Norwich norfolk broads

Norwich

Norwich

Norwich

HOLIDAYS ON THE NORFOLK BROADS

 

USEFUL HOLIDAY LINKS FOR THE NORFOLK BROADS

The Norfolk Broads is a fascinating area with a rich history, reflected in the many wonderful places to visit and the unique wildlife. There are restored windmills, medieval churches, beautiful gardens and great places for family visits. If you enjoy walking or cycling, there are also many routes to choose from.

The Broads are a network of mostly navigable rivers and lakes (known locally as broads) in the English counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. The Broads and some surrounding land was constituted as a special area with a level of protection similar to a national park by The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act of 1988. The Broads Authority, a Special Statutory Authority responsible for managing the area, became operational in 1989.

The total area, the majority of which is in Norfolk, is 303 kmē, with over 200 km of navigable waterways. There are seven rivers and about fifty broads, mostly less than twelve feet deep. Out of fifty or so broads, only thirteen are generally open to navigation, with a further three having navigable channels. Some broads have navigation restrictions imposed on them in autumn and winter.

Also visit our page about sailing on the Norfolk Broads.

 

>> The Broads Authority - conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Broads

>> Blake's - Boat hire as well as training courses for all levels

>> Broad's Tours - family owned and Wroxham based boat hire. 

>> George Smith and Sons -  can even hire a 48 seater passenger boat named the 'Broadland Explorer'

>>
Hoseason's  - Boats and holiday cottages on the Norfolk Broads.

>>
Waterway's Holidays - online boating holiday specialist offering live availability and booking

>> Roy's of Wroxham - the world's largest village store, located in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.  Founded in 1895

>> The Broads Society - founded in 1956 to promote the future well-being of the Broads area and provide a focus for all who are interested in the region.

     
Norfolk Broads   Norfolk Broads
WROXHAM BROAD   OULTON BROAD
     
Wroxham Broad The village of Wroxham is the sailing capital of the Norfolk Broads - and the home to "Roy's of Wroxham" stores.  The Broad itself is about 1.5 miles from the village centre, and the home of the Norfolk Broads Yacht Club.

Oulton Broad

Oulton Broad is known as the Southern Gateway to the Broads. It is one of the few inhabited broads, with houses to the north and flats to the east. Home of the Oulton Broad Water Sports Centre
Norfolk Broads   Norfolk Broads
HICKLING BROAD   BREYDON WATER
     
Hickling Broad Hickling Broad is a National Nature Reserve established by English Nature and in the care of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Hickling has the largest reed-bed in England and many rare species of flora and fauna. Breydon Water Breydon Water is a large tidal estuary at Great Yarmouth.  It is a European Union Special Protection Area (SPA) due to the birdlife - over 32,000 lapwings arrive every year!  The Water is overlooked by a Roman garrison.
Norfolk Broads   Norfolk Broads
Norfolk Broads   Norfolk Broads

HISTORY OF THE NORFOLK BROADS

  NORFOLK BROADS WILDLIFE

For many years the broads were regarded as natural features of the landscape. It was only in the 1960s that Dr Joyce Lambert proved that they were artificial features, the effect of flooding on early peat excavations. The Romans first exploited the rich peat beds of the area for fuel, and in the Middle Ages the local monasteries began to excavate the "turbaries" (peat diggings) as a business, selling fuel to Norwich and Great Yarmouth. The Cathedral took 320,000 tonnes of peat a year. Then the sea levels began to rise, and the pits began to flood. Despite the construction of windpumps and dykes, the flooding continued and resulted in the typical Broads landscape of today, with its reed beds, grazing marshes and wet woodland.

Ted Ellis, a local naturalist, referred to the Broads as "the breathing space for the cure of souls"

A great variety of boats can be found on the Broads, from Edwardian trading wherries to state-of-the-art electric or solar-powered boats.
 
Holiday

NORFOLK BROADS ACCOMMODATION

>> Hotel Wroxham
The Bridge, Wroxham, Norfolk, NR12 8AJ, T: 01603 782061
Overlooking the River Bure, the Hotel Wroxham has 18 rooms and a well-respected restaurant.  Mixed feedback on the rooms.

>> Wayford Bridge Hotel
Wayford Bridge, Stalham, Norfolk, NR12 9LL,T: 01692 582414
A homely hotel overlooking the River Ant.  Very good service. Well located for a holiday encompassing the Broads and the North Norfolk beaches.

>> Wherry Hotel, Oulton Broad
Bridge Road, Oulton Broad, Norfolk, NR32 3LN, T: 01502 516 845
Situated on the shores of Oulton Broad, the Wherry is a favourite holiday hotel for regular visitors to the Norfolk Broads.

There is an abundance of short term rental accommodation, including classic Norfolk Cottages - more info coming soon.

 

  The Broads are Britain's largest protected wetland and are home to a wealth of wildlife, especially birdlife. Amongst the waterfowl: Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Great Crested Grebe, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Egyptian Goose. Larger birds include Grey Heron, Cormorant, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and Bittern.

The scarce Cetti's Warbler breeds in the Broads, and Britain's only breeding Common Cranes are found in the area. Among the rare insects are the Norfolk hawker, a dragonfly and the Swallowtail butterfly. Some of the broads are surrounded by fens, i.e. reed and sedge beds. Norfolk reed from the broads has been a traditional material for thatching houses.

Holiday

WHY TAKE A HOLIDAY ON THE NORFOLK BROADS?

Alongside having some stunning birdlife and rich history of development, the Norfolk Broads can offer a range of holidays, whether that be a weekend in a beautiful Norfolk Cottage overlooking the water, a week's holiday on a house boat or just a day out on a day boat cruiser.

The Broads have been a favourite boating holiday destination since the early 20th century. The waterways are lock-free, although there are three bridges under which only small cruisers can pass. The area attracts all kinds of visitors, including ramblers, artists, anglers, and bird-watchers as well as people "messing about in boats". The Norfolk wherry, the traditional cargo craft of the area, can still be seen on the Broads as some specimens have been preserved and restored.

From the tranquillity of Horning, to the (almost) hustle and bustle of busy Wroxham, there's a holiday for everyone.

 

 

 

     

 

 

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