Broadcaster 2024

Maps

We hope that you enjoy reading Broadcaster. It is produced by the Broads Authority – looking after the Broads National Park for visitors and its community. If you would like a copy of Broadcaster sent in advance of your next visit, please contact the Broads Authority. Visit our information centres or yacht stations for more details on anything included in Broadcaster. Grid references mentioned throughout Broadcaster (for example C2) refer to this map. COVER: Frog amongst yellow water lilies by Pat Thorne patthorne.co.uk

Broadcaster is available in large print.

Please contact:

Broads Authority, Yare House, 62-64 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RY 01603 610734

enquiries@broads-authority.gov.uk broads-authority.gov.uk

VisitTheBroads.co.uk

The visitor website for the Broads also has all you need to know about where to go and what to do, where to stay ashore and afloat, where to eat, boating, special events and everything else you need to enjoy the Broads by land and water.

The Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping used within this publication is provided by the Broads Authority under licence from the OS, in order to give recreational information to Broads visitors. People viewing this mapping should contact OS Copyright for advice if they wish to license OS mapping for their own use.

10

S…from Hoveton and Wroxham

1

ince the early days of Broads holidays Wroxham, in the north, has been known as the capital of the Broads, but one of the interesting things about the Broads is that it can sometimes seem a bit elusive – are you in it, past it or not there yet?! The boundary follows the river valleys, so with five main rivers the Broads is shaped a bit like a hand. Is it the water (the broads, like shallow lakes) or is it the land, or both? It’s both. And can you be in a national park on the A1151 in Wroxham? Yes, you can! Some parts of the Broads countryside and waterways are immediately obvious, such as the view of the River Bure from Wroxham Bridge, while some others take a bit of exploring to find them…

Take a Broads National Park boat trip on wheelchair accessible Ra – see page 10 for details. Many other boating activities are available in Hoveton and Wroxham (B2/B3) –larger boat trips, paddlecraft and other day hire boats, and holiday boats. VisitTheBroads.co.uk/things-to-do/boating/boathire

2

The narrow gauge Bure Valley Railway follows a scenic route to Aylsham. A path for walkers and cyclists runs beside the railway from its station at Wroxham. See pages 33 and 38 for more details. Heading in the same direction on the river or by road you’ll come to Coltishall (about 2.5 miles). See page 41 for a walk to do at Coltishall or have a stroll at Horstead Mill, just across the river from Coltishall. Staying with railways, there are

THINGS TO DO…

monthly open days at Barton House (miniature) Railway, with a ferry to it from Wroxham Bridge. bvrw.co.uk bhrw.org.uk

3 A 20-minute walk from the Broads National Park information centre on Station Road will take you to Caen Meadow by Castle Staithe, great for a stroll, a picnic and some waterbird watching. Follow Norwich Road (towards Norwich), turn right along Church Lane (which then bends to the left), then at the fork take Skinners Lane, which will take you to the entrance to Caen Meadow and then carries on into the countryside.

4 Wroxham Miniature Worlds (on Station Business Park, about 5 minutes’ walk from the information centre) is the UK’s largest indoor modelling attraction. wroxhamminiatureworlds.co.uk

5 Wroxham Barns, about 1.5 miles by road, has shops for crafts, and local food and drink, plus a children’s farm and fun park. Talking of shopping and food, there are plenty of other local options as well, including Roys of Wroxham. See page 38 for a bit about its history. wroxhambarns.co.uk roys.co.uk/history

6 The lovely Hoveton Hall Gardens including lakeside and woodland walks, and a cafe are about 1.5 miles away by road. hovetonhallestate.co.uk

7 BeWILDerwood (about 2 miles by road, with foot and cycle path) is a children’s woodland adventure park. Bike hire is also available, see page 16. BeWILDerwood.co.uk

8 Barton Broad Boardwalk (just under 4 miles by road) is accessible to wheelchair users and will take you through mysterious wet woodland to a platform with a panoramic view over the broad. norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

9 Salhouse Broad (about 3.5 miles by road) offers short walks, play space, canoe hire and camping. Across the broad is Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail, accessible only by boat. Maybe hire one of those canoes? For a bit more detail on these places see page 33. The village of Ranworth (about 6.5 miles by road) has another Broads National Park information centre and boat trips on Liana, our electric launch, plus lots of other things to do (see page 10).

salhousebroad.org.uk hovetongreatbroad.org.uk norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk ranworthchurch.com

10 Our How Hill National Nature Reserve (see page 11) is just under 7 miles by road, near Ludham.

Bure Valley Railway

Barton Boardwalk

BILL SMITH

BILL SMITH

…from Beccles

While Wroxham may be the capital of the Broads, Beccles (D7), in the south, is one of the gateways to the Broads. It’s been a flourishing market town since Anglo-Saxon times and the Old Market once housed a great fish market, particularly for herring, for which the east coast was famous. The New Market actually dates from the 14th century, but while there’s lots of history to explore, it’s not all old, there are lots of new things too. visitbeccles.co.uk

1

St Michael’s Church is right in the centre of town. It’s unusual in having a separate tower, which you can climb for wonderful views of the surrounding Broads countryside. More details on page 37. Beccles Museum will show you the history of Beccles and is housed in Leman House, built around 1570 and restored and modernised – in the 1760s! becclesparish.org.uk becclesmuseum.org.uk

2

The Friday Market in New Market is still going strong every Friday, 6am-4pm, offering lots of local products. Beccles Food and Drink Festival takes place each May – see page 49.

St Michael's, Beccles

3 Beccles also offers many boating opportunities with paddlecraft and other day hire boats. The stretch of the River Waveney between Beccles and Bungay is very green and tranquil. For more details on paddlesports see page 18.

4 If you’d rather let someone else take charge of boating, try the Big Dog Ferry, see page 16. Look out for otters, kingfishers and marsh harriers along the way and enjoy local brews, food and live music at its destination – the Locks Inn,

Geldeston. Alternatively, you can do a circular walk from Beccles to Geldeston, see page 41. The Angles Way also goes west from Geldeston to Bungay, where you can explore the remains of medieval Bungay Castle. visitbungay.co.uk

5 If you like to be in the water instead of on it, then the Lido is the place for you, with a children’s adventure play area and a cafe too. All facilities are fully accessible. More details on page 37. beccleslido.com

continued on p8

ROSA HUGHES

Explore the Broads

continued from p7

6 The Public Hall offers concerts, films, theatre and other events, and Beccles also hosts antiques markets and a carnival. At Bungay (about six miles by road), the Fisher Theatre offers events and activities. becclespublichall.co.uk fishertheatre.org

7 Beccles has lots of small specialist shops, many in interesting old buildings. There are plenty of tempting places for coffee, lunch, tea, and of course a drink and dinner if your shopping is very extensive… Many of the road names end in ‘gate’ (such as Blyburgate, Saltgate), coming from the Old Norse for street. Beccles also has

Big Dog Ferry

‘scores’, believed to come from an Old English word meaning to cut. They are little paths going down to the river, particularly from Northgate. They don’t go along the river but were used for various ‘industrial’ activities and river access in the days of water transport.

8 If exploring the countryside is more your thing, then take a walk on Beccles Marsh Trail, heading east along the river from Beccles Quay. You can do a circular route to return to Beccles and there’s a short accessible route too. VisitTheBroads.co.uk/walking

9

For more walking and wildlife, try Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve (about 7.5 miles by road). It has several trails, including accessible routes, plus play equipment and a cafe. The reserve has recently been extended and if you’re on a boat there are moorings available. (If you’re starting from Oulton Broad you can walk to the reserve in about 30 minutes.) suffolkwildlifetrust.org

10

Oulton Broad (about 8 miles by road and another gateway to the Broads) is just a little further east, with boat trips, day boats for hire, Nicholas Everitt Park and Lowestoft Museum. thesuffolkcoast.co.uk/suffolk-coast-towns-andvillages/oulton-broad

More details for points 9 and 10 on page 36.

Waveney Valley

Hoveton & Wroxham Station is on the Bittern Line, with frequent daily trains from Norwich (journey time about 15 minutes). Beccles is on the East Suffolk Lines and Oulton Broad is on the Wherry Lines. For public transport details see page 52.

For lots more about everything to do in Hoveton, Wroxham and Beccles, go to VisitTheBroads.co.uk. And you’ll find more ideas for days out in the Visit the Broads itineraries, starting on page 33.

JULIAN CLAXTON

ONE EXCEPTIONAL BROADS EXPERIENCE THREE MARINAS

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Broads and beyond? Look no further than Tingdene Marinas and Boat Sales, your premier destination for the ultimate boating experience. Whether you’re a boat owner wanting to make the most of this stunning waterway or a holidaymaker seeking adventure, Tingdene Marinas has everything you need to elevate your Broads experience to new heights.

Our marinas boast first class facilities designed to cater to your every need. From clean and modern showers and toilets to relaxing swimming pools where you can unwind after a day on the water, we ensure your comfort and convenience are our top priorities. Indulge in delicious meals and refreshing drinks at our onsite bars and restaurants, offering delightful culinary experiences with picturesque waterfront views.

• Pump out

• Fuel*

• Family friendly restaurants

• Showers and toilet facilities

• Launderette

• Slipway

• Indoor heated swimming pool**

• Play areas**

*Waveney Only **Broadlands and Waveney Only

WHERE TO FIND US:

Broadlands Park & Marina, Marsh Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 9JY 01502 440238 | broadlandsmarina@tingdene.net

Brundall Bay Marina, Brundall Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR13 5PN 01603 717804 | brundallbaymarina@tingdene.net

Waveney River Centre, Staithe Road, Beccles, Norfolk NR34 0DE 01502 307006 | waveneymarina@tingdene.net

BOAT SALES

Looking to start or enhance your boating journey? Explore our new and used boats for sale on the Broads. With a wide range of boats and prices to suit all budgets, our experienced team will help you find the perfect vessel for you. Explore our boats and set sail with confidence!

NEW BOATS FOR SALE

Thinking of treating yourself to a new boat? As authorised dealers for top river and sea-going cruisers, we proudly offer a range of premium vessels from Viking, Delphia and Sealine. Explore our stock boats or custom build your own.

FIND OUT MORE: newsportsboats@tingdene.net | 01933 551606

BOAT HIRE

For those seeking a hassle-free experience, we also offer boat hire and boat club at Broadlands Marina and Waveney River Centre. Gather your family and friends for memorable days out on the water, soaking in the natural beauty of the Broads and creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

Explore the Broads

Hoveton Information Centre

days Fun out

at

Hoveton, Ranworth and How Hill

The Broads National Park is the place for fun days out, and our small and friendly boat trips on Ra, Liana and the Electric Eel will all give you the chance to experience the wilder side of the Broads, with our staff aboard to ensure your safety and comfort. They all know and love the Broads, and whether you’re a new or returning visitor, there’s always something to discover.

Ra at Hoveton

Hoveton and Wroxham (B2/B3) lie either side of the River Bure. Take to the water here on Ra, our solarpowered boat, and you’ll find yourself drifting into another world, transported along a beautiful and tranquil stretch of the river, going to Caen Meadow on the short trip and into Bridge Broad and along to Belaugh on the long trip. Listen to the birdsong and relax in a green world, with meadows and wet woodlands on either side that can’t be explored by land. Willow trees abound, watch for water birds

Liana boat trip

such as herons and grebes, and in early summer look out for yellow irises. It’s hard to believe that you’re just minutes from the centre of Wroxham. You can also find out more about solar power, and how the Broads Authority and partners are developing the greener next phase of boating on the Broads. These trips depart from Hoveton Riverside Park, close to Hoveton Broads Information Centre, Hoveton & Wroxham Railway Station (which is on the Bittern Line between Norwich and Sheringham) and the Bure Valley Railway’s Wroxham Station (see page 33). There are free 24-hour moorings close by too. Ra is accessible via a ramp.

