thank you. I think locks might be better. I'm even considering splitting the week so that we stay somewhere where we can do days out from a base, and then boat for a couple of days?

We don't get away much just the five of us, and it seems like a wasted opportunity. Perhaps caravan Monday to Friday and then a weekend on a barge?

We just got back from a week on the broads with our 17 and 13 year old boys, I can honestly say it was one the of the best holidays we have ever had. Lovely and relaxing, beautiful scenery, herons, kingfishers etc. The boys drove the boat and did all the mooring etc. I would second the comment about getting a bigger boat than you need though. Especially with tall teenagers! We have booked again for next year ☺️.