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Your Guide to the Norfolk
Broads
National Park
The Broads, in the heart of East Anglia, is Britain's largest protected wetland. Three rivers, the Bure, the Waveney and the Yare, together with their many tributaries and over forty wider expanses of water or shallow lakes known as 'broads', flow through the area adopted by the Broads Authority, a member of the National Parks Family. . These Broads range from tiny lakes to the large expanse of water, the largest being Hickling Broad.
The Broads is part of the family of National Parks of Britain. It differs from the other National Parks, with its own legislation, giving the navigation of the waterways equal status with the conservation and public enjoyment of the area. The total area is around 188 square miles, with 124 miles of waterways, encompassing the broads of east Norfolk and north Suffolk are 185 miles of footpaths. The highest point being the Bath Hills which is just 12 metres above sea level. The beauty of The Broads though is best appreciated from the water and many different types of craft can be hired for day or longer trips, a trip out on the water is an essential part of any visit.
If you do choose to explore by water you will be pleased to know that many of the picturesque villages have a staithe where boats can be moored, to allow exploration inland. Here you can discover historic buildings, ancient churches, old mills, water pumps and museums all with a story to tell about The Broads.
- Explore Norwich, and discover its ancient buildings and city wall - and see for yourself why it is the most complete medieval city in Britain. Wander the medieval streets and alleys lined with tiny specialty shops and attractive half timbered houses around the Norwich Lanes.
- The Southern Broads is very picturesque and much quieter than the north, and is formed around the rivers Yare, Chet and Waveney. Discover the villages of Brundall and Reedham which are busy with riverside activity, and Loddon which has a pretty staithe if you are looking for somewhere to moor.
- The Northern Broads formed around the river Bure, Thurne and Ant are here there are even more opportunities to explore by boat, here you find Hickling - the largest broad with 500 acres of open water. Nearby Horning is an attractive village, home to the Ferry Inn which marks a river crossing that has been in existence for over a 1,000 years.
The broads, were once thought to be a natural feature in the landscape, have actually been developed through the digging of peat, which took place in the 9th-13th centuries. Eventually as water levels in the area rose, the peat pits ('tarbaries') flooded and the Broads began to form.The surrounding landscape is made up of drained grazing marshland, fens consisting of reed-beds and sedge and wet-woodlands known as 'carr woodland'.
The Broads is home to many species of birds, over 250 species of plants and a variety of wildlife. There are 28 SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), 9 National Nature Reserves and the RSPB reserve at Strumpshaw Fen. Some of the really special wild animals you may be lucky enough to see include the otter, the Norfolk hawker, - a rare dragonfly, and Britain's biggest butterfly - the Swallowtail, one of its favourite haunts is How Hill Nature Reserve which incorporates the delightful Toad Hole cottage a tiny former eel-catchers cottage.
The Broads extends to the coast and the beach between Horsey and Winterton on sea is home to a colony of grey seals. Sometimes you can usually see their heads popping up above the waves. In December and January they have pups and come out of the water for several weeks. Around 100 pups are born each winter, and this sight makes exploring the Broads in winter a must-do experience.
There has been a great deal of work to restore the Broads and to encourage conservation, you can see for yourself some of the restoration work being undertaken by the Broads Authority by visiting Barton Broad. A boardwalk has been created at the southern end from where you can view the project, or you can take a trip on the authorities purpose-built solar powerboat "Ra". Barton Broad is the second largest of the Broads, it is a wonderful place for boating with a sailing club and an annual regatta.