Trips

1 hour or 1½ hours, up to nine passengers (at driver’s discretion) including up to four wheelchair users –please check when booking as number depends on the type of wheelchair

• Easter / April, May, October: weekends, bank holidays, Easter week and local half-term only 10.30am (short trip), 11.45am (long trip), 2.30pm (short trip), 3.45pm (short trip)

• June-September: daily 10.30am (short trip), 11.45am (long trip), 2.30pm (short trip), 3.45pm (short trip)

Cost: Short trip £10 adult, £8 child, £30 family; long trip £12 adult, £10 child, £40 family

Bookings: Hoveton Broads Information Centre, 01603 756097

Hoveton Broads Information Centre

Station Road, Hoveton NR12 8UR 01603 756097

hovetontic@broads-authority.gov.uk

Open (free entry)

• Easter / April, May, October: Monday-Friday 9am-1pm and 1.30-5pm; Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm

• June-September: daily 9am-5pm

More fun at Hoveton

For ideas on how to extend your fun day out, see pages 5,33 and 38. Hoveton has toilets by the information centre, and plenty of shops and places to eat.

Liana at Ranworth

Set off on a voyage of discovery from Ranworth (C3) on board Liana, our Edwardian-style electric launch. As we cross Malthouse Broad, the activity of birds at the staithe subsides and there’s a wonderful view of St Helen's Church, known as the cathedral of the Broads. We go past the entrance to Ranworth Broad (the broad and marshes are part of the Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve) and if we’re very lucky, we may catch a glimpse of an otter or two as we pass along Ranworth Dam on our way to join the River Bure, heading towards Cockshoot Dyke. Birds peer out of the reed fringes at us, a kingfisher may be zipping across the water and look up too, a marsh harrier could be soaring overhead. These trips depart from Ranworth Staithe, where there are moorings (with charge, see page 25) and parking.

Trips

55 minutes, up to eight passengers (at driver’s discretion)

• Easter / April-October: daily 10.30am, 2pm, 3pm

Cost: £10 adult, £8 child, £30 family

Bookings: Ranworth Broads Information Centre, 01603 756094

Ra boat trip

BILL SMITH

JULIAN CLAXTON

BILL SMITH

Ranworth Broads Information Centre

The Staithe, Ranworth NR13 6HY 01603 756094

ranworthtic@broads-authority.gov.uk

Open (free entry)

• Easter / April-October: daily 9am-5pm

More fun at Ranworth

Expand your fun day out with a free visit to Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s floating Broads Wildlife Centre (follow the boardwalk from the staithe, taking you through the nature reserve). They also run a ferry service from the staithe (small charge) and boat trips. There are toilets near the staithe and refreshments available, including a tea shop at the church’s Visitors’ Centre. Climb the church tower for a bird’s-eye view of the Broads.

How Hill

How Hill National Nature Reserve (C2), close to the village of Ludham, has something of everything that makes the Broads special. The River Ant runs through the reserve and there are reedbeds, grazing marshes, wet woodlands and even a broad – all full of wildlife for you to discover.

Visit Toad Hole Cottage, lived in by generations of eel catchers, and imagine home life on the marshes in Victorian times. Then take a boat trip to see where the marshmen worked. Explore the Wildlife Walking Trail, Secret Gardens, riverside walks and maybe even Hathor, one of the Broads sailing wherries (see page 17). How Hill is still a working marsh – reed and sedge are cut for thatch, so you could see a marshman at work.

Entry to the site is free, there are public footpaths, and there’s a free car park (open all the time) and 24-hour free moorings. Visitors with disabilities may find it helpful to telephone in advance to check if How Hill is sufficiently accessible for you. In the summer and autumn you may find it helpful to bring an insect repellent for the How Hill trails.

Toad Hole Cottage

How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG 01603 756096

toadholetic@broads-authority.gov.uk

Explore the Broads 11

Toad Hole Cottage

Open (free entry)

• Easter / April, May, October: Monday-Friday 10.30am-1pm and 1.30-5pm; Saturday-Sunday 10.30am-5pm

• June-September: daily 9.30am-5pm

The Electric Eel

Step on board, leave the River Ant behind and enter a tranquil, secret world, where reeds and flowers fringe the narrow dykes. Glide along until we stop for a short walk to a bird hide overlooking Reedham Water. The changing seasons bring changing wildlife. In May, the birds are showing off their breeding finery and, when the sun shines, the hidden warblers are in full song. June sees the Norfolk hawker dragonfly and the swallowtail butterfly on the wing. Summer is the season for flowers, including water lilies. In autumn, the birds are on the move again. The summer visitors leave for warmer climes and soon, duck including teal and wigeon will arrive from the north, as the marsh moves towards winter.

Trips

50 minutes for up to six passengers (at driver’s discretion)

• Easter / April, May, October: weekends, bank holidays, Easter week and local half-term only 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm

• June-September: daily 10am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm

Cost: £10 adult, £8 child, £30 family (not suitable for children under two)

Bookings: Toad Hole Cottage, 01603 756096

Wildlife Walking Trail

Explore the trail to see wildlife for all seasons. In June look out for huge and very rare swallowtail butterflies; sometimes there’s a second brood in August. Assistance dogs only on the trail please.

Open

• Easter / April, May, October: daily 10.30am-5pm

• June-September: daily 9.30am-5pm

Cost: £3 adult, £1.50 child, includes guide booklet

Riverside walks

From Toad Hole Cottage the riverside footpath continues downstream to Ludham Bridge and St Benet’s Abbey. Or you can take a short stroll upriver, past the boat shed, to Boardman’s Mill. The path then goes on to Sharp Street.

How Hill gardens and refreshments

Explore the Secret Gardens, open all the time, entry by donation. These water gardens were created by local architect Edward Boardman for his family home at How Hill, which dates from 1904. The gardens are always lovely and secluded, and in early summer there are spectacular displays of azaleas and rhododendrons. Follow the signs from the car park, moorings and main house. The formal gardens surrounding the house are sometimes open too –check the signs on the gates.

Enjoy a tempting selection of cakes and savoury takeaway refreshments, all made in the How Hill house kitchen, with hot and cold drinks. There are delicious locally made ice creams too (also on sale at Toad Hole Cottage). Refreshments are available, with some outside seating, from the wooden education centre near the main house. Open for the Easter holidays, the late spring holiday, weekends until the summer holidays and then daily until 1 September. 01692 678555 howhilltrust.org.uk

Electric Eel boat trip

JAMES BASS

RICHARD DENYER

continued from p11

Before you go on these three trips…

• You may find it convenient to book your boat trip in advance at holiday times when trips may be busy; as well as booking direct, you can also book at any Broads information centre

• Family tickets are for up to two adults and two children

• We are sorry we cannot take dogs, except assistance dogs, on any of these trips

• All passengers must wear the life jackets provided

• For spring and autumn trips bring warm, waterproof clothes

• Group bookings also available, including special dawn and evening trips – please ask for details

More info

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/information-centres

New for 2024 – boat trip gifts

Give your friends and family the experience of one (or more!) of our wildlife boat trips. Full details from our staff at Hoveton (Ra trips), Ranworth (Liana trips) and How Hill (Electric Eel trips).

Thurne

Come and visit possibly the smallest national park information centre in the world – inside a former telephone box! Find out about Thurne and the Broads, then listen to recordings of Broads birds to hear who’s calling.

The Street, Thurne, NR29 3AP

Open daily (calls are free)

Wildlife boat trips

• Buy one ticket and get 25% off another one!

• Buy a ticket for Ra, Liana or the Electric Eel and get 25% off the same type of ticket (adult, child or family) for one of the other trips.

See pages 10-11 for details of trips. Please present this voucher and your original ticket on arrival.

Marsh Harrier boat trip

days outAccessible …by land and water

National parks are for everyone and the Broads has lots to offer for fun accessible days out. Grid references (for example C2) refer to the map on page 4.

Easy access paths and boardwalks

These are often the best way to explore the marshy areas of the Broads and many are on nature reserves. They are suitable for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs.

• Barton Broad C2 (see page 5), Cockshoot Broad C3 (access by boat only), Filby Broad E3, Hickling Broad D2 and Ranworth Broad C3 01603 625540 norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

• Beccles Marsh Trail D7

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/walking

• Burgh Castle E5 and St Benet’s Abbey, near Ludham D3 norfarchtrust.org.uk

• Carlton Marshes E7 01502 359480 suffolkwildlifetrust.org

• Chedgrave, Wherryman’s Way C5 norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/norfolktrails/access-tested-walks

• Horstead Mill A2

• Rockland Marshes C5 01603 715191 rspb.org.uk

• Salhouse Broad B3 07795 145475 / 01603 722775 salhousebroad.org.uk

• Wheatfen, Surlingham B5 (short boardwalk to bird hide) 01508 538036 wheatfen.org

For more accessible ways to visit the Broads by land, see page 16 for cycling and horse riding, and page 14 for train travel.

Boat trips, boat hire and other boating activities

Please check with operators for details of wheelchairs and weights they can accommodate.

• Beccles – River Waveney – Waveney Stardust D7

Private cruises for groups with at least one person who requires accessible facilities. Two single-deck cruisers with hydraulic lifts, designed for wheelchair users and people with other disabilities, for groups of up to 12 passengers, up to six in wheelchairs. Skipper and crew included, galley and accessible toilet, other starting points may be available, book in advance.

07817 920502 waveneystardust.co.uk

• Horning – River Bure – Southern Comfort C3

Takes up to five wheelchair users on its scheduled trips or eight for private parties. Please book. 01692 630262 southern-comfort.co.uk

• Horsey – Upper Thurne – Ross’ Wildlife Boat Trips E2

Daily trips on the nature reserve on a classic boat from Horsey Staithe. Good access for those with limited mobility and room for one wheelchair user. Small group size allows commentary to be tailored to individual needs; popular with visually impaired visitors. Book in advance (by text is best); on the day, you may be able to book at departure

TOM BARRETT

Swallowtail butterfly

ADAM SPRUCE

Marsh harrier

point. 07791 526440

Facebook Ross' Wildlife Boat Trips

• Hoveton – River Bure

– Ra B2 (see page 10)

• Neatishead – River Ant – Nancy Oldfield Trust C2

Day activities for disabled and disadvantaged people: motor cruises with wheelchair lifts and kitchen and toilet facilities, pedal launches, sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding, wildlife watching and well-being on the water; regular slots sometimes available; self-catering residential bungalow for up to 10 people, for weekends and short breaks. Cruises

Watch

also start from Ludham Bridge, exploring the rivers Ant, Bure and Thurne.

01692 630572 nancyoldfield.org.uk

• Oulton Broad – River Waveney – Waveney River Tours F7

Some wheelchair spaces available. Book in advance. 01502 574903 waveneyrivertours.com

• Oulton Broad – River Waveney – Waveney Sailability E7

Club for people with disabilities, offering the opportunity to sail in specially adapted dinghies.

07914 057678 waveneysailability.co.uk

• South Walsham – River Bure – Primula C3 Wheelchair-accessible boat trip (additional charge) when you visit Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden. For best prices, book in advance. 01603 270449 fairhavengarden.co.uk

• Stalham – River Ant – Marsh Harrier C1

Boat trip on an Edwardian-style electric launch, with access for wheelchair users, based at the Museum of the Broads. Booking essential.

01692 581681 museumofthebroads.org.uk

• Wroxham – River Bure –Broads Tours B3

Wheelchair spaces on two river trip boats, steps to navigate for boarding. Pre-booking is essential. Wheelchair users are situated on the top deck, where there is an accessible toilet on both boats. There’s also accessible day boat hire (available for three hours or more) for up to five people, including one wheelchair user – with a maximum lift of 350kg. 01603 782207 broadstours.co.uk

Moorings

Most Broads Authority 24-hour moorings are level and without steps.

There are suggestions for boating and land-based things to do, an example of holiday accommodation, tips on where to eat and shopping, and importantly, how to get help and advice. It will probably take some research and planning, but we hope that this video, and information here and on our website, will help you enjoy days out in the Broads.

