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Norfolk Broads Region Resort Information The
Norfolk Broads Region of the
Norfolk
in England
offers a wide range of holiday resorts to suit all ages and budgets.
The Norfolk Broads are
thought to have been created by the flooding of ancient peat diggings.
They consist of large expanses of water, long meandering rivers and
smaller lakes and dykes and are unique throughout Britain. For much of
the year, the Broads are thronged by motor cruisers, sailing boats and
other vessels transporting those people who want to experience the
beauty and tranquillity of the Norfolk Broads. It is the perfect place
to relax and unwind and offers some spectacular wildlife like the
swallowtail butterfly.
Boating is one of the
best ways to explore the broads and there are many varieties of boat
available and can be booked locally at any of the broads. We recommend
the electric day-boat, with its electric engine, means that it is
quieter than most boats and friendlier to the environment. It is a
great way to explore the many waterways. How Hill Nature Reserve near Ludham
is where you can hop on board the Electric Eel. This boat glides
quietly along the reed-fringed dykes and incorporates a stop at a bird
hide that overlooks Reedham
Water.
The River Bure is at the
heart of the Broads and flows through some of the most attractive
countryside in Norfolk. It is a very popular water-way for all types
of boat and for much of the year it is bustling with craft. Coltishall
is at the limit of navigation of the River Bure and is a pretty
village with woodland, fields and properties whose gardens lie at the
waters edge. The ruins of St Benet’s Abbey stand on the banks of the
River Bure. It was founded in around 955AD and was once an important
Benedictine monastery. Today little remains of the original monastic
house although the foundations of the abbey church as well as a fine
gateway can still be seen. The River Ant is a tributary of the Bure
and its narrow winding channel leads to Barton Broad. Barton Broad is
the second largest Broad.
Wroxham
is one of the most popular parts of the Broads with its water
covering an area of about 120 acres and which is roughly a mile long.
Surrounded by woodland and meadows, it is considered one of the five
major Broads and is a noted yachting centre. It has several boat yards
and offers a good range of shops and amenities for those passing
through. Ranworth Broad is in two parts: the Inner Broad which is
private and noted for its wildlife; and Malthouse, which is popular
with cruising boats. There are many unspoilt Broadland villages like Horning and
Filby.
The Staithe at Stalham is a very pleasant mooring place and in the
village there is a gabled hall dated 1670 and a restored Perpendicular
church.
Two miles from St
Benet’s Abbey the Rivers Bure and Thurne join. The Thurne is six
miles long and flows through some of the most unvisited countryside in
Norfolk. It connects with some northern broads like Heigham Sound,
Horsey Mere, Martham
Broad and Hickling
Broad. The Thurne is popular with all craft and Thurne Mouth is
especially popular with sailing boats as it lacks overhanging trees
which are present along other stretches of water.
The village of Thurne,
although fairly small, has some useful shops and facilities for the
many boats that use this frequently used stretch of water. Womack
Broad is a secluded broad and a firm favourite with artists. It is an
idyllic setting with beautiful scenery and leads to the village of Ludham
which has excellent moorings. Potter Heigham is a bustling village,
especially during the summer months, and is one of the largest boating
centres of the Norfolk Broads. There are riverside boat yards where
boats can be hired and plenty of facilities for holiday-makers. Potter
Heigham is renowned for its medieval three-arched stone bridge which
crosses the River Thurne. Nearby is Heigham Sound where there is an
abundance of waterfowl and it is a popular place for pleasure craft.
Horsey Mere is the Broad
nearest to the sea and is separated from the salt water by sand dunes.
The National Trust protects 2,000 acres of farmland and marshland
around the mere. Also under the care of The National Trust is Horsey
Drainage Mill. It dates from 1912 and replaces an earlier mill that
became dilapidated. In 1943 it was struck by lightning and ceased
working and was left in a state of disrepair for many years. It has
now been restored and from the top of the mill there are magnificent
views of the surrounding countryside.
The longest Broadland
river is the River Yare. This travels over 55 miles from near East
Dereham, through Norwich, to the sea. One of the villages it flows
through is Brundall which is one of the oldest boat building
communities on the Broads. It is where Norfolk Wherries were built as
well as some fine racing yachts.
For further tourist
and resort information guide books are available at our
Travel
Store.
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