The Broads is the place that can do it all. Encasing the east coast of England’s shoreline, while also home to over 125 miles of inland waterways, leaves no surprises as to why the Broads are so popular among boaters and holidaymakers each year.

The main attraction is water, together with all the wonderful sights, sounds and feelings it brings. Whether you are drawn to the unique charm of a floating dwelling, are enticed by living life among stunning landscapes or have a desire to be at one with nature, most of us would agree that being beside the water offers an escape from the everyday. So much so, research suggests that between 60 – 80 per cent of us are proven to be more relaxed, content and generally happier whilst spending time in blue spaces.

If you are thinking of taking the leap of a change of home or lifestyle in 2025, waterside living should be something to explore for your next chapter in life. Tingdene has complied the top 10 reasons its residents and berth holders choose to live beside the water and what makes them love it so much.

1. Stunning Scenery
A waterfront life typically offers breathtaking views as far as the eye can see. Whether it is the tranquil ripples of a lake at sunrise, or the majestic flow of a river, living by water provides a constantly changing, picturesque backdrop. This alone can be soothing for the soul, giving a sense of space, light and privacy, as well as feeling like you have a front row seat to something simply spectacular.

2. Peace and Serenity
The calming effect of water is well-documented; we all know how it feels to hear even just a trickle of water falling or flowing, your mind becomes still and simply listens. The gentle lapping of waves or the stillness of a lake can dramatically reduce stress and promote a sense of tranquillity, helping the mind relax and unwind. Having these experiences every day and for it to be a part of your homelife is something that everyone can benefit from.

3. Recreation and Leisure
Waterfront living offers immediate access to a wide range of recreational activities on the water. Boating, swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking and watersports become part of everyday life, encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle for the whole family. Naturally, communities grow from such activities too, adding to your opportunity to socialise if desired. Near all 10 of the Tingdene Marinas and Parks, there is easy access to towns, cities and major road and transport links, so life and leisure activities are all made easy. Explore Reading and London, Windsor, Cambridge, as well as Worcester and neighbouring towns and cities in no time at all.

4. Wildlife and Nature
Native birds, fish, insects and aquatic creatures can be observed in their natural habitat by simply looking out of your window or taking one step outside your front door. Watch species come and go as the seasons change, witness animal families grow and observe the routines of all creatures great and small from the comfort of your home. Your connection with nature is invaluable, and never greater than when living beside the water. With an abundance of natural surroundings, this way of life also provides opportunities for gardening and landscaping in a unique environment and perhaps learning new skills along the way.

5. Community
Waterfront communities often have a strong sense of camaraderie, particularly in boating. Residents and berth holders share a common love for the water and engage in activities such as marina parties, fishing tournaments or simply gathering by the water to socialise. This is certainly the case at Tingdene marinas and parks, where annual parties and organised river cruises bring berth holders and homeowners together to enjoy the social aspects of this way of life. Tingdene’s onsite teams are available seven days a week too, so whether it is a specific query you may have, or a general catch up on daily life, they are always happy to help.

6. Affordability
The idea of being on the doorstep of a tube station to take you into central London for a fraction of the cost of a neighbouring house sounds like a fantastic concept, and it can be your reality. As house prices and rentals across the country continue to rocket, there is a huge rise in people turning to boats as an affordable home. A marina berth is generally a much cheaper alternative than a traditional land-based property, particularly in some of the more prestigious areas around major cities. Many boats are the size of a two-bedroom family home or smaller, meaning bills and maintenance are often much more cost effective too. Onsite facilities make day-to-day tasks simple and are often included in your berthing fee, such as shower and toilet facilities, launderettes and pump out use, so there is no need to find alternative locations to tick off your ‘to do’ list.

7. Climate Moderation
Water can provide much more than just a refreshing gentle breeze on a summer’s day. Water bodies have a moderating effect on the local climate as a whole, all year round. Water has a high heat capacity, meaning it absorbs and releases heat slowly, keeping temperatures more stable. This results in cooler summers and milder winters, providing a comfortable living environment no matter the season. Water can also contribute to increased humidity levels, resulting in positive effects on health and comfort of those residing close by. The presence of water helps with reducing the risk of extreme weather events like frost and snow accumulation, making it easier to maintain outdoor spaces.

8. Privacy and Exclusivity
Many waterfront homes offer a greater degree of privacy, as they are often situated in more secluded locations, among nature. This exclusivity can enhance the feeling of luxury and escape, as if you are permanently on a holiday – which to most is the ultimate goal! Being so close to major towns and cities when berthing at a Tingdene Marina or Park, you can dip in and out of socialising whenever you please, knowing you will always come back to the most serene, private space at the end of the day.

9. Mental Health
The slow pace of life on the water, surrounded by natural beauty, provides a peaceful atmosphere that can be a form of stress relief. Living onboard allows people to disconnect from busy urban environments, offering a greater sense of tranquillity and connection to nature. A waterside home offers you the space, quiet and privacy you need to prepare or wind down from a day, that most other properties simply cannot.

10. Sustainability
For many, living by the water, particularly on a boat, is a way to embrace a simpler, more sustainable way of life. The minimalist living environment encourages reducing personal possessions and waste, while the boat’s mobility offers freedom to explore new places. This flexibility can especially appeal to those who enjoy travelling or want to escape the confines of a fixed location. The waterway is your oyster! Whether it is serene inland meandering or breezy coastal adventure, there are endless reasons to love embracing life on or beside the water.

Best of both worlds
Within Tingdene Marinas’ 10 UK inland marinas, four of their locations are home to waterside living options on both land and water, two of which are located on the east coast.

Broadlands Park & Marina, Norfolk Broads
Award-winning Broadlands Park & Marina has been a popular site for many keen Broads goers for a number of years. With premium facilities, including a recently refurbished Gastro-Pub ‘Moss & Co.’, onsite boat training and an indoor swimming pool, visitors, owners and berth holders can access everything they need in one place. The site directly overlooks the Broads and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches and acres of untouched walking routes the east coast has to offer. Overlooking the marina is Broadlands Park, home to a collection of one or two bedroom lodges and villa bungalows for sale. With comfortable, spacious living spaces, plenty of play parks, access to all onsite facilities and the marina views, Broadlands Park & Marina is the ideal escape for you and your family whether on land or water.
Berths: 125 lettable and 4 visitor

Waveney River Centre, Norfolk Broads
Nestled away comfortably inside the Waveney Valley, Waveney River Centre is home to a perfectly located marina and holiday lodge site. Offering unique views of the Carlton marshes, accessible onsite by foot ferry, some of the most premium facilities on the Broads, miles of land and water to explore and an onsite family-friendly pub, there are endless plans and memories to be made here. The onsite indoor swimming pool is free to berth holders and holiday homeowners, and new tenants ‘East Coast Boat Building Services’ are on hand for any marine requirements, so you will never have to go far to look after your craft. With front-row access to the region’s best spot for nature and wildlife they have a range of one to four bedroom lodges for sale and rent. Fully furnished and built to a high specification, there has never been a better place to create special family memories on the Broads.
Berths: 77 lettable, 6 visitor

Tingdene’s other waterside property locations include Racecourse Marina Windsor on the River Thames, offering luxury waterside lodges overlooking the infamous racecourse and marina, and Upton Lake & Marina on the River Severn, where their contemporary floating home site sits among the landscape of the impressive Malvern Hills.

TransEurope Marina: Explore Further Afield
Their third marina on the east coast, Brundall Bay Marina, is a Four Gold Anchor awarded marina offering first-class facilities and service as standard. Brundall Bay is Tingdene’s only east coast site that is exclusively a marina, however it comes with its own unique benefit exclusively for berth holders. As part of your annual berthing benefits, each berth holder has access to a TransEurope Marinas Group membership, where members can receive a 50 per cent berthing discount at 75+ associated marinas across Europe for up to five days a year per marina. This covers 12 countries and close to 45,000 berths!