Explore the Broads 13

Angling

These places have platforms or other access suitable for wheelchair users. They are free or for use with day tickets. For more angling info see Try angling on page 21 and these sites: broads-authority.gov.uk/angling VisitTheBroads.co.uk/angling

River Yare

• Buckenham Ferry C5

• Postwick – platforms upstream of Ferry Lane B4

River Waveney

• Bungay Cherry Tree Angling Club C7 –membership and day or week tickets from Angling Direct, Beccles 01502 713379 and other local outlets bungaycherrytree.co.uk

• Ellingham – 1 platform C7

• Worlingham Staithe – platforms E7

River Bure

• Upton Dyke D3

River Thurne

• Ludham – Cold Harbour Farm D3

• Martham Pits E2 – day tickets from Co-op shops in Martham – The Green, 01493 740230 and Repps Road, 01493 740190 marthamdistrictac.weebly.com

• Potter Heigham – south-east (Martham) bank, upstream of the New Bridge – 10 platforms D2 Trinity Broads

• Filby Broad – on one boardwalk E3

• Rollesby Broad E3

Improvements at Whitlingham and Horsey

Accessibility has recently been improved at Whitlingham Country Park (B4) on the edge of Norwich and at the National Trust’s site at Horsey (E2) in the northern Broads.

The path around the broad at Whitingham has been refurbished to make it fully accessible all the way round. The flint barn toilets now include a changing places toilet, with more space and equipment than a standard accessible toilet. whitlinghamcountrypark.com

At Horsey, the full length of the path running from the car park along the dyke to Horsey Windpump, then on to the viewpoint over beautiful Horsey Mere, has been widened and resurfaced to make it fully accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs all year round, with improved drainage. This was a joint project carried out with the Broads Authority. 01263 740241 nationaltrust.org.uk

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/access

JULIAN

Horsey

Explore the Broads

greenerrail by It's

The Bittern, Wherry and East Suffolk Lines are a great way to explore the Broads, with lots of opportunities to combine train travel with walking, especially on the wonderful expanses of Halvergate grazing marshes. You can really see how the landscape changes as you travel and if time is short, you can see a lot of the Broads even on a day trip.

The bitternline.com, wherrylines.com and eastsuffolklines.co.uk sites have lots of walks and places to visit from stations (some may require a walk to reach them), with links to greateranglia.co.uk for timetables and tickets. Please check timetables very carefully, as service times vary throughout the day and may change. Fares may also change.

The Bittern Line goes north from Norwich to Sheringham on the North Norfolk coast, passing through the northern Broads, while the Wherry Lines go east and south, one branch to Great Yarmouth and the other to Lowestoft, from where the East Suffolk Line continues to Beccles and then further into Suffolk. The map on page 4 shows lines and stations.

Stations for all reasons

Here are some stations and activities to try…

If you want to go boating by rail, you’re in luck, Hoveton & Wroxham Station is in one of the best places in the Broads to set off by boat, whether you want a canoe, a day boat, a passenger boat trip or a solar-powered small boat trip (see page 10). There’s so much on offer, the best thing to do is to start by looking at VisitTheBroads.co.uk/boat-trips

Other stations for boating: Beccles, Brundall

How about visiting a nature reserve only accessible by boat? If you don’t mind a walk from the station at Salhouse (about 2.5 miles), you can hire a canoe

at Salhouse Broad. As well as exploring the broad and the River Bure, you can paddle over to Hoveton Great Broad (part of the Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve) and moor up (free of charge) for a walk round its nature trail. For canoeing info see page 18. salhousebroad.org.uk hovetongreatbroad.org.uk

Other stations for canoeing: Beccles, Hoveton & Wroxham

Use the stations at Reedham and Berney Arms to discover the Wherryman’s Way, a long-distance walking route. From Reedham you could walk a section of the route there and back to see Polkey’s Mill, or do a circular walk around Reedham. From Berney Arms you can explore the Halvergate Mills Trail, see page 44.

norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/norfolktrails

norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/windmills watermillsandmarshes.org.uk/trails/halvergatemills-walk

Other stations for walking: Acle, Beccles, Haddiscoe

If you’re looking for wildlife, the RSPB nature reserve at Buckenham Marshes is right by the station at Buckenham, and their Strumpshaw Fen nature reserve is close to two stations – Buckenham is about a mile away and Brundall is about 1.4 miles away. With a mosaic of wetland habitats, the reserves are great places for birds, such as bitterns, cuckoos and bean geese, as well as other wildlife, including orchids on Strumpshaw’s meadows. rspb.org.uk

Other stations for wildlife: Berney Arms (for the RSPB’s Berney Marshes and Breydon Water), Oulton Broad North and South (for Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton and Oulton Marshes)

Somerleyton is the station for bike hire (see page 16) and gardens, with Somerleyton Hall Gardens about 1.4 miles away. somerleyton.co.uk

For swimming, Beccles has a lido, more details on page 37. beccleslido.com

From the Broads you can enjoy the coast as well as the countryside, with stations at Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, which both offer sandy beaches and a traditional, fun seaside experience. visitgreatyarmouth.co.uk

visitsuffolk.com/destination/lowestoft

If you like historic buildings, museums and galleries, Norwich should be just the place for you. There are two cathedrals, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery (see page 42), the Museum of Norwich and many historic streets to explore. And if you love shopping, the outdoor market (open six days a week) and the lanes and alleys leading off it will give you plenty to enjoy. The station is opposite the River Wensum and close to the Riverside Walk, from where you can walk up to the city centre through the cathedral grounds. For eating out there must be something for nearly everyone too, from street food in the market to fine dining in a fine city. visitnorwich.co.uk

Other stations for these activities: Beccles, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft

For public transport details, see page 52.

BILL SMITH

Ifit's not crafted, it's not here!

The Angel Inn Loddon is the oldest pub in the village, less than 200 yards up the High Street from the Church Plain carpark, serving homemade food, quality tea & coffee, local craft ale, lagers & ciders and award-winning family wines – all procured with the upmost care and dedication to provenance, ethics and the environment.

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• Craft Ales, Ciders & Fine Wines

@AngelinnLoddon

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@AngelinnLoddon

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• Dogs Welcome

• Board Games

• Food Hygiene Rating: 5

• Cycle Friendly Accredited

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meet@theangelinnloddon.co.uk

• Cycle Friendly Accredited

Hundreds of amazing free heritage events taking place across Norfolk. Unique stories, fascinating places, brilliant history, and experiences to remember forever!

meet@theangelinnloddon.co.uk

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Pedal POWER

With beautiful countryside, gentle slopes, quiet lanes and bike hire centres, the Broads is perfect for cycling. VisitTheBroads.co.uk/cycling

Most bike hire centres are open from Easter or April to October. Tandems and electric bikes may be available, and centres may supply maps, or you can download cycle routes from thebroadsbybike.org.uk

Clippesby Hall 01493 367800 clippesbyhall.com D3

Coltishall – Bure Valley Cycle Hire, Bure Valley Railway Station 07824 992513

burevalleycyclehire.co.uk B2

Horning – Broadland Cycle Hire at BeWILDerwood, delivery service, 07747 483154

norfolkbroadscycling.co.uk C2

Somerleyton Cycles, lifts from moorings and rail station, 01502 732004 somerleytoncycles.com E6

Bure Valley Railway and Path B2

The narrow gauge Bure Valley Railway runs from Wroxham to Aylsham. The path for cyclists and walkers follows the same route, and the train can sometimes carry bikes. The path is about 9 miles. If you’re starting from the bike hire centre at Horning, a route along country lanes will take you to the path. If you’re taking the train to Wroxham, you’ll find lots of boating opportunities to enjoy the Broads from the water too. The railway is accessible by wheelchair, please book in advance. 01263 733858 bvrw.co.uk

Whitlingham Country Park, Trowse B4

The path around the broad makes a lovely short bike ride. Coming from Norwich city centre, National Cycle Network Route 1 runs through the park. whitlinghamcountrypark.com sustrans.org.uk/national-cycle-network

Tour de Broads

The event takes place on Sunday 11 August, location: Octagon Park, Little Plumstead thepedalrevolution.co.uk

…and horse power

Another great way to take in the big skies and panoramic views of the Broads is on horseback, with riding available for beginners and beyond. Some places also offer riding for people with disabilities. VisitTheBroads.co.uk/horse-riding

Ferries and wherries

Ferries and other small boats, and large wherries are part of the history of the Broads – they were essential for getting people and goods around.

Small boat trips

Beccles – trips along the River Waveney between Beccles Lido and the Locks Inn, Geldeston 07561 607263 bigdogferry.co.uk D7

Hickling Broad – wildlife boat trips 01692 598276 norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk D2

Horsey Staithe – see page 12 E2

Hoveton/Wroxham – Ra – see page 10 B2

How Hill, Ludham – Electric Eel – see page 11 C2

Ranworth – Liana – see page 10 C3

Ranworth Broad – ferry and wildlife boat trips 01603 270479 norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk C3

Rollesby Broad – trips from The Waterside 01493 740531 thewatersiderollesby.co.uk E3

South Walsham – see page 13 C3

Stalham – trips on Falcon, a Victorian steam launch 01692 581681 museumofthebroads.org.uk

and see page 13 C1

Electric boating

Hiring a day boat, for an hour, a few hours or all day, is a fun way to get out on the water, and if you’re thinking about a boating holiday, it’s a good way to get the feel for it. Many day boats are electric – better for the environment, with a smaller carbon footprint, and quieter, so more relaxing, and you can get closer to the wildlife. Please wear the life jackets provided. On a day boat there’s no need for recharging. For longer trips with a hire cruiser you can top up your fuel by plugging in overnight at our network of charging points around the Broads. The small but growing fleet of hybrid cruisers can also use these points. If you can, think about how you get to the Broads, too. For example, taking the train (instead of driving) from Norwich to Wroxham to hire a day boat cuts the CO2 produced during the journey by 80%.

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/things-to-do/boating/boathire We are working with partners to support the development of fully electric holiday hire cruisers and with private owners to enable them to move to greener fuels.

broads-authority.gov.uk/looking-after

JULIAN

JULIANCLAXTON

JULIAN CLAXTON

JULIAN CLAXTON

Ferries

Burgh St Peter – ferry across the River Waveney from Waveney River Centre to Carlton Marshes 01502 677343 (enquiries) or 07500 571232 (on demand service)

carltoncolvilletowncouncil.gov.uk E6

Reedham – vehicle chain ferry across the River Yare to Loddon and Chedgrave area 01493 700429 reedhamferry.co.uk D5

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/boat-trips

Wherries – big boat trips

What about setting sail on a wherry trip (or just visiting)? Wherries were the traditional cargo boats on the Broads, and later pleasure wherries and wherry yachts were built.

Norfolk Wherry Trust and Wherry Maud Trust

The only two trading wherries left are Albion (1898) and Maud (1899). The Norfolk Wherry Trust offers public day trips and charters (hires) on Albion, plus open days around the Broads when you are welcome on board for a look round. Wherry Maud Trust offers day and short sailings (you need to become a trust member to join these), open days and many other events for all.

wherryalbion.com

wherrymaudtrust.org

Wherry Yacht Charter Charitable Trust

This is a fleet of two pleasure wherries, Hathor (1905) and Ardea (1927), and three wherry yachts, Olive (1909), Norada (1912) and White Moth (1915). The wherries can be chartered (hired) for a day, a weekend or a longer visit. There’s also a programme of scheduled public sailings where you can join a

Builders of bespoke river,

Mooring, winter storage, refurbishment, craning, servicing, full

Wroxham Marine Ltd | 01603 701100 www.sheerlinemotorcruisers.com enquiries@wroxhammarine.com

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half-day or day trip. Hathor will be based at How Hill Staithe (C2) from May to September and except when sailing will usually be on view, when you’re welcome on board for a look round. We suggest you check in advance if you want to be sure of visiting Hathor.

