Friendly staff. Boat available early. Goody bag most welcome. Extra bedding and towels provided for our second week. Towels could be a little bigger. Boat was immaculately presented as always. Parking... See more
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Review summary
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A beautiful maintained apartment, fresh and bright, everything you need for a pleasant holiday. Only comment is shower mat could be bigger, very small compared to shower cubicle, for older people a... See more
Company replied
Excellent communications & information by email, during and after booking. Friendly, helpful staff, nothing is too much trouble. Modern, well designed and reliable boats. This latest Fair Regal b... See more
Friendly, helpful staff. Good, basic training for the very inexperienced. Nice welcome pack, including some popular doggy treats. The four berth would have been very intimate for four adults, but gr... See more
Company replied
Company details
Information provided by various external sources
With over 125 miles of stunning waterways and vast diverse wildlife to discover we know that a boating holiday has something for all of the family to enjoy. At Norfolk Broads Direct our visitors are our primary focus and we aim to ensure your visit to the Norfolk Broads lives long in the memory.
Contact info
The Bridge, Wroxham, NR12 8RX, Norwich
- 01603 782207
- info@broads.co.uk
- www.broads.co.uk
4.5
Excellent
3K reviews
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This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative
Replied to 33% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 week
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Enjoyed our boating on the Broads
Enjoyed our boating on the Broads, was stressfully trying to moor each evening.
June 30, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback, we were glad to read you enjoyed your holiday on the Broads. We completely understand that finding a mooring can sometimes be challenging, especially during the busier times of the year. To help make things easier, we include mooring information in our printed map, the NBD app, and on our website, so customers can plan ahead and make the most of their time on the water. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon.
Excellent location - nice apartment
Our apartment was well laid out, clean and had a great view across the busy river. Wroxham also proved a good geographical base for getting a feel for the Broads. The NBD team was always on hand and helpful in dealing with any questions we had.
July 5, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback. We were delighted you found your apartment to be well laid out, clean and in an excellent location. We hope to see you again soon.
Norfolk Broads Direct…Boating Holiday
This is 3rd boating holiday with this company. They are the best we have gone with. We have been boating for a number of years. The are very efficient and always helpful.
June 20, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review and for your repeat visits. It's fantastic to hear our team are efficient and helpful. We hope to welcome you aboard for a 4th time soon.
Wonderful week cruising the Broads. We arrived home yesterday after a…
We arrived home yesterday after a wonderful week on the Broads. The boat is very well designed giving adequate privacy for 2 couples( and a dog) rather than a family unit. Plenty of cooking, dining,relaxing area both indoors and out. Rather sparce on cutlery, one of each, therefore making it difficult when prepping and eating breakfast, could do with more crockery and utensils. Toaster was a small nearly 2 piece cook at a time and the kettle was on the gas both were very slow. Probably not enough electricity power to run a bigger toaster and electric kettle.Due to the heat last week the tank did smell from under the mid bedroom so regular pump out was needed/ essential. Our boat is probably one of the largest you can hire on the broads but we were still able to cross under Yarmouth bridges the only failiure was Ludham bridge as we stood at 8’8’ and the tides did not allow it on this occasion. Even though we had some minor criticisms we have LOVED the boat and have already booked for 2026 and cant wait to return to our home on the Broads again soon to cruise down the rivers.
June 28, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your wonderful week on the Broads. We were delighted to receive your feedback on the cruiser and your constructive points on how we can improve the experience by providing more crockery. We'll certainly pass this on to our management team for consideration - we're always looking at ways we can continue to set the hire standard. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2026!
Lovely cottage in excellent location
July 5, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for taking the time to leave us feedback. We were pleased to read you found the cottage to be lovely and in an excellent location. We hope to see you again soon.
Best experience on the Northern Broads…
Best experience on the Northern Broads yet. Norfolk Broads Direct were great to deal with, good contact and updates and helpful staff. Slick pick up and drop off. Wonderful boat (best so far) with plenty space, quiet engine, great heating system and long lasting services (water, waste, electrics).
June 28, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback. We were thrilled to read you found the Norfolk Broads Direct experience to be the best on the Northern Broads. We hope to welcome you back again soon.
First time on the Broads
As newcomers to the Norfolk Broads we were enchanted by the whole experience. The boat was very comfortable and well equipped with loads of storage.
