The Norfolk Broads

This mysterious network of waterways, shallow lakes, woodland, fen and marsh is a very special wetland that bursts with wildlife. The backbone of the Broads is five rivers – the Ant, Thurne, Waveney, Yare and Bure – that reach across Norfolk and Suffolk from Norwich to the seaside towns of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Off these are around 60 broads, lakes and dykes giving 125 miles of navigable waterway, which connect the Broadland communities including Wroxham, the ‘capital’ of the Broads, Stalham and Potter Heigham. The broads themselves are the flooded remains of peat pits dug in medieval times. The surrounding reedbeds, woods and bog are home to otters, kingfishers, bitterns, marsh harriers, swallowtail butterflies and fen orchid. Motor and sailing cruisers can be hired for holidays, along with day boats, and there are trip boats. You can also row, canoe and dinghy sail. There is also some great walking. There are many miles of footpaths and wooden walkways over the marsh to viewpoints and bird watching hides. Cycling is another popular activity…and the Broads is an angler’s paradise.