01603 781475 wherryyachtcharter.org

Paddlecraft Welcome aboard your

Paddlesports are a great way to discover this fragile wetland and get closer to the wildlife, and canoeing on the Broads is suitable for all the family. Whether you’re hiring or have your own craft, please put safety first – always.

• Stick to the right-hand side of the waterway unless it’s unsafe to do so

• Read the Boating Basics guide in Broadcaster, see page 25, for advice relevant to all. It includes a map on the centre pages. Wherever you are on the Broads, you must take account of local conditions at the time and put safety first.

• Watch our Boating Essentials video guide to paddlesports broads-authority.gov.uk/boating-essentials

• For one-hour, three-hour and six-hour return trails go to VisitTheBroads.co.uk/canoe-hire

• British Canoeing (to be known as PaddleUK from spring 2024) also has routes, together with lots of other interesting and useful info and advice for all types of paddlecraft, on gopaddling.info

• We recommend all paddlecraft keep off the lower

reaches of the rivers (which have stronger currents and tides, and more powered boats). The lower reaches are the stretches of river approaching the sea at Great Yarmouth, so, beyond Acle Bridge on the Bure, beyond Reedham Bridge on the Yare and beyond the Broads Authority moorings at Somerleyton on the Waveney.

Have a go… setting sail

A

day out or a visit to the Broads is the perfect opportunity to have a go at sailing, with training centres and sailing clubs who are keen to welcome you and do their best to make it all plain sailing…

The RYA (Royal Yachting Association) also has lots of information about taster sessions, courses and clubs to help you get started with sailing and windsurfing. More details from 023 8060 4100 or rya.org.uk

• Barton Turf Adventure Centre 01692 536411 btac-services.co.uk C2

• Green Wyvern Yachting Club RYA Training Centre greenwyvern.org.uk

TAKE CARE EVERYONE!

• All canoeists should wear a buoyancy aid

• All paddleboarders should wear a buoyancy aid and a safety tether

If you do canoe downstream beyond these places, you need to be extremely experienced, fit and able.

• Paddlesports allow exploration of the headwaters (less tidal waters). Please respect nature reserves and private land, as most smaller channels leading off from the rivers and broads do not have a public right of access. In the spring and summer, please paddle away from the edges of waterways to minimalise disturbance to breeding birds.

• Horning RYA Training Centre 01692 630507 horning-sailing.club C3

• Hunter’s Yard RYA Training Centre, Ludham 01692 678263 huntersyard.co.uk D2

• Nancy Oldfield Trust – see page 13 C2

• Norfolk Broads School of Sailing RYA Training Centre, Eastwood Whelpton, Upton 01493 750430 eastwood-whelpton.co.uk D3

• Norfolk Broads Yacht Club, Wroxham 01603 782808 nbyc.co.uk B3

• Norfolk Punt Club RYA Training Centre, Barton Turf puntclub.co.uk C2

• Norfolk Schools Sailing Association, Filby nssa.co.uk E3

• Oulton Broad Water Sports Centre 01502 558487 oultonbroadwatersportscentre.co.uk F7

• Waveney Sailability – see page 13 E7

• Whitlingham Adventure, Norwich 01603 632307 whitlinghamadventure.org.uk B4

Taster sessions, courses, craft hire, group

• Paddleboarders, please be aware that you are especially vulnerable to winds, currents and tides. You are also more likely to fall into the water.

• Don’t deliberately capsize

• During warmer spells you may see a blue-green coloured scum on the water. This can indicate the presence of toxic bacteria. Don’t paddle in areas where the scum is present and avoid coming into contact with it or ingesting it, as it can lead to unpleasant symptoms and diseases. One waterborne disease to be aware of is leptospirosis (Weil's disease). You can reduce the chance of becoming ill by covering open wounds, avoiding swallowing the water, washing your hands before eating or drinking and showering after paddlesports. If you start to feel unwell after taking part in paddlesports, please seek urgent medical advice.

Hire centres

• For canoe hire centres (mostly open from Easter or April to October) go to VisitTheBroads.co.uk/canoe-hire

• Some centres are members of the Broads Canoe Hire Association canoethebroads.co.uk

• Canadian canoes usually carry two or three adults, but please check with the centre, where they will also advise you on routes

• Some centres offer paddleboards and other paddlecraft, plus related activities and facilities

activities, outdoor learning and clubs – activities include sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, raft building, climbing, archery, and bushcraft and survival

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/sailing

2024 Broadcaster

JULIAN CLAXTON

JULIAN CLAXTON

VISIT THE BROADS

• All centres are monitored for safety by the Broads Authority as part of the licensing agreement

If you have your own paddlecraft

These points apply to all canoes, kayaks and paddleboards (including inflatables) that are used on the Broads.

• You must have an annual or short visit licence for your paddlecraft. For details go to broads-authority.gov.uk/tolls. Alternatively, if you are a member of British Canoeing (to be known as PaddleUK from spring 2024), you can paddle for free on the Broads and other UK waterways, provided you have your membership card with you. britishcanoeing.org.uk

• Follow the canoe manufacturer’s guidance on carrying capacity

• Take a phone in a waterproof case with you for emergencies

• For launching points and slipways go to broads-authority.gov.uk/slipways

• In the south, one of the quieter stretches is the River Waveney between Beccles and Bungay. No motorboats can use the river between Geldeston Lock and Bungay, and there’s a canoe pontoon for launching and getting off at the lock (no charge).

Explore the Broads 19

Carlton Marshes

Marsh

Supply

Fibreglass

Dream, Explore, Discover

Love the Broads

The beautiful and diverse Broads National Park offers so much to see and do for everyone.

But this magical place needs everyone’s support to safeguard its future for generations to come. The Broads Trust is a local charity that aims to do just that, by welcoming donations from visitors, local people and businesses through its fund-raising scheme, Love the Broads.

So far, Love the Broads has given over £100,000 in grants to 54 amazing projects that benefit the landscape and wildlife of the Broads, and help school groups and other visitors to enjoy and understand the special Broads environment. You can find all the projects that have been helped thanks to donations raised at lovethebroads.org.uk

Independent boatyard with boating holidays starting on the Southern Broads at Loddon

• Competitive prices & personal service

• All cruisers proudly maintained

• Two berth up to 8 berth • Pets welcome

01508 520321

For 29 years, we have welcomed visitors and locals to our lovely village inn, and look forward to serving you with home-cooked food, real ales, lager and a range of wines, spirits, coffees and soft drinks.

• In the north, quieter places are Salhouse Broad (small charge for launching) and the River Ant between Dilham and Sutton (charges to launch at Smallburgh Staithe and Wayford Bridge, free launch point at Sutton Staithe). Please note that the Trinity Broads is a Norfolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve with no public right of access to the water, including for non-powered craft.

• Be aware of biosecurity and help stop the spread of invasive species. Check out the Check Clean Dry campaign for more information. nonnativespecies.org/what-can-i-do/check-cleandry

• Before you set off, tell someone where you’re going and how long you plan to be out. Let them know when you get back.

For more about paddlesports go to VisitTheBroads.co.uk/canoe-hire

Wild swimming

The Broads Authority does not recommend swimming in the Broads, except as part of an organised event. For more information please go to broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/navigating-thebroads/outdoor-swimming

The trust’s latest project is a network of Discovery Hub information and adventure points, to help visitors discover the landscape, wildlife and history of the Broads, exploring on foot, by bike and by boat. The first three hubs have opened at Salhouse Broad (B3), Beccles Quay (D7) and South Beach Parade, Great Yarmouth (F4). The Salhouse hub includes a stargazing net where you can lie back and discover the dark skies and bright stars over the Broads.

Please support the Broads Trust – you’ll be helping to keep the Broads special. There are many ways that you can give a little back and make a real difference to the Broads. You can donate at justgiving.com/nsbct, or become a member or consider leaving a legacy to fund a significant project – contact info@lovethebroads.org.uk

Charity number 1124552

business fishy A

I’m not a fisherman, says Robin Jeffries, Visitor Services Officer, but if you’re interested in the wildlife and history of the Broads, you’ll soon see that fish are a vital part of the food chain, for people of the past, as well as other wildlife. And in the period 1800-1914 you might say, it all comes to a head…

Fishing as a livelihood

In 1877, as part of an enquiry, Frank Buckland, the Inspector of Fisheries wrote: “The rivers and Broads are admirably adapted for the breeding and fattening of such indigenous fish as belong to the species of carps, breams, perches, and so forth… [which] naturally deposit, or rather suspend, their spawn on waterweeds and other aquatic plants. The borders of the Broads are, for the most part, margined with dense jungles of reeds, while at the same time the bottom is planted with forests of subaqueous vegetation; so there are many hundreds of miles of spawning ground available for the fish which live in these waters.”

In other words, the Broads was pretty much an ideal breeding ground for coarse fish and therefore for coarse fishing. But anyone who had a connection with Broads fish pretty much knew this already. Before the existence of any written records, people had always fished the inland waters of the Broads. The fishponds at the medieval St Benet’s Abbey (see page 42) were an important food source for the monks. As with birds, the relationship with fish revolved around commercial exploitation as undertaken by fishermen and collecting, as undertaken by sportsmen and some women, anglers.

Up until the middle of the 19th century, most fishing undertaken in the Broads was commercial and done using nets. The main net employed was the drag net. This, as its name suggests, was dragged through the river, indiscriminately taking all species, though specialist fishermen used specialist nets. Fish were caught largely for food and bait. The most important of the food fish were the migratory fish, the smelts and eels, which could be caught quickly in large numbers when they migrated. The main value of bream and roach was as bait for the

crab and lobster pots of the North Sea fishermen. In the early 19th century, carts were sent to Barton Broad by the coastal fishermen to buy all the bream and roach taken when the broad was being dragged. The Breydon flounders usually ended up as bait in lobster pots too.

Smelts

They live in inshore coastal waters, so Breydon Water was ideal for them and though small, they were numerous. They also migrated annually through the Broads to spawn on the river gravels in Norwich, where they were caught with cast nets. A smelt fisherman could catch up to 600 per night. Traditionally, they were fried in breadcrumbs, with two or three for each person. They had to be very fresh and once caught were kept alive in a tank of water, like eels.

Eels

During this period it was realised that eels spawned at sea and migrated up the rivers. Many people didn’t believe this though, instead believing that they were born as fully formed young in Breydon Water and Lake Lothing. Eels have attracted many other strange beliefs. There was an old tale that when on migration, eels knotted themselves into a ball and rolled along the riverbed. An eel-skin garter was believed to ward off rheumatism. And eels kept in water-filled trunks when taken for sale were thought to be at risk of being killed by the electrical disturbances during a thunderstorm.

There were many different ways of catching them, including using ‘picks’, ‘liggers’, ‘grigs’ and ‘babs’. But the most productive way was using a sett. These were huge nets, stretched across the river at night. If you go up Candle Dyke towards Hickling, on your left you’ll pass the last Broads eel sett, a little hut on the bank from where the eel catcher would operate. You can listen to Derek Johnson, the last eel catcher in the Broads, on the Broads Authority website. broads-authority.gov.uk/about-the-broads/ heritage-and-culture

Eels were stewed, or boiled and then fried. Eels caught in brackish (slightly salty) water were thought to taste better, though this may just have been a marketing ploy by the Breydon fishermen!

Pike

These were regarded as a challenge and therefore an achievement to catch. There were various methods, including what were termed ‘less gentlemanly’ ones. When cooked, they would usually have their tail fixed in their mouth, but this may just have been so they could fit in the oven –they weighed in at around 10 pounds.

Perch

This was another sought-after food fish. They were considered to tolerate brackish waters more than other fish, so shrimps were often used as bait. They were thought to congregate round the many bridges in the Broads.