The staff at NBD were friendly and helpful and, after our short lesson in manoeuvring the boat, we had no difficulties negotiating the waterways and mooring up.
I couldn’t recommend this holiday more highly. We absolutely loved it! 🥰
June 27, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review, we always love to hear from first timers! We were delighted to read you comments about our team, your handover and your cruiser. We thank you for your recommendation and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon.
Hottest week of the year
the weather was first rate, the intro to the boat was very professional and informative, the engine was one of the quietest we have had, however once we were underway we found that the fridge had not been defrosted for some time and the ice box was badly iced up to the point that the door was broken and compartment almost unusable, other than that all was O.K. we would book again with NBD
June 27, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your feedback. We're delighted you had a good week and found the handover to be very professional and informative. We are sorry to hear you found the ice box to need defrosting during your stay, we've passed this feedback onto the team to ensure this issue has been resolved - we hope you chose to visit the Broads with us again soon.
Lovely boat well presented
Lovely boat well presented. Great layout.
Staff helpful. Have been on lots of broads holidays before so expected the beds to be hard but the foam was extremely hard so made it very uncomfortable and hard to sleep. Shame about the beds otherwise couldn't fault anything.
June 27, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for your kind words about the boat and our team. We're really pleased to hear you found your cruiser well presented and our staff helpful.
It's always a pleasure to welcome guests who know and love the Broads. We're sorry to hear that the firmness of the beds made sleeping uncomfortable. While we use foam mattresses for their support and practicality on board, we understand that comfort is personal, and your feedback is very helpful as we look at ways to improve.
We hope the rest of your time on the water was enjoyable, and we look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
An amazing Holiday
As always we had an amazing holiday. The boat was great, plenty of storage, easy to handle and fitted through Ludham bridge which enabled us to go along the River Ant. Staff are always friendly, and professional and the boats handed over very clean.
June 24, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
It’s fantastic to hear you had another amazing holiday with us! We’re so pleased you found the boat easy to handle, with plenty of storage, and that it allowed you to explore along the River Ant – such a lovely part of the Broads. Your kind words about our friendly and professional team mean a lot, and we’re glad the handover and cleanliness hit the mark too.
We’d love to welcome you back again for your next adventure.
Cottage was perfect great location…
Cottage was perfect great location staff very polite and helpfull felt very comfortable and at home
June 24, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for sharing such lovely feedback, Susan. We’re so pleased to hear you felt comfortable and at home in the cottage, and that the location and our team made your stay even more enjoyable.
Very smooth operation, excellent boat…
Very smooth operation to get us on the water and away. Boat was superb, easy to handle. Very well equipped. Showers were great. To top it off, our first bow thruster!
June 24, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
It’s wonderful to hear you had such a smooth start to your holiday, James! We’re so pleased you found the boat superb, easy to handle and well equipped – and it sounds like you made the most of those great showers too. Glad you got to enjoy your first bow thruster as well – it really does make manoeuvring a breeze!
We’d be delighted to see you back on the Broads again for another trip.
Amazing boat
Amazing boat, ticked all the boxes. Clean, great shower & beds, can’t fault it apart from all the scratches & hairs from dogs to the cushions on the sun deck, not keen to lay on them without cleaning first! How owners allow their dogs to do that to such a beautiful space beats me, they just don’t care !
June 14, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thanks so much for your lovely feedback, Melvyn. It’s great to hear the boat ticked all the boxes for you and that you found everything clean and comfortable inside. We really appreciate your comments about the sun deck too – we understand how important it is to have that space feeling just as fresh and inviting. Your thoughts have been noted and we’ll make sure they’re shared with the team.
We’d love to welcome you back for another Broads adventure in the future.
Fantastic company
Great staff, wonderful boats. Everything you could possibly need. Beds comfy and thick duvets ideal for colder conditions. Nothing is too much trouble for the team, especially Becky and the out of hours engineer, who we contacted but didn’t need as problem was solved by us, but engineer didn’t mind us contacting him and he made us feel that he was there if we needed him…Highly recommend NBD and wouldn’t use any other boatyard x
June 13, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
What a lovely review – thank you so much! It’s fantastic to hear how well looked after you felt by the team, and we’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to the team.
We’re delighted you found the boat so well equipped and comfortable – It really means a lot to hear you wouldn’t go anywhere else and would highly recommend us.
