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The famous
The Norfolk Broads are a unique mixture of man made
expanses of water connected by meandering rivers and dykes
throughout much of Norfolk and into Suffolk. Originally thought to have been formed naturally, it wasn’t
until the early 1960’s that research conclusively proved that the
broads themselves were the result of medieval man digging for peat
to fuel their fires. These peat diggings later flooded to form the
beautiful broadland landscape we have today. The dykes were dug to drain the marshes and surrounding
areas to enable them to be used for grazing of livestock and for
arable farming and the windmills that are dotted around the
landscape were used in part to mill grain, but more commonly to pump
water to assist in and manage the drainage. The rivers that link the broads, Norwich, Yarmouth and
other towns in broadland, also were in part man made. Over the years
man raised the banks to stop flooding of the low-lying land and
altered the routes of the rivers to connect or bypass areas. The end result is that we have around 150 miles of
navigable rivers and around 41 shallow lakes, all interconnected and
fringed with reed beds that give the keen sailor, the fisherman, the
naturalist, and the holidaymaker, unrivalled opportunities to pursue
their interests in a natural setting of some of the most beautiful
scenery in Britain. In recent years, the area has been made into Britain’s
newest National Park and is overseen by The Broads Authority
ensuring that the landscape and wildlife are protected and cared for
for future generations. The Rivers The Bure: From Belaugh, above which it is
no longer navigable and Coltishall, it travels through the capital
of broadland, Wroxham, through the picturesque village of Horning,
past the ruins of St Benet’s Abbey to Acle and then on through
vast drained grazing areas to Great Yarmouth The Ant: From Wayford Bridge, the river
flows close to Stalham and then through Barton Broad, which is at
present undergoing renovation to remove the vast quantities of mud
and silt that have built up over the years. Past Neatishead and The
How Hill Estate with its education centre, it then joins with the
Bure on its way to the sea. The Thurne: Flows from
Martham through Potter Heigham and links with the Bure and the Ant
close to How Hill. The Yare: Flows from Norwich,
Norfolk’s premier city, through Reedham with its chain driven
ferry, past the Cantley Sugar Beet factory, across the wild open
space of Breydon Water to Great Yarmouth. The biggest of the
Broadland rivers, it was the main trading route between Norfolk’s
capital city and the sea. The Waveney: Another
important river that brings Suffolk into the Norfolk Broad
complex, it flows up from Geldeston and Beccles in Suffolk with a
link to Oulton Broad, that in turn goes to Lowestoft, through the
pretty areas of Somerleyton and St Olaves to join with the Yare at
Breydon Water. Thus linking Yarmouth with Lowestoft. The Chet:
An altogether smaller river, linking Loddon to the river Yare The Wensum: A
very pretty river flowing through farmland from Fakenham, past
numerous typical Norfolk villages, to Norwich where it joins the
Yare. In most part it is not navigable, but offers superb fishing. The BroadsWroxham Broad: Situated on the
Bure the broad is one of the largest covering an area of about 130
acres it is used by Wroxham sailing club and is accessible to the
public by road and river. Salhouse Broad:
A mile or so from both Wroxham and Horning this tranquil broad
is some way from the road, with a pretty footpath from the public
car park. It is boarded on one side by grassy banks, ideal for
picnicking with good mooring facilities and on the other by the
Bure. Black Horse Broad:
A private broad recently pumped out to remove all the build up of
Silt and mud that threatened to strangle the plant and water born
life. The Broad is at times closed to the public. Cockshoot Broad;
This tiny Broad has been closed off to from the Bure for some
years and is accessible only by foot to a small viewing hide. The
broad has been returned to its original state
( no boats and no access on to the broad itself). From a semi
dead state it is now a haven for wildlife and its crystal clear
water abounds with plants and water creatures. Dragonflies and
Butterflies abound and the area is well worth a visit to see how the
broads must have looked in years gone by. Ranworth Broad:
A few miles down river from Wroxham, Ranworth broad is joined to the
river Bure by a navigable dyke. The broad is divided in to two
halves,
South Walsham Broad:
again consisting of two broads and joined to the
Bure by Fleet Dyke.
Close by is South Walsham Hall'. The
inner Broad is privately owned by The Fairhaven Garden
Trust who
conduct boat trips on the Broad and whose gardens are open to the
public. Barton Broad: Situated at the end of
the River Ant Barton broad is surrounded by Reed beds. In recent
years the Broad has become very silted and although one of the
largest expanses of water much of it became too shallow for craft.
In the last few years the Broads Authority have undertaken the
pumping out of all the mud and silt, a huge undertaking, to return
this lovely Broad to the state it was in when Lord Nelson learnt to
sail on it. Hickling Broad:
Another huge area of water, it is used by the local sailing club and
windsurfers. At one time it was famed for its huge Pike and for its
fishing and wildlife. It has recently had considerable problems with
weed growth and is in most part now very shallow. Horsey Mere: A secluded and
remote area of water famed for its times past. The sea
has often broken in and has changed the area. Today it is a nature
reserve.
Filby Broad; This inland Broad is
separated from Rollesby Broad by a road bridge
carrying the Acle to Caister road these two broads are not
accessible via the river system and are a ideal place for quieter
pursuits such as sailing and fishing. Adjoining these two Broads is Ormesby
Broad again separated by a road bridge it enjoys the same
tranquility as its neighbors. Rockland Broad:
Lying on the banks of the river Yare just down river of Brundall
it is one of the quieter and smaller broads. Oulton Broad; This broad, lying on the Waveney and close to Lowestoft is Suffolk’s contribution to the Broads network. It has a well-equipped Yacht station and is the centre for boating in the area. It was the location for the testing of the first Hovercraft. Today it is also used for powerboat racing, drawing huge crowds. Visit
these sites to see more of the Broads:- |