Tench

Bow nets or your bare hands were used for catching these. They were considered good enough for the table and were sometimes taken to market wrapped in wet moss to keep them alive – and fresh.

An angler in the 1890s

NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL PICTURE.NORFOLK.GOV.UK

Roach

Perch

Explore the Broads 21

Roach and bream

These were scorned as food. If a marshman out fishing for his family caught bream or roach he would usually feed them to his dog or pig.

Other fish to fry (or maybe not!)

Lamprey (similar to eel) were once commonly eaten, sturgeon were occasional visitors, allis shad or Alice Shad as they were known at the time (a sea fish) and burbot, now extinct in the UK, were also found. Even trout and salmon were found on the River Wensum.

Laying down the law

There were laws controlling netting and fishing on the rivers and broads. These set out close seasons and mesh sizes for nets, enforced with proclamations and investigations, but an 1812 article in The Norfolk Chronicle suggests that the inquests had become more of a day out for officials than a serious legal business. Unfortunately, in the case of the Yare, for example, the laws dated back as far as the 15th century and so were largely either forgotten or ignored. For many years, nobody seemed to mind or notice, and in fact the broads and rivers were actually regarded as overstocked. However, this abundance of coarse fish, particularly bream, was about to come under threat.

Revolutions and poachers

The ultimate cause was the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions suddenly producing a huge market for fish. Smelts for example, were extremely profitable. In the early 1800s, a smelt fisherman could earn £23 in a season. Not surprisingly, the amount of drag netting in particular increased dramatically, with worrying consequences. Growing populations in industrial towns needed feeding and tons of fish were sent to the Midlands during the spawning or any other season. Fishermen, using large, small-meshed drag nets, and usually operating at night, would take wagon loads and wherry loads of fish during the spawning season, and they began to be called poachers. Even the sea fishermen got in on the act, sending sea-going smacks to trawl the river for freshwater fish for use as bait. Broads fish, especially the fry, important for future stocks, were even being caught and sold for use as fertiliser on the new intensifying enclosed farms. Such over-fishing, especially during the spawning season, was unsustainable and from the early 19th century there was an increasing group of sportsmen and women who began to make their voices heard – the anglers.

A new angle on fishing

Angling, or fishing using an angled hook, had been around for centuries. Indeed the first known

The Broads is a great place to try angling and the Angling Trust anglingtrust.net has lots of information to help you get started.

The coarse fishing season runs from 16 June to 14 March every year and you must have a current Environment Agency licence, available from gov.uk/fishing-licences. Bream, perch, pike, roach, rudd, tench and eel are the likely catch. You’ll find many local fishing tackle shops and if you’re a beginner they’ll be happy to advise you. Take unwanted tackle home. Discarding it can cause problems for wildlife. For disposal facilities go to broads-authority.gov.uk/waste

You can fish from the bank or from platforms, or you can hire a boat. Some boatyards hire day boats specifically for fishing and you’re allowed to fish in most of the Broads waterways provided there is public access. Boats must not be under power while you are fishing. Angling is allowed from most Broads Authority 24-hour moorings (see map on centre pages) but please make way for boaters and canoeists if you’re at a mooring. For accessible fishing locations suitable for wheelchair users see page 13.

For more angling details go to our websites: broads-authority.gov.uk/angling (includes map)

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/angling Try angling

continued from p21

treatise on angling dates to 1496. But in March 1839, Norwich Town Council was faced with a petition requesting that action should be taken to prevent the dragging of the river for fish. The petition was referred upwards to the magistrates, who were requested to prohibit illegal fishing. This appears to be the first mention of anglers as a recognised group in the Broads.

Around this time, angling technology was improving. The reel was relatively new and the technique of casting was just being developed. Lightweight bamboo rods appeared and silk lines replaced the old horsehair kind. Angling was becoming increasingly popular and skilful, and people began to travel from London to the Broads, specifically for angling. In 1857 the anglers formed the Norwich and Norfolk Anglers Society to promote their recreation and in August 1859 the first recorded county fishing match was held at Limpenhoe Reach on the River Yare. Over eight hours, 28 competitors caught 231 pounds of fish. The Yare Preservation Society was also formed in 1857 and eventually became instrumental in bringing about reform.

The anglers society also aimed to assist the authorities in clamping down on illegal fishing, but in this they were less successful. For the time being, all they could do was to bribe fishermen not to net.

protect the river for fair angling’ teamed up with riverside landowners and MPs, and decided to bypass the local authorities altogether, going direct to the Home Secretary, which eventually led to the 1877 Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act.

The situation improved but was far from perfect for everyone. Those revolutions were still having an effect. Sea breaches, pleasure steamers and fen drainage amongst other things were all thought to be affecting fishing and angling. In the early 1800s, the River Wensum, running through the centre of Norwich, was clean enough for trout to congregate at New Mills, now the end of the Broads navigation. However, the population of Norwich was growing and by the middle of the century, the most serious threat to fishing and angling on the Wensum was

Modern times

Clearly, many Broads people of the period were just as concerned with matters relating to water quality, bank protection, salt water and water levels as we are today. Some local buildings still have plaques indicating the water level in the 1912 floods. Accommodating all those with an interest in the Broads is also a recurrent theme. But commercial fishing has disappeared from the Broads and culinary tastes definitely have changed; coarse freshwater fish are no longer widely eaten in the UK. If you are considering keeping any fish you catch anywhere, please follow local rules and guidance on size, catch limits, equipment and safety. We don’t recommend eating fish caught in the Broads waterways.

• In the interests of brevity I haven’t included information on sources here, but much has been gleaned from The Norfolk Chronicle (published 1776-1955) and I’ll be delighted to supply details of sources if anyone would like to know more.

• For more about angling see pages 13 and 21, and gov.uk/guidance/regional-rod-fishing-byelawsanglian-region

• For where to see wildlife go to

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/nature-reserves

• If you’re interested in the links between the Broads and coastal fishing, Time and Tide at Great Yarmouth is a great place to visit. museums.norfolk.gov.uk/time-tide

ovely historic town with a 15th Century church

pportunities for boaters, cyclists, walkers and birdwatchers

n the Southern Broads, with ample free moorings, public toilets with shower facilities and riverside picnic area elightful selection of cafes, pubs, restaurants and take-aways

earby Norwich is only 20 minutes away by bus

iverse range of independent shops, including a launderette, plus a cash point L O D D O N

Eel fisher’s boat with eel traps, about 1890, by John Payne Jennings NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

NATURE’S PLAYGROUND: YOUR GATEWAY TO

Invest in a Holiday Home on the Broads

Welcome to the Broads, where every day holds the promise of adventure and tranquillity. Imagine waking up to the gentle sway of boats on the water just beyond your doorstep, stepping out to greet the day with a paddleboard or kayak excursion, or simply casting a line into the pristine waters teeming with fish. With our exclusive holiday parks offering direct access to the Broads, this dream can be your reality.

Our holiday parks are waiting to make your family holidays complete. With onsite swimming pools, play areas and family-friendly bars and restaurants, everyone will enjoy all there is to offer.

This unique location makes the infamous Broads your back garden. Explore nature reserves, spot rare wildlife, revel in stunning sunsets, and enjoy the relaxation and discovery a holiday by the water brings.

The adventure doesn’t have to stop there! Our onsite marinas give you full access to exploration by water, directly from our holiday parks.

With our new and used boat sales brokerage and day boat hire, you can embark on your own voyage of exploration along the miles of winding waterways that make the Broads so special.

WHERE TO FIND US:

Broadlands Park & Marina, Marsh Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 9JY 01502 573033 | reception.broadlands@tingdene.net

HOLIDAY HOMES FOR SALE

Invest in your family’s future and create memories to last a lifetime with a holiday home on the Broads. Whether you’re seeking excitement or sanctuary, the Broads have it all – and it’s waiting for you to call it home.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Not quite sure if the Broads lifestyle is for you? No problem! With our “try before you buy” option, you can experience the magic of the Broads first-hand with a stay at one of our holiday parks. Plus, if you decide to purchase a holiday home after your stay, we’ll refund the cost of your accommodation. It’s our way of ensuring you’re fully satisfied with your decision to invest in your family’s future.

Waveney River Centre, Staithe Road, Beccles, Norfolk NR34 0DE 01502 677343 | reception.waveney@tingdene.net Holidays for

Boating Basics

Welcome to our Yacht Stations

The quay rangers at our yacht stations are happy to help with all your boating questions, and to give advice about places to visit and things to do. The yacht stations aren’t just for boaters –land-based visitors are very welcome too!

Norwich (A4 - map page 4)

Riverside Road, NR1 1SQ 01603 612980 / 07747 065378

norwichyachtstation@broads-authority.gov.uk

• Staffed from 23 March to 3 November, 8am-8pm (or dusk if earlier)

• Water, toilets and showers

• Pump-out service from £15

• About 30 moorings (depending on boat sizes), starting on the far side of Foundry Bridge as you approach from Great Yarmouth (there are no other public moorings in Norwich)

• Mooring charges - £8 during the day (until 6pm), and £16 for combined daytime and overnight (until 10am) or overnight only (until 10am)

Reedham (D5 - map page 4)

Reedham Quay, NR13 3TE 01493 701867 / 07733 102566

reedhamquay@broads-authority.gov.uk

• Staffed from 23 March to 3 November, 9am-6pm

• Water

• 24-hour moorings, about 24 (depending on boat sizes)

• We intend to introduce mooring charges at this site this year

Ranworth (C3 - map page 4)

The Staithe, NR13 6HY 01603 756094

ranworthtic@broads-authority.gov.uk

• Staffed from 23 March to 3 November during information centre opening times (see page 11)

• Water

• 24-hour moorings, about 22 (depending on boat sizes)

• Mooring charges - £5 during the day (until 5pm), and £10 for combined daytime and overnight (until 10am) or overnight only (until 10am)

• Day boats – £3 to use dinghy dyke

• Please pay in the information centre

Great Yarmouth (F4 - map page 4)

Tar Works Road, NR30 1PU 01493 842794 / 07766 398238

yarmouthyachtstation@broads-authority.gov.uk

• Staffed from 23 March to 3 November, 8am-8pm (or dusk if earlier)

• Water, toilets and showers

• About 60 moorings (depending on boat sizes)

• Mooring charges - £8 during the day (until 6pm), and £16 for combined daytime and overnight (until 10am) or overnight only (until 10am)

JULIAN CLAXTON

Great Yarmouth Yacht Station

Top 10 Boating Tips...

1

Before you go...

Read your skipper's manual – if you’re on a holiday cruiser, your boatyard should supply one on board.

• Our ‘essential guide’ boating videos have lots of practical boat handling and navigation advice for all (broads-authority.gov.uk/boating-essentials). The videos cover Preparing for Your Holiday, Staying Safe, Mooring Up, Ropes and Knots, Man Overboard, Navigating Bridges, Crossing Breydon Water, Paddlesports, and Dealing with Accidents. The boating section of our website also has all you need to know about boating, including tide tables.

• Navigation maps (published by Heron Maps) and Broads tide tables are on sale at our information centres and yacht stations.

• You can get boating advice from your boatyard or yacht stations (see page 25) or by calling the Broads Authority’s Broads Control, staffed daily 9am-5pm (6pm from April to October) on 01603 756056. The rangers, who you’ll see out and about, are always happy to help too.

Boating videos

Stay safe – follow the advice from the Broads rangers, who work on the Broads all year round. Adam Hick (left) is part of our River Waveney team of rangers, who look after a large part of the southern Broads.

2

Wear it

Always wear your life jacket when you are on deck, getting on and off or tying up your boat – even if you can swim. Step ashore, never jump, and wear shoes with a good grip.

• Children should wear life jackets even when your boat is moored.

• A life jacket will help you float. Try to relax and float on your back before trying to get out.

• Don’t forget to put a life jacket on your dog, too. Dogs are just as susceptible to cold water and other hazards as people. You can buy dog life jackets from boating suppliers and some hire boatyards provide or rent them for customers’ pets. Never enter the water to rescue a pet – you are putting your own life at risk. See page 52 for more about visiting with your dog.

