The Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads are one of this country’s main tourist attractions and now have National Park status and a Broad’s Authority, whose job it is to preserve and enhance the area’s natural beauty, as well as protecting the interests of navigation.

Over thirty Broads lie in the triangle between Lowestoft, Norwich and Sea Palling, many of them within this locality. The Broads, which are tidal, were once believed to be a natural formation from a bygone age. However, we now know that they were created when areas that had been dug for peat flooded, as the sea level rose. Now there are over 200 miles of navigable waterways and any number of places where you can hire a vessel to suit your skills and needs.

Within this belt of land are Ormesby Broad, Horsey Mere, Hickling Broad, Potter Heigham and Wroxham. Potter Heigham is notorious because of its bridge, which is the trickiest to navigate in the whole of the Broads. Bridge pilots are posted there and all people in hired boats are required to use their assistance to pass under the medieval bridge.

Both Wroxham and Potter Heigham claim to be the Capital of the Broads, though Wroxham is probably the better places to sort out your boat hire and get kitted out for your cruise.