We’d love to welcome you back aboard again soon for another great adventure on the Broads.
Penthouse was fantastic..exceeded our…
Penthouse was fantastic..exceeded our expectations...clean, modern, well equipped, comfortable and convenient location.
Only downside was the pigeons and their excrement, especially when sitting on the balcony. Staff regularly cleared the mess on the stairwell up to the penthouses but were fighting a losing battle. Perhaps some guards around the solar panels would deter the pigeons from nesting.
June 23, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Hi Pat,
It’s wonderful to hear the penthouse exceeded your expectations – we’re so pleased you found it clean, modern, well equipped and in such a handy spot. That’s exactly the experience we want for our guests.
We really appreciate you mentioning the issue with the pigeons too. The team does work hard to keep on top of it, but we know how frustrating it can be when you’re trying to enjoy the balcony. Your suggestion about guards around the solar panels is a really helpful one and has been passed on for consideration.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your feedback – we’d love to welcome you back for another stay.
Good Boat, Good Holiday.
1. Good boat, exactly what we wanted. Good reception on arrival. Non-fussy processes at both start and end of hire period, Well done.
2. Very good boat for handling and management.
3. We noted a small drip from the gland between the shaft and the prop (that we reported to your shore staff man who met us on return.
4. No ‘Captain’s handbook’ on board. So useful as voyage proceeds points made in the briefing fade in the memory!
5. In an ideal world the basin in the galley would be on the left (aft) so that the process of ‘wash-dry-stow’ is on one direction. As is, the drier has to pass the dried plates in front or behind the washer-upper.
All-in-all a great holiday with friends from Colombia, South America who have gone home full of great memories of both the Briads and the boat.
Thank you.
June 28, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review, John. We’re so pleased the boat was exactly what you were looking for and that the whole process felt smooth and stress-free – just how a holiday should be! It’s great to hear your friends from Colombia went home with such lovely memories of the Broads too.
We really appreciate your feedback about the Captain’s Handbook and the galley layout, as well as the note on the small drip. Thanks again for choosing us, and we’d love to welcome you all back for another adventure in the future.
Easy booking process
Easy booking process, very helpful friendly staff at boatyard. Boat presented well, clean, tidy and well equipped.
June 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Jules! We’re so pleased you found the booking process straightforward and the team at the boatyard friendly and helpful. Great to hear the boat was spot on for you too – clean, tidy and ready to go. Hope we’ll see you again soon for another trip on the Broads!
What a great experience
Fully professional organisation that has the customers priority in the right place.
Staff are amazingly helpful and very friendly. Special thanks to the girls in the office and the girl in the boat yard who is willing to help in every way she can. We have had boats from most of the companies on the Norfolk Broads and your company is by far the best. We will be recommending you to all of our friends and colleagues. We think that you should advertise more in the Midlands and the north of the country and we will see you soon.
June 16, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Hi Dave – thank you for your review! It means so much to hear you rate us so highly after trying boats from other companies, and that you’d recommend us to friends and colleagues. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to the office team and the yard – they’ll be over the moon to hear it. We can’t wait to welcome you back for your next Broads adventure!
Excellent holiday
Excellent holiday, the cottage was cleaned to a high standard as usual.
The staff were very welcoming and helpful.
I have already booked for next year.
June 26, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
Thanks so much for your lovely review, Jackie! We’re really pleased you had another excellent holiday and found the cottage up to standard. It’s great to hear the team made you feel so welcome too. Fantastic that you’re already booked in for next year – we can’t wait to welcome you back!
Our wonderful family holiday
Well as usual we were back in our happy place because we knew a week of relaxation was in front of us, we normally have fair Executive or jubilee which ever is available, but this time we brought family so required something bigger so we opted for fair Entrepreneur 3 which was a lovely if a little tied in places we had a wonderful week with wonderful weather with no problems that hindered our time with NBD,as usual the staff were superb especially becky she's a rock for the company and always ready to help, overall it's a quality boatyard with quality staff, thanks again NBD 😊
June 14, 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Norfolk Broads Direct
What a lovely review, Mick – thank you! It’s great to hear you and your family had such a wonderful week on Fair Entrepreneur 3, and that the weather played its part too. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to Becky. It means a lot to know you see us as your happy place and keep coming back to us. Here’s to many more relaxing breaks on the Broads!
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