3

Plan ahead

Plan your journey before setting out.

• Keep a note of the important points for your journey. Water is always moving and your boat may be affected by wind and tides. Check the weather, the day’s tides for where you’re going, and sunrise and sunset times – that’s what we do. Hire boats are not allowed to navigate before sunrise or after sunset as they have no navigation lights.

• Always keep track of where you are on the waterways and make sure others on board know where you are too. They also need to know what to do in case of an emergency.

• Keep a phone charged.

Boating

• broads-authority.gov.uk/boating

• broads-authority.gov.uk/yacht-stations

• broads-authority.gov.uk/ boating-essentials

• broads-authority.gov.uk/safety

• broads-authority.gov.uk/bridges

• broads-authority.gov.uk/ boating-news

• VisitTheBroads.co.uk - with Digital Pocket Guide app

• what3words.com - app to help the emergency services find you

4

Be vigilant

Keep an eye on everyone on board at all times (especially small children).

• Don't let children sit on the front of a boat, or play at the back or on the roof unsupervised, especially when a boat is under way.

• Never allow anyone to travel in any kind of boat or inflatable that your boat is towing.

• Drive on the right-hand side, about 2m or 6’ away from the bank.

• Hold on to your boat when moving around it.

• Look out for paddlecraft, rowing boats and swimmers in organised events. Reduce speed and allow them plenty of space.

• Keep out of the way of sailing boats – slow down and if you need to, pass behind, never in front.

• Keep away from maintenance boats and other large vessels.

• Keep out of the way of water skiers and other fast boats on the rivers Waveney and Yare and on Breydon Water.

Mooring must-dos

Always have your ropes ready and drive into the flow of the water when mooring.

• Watch our essential guide to mooring, see point 1, left. Our website guidance will also help you.

• Don't jump – always step aboard and ashore carefully. Beware of hazards on the quay such as ropes, posts and wet or other slippery surfaces. Everyone involved should always keep a good handhold during casting off and mooring, and don’t use arms or legs to stop your boat hitting the quay or another boat. Make sure ropes are ready and that everyone knows what to do. Everyone not involved should stay off deck.

• Always approach a mooring against the tide or flow of the river, with a careful hand on the throttle. You’ll then be able to hold the boat stationary heading into the tide and approach the mooring sideways under control. If necessary, go past the mooring and turn the boat around so you can approach against the flow. If you approach the mooring with the tide or flow of the river you will have little or no control at low speeds.

• The fittest adult should step ashore once the boat has stopped. Tie the front rope first – this is especially important in areas with strong tides. We recommend that you moor at signed moorings only. Other areas are not maintained and there may be no posts. Never moor under bridges. Make sure that your boat is securely tied up. Take a torch and spare batteries if you will be returning to your boat after dark.

JULIAN CLAXTON

6

Keep your head down

Mind your head at all bridges.

• Think ahead for bridges. Tides go up and down so be very careful. Check how high your boat is with the canopy down. Check the clearance boards that tell you the height above water under the bridge.

• Take down your canopy and windshield, get everyone off deck and make sure that all hands, feet and heads are inside the boat. Make sure you have the boat well under control before the bridge, especially if there’s a strong current.

• Watch carefully for signs of other boats coming through – usually the boat travelling with the current has right of way as it’s more difficult for it to manoeuvre. Never stop or moor under bridges.

• Keep hands, feet and heads inside the boat until you are well clear of the bridge, and if things go wrong, don’t try to fend off using your hands or feet.

Bridges

• Remember that bridge clearances given in our table are averages, based on normal tides. But tidal levels can vary considerably and so affect the figures.

• At railway swing bridges a single red flag indicates bridge in service/operable. Two red flags indicate bridge out of service/inoperable. Take note of the electronic signage at each bridge. If you are unable to pass under due to water levels, approach the bridge, give three blasts on the horn and follow the instructions on the illuminated signs on the bridge. You can contact these swing bridges on VHF radio Channel 12 or the following telephone numbers:

Oulton Broad 0330 852 5351,

Central bridge clearance

Location High Water normal tide

River Bure Wroxham Railway 15' 4.57m

••• Wroxham Road 7'3" 2.21m

• Acle 12' 3.66m

around Great Yarmouth

•• Yarmouth/Acle Road 7' 2.13m

•• Yarmouth Vauxhall 6'9" 2.06m

• Yarmouth Haven 9'6" 2.90m Breydon Fixed Span 13' 3.96m

• Breydon Lifting Span 11'6" 3.51m

River Thurne

Potter Heigham New 7'7" 2.31m

••• Potter Heigham Old 6'6" 1.98m

River Ant Ludham 8'6" 2.59m

•• Wayford 7' 2.13m

River Wensum

•

•

•

•

• Norwich Railway Trowse 9' 2.74m

7

Stay aboard

We don’t recommend swimming in the rivers and broads, except as part of an organised event (see page 19).

• You’ll never see a ranger swimming – it’s too dangerous, no matter how hot the weather is or how good a swimmer you are. There are currents and obstructions and cold water can be dangerous.

• If someone falls in, throw them a lifebuoy and pull them to a bank or ladder. If you have to bring someone up on to your boat from the water, make sure the engine is switched off as they get close. Never reverse towards them and keep them clear of the back of the boat – this where the sharp propeller blades are. Never put yourself in danger by entering the water.

8

Bon appetit

Take care with barbecues, in permitted areas.

• Never light or use barbecues on deck or anywhere else on your boat, or on wooden moorings.

Reedham 0330 858 4655, Somerleyton 0330 858 4656; Trowse 01603 675297 or 01603 763440 (seven days’ notice required for openings). In hot weather, you may like to check ahead to see if Somerleyton Bridge is working as temperature can affect the mechanism.

• At Potter Heigham all hire cruisers must use the bridge pilot from Phoenix Fleet boatyard and private boats are advised to do so. The pilot service is available daily 9am-5pm from Easter to October, depending on tide and weather conditions, 01692 670460 (Phoenix Fleet boatyard). The cost for hire boats is £10-15 return and for private boats £20-30 return.

• At Wroxham there are two bridges close together. Hire cruisers must use the bridge pilot if available.

Central bridge clearance

•

••

•••

•

•

•

Note: In all cases, tidal levels can vary considerably and so affect the above figures.

• Arched Bridges – clearance is given at the centre.

•• Canopies, windscreens, etc. should be lowered and extra care taken.

••• As references • and •• combined.

• Lift or Swing Bridges

9

Boating Basics 27

Keep your wits about you

Don't drink and drive on the water.

• We recommend that people driving and sailing boats don’t drink alcohol until their boats are moored for the night.

10

Slow down and relax

Stick to speed limits and check your wash (the waves made by your boat).

• Always look behind your boat – there should be no big waves (they damage banks, disturb wildlife, rock moored boats and can even capsize small craft).

• Call 999 or 112 from any type of phone for coastguard, fire, police or ambulance services.

• Ask for the coastguard if you are on or next to the water – they’re not just for the sea. They will call the other services if needed.

• Tell the emergency services or your boatyard where you are. Always keep track of where you are when boating.

• If you are on a holiday boat the contact details for your boatyard are in the back of your skipper's manual.

• The Broads Authority 24-hour moorings have name plates with Ordnance Survey grid references and postcodes on them. If you are near one, give these details to the emergency services or your boatyard so they know where you are.

• Keep your mobile phone charged.

• For other important numbers see the telephone directory on page 52.

• Defibrillators are available at some boatyards and villages (usually near a pub, shop or village hall). They are also available at Broads Authority information centres and yacht stations, and Yare House, Norwich NR1 1RY (all only when staffed).

DAVID KIRKHAM

MARTHAM FERRY BOAT YARD

HIRE A BOAT ON THE NORFOLK BROADS!

Picnic and day boats available for 2-12 people • Electric Boats • Dog Friendly • No experience needed • From just £49 for 2hrs

01493 748291

www.marthamferryboatyard.co.uk

Boating Map

This map is intended as a guide only - please do not use for navigation

See also visting map on page 4

Stalham

Hickling

PICNIC & DAY BOAT HIRE ELECTRIC & DIESEL BOATS CANOE & KAYAK HIRE

Situated quietly on the picturesque River Ant at Sutton near Stalham, we offer self-drive, environmentallyfriendly electric boat hire & traditional diesel launches. Canoes and Kayaks too. We provide tuition, life-jackets & maps. Dogs welcome. Free parking.

To book, call 01692 581653 or email info@suttonstaitheboatyard.co.uk

FIND US ON THE A149 BETWEEN STALHAM & POTTER HEIGHAM, NR12 9QS

Moorings

1

Broads

(free except where marked *)

1

other moorings (charges may apply)

Approximate numbers of moorings are shown in brackets below. Estimates include double alongside and stern on mooring where permitted.

River

2

3

6

River Thurne

23 Catfield Staithe (3)

24 Deep Dyke (19)

25 White Slea (2)

26 Deep Go Dyke (7)

27 West Somerton (14)

28 Potter Heigham (14) (Martham Bank)

29 Potter Heigham (14) (Repps Bank)

30 Womack Island (3)

31 Womack Dyke (14)

River Yare

32 Commissioners Cut (4)

33 Bramerton (19)

34 Postwick Wharf (6)

35

The Ferry Inn, situated on the River Bure, sits within picturesque, tranquil and unspoiled surroundings, perfect for enjoying a meal in the beer garden while watching the boats go by. Inside the 19th century bar and restaurant, the open fireplaces, wooden settles and beams make the atmosphere cosy and warm.

Our home cooked food menus offer something for everyone and we offer food all day. Dogs are welcome inside and out, our car park is for our customers and we are fully accessible.

Tel: 01493 751096 | The Green, Stokesby NR29 3EX theferryinnstokesby@gmail.com www.theferryinnstokesby.co.uk theferryinnstokesby

36

37

38

42

55 St Olaves (4)

56 Burgh Castle (28)

BreydonWater

Key

water point

Broads Authority electric charging point

...other provider

navigable bridge

not navigable

and villages

Water ski area –permitted ski times vary. Keep a steady course to the

limit of

Boating Basics

How to cross Breydon Water

Beautiful Breydon Water, on the edge of Great Yarmouth, is an internationally important site for water birds. A cruise across it takes you to and fro between the northern and southern rivers. It can be challenging, so you need to prepare and take care.

Follow our guidance here for a safe crossing.

1

Think about your journey well ahead. You can contact our staff at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station on 01493 842794 or 07766 398238 (see page 25). They’ll work out the best time for you to cross and give guidance. If anything’s not clear to you, ask again. Leave a message if necessary (with your telephone number) and they will get back to you.

2

Plan your crossing so that you can go under Great Yarmouth bridges at slack water, which is about an hour after low water. The tide will be less of a hazard and you’ll have maximum clearance under the bridges. Larger vessels (with an air draft over 2.32m or 7’6’’) may need to cross at low water rather than waiting for slack water – please contact Great Yarmouth Yacht Station for advice. The tide tables on page 31 give the times of low water. Crossing at other times is inadvisable. There are two bridges close together. The old metal railway bridge, Vauxhall Bridge, is 7.62cm (3”) lower than the concrete road bridge, Yarmouth/Acle Road Bridge. You should be passing under bridges with at least 30cm (a foot) to spare.

3

Work out the time you need to leave your previous mooring by working backwards from the time you need to be in Great Yarmouth. It will take about 2¼ hours to get to Great Yarmouth from Acle and about 2 hours from Reedham or St Olaves. Make sure that you won’t be navigating in the dark – hire boats are not allowed to navigate before sunrise or after sunset as they have no navigation lights. Check the weather forecast – don’t cross if visibility is poor or there are strong winds.

