Lowestoft
Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve · Photo: Oliver Dixon
A free wetland reserve with a play area and marsh-view cafe in the morning, then down the coast to Southwold, where the pier's Under the Pier Show is full of odd home-made coin machines. Walking the pier itself costs nothing.
Nature & gardens · 10:00–12:30 (2h30m)
Accessible trails, outdoor play and an early lunch overlooking the marsh.
A 1,000-acre Suffolk Wildlife Trust wetland on the southern edge of the Broads, with a visitor centre cafe overlooking the marshes and an outdoor play area. Two trails are wheelchair friendly, and entry is free.
Photo: Oliver Dixon
Nature & gardens · 13:15–15:30 (2h15m)
Walk to the end, then spend pocket money in the Under the Pier Show.
An indoor and outdoor beach in Southwold.
Photo: User:KevinScottNL
East of EnglandSouthend-on-Sea
Ride or walk the world's longest pleasure pier out into the estuary, then head up the hill to Hadleigh's ruined castle, which is free to explore, for big views back over the water.
Southend Pier and Train → Hadleigh Castle
East of EnglandSt Albans
Hands-on Roman life in the museum, with dressing up at weekends and in holidays, then out into the park built over the old Roman city for a picnic by the lake.
Verulamium Museum → Verulamium Park
East of EnglandNorwich
Day one pairs the newly reopened Norman keep in the middle of Norwich with an easy lakeside walk on the edge of the city. Day two heads into the Broads for old boats, a short river trip and a wildlife reserve on Hickling Broad.
Norwich Castle → Whitlingham Country Park → Museum of the Broads → NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes
