What can be more classic than a day out feeding the ducks? Treat your elderly relatives to these finest of duck spots in and around Mid Norfolk!
A classic activity as old as time. People have been feeding ducks by rivers, ponds, and lakes for as long as anyone can remember. With springtime rolling in and the ducks, still as cute as ever, thriving in towns and villages, it’s a fantastic time of year to take your elderly loved ones out for the afternoon to feed the ducks. However, not all duck ponds are the same, so we have created this list of the best ducky spots so you can make sure to take your loved ones to the right spots for the fullest experience.
Relax and unwind in the beautiful, tranquil Water Gardens at Gooderstone. What could be nicer than to stroll through an enchanting six-acre garden, with its thirteen numbered bridges to help you find your way as they cross the waterways, four ponds and a natural trout stream. Explore the nature trail, perhaps spot a Kingfisher, use our Bird Hide and enjoy delicious home-made cakes and interesting plant sales. The garden boasts flat grassy paths, lots of seating, mature trees and shrubs with colourful borders, the garden changes day by day, season by season.
Noted for its variety of bird life, spring flowers and autumn fungi, the arboretum is the perfect place to enjoy some peace and quiet. Lynford Arboretum’s Easy Access Trail has seating areas at regular intervals along its path so you can stop, enjoy the view and the peaceful forest. This trail is well surfaced and suitable for wheelchairs, trampers, and buggies as well as benches at regular intervals.
A beautiful and peaceful walk along the River Nar where it meets Castle Acre, the Water Meadows are home to many different species all thriving in the shadow of the magnificent motte-and-bailey castle. The section of the River Nar that flows through the remains of the water meadows was narrowed and several pools and berms were created as part of restoration works by the Norfolk Rivers Trust.
Pensthorpe is a 700-acre nature reserve and woodland conservation park, the ultimate destination for discovery for the whole family. Here you can explore magical gardens, take a trail through our internationally recognised reserve, and get up close with feathered friends, spot the red squirrels and flamingos. Don’t forget to wet your beak at the café and stop off at the shop too.
When feeding ducks, always remember to do so responsibly! While bread is the traditional choice, it’s always better to offer wholegrain bread where possible and to add variety with oats, seeds, lettuce, and peas. While bread is not necessarily bad for ducks, it isn’t very good for them either. Filling up on bread makes them less inclined to forage for more nutritious food and could lead to malnutrition. If the bread is stale or mouldy, it could also make them ill.
Exercise restraint and make sure that everyone enjoys your day out, whether they have hair or feathers, while experiencing the Great British outdoors. If you like the look of a ducky outing with the family, find out more about supported living in this area and see if home care in Mid Norfolk could be the right choice for your loved ones.