Join the party in National Parks Week

Nature lovers all over the country will be out celebrating our most beautiful countryside in National Parks Week from 29 July to 5 August. And what better way to celebrate than by getting outside and having a picnic?

The Broads will be launching National Parks Week with a Picnic in the Park on Sunday 29 July between 11.00am and 4.00pm in one of the jewels in the Broads’ crown - How Hill National Nature Reserve.

People are invited to picnic on a grassy hill with spectacular views over the snaking River Ant, Turf Fen Mill and Reedham Water. There will be fun activities for all the family such as dyke dipping for mini-beasts, boat trips on the Electric Eel through the secret dykes behind the river, walks to Buttle Marsh which is being used to re-colonise the bittern, and through the woods and fens of the nature reserve.

Conservation and outdoor organisations will be there with a wide variety of stalls with opportunities to learn more about wildlife - the good species and the bad - and angling. Children can get involved in a range of crafts, crush their own fruit juice by pedal power, have their faces painted and take part in a marsh tools quiz. A gun punt, used by wildfowlers, will be on display.

There will also be the chance to venture into tiny Toad Hole Cottage, a Victorian marshman’s house which is fitted out as it might have been over 100 years ago.

Parts of the site are suitable for wheelchair users. Toilets are available but none are fully accessible. Dogs are welcome on leads except on the nature trail.

Directions: From Ludham, on the A1062, follow the signs to How Hill. Parking is on the car park at the top of the field at How Hill. To book the Electric Eel and for more information ring 01692 678763.