Norfolk - The Norfolk Broads
Visit England's largest safeguarded wetland
The famously picturesque and popular Norfolk Broads national park is made up of over sixty open areas of water, and seven rivers: the Ant, Bure, Chet, Thurne, Waveney, Wensum, and Yare. Hire a boat, take a picnic, and make a day of it!
The beautiful landscape, diverse wildlife, and significant cultural heritage of the Broads are all protected as one of the UK's 15 national parks, ensuring that they can be enjoyed for many years to come. The landscape, wildlife, and culture of the UK national parks are protecyted because they are unique, and the Broads definitely lives up to the hype.
In the Middle Ages, the Broads were first dug out to provide fuel from the peat, but by the 19th century, these waterways were an obvious destination for people who enjoyed the growing popularity of pleasure boating. Today, the beauty and tranquillity of the Broads' lakes and landscapes draw approximately eight million visitors every year.
The Broads is a "must-see" for nature lovers because it's home to a greater variety of rare wildlife than any other British national park. More than a quarter of the country's rarest species can be found here. Including the swallowtail, the largest butterfly in Britain, and the Norfolk hawker dragonfly.
The conservation of the Broads is crucial to the UK's biodiversity because it includes nine national nature reserves, 28 sites of particular scientific interest, and 25% of the park has received international recognition for biodiversity.
It's easy to see why boating is one of the most popular activities on the Broads. There's no better way to exoplore this unforgettable area of whispering reed marshes, open fenlands, and shrubby heaths than via its winding, interconnected waterways. There are a variety of boating options available to you, including skippered boat trips, day boat rentals, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Its the ideal escape from the bustle of everyday life. Relax on the deck of your boat or cast a fishing line into the water as you leisurely cruise, sail, or row past the reed marshes, meadows, and woodlands.
As you slowly make your way through the fascinating waterways of the Broads, take in the breathtaking scenery while learning about its history. With such a wide range of boat trips available, whether you're interested in history or nature, you'll find plenty to interest you.
And, if you’re not too keen being on the water, there are also plenty of other ways get outside and see the idyllic landscape. Take to the cycling and walking rotes to discover the small settlements, medieval brick bridges and historic mills that dot the horizon.
The Broads are a great place for cyclists of all levels because they have miles and miles of peaceful country lanes that wind through a relatively flat landscape.
A stroll through the Broads is one of the best things there is. You can quickly find yourself on a blowy sand dune, in sun-dappled woodland, or feeling a welcome cool breeze blowing through the reeds as you follow one of the many managed paths.
If you want to observe a robin on a waymarker, a heron's majestic wingspan, or a swallowtail fluttering in the meadow flowers, you should stop and stand still for a moment. You can get a close-up look at the natural relationships that have made this beautiful area what it is.