Access to the north Norfolk coastline via Great Yarmouth is just a three hour cruise away. From there the open sea and the near continent are at your disposal and ready for you to explore. Perfect for holidays with the family and if you have been meaning to stretch your adventures further afield. Explore some fabulous European boating hot spots this summer for less, by simply mooring at Brundall Bay Marina.
Berths: 310 lettable and visitor berths are allocated in empty berths, subject to availability.

First-Class Facilities on the Broads
Tingdene’s premium facilities provide everything you and your boat need for ease of life afloat and back on land. From boat maintenance and advice to eateries and activities, they have everything covered. With plenty of visitor berths across all sites, Tingdene’s east coast marinas provide the perfect stop off point for Broads and see-going cruisers. Facilities across all three sites include:

  • Premium shower and toilet facilities
  • Electricity and water to each berth
  • Elsan pump out onsite
  • Fuel onsite or close by
  • Hardstanding
  • Slipway
  • Free parking
  • Pet friendly
  • Onsite family-friendly restaurants
  • WiFi
  • CCTV
  • On site indoor heated swimming pool*
  • Launderette*
  • Onsite shop*
  • Play areas*
    *selected marinas.

Tingdene Privilege Card
Tingdene berth holders also have access to a plethora of extra benefits onsite with a Privilege Loyalty Card, including discounts on fuel, boat lifting, slipway use and pump-outs. Tingdene’s three Broads marinas are close enough to visit in one day, with Waveney and Broadlands Marinas only taking 20 minutes to reach each other, and Brundall Bay a three hour cruise from there. All berth holders are entitled to free mooring at any other Tingdene marina for 28 days, the perfect opportunity to extend your adventure further around the Broads, or onto the Thames, Severn, Wey or Great Ouse Rivers. Other discounts include:

  • Discounted food at marina restaurants
  • Discounted boat insurance with Haven Knox-Johnston
  • 10 per cent off AllSeasons Holidays
  • 5 per cent off East Coast Motorboat Training
  • Up to 20 per cent off golfing and disc golf at Caldecott Hall
  • Discounted leisure swimming
  • UK-wide discounts and marina specific discounts are also available.

Anchor Your Rate until 2026
At Tingdene Marinas, they have anchored down their 2024 tariffs until 2026* for both new and existing berth holders, while offering the same premium service as always. Take advantage of these huge savings and secure your berth before 31 March 2025 to receive two full years of the same tariff.

Being a part of the Tingdene family means you have the best of the boating world. Continue to cruise without the worry of cost increases, all while receiving the same great service, premium onsite facilities for you and your boat, onsite experts, friendly communities and events, Privilege Scheme offers and discounts, improvements and development plans across sites and tranquil, yet accessible inland locations.

*Savings for up to 2 years applies to berths secured before 31 March 2025. Any berths secured after this date will have one year at the ‘frozen’ tariff rate. Full T&Cs can be found at www.tingdeneboating.com.

Testimonials
“This hidden gem is well worth a visit, small menu but food is excellent, staff are super friendly and plenty of seating inside and outside.”
Moira Young (Broadlands Park & Marina)

“Friendly and pleasant. You can eat, shower, service your boat or camp. Following your activities, there is always a pub…”
Lukasz Gruzla (Waveney River Centre)

“Good, tidy marina. Good, clean shower facilities, and restrooms. Laundry facilities good.”
Adam Harvey (Brundall Bay Marina)

Tingdene Marinas
T: 01933 427808 | E: marinas@tingdene.net W: www.tingeneboating.com

Tingdene Holiday Parks
T: 0800 270 7722 | E: lifestyle@tingdene.net W: www.tingdenelifestyleparks.co.uk

Waterfront Living, Upton Lake
T: 01933 829940 | E: info@waterfront-living.com W: www.waterfront-living.com/upton-lake

Racecourse Lodges, Windsor
T: 01753 910750 | E: info@racecoursemarina.com W: www.racecoursemarina.com

 

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