A relaxing Broads escape is waiting for you at Waveney River Centre

Holidays at the Waveney River Centre put you at the centre of so much to see and do.

Being at the centre of things doesn’t always have to mean high pressure meetings and a media frenzy. Sometimes it means being surrounded by all sorts of things you’d like to see and do. When you want to see and do them. That’s what holidaying at Waveney River Centre is all about. All year round.

From touring pitches overlooking the Marina, to luxurious lodges to stay in, Waveney River Centre has so much to offer in a tranquil countryside setting. If you’re looking for relaxation, but with plenty of options for activities and exploration, then this could be your new favourite staycation location.

Where IS WAVENEY RIVER CENTRE?

Waveney River Centre is in the Waveney Valley. This marvellous, meandering, slice of South Norfolk borders on to Suffolk. It’s a landscape of Broadland, stretching from the Waveney’s source near Redgrave to the coast at Lowestoft. On the way it takes in towns like Beccles, and Bungay, as well as tiny villages and swathes of countryside.

Somehow, and this is part of the magic of the place, the Waveney Valley manages to maintain its serenity and seclusion at the same time as offering holidaymakers a host of things to see and do.

What is there to do at Waveney River Centre?

Holidaying at Waveney River Centre puts you in a perfect place to enjoy all that the area has to offer.

For a start there’s the Waveney Inn. This family friendly pub could be called the centre of the Centre! You can stay there, in one of its seven rooms - some of which have views across the marshes and nearby marina. They’re great value and your stay includes free use of the facilities, including Wi-Fi.

Recently reopened under new management The Waveney Inn has a new menu, and it caters for everyone. It’s a friendly, welcoming,  place serving drinks as well as breakfast, lunch, dinner. From burgers to jacket potatoes to three course classics - it’s all here. And that includes a fully stocked shop and those brilliant views.

Work up an appetite, or work off some calories, by strolling over to the foot ferry giving you access to the Carlton Marshes.

But wait. Before you leave the Waveney River Centre to explore the surrounding area, explore the Centre itself a bit more. The facilities include play areas, a shop - and a heated indoor swimming pool. There’s that magic again. All of these facilities and luxury are there for you, and yet somehow the Waveney River Centre, at the centre of boatyards, The Broads and a Marina is totally authentic. It’s real. Take a look.

Why would you want to leave the Waveney River Centre?

With so many facilities at your fingertips you may wonder why you’d ever want to wander away from the Waveney River Centre. The key word there is ‘wander’. Taking things at your own leisurely pace is what holidaying at Waveney River Centre is all about. So set out for some of the nearby attractions. They are many and varied to say the least.

For example - visit the East Anglian Transport Museum for a glimpse into how we used to travel. Or, for another fascinating few hours go to Redwings, which is the largest horse welfare charity in the UK. Their largest visitor centre is at Caldecott, which isn’t far from Waveney River Centre and incidentally next door to another superb holiday spot - Tingdene Caldecott Hall Country Park!

Why stop there? Don’t! There is so much more to see and do

Let’s do the ‘do’ bits first. The countryside is ideal for walking, cycling and riding in nearby Suffolk. 

Discover The Big Dog Ferry which lets you take a beautiful boat journey for the three miles between Beccles and Geldeston Locks Inn, a riverside pub which is definitely worth a visit. It’s the limit of navigation for the River Waveney and it has quite a story. Rescued by the community from possible closure it has the ‘widest ownership of any pub in the country’ - because 1600 or so people all contributed to keeping it open.

For something a lot more cosmopolitan, why not try something authentically Neopolitan?
Oakfired at Royal Oak is a must, which rapidly becoming a local legend. This is authentic pizza cooking - and it’s actually recognised by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) in Naples! They come and inspect the place themselves.

Whilst we’re talking about food and drink it’s well worth visiting the Flint Vineyard near Bungay. In fact the entire area is fast becoming something of a wine region. Check out our blog on the wine countries in the UK near to our holiday home locations and get the full, and rather attractive, picture.

Aldeburgh, just 30 miles from Waveney River Centre, was the home of British composer Benjamin Britten

Why not look at the big picture of Waveney River Centre?

There really is so much to see and do it’s probably a good idea to surf around some of the websites offering overviews. With nature reserves, museums, country parks, vineyards, stately homes, garden, boat trips and railways all within easy reach of Waveney River Centre, and lots of them open all year round, it’s worth doing the research. Try Suffolk Museums, Suffolk WIldlife Trust, Waveney and Blyth Arts, Southwold Arts Centre and the Suffolk Coast websites for things to do close by.

Or, just set off, old school, with a map. And wander. This place has inspired people for centuries; John Constable, Benjamin Britten and Ed Sheeran all come to mind when you mention Suffolk.

Actually you could wander for ages just exploring the locations reference by Mr Sheeran, like Framlingham Castle in ‘Castle on the Hill’. Or even Gunton Warren Nature Reserve, just a few minutes walk from Tingdene North Denes Caravan Park, where Ed was spotted filming for his album Subtract.

Mutford lodge at Waveney River Centre is among the holiday homes for sale, with stunning views from the decking

Why not think about staying for longer with a holiday home at Waveney River Centre

A holiday home at Tingdene Waveney River Centre is something that could define your thinking for 2024. A spacious, high spec, lodge in this ideal location could change the way you think about holidays, forever.

A real holiday home of your own, in this, the most real and authentic part of Broadland could be your cost effective, go to, all year round get away.