Berney Arms Reach Broads Authority 24-hr free moorings for 8 boats

Berney Mill and Berney Mill 2 Broads Authority 24-hr free moorings for 12 and 6 boats

River Yare to Reedham

Take care here

Burgh Castle Broads Authority 24-hr

4

Always wear life jackets when on deck. Have your canopy or mast lowered ready for passing under the bridges. Before going under any bridge check your boat height (shown on a plate in the cockpit or in the skipper’s manual). Check the bridge clearance boards to make sure that your boat will fit under the bridges. Don’t steer your boat from the outside steering position – if something goes wrong you are vulnerable.

5

Check the map here to make sure you know what to do. Keep everyone inside the boat or cockpit during the crossing. Concentrate on what you are doing. The channel has some bends in it, but don’t take shortcuts. Never go outside the red and green navigation posts. If you get stuck, try and reverse. If that doesn’t work, call your boatyard.

In an emergency call the coastguard on 999 or 112 MOORING - tie the front rope first. Be aware of the rise and fall of the tide in this area (about 2.2m or 7’) and adjust your ropes and fenders.

River Bure to northern Broads

Shallow corner - go around yellow post

2 1

No hire craf t

beyond here

Dangerous tides and North Sea ahead

Great Yarmouth

Yacht Station

Moor against tide –quay rangers will help when possible

3

North Quay Mooring for emergencies and demasting only

Haven Bridge

Bridge

Clearance

Clearance at average high water during the summer is given below but always check the bridge clearance boards (pictured right). Look out for additional advance bridge clearance boards as you approach Breydon Water and also on the Lower Bure. The river is narrow and tides can be strong. Lower your canopy in plenty of time. Make sure everyone is down inside the boat.

1 Breydon Bridge 3.96m (13’)

Go through the right- hand side span.

Navigate between the two arrows on the bridges.

2 Vauxhall Bridge 2.06 m (6'

3

Crossing Breydon Water at slack water – note how the navigation channel runs through extensive mudbanks

Boating Basics 31

Low water predictions for Great Yarmouth Yacht Station (corrected

Use these tables to work out when to cross Breydon Water, see page 30. Slack water is about 1 hour after low water at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station.

am pm hr:min hr:min

01 We 09:29 22:44

02 Th 10:51

03 Fr 00:03 12:12

04 Sa 01:13 13:19

05 Su 02:13 14:17

06 Mo 03:08 15:11

07 Tu 04:00 16:03

08 We 04:48 16:54

09 Th 05:33 17:45

10 Fr 06:17 18:34

11 Sa 06:59 19:23

12 Su 07:37 20:12

13 Mo 08:12 21:04

14 Tu 08:38 22:01

15 We 09:28 23:03

16 Th 10:37

17 Fr 00:06+11:52

18 Sa 01:01 13:02

19 Su 01:49 13:57

20 Mo 02:33 14:46

11:55

18 Th 01:09 13:53

19 Fr 02:06 14:44

20 Sa 02:51 15:14

21 Su 03:28 15:38

22 Mo 04:03 16:08

23 Tu 04:37 16:41

24 We 05:09 17:15

25 Th 05:41 17:48

26 Fr 06:09 18:20

27 Sa 06:36 18:52

28 Su 07:05 19:27

29 Mo 07:40 20:12

30 Tu 08:26 21:19

21 Tu 03:15 15:30

22 We 03:54 16:12

23 Th 04:31 16:51

24 Fr 05:06 17:28

25 Sa 05:38 18:06

26 Su 06:11 18:46

27 Mo 06:47 19:32

28 Tu 07:29 20:27

29 We 08:20 21:30

30 Th 09:24 22:34

31 Fr 10:32 23:40

INFO FILE

More details on all these points from our yacht stations and information centres

Moorings

• For Broads Authority 24-hour free moorings see map on centre pages

• Broads Hire Boat Federation (BHBF) operators allow other member companies’ boats to moor in their boatyards free of charge, subject to availability; look out for the BHBF logo at boatyards or check your skipper’s manual

• Many other places also provide moorings

Tides

• All Broads rivers are close to the sea so are all affected by tides (or are tidal)

• Consideration of tidal flow may be important as journeys by boat are harder and slower when the flow is against you

for BST)

am pm hr:min hr:min

01 Sa 11:40

02 Su 00:45 12:47

03 Mo 01:45 13:48

04 Tu 02:42 14:47

05 We 03:34

06 Th 04:24

07 Fr

08 Sa 05:56

09 Su

10 Mo

11 Tu 07:28

12 We 07:52 21:30

13 Th 08:44 22:15

14 Fr 09:43 23:04

15 Sa 10:45 23:59

16 Su 11:54

17 Mo 00:55 13:06

18 Tu 01:47 14:08

19 We 02:34

20 Th 03:18

21 Fr 03:58

22 Sa

24 Mo

27 Th

28 Fr 09:08

29 Sa

30 Su

am pm hr:min hr:min

01 Mo 00:18 12:15

02 Tu 01:20 13:26

03 We 02:20 14:35

04 Th 03:16 15:45

14 Su 09:55 23:00

15 Mo 10:56 23:58

16 Tu 12:16

17 We 01:01 13:35

18 Th 01:57 14:36

19 Fr 02:47 15:29

20 Sa 03:33 16:20

21 Su 04:18 17:10

22 Mo 05:03 17:58

23 Tu 05:49 18:45

24 We 06:34 19:30

25 Th 07:17 20:15

26 Fr 08:00 21:00

27 Sa 08:44 21:49

28 Su 09:32 22:44

29 Mo 10:31 23:47

30 Tu 11:48

• Rise and fall of the tide is on average about 2.2m/7’ at Great Yarmouth and Reedham, while at Norwich it’s about 60-90cm/2’-3’ and at Wroxham it’s about 15cm/6’’

• There are usually two high tides and two low tides each day but times vary daily

• Knowing when high and low tide times occur can be important for getting under bridges, and tides can create strong currents in certain areas

• If you are staying on a holiday boat, your skipper’s manual may include tide tables

Broadcaster tide tables

• These show times for low tide at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station, close to Breydon Water

• We include these times because at Breydon Water it is essential to pay careful attention to the tide in your planning

• Read the instructions for crossing Breydon Water on page 30

Posts

• Where there are red and green posts, keep in the main channel between them

• Red and green posts and buoys don’t mean red for danger and green for go – they mark the edges of channels

01 Th 02:06 14:45

02 Fr 03:14 15:53

03 Sa 04:09 16:44

04 Su 04:52 17:27

05 Mo 05:28 18:06

06 Tu 05:57 18:41

07 We 06:20 19:14

08 Th 06:45 19:45

09 Fr 07:15 20:15

10 Sa 07:50 20:48

11 Su 08:26 21:22

12 Mo 09:06 22:00

13 Tu 09:57 22:50

14 We 11:17

15 Th 00:02 13:02

16 Fr 01:19 14:14

17 Sa 02:19 15:11

18 Su 03:12 16:04

19 Mo 04:02 16:54

20 Tu 04:50 17:40

21 We 05:36 18:25

22 Th 06:18 19:08

23 Fr 06:59 19:51

24 Sa 07:39 20:34

25 Su 08:19 21:20

26 Mo 09:06 22:11

27 Tu 10:08 23:14

28 We 11:37

29 Th 00:33 13:25

30 Fr 02:07 14:47

31 We 00:56 13:16 am pm hr:min hr:min

01 Su 04:02 16:26

02 Mo 04:37 17:03

03 Tu 05:06 17:38

04 We 05:30 18:09

05 Th 05:54 18:39

06 Fr 06:22 19:08

07 Sa 06:51 19:36

08 Su 07:21 20:00

09 Mo 07:51 20:24

10 Tu 08:26 20:56

11 We 09:12 21:44

12 Th 10:27 22:57

13 Fr 12:24

14 Sa 00:36 13:46

15 Su 01:51 14:45

16 Mo 02:48 15:38

17 Tu 03:39 16:27

18 We 04:27 17:14

19 Th 05:12 17:59

20 Fr 05:55 18:42

21 Sa 06:37 19:24

22 Su 07:18 20:06

23 Mo 08:02 20:50

24 Tu 08:53 21:39

25 We 10:02 22:40

26 Th 11:33

27 Fr 00:08 13:15

28 Sa 02:00 14:24

29 Su 02:58 15:14

31 Sa 03:15 15:42 am pm hr:min hr:min

01 Tu 04:09 16:29

02 We 04:33 17:01

03 Th 04:58 17:32

04 Fr 05:27 18:01

05 Sa 05:56 18:27

06 Su 06:25 18:50

07 Mo 06:54 19:12

08 Tu 07:24 19:40

09 We 08:01 20:18

10 Th 08:51 21:10

• Yellow posts usually mark a hazard – keep well clear and keep to channel

Water

• For water points at Broads Authority moorings see map on centre pages (some are seasonal, such as Gay Staithe and West Somerton)

• Water points are available at many other moorings and boatyards (small charge)

• Boil water from all water points before drinking

• Waste water from boats, except sewage, empties into the waterways, so use biodegradable washing-up liquid and other cleaning products, and use only small amounts

• Pump-out services available at many boatyards throughout Broads

• Absorb oil on to kitchen paper and put paper in bin

Paddlesports

• See page 18

Sailing events

If you find yourself on the water during a regatta:

• Keep close to the right-hand bank and slow down as you pass through

• Sailing boats have right of way

• If they are zigzagging across the river to catch the wind, slow down and try to pass behind them

• Make your course clear – do not weave about

• Watch for indications on when to pass, but do not put yourself or others in danger, or just moor up to watch

• Where channels are provided for safe passage, stay in channel

• Listen to and follow advice from rangers or safety patrol boats

11 Fr 10:12 22:27

12 Sa 11:52

13 Su 00:01 13:12

14 Mo 01:19 14:12

15 Tu 02:18 15:06

16 We 03:09 15:57

17 Th 03:57 16:45

18 Fr 04:45 17:30

19 Sa 05:32 18:14

20 Su 06:18 18:57

21 Mo 07:04 19:38

22 Tu 07:54 20:20

23 We 08:51 21:06

24 Th 09:57 22:05

25 Fr 11:16 23:21

26 Sa 12:37

27 Su 01:00 12:40

28 Mo 01:14 13:30

29 Tu 01:52 14:10

30 Mo 03:39 15:54 am pm hr:min hr:min

30 We 02:21 14:45

31 Th 02:51 15:19 November

01 Fr 03:24 15:51

02 Sa 03:57 16:18

03 Su 04:29 16:45

Oulton Broad racing

• Races held Thursday evenings, bank holidays and some Sundays

During powerboat racing:

• Do not enter or leave via main body of broad where event is taking place

• Keep speed down and follow instructions from patrol boats, rescue boats and yacht station staff for safe passage and mooring

North Walsham and Dilham Canal

• For small craft only, charge or donation payable to the trust nwdct.org

Peace and quiet

• Be sensitive to your neighbours –don’t leave your engine idling late at night or early in the morning

• Be aware of radio and TV volume too, especially when the roof of your boat is open continued on page 32

INFO FILE 32 Boating Basics

continued from page 31

Tolls

• Boat owners who are already registered with the Broads Authority can renew annual tolls online

Slipways

• There are many slipways and launching points – some free, some with charges

• Many boatyards also have slipways – charges apply

Electric charging point cards

• £1 from Broads National Park information centres and yacht stations at Hoveton, Ranworth, How Hill, Norwich, Reedham and Great Yarmouth, and from some shops and boatyards

• Keep cards away from mobile phones – they can interfere with credit on cards

• See link below for details on where to find electric charging points, how to use them and where to buy cards

Mutford Lock

• Between Oulton Broad and Lake Lothing at Lowestoft –limit of hire boat navigation

• Not for use by hire boats

• For private boats, call 01502 574946 or 01502 531778, 24 hours ahead, to book a passage (£17)

