Countryside

Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads are best known as a boating centre, and rightly so. They are made up of a multitude of broad, shallow lakes lying along five major rivers. The lakes are the result of peat "harvest" during the Middle Ages. The water level rose, and flooded the peat diggings, creating lakes that are home to many rare plant and animal species, as well as a multitude of birds.

Typical Broads scenery

Not surprisingly, then, the Broads are blessed with several popular wildlife reserves, including an unusual floating conservation Centre at Ranworth.

A nature trail runs from the centre, and walkers can explore the local fen vegetation and birdlife. The RSPB runs a bird reserve at Strumpshaw (near Norwich), and there is also a nature trail at Hoveton Broad.

Technically, the Norfolk Broads are not actually a national park, although they have equivalent status.

Worth seeing:

Stracey Arms Windpump
Broadlands Conservation Centre (Ranworth)
Hickling Broad Nature Reserve
Strumpshaw Fen Reserve (RSPB)

Ordnance Survey maps covering the Norfolk Broads:
Explorer OS maps (Scale: 4cm = 1 km / 1: 25000) - best for walking
EX040 The Broads

Landranger OS maps (Scale: 2cm = 1km / 1: 50000)
LR134 NORWICH/THE BROADS

Contact:

The Broads Authority
Dragonfly House
2 Gilders Way
Norwich
NR3 1UB
Tel. 01603 610 734
Fax: 01603 756 069
Email: broads@broads-authority.gov.uk
Web: http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/

Related:
Norfolk Travel Guide
East Anglia