(Last visited August 2020)
This is an absolutely stunning walk! So many different routes to explore off it too. In 2020, the UEA created an official set of waymarked trails to follow called ‘Active Campus’ for students and visitors to explore the campus and learn about its history and heritage, with each trail varying in its habitat and theme.
The UEA Broad is the ‘Green Trail’ (see their map below) and is wonderful at sunrise and sunset – the walk is one lap of the Broad and provides beautiful views across the water from every angle. There are two art installations and an abundance of wildlife. At a mile round, it makes a fantastic walk for pushchairs whilst not being too long for little legs.
The stepped bridge to Cringleford Woods on the south-west side is one of the best for Pooh sticks! There are also picnic benches and BBQ stands along the north side which make it an excellent meeting spot. In May, there are carpets of bluebells in the woods to the west of the broad along the Orange Trail.
The Sainsbury Centre is only a short walk away which has all the facilities you will need (note, the café is closed on a Monday – see their website for opening times).
The River Yare hugs the south side of the Broad and offers an extension to the route along the Yare Valley Trail – an extra stretch of boardwalk from the south-east corner (you can walk all the way to Eaton which has pubs and shops from this route, although this is best in the summer or after a dry spell).
It’s about a mile round and there is some uneven terrain. It can be a bit bumpy as it has a compacted stony path for much of it and some stretches can get a bit muddy, but it has been a regular pushchair walk for us. Lots of places to stop and sit too.
- Start point (postcode): NR4 7ED (car park on the corner of North Park Avenue and Bluebell Road)
- Length of walk: Accessible path route – the route round the lake is 1 mile
- Facilities: Sainsbury’s Centre Café or Eaton Park Café
- Accessibility: Accessible paths for pushchairs
- Surfaces: A mix of hardcore (stony) compact surfaces which is accessible but a little bumpy, grass and some boardwalk
- Toilets/baby change: Yes – at the Sainsbury Centre
- Seating: Yes
- Picnic area: Yes – with BBQ stands
- Opening times: Always open
- Entrance fee: None
- Parking: Yes – free car park on the junction of Bluebell Road and North Park Avenue (NR4 7ED). There is a popular car park on Colney Lane (NR4 7RG) although to access the Broad with a pushchair will involve negotiating the stepped bridge
- Other features: Various art installations around the walk. Brilliant pooh sticks bridge! Bluebells in May in the nearby woods on the Orange Trail. A well-used walk for locals and students
- Website – More info (with a downloadable map) at:
