When I told one of my girlfriends that I was writing an article about family holidays, she gave a hollow laugh, “Well, that won’t take long”, she said “Just write ‘stay at home’.”  It’s often the sentiment around September-time when many parents return from their summer holiday more exhausted than when they left, swearing that the phrase ‘family holiday’ is the biggest oxymoron of all time.

Not so with this holiday.  I admit, in the last 25 years, my history of holidays have been aboard cruise ships, in fact, I’ve reviewed the largest in the world, but this gem in the heart of the Norfolk Broads brought about excitement on a completely different level.  It ticks the boxes of all the family’s requirements… dad – steering and being captain of his own luxury boat (and it is luxury… according to the words of admiration from fellow holidaymakers on the Broads), mum – splitting her time between preparing meals in the remarkably spacious kitchen and topping up her tan (Grazia-style) on the cocktail deck, the children – donning lifejackets and exploring all areas onboard.  I agree, this last statement is rather stereotypical, but the beauty of this holiday is that the whole scenario can be turned on its head!

This cruiser encourages a switch from the norm, it’s a state-of-the-art vessel and after initial simple instruction from the Herbert Woods staff, you can take the helm or head the kitchen galley on a cruise along some of the most picturesque countryside you’ll ever see in the UK.  The Norfolk Broads is renowned for its scenic waterways, rare wildlife and rich history, a unique mosaic of lakes, land and rivers with the status of a national park.  The Victorians first introduced holiday boating to this magical waterland and it’s been popular ever since, offering unrivalled experiences unique to Norfolk.

We took the Herbert Woods Royale Light out for a weekend taster cruise, I hopped on-board at Wroxham where my partner, Shane, my dad (John) and my aunt (Maureen) sailed from the pick-up point at Potter Heigham, with Shepherds Pie in the oven and red wine on the table… the perfect start!  I was also met with an abundance of swans (with impeccable manners!) who accompanied us throughout the weekend as we moored up along the way, joined daily by geese, ducks, goslings and ducklings – add plenty of bread to the shopping list!

During the course of the days, we sailed gently through picturesque waterways passing other holidaymakers making the most of the tranquillity of the area.  Perhaps I’m biased, living in the area, but my preconceptions of a broads holiday were blown gently away and left me eager to book the next trip.  Herbert Woods offer detachment from the normal hubbub on a different level, delivering solitude if you want it, good old-fashioned family bonding time where you can let your hair down and completely relax or charged exploration, all with the knowledge that the staff are close at hand and safety is their prime concern.

Details of all cruises and availability are available at:

www.herbertwoods.co.uk