Info file

• broads-authority.gov.uk/moorings

• broads-authority.gov.uk/tides

• broads-authority.gov.uk/tolls

• broads-authority.gov.uk/slipways

• broads-authority.gov.uk/charging-points

• broads-authority.gov.uk/overseas

BROADS BEAT

• Now in their 29th year – a team of Royal Yachting Association-trained police officers and support staff who patrol the Broads throughout the year, preventing and detecting crime, reducing anti-social behaviour and disorder, assisting boaters and ensuring the safety of all on land or water

• Officers work with the other emergency services and partnership agencies, including the Broads Authority, RNLI, Border Force, Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, and Environment Agency

• Broads Beat is supported by many businesses and is the UK’s longest-running police and public sponsorship scheme

• Call them on 101 for non-emergencies, or email broadsbeat@norfolk.police.uk

• Follow their daily activities on Twitter/X @BroadsBeat

Journey times in the Broads (in hours)

Northern Rivers/ Broads RiverBure

ColtishallWroxhamHorningAntMouthThurneMouth Acle StraceyArmsMillGreatYarmouth PotterHeighamHicklingStaithe BartonBroadStalham RiverThurne

RiverAnt River Bure

Coltishall

Stracey Arms Mill

Great Yarmouth

River Thurne

Potter Heigham

Hickling Staithe River Ant

Stalham

Barton Broad

Southern Rivers/ Broads

River Waveney RiverYare

NorwichYSThorpeGreenBrundallCantley

Loddon(RiverChet)

ReedhamBerneyArms

★GtYarmouthRiverWaveney

BurghCastle

StOlavesOultonDyke

OultonBroadYS

GeldestonBeccles

Times are a rough guide only. When planning your journey remember traffic, tide and weather may make it take longer. ★

WASTE DISPOSAL

• Recycling and other waste disposal facilities are often available near moorings or in towns and villages

• Be careful with waste –don’t leave bags at the back of boats where they could easily fall into the water

• Dispose of waste at proper sites – don't leave bags at sides of moorings or adjacent roads and don't overload bins or leave bags by bins if bins are full

• If necessary, hang on to waste till you reach the next site

• Discarded litter and fishing tackle can entangle and kill wildlife

Boat waste facilities on each river (available at time of compilation)

Wensum •Yare• Chet

Norwich Yacht Station

Brundall: Broom Boats, Silverline Marine (both hire craft only)

Rockland Staithe

Loddon: Staithe, Pye’s Mill; Maffett Cruisers, Pacific Cruisers (both hire craft only)

Reedham Quay

Bure

Coltishall: Kings Head Wroxham/Hoveton: Broads National Park Information Centre; Barnes Brinkcraft, Norfolk Broads Direct (both hire craft only)

Salhouse Broad Horning: Ferry Marina (hire craft only); Swan Inn

Ranworth Staithe

Acle: Acle Bridge Moorings (car park); Bridgecraft (hire craft only)

Great Yarmouth Yacht Station

Ant

Stalham: Richardson’s (hire craft only)

Sutton Staithe

Barton Turf Staithe car park

Neatishead Staithe

Irstead Staithe

Ludham Bridge Staithe

Thurne

Hickling: Pleasure

Boat Inn

Horsey Mill

Repps Staithe

Potter Heigham: Staithe; Herbert Woods (hire craft only)

Ludham: Womack Staithe

Waveney

Geldeston: Locks Inn

Beccles Yacht Station

Burgh St Peter: Waveney

River Centre (hire craft only)

Oulton Broad Yacht Station

Somerleyton

Burgh Castle

Waste

• broads-authority. gov.uk/waste

JULIAN CLAXTON

VISIT THE BROADS

the Broads is a membership organisation for Broads businesses. We hope you enjoy these itineraries featuring our members, which we have designed to help you get the most from your visit to the Broads National Park.

2 DAY BOATING ITINERARY 1

Upper River Bure –Wroxham, Salhouse

Broad and Horning

Day 1 – Wroxham and Salhouse Broad Holiday cruisers are available to hire from Norfolk Broads Direct and Barnes Brinkcraft in Wroxham and Ferry Marina in Horning.

This 2-day itinerary starts in Wroxham, the heart of the Broads. The two villages of Wroxham and Hoveton sit on either side of the River Bure. Bustling hubs full of places to eat and shop, they are often referred to as the capital of the Broads. There is a Broads National Park Information Centre based at Station Road, Hoveton, where you can also book boat trips on board “Ra”, which is accessible to wheelchair users.

Book an early table at the Hotel Wroxham where you can enjoy breakfast on the terrace overlooking the water. The restaurant and stunning waterside terrace are open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Watch the hustle and bustle of the day unfold as the hire boats go out and people start to arrive for their Broads Tours river trips.

After breakfast, wander up to the Bure Valley Railway station at Wroxham, where you will take a nostalgic trip by steam train on Norfolk’s longest

narrow-gauge railway. Steam trains operate regularly between the old market town of Aylsham and Wroxham. The Bure Valley Railway was built on the trackbed of part of the former Great Eastern Railway and the nine-mile line runs through meadowland, ancient pastures and picturesque Broadland villages. The trip to Aylsham by train takes about 45 minutes.

At Aylsham station, you’ll find lots of facilities including the Whistlestop Café and a shop stocking a wide range of railway-themed souvenirs and gifts, as well as being a paradise for any model railway enthusiasts.

Leave the station and take in the historic market town of Aylsham. The prominent marketplace is surrounded by beautiful 18th-century houses and reflects the town’s prosperity from the textile and cloth trade at the time.

A mile from the marketplace you will discover Redwings Horse Sanctuary, home to almost 90 friendly horses and donkeys who now live there. They love visitors and you can get up close and cuddly every day between 10.30am and 4pm until the end of August.

Take the return journey by steam train back to Hoveton station, where you will pick up your holiday cruiser.

Follow the River Bure south out of Wroxham, taking in the pretty riverside properties along the way. After about 30 minutes, gently cruising you’ll come to Salhouse Broad. Moorings are available but it can get very busy in high season, so it’s advisable to arrive early.

Salhouse Broad is a place of great natural beauty, where you can explore the nature boardwalks, walk

through the woods or hire a canoe. Enjoy a spot of stargazing, at the onsite Dark Skies Discovery Hub, if you are very lucky you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. You might find that one night just isn’t enough!

If you decide to stay on, it’s worth hiring a canoe and paddling over to Hoveton Great Broad to discover some real Broadland wilderness at one of Britain's finest National Nature Reserves. Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail is only accessible by boat and promises a peaceful hour-long stroll around this isolated reserve. Alternatively, you can moor up on the River Bure, just on the other side of Hoveton Great Broad, and walk to the start of the route.

Spend some time enjoying the peace and tranquillity of Salhouse Broad before dinner. You’re on holiday, so it’s time to leave the cooking to someone else! When hunger gets the better of you, head up to Woodforde’s Brewery and the Fur & Feather Inn, 20 minutes’ walk from Salhouse Broad. Their award-winning real ales and traditional home-cooked food are a Norfolk institution. Visit early for a brewery tour and some shopping, or just enjoy a great meal and a pint in the cosy pub or outdoor beer garden.

You’ll need to take a torch if you’re planning to walk back to your mooring at Salhouse Broad after dark.

Day 2 – Horning

After a leisurely breakfast on board your holiday cruiser, continue your journey south along the River Bure for about half an hour or so to the pretty village of Horning.

See

There are several places for you to moor at Horning, either side of the river, although it can get incredibly busy so please do arrive early. For this itinerary, you’ll need to access land from the north bank.

Horning is full of riverside houses and pubs, restaurants and shops. It’s a stunning iconic Broads waterside location with so many places to sit back, relax and watch the world go by. At the weekends you can watch the sailing races from Horning sailing club.

If you’d like to try something a little more energetic,

2

2 DAY BOATING ITINERARY

River Yare –Norwich, Surlingham, Reedham or Loddon

Holiday cruisers are available to hire from Broom Boats in Brundall, or from Waterways Holidays who have several bases in the region.

Day 1 – Norwich to Surlingham

This 2-day boating itinerary starts in Norwich. Mooring is available at Norwich Yacht Station, approximately 2 hours’ cruising from Brundall, with easy access by foot to the mediaeval city of Norwich.

Norwich is the only English city with part of a National Park in its midst. The stretch of the River Wensum that flows through the city is part of the Broads.

From the yacht station, follow the riverside path on foot into the city, until you reach signs for the cathedral. Set in beautiful grounds, Norwich Cathedral is an awe-inspiring, welcoming building with spectacular architecture, magnificent art and a fascinating history. The grounds are a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by or enjoy a picnic.

Norwich is full of fabulous places to shop and eat out. Spend some time browsing the quirky, independent shops in the Lanes, or visit one of the many museums and historical sites. To learn more about this vibrant city and its fascinating history, book a guided walking tour with Paul Dickson Tours. A range of tours are available including Norwich: an introduction, Historic Pubs, or Rivers, Merchants and Markets.

While you are exploring the historic Tombland and Cathederal Close, pop into the Maids Head Hotel,

book yourself a paddleboarding session with Go Paddle. They provide beginner sessions for adults and children of all ages and abilities as well as daily and weekly hire.

After all that fun and adventure, it’s time to relax on board your cruiser and plan what you’re going to do tomorrow. Why not book Perfect Pamper – a pop-upsalon who travel to your holiday accommodation?

Many popular fishing spots throughout the Broads have been supplied with fishing line recycling bins by Love The Broads. The aim is to reduce the amount of

fishing litter (line) in the Broads, protecting not only wildlife but reducing the build-up of micro plastics in the ecosystem.

Places to stay nearby…

Hotel Wroxham – Hotel, Wroxham

Hoveton Hall – Luxury B&B, Hoveton

Hall Farm Cottages – Self-catering Cottages, Horning

Salhouse Broad – Camping, Salhouse

Cobbleacre Holidays – Camping, Hevingham

Cotenham Barn – Self-catering and B&B, Panxworth

known to be the oldest hotel in the UK dating back over 800 years, for lunch, drinks or afternoon tea.

When you’ve finished getting to know the city, it’s time to get back on board your holiday cruiser and head down the River Yare to Surlingham, where you’ll moor up for the night. Please leave plenty of time for the 1.5 hour journey.

Day 2 – Surlingham to Reedham or Loddon

After breakfast, another 2 hours or so gentle cruising will take you to Reedham. Reedham has a beautiful riverside frontage and has Broads Authority moorings. The village has a post office, a general store and a fish and chip shop. Reedham is famous for having one of the last operating railway swing bridges in the country and at the other end of the village is the Reedham Chain Ferry. The Reedham Ferry is the only remaining vehicle chain ferry in East Anglia, which crosses the River Yare, forming the only crossing point between the city of Norwich and Great Yarmouth and saving users a journey of more than 30 miles.

Find a suitable place to moor up and make your way to Pettitts Animal Adventure Park for an afternoon of fun for all the family. They have over 25 different species resident at the park and no less than 3 themed play areas. You can take a trip around the whole park on the Miniature Railway then discover the super fun adventure rides, soar through the sky on the Little Explorers Balloon Ride or check out the Crazy Caterpillar Rollercoaster!

Next door, you’ll discover Humpty Dumpty Brewery, a ten-barrel brewery producing cask and bottled conditioned real ales. There is a shop on site which sells their own bottled beers, plus beer from other Norfolk breweries and a wide range of locally produced honeys, ciders, wines and chutneys. The Brewery Shop

is open every day from 12-5pm, with tours and riverside deliveries available by arrangement. Make sure you stop off and stock up while you’re there.

Opposite the chain ferry at Reedham is the Reedham Ferry Inn. This is a great pub with a true country pub atmosphere. Much of its 400-year history is hanging on the walls of the 16th century building. Please book in advance to avoid disappointment. The pub serves lunch and dinner, with seasonal menus and is a great place to end the day, watching cars coming and going across the river by the historic chain ferry.

For an alternative itinerary ending, instead of heading straight to Reedham, why not cruise to Loddon on the River Chet, and head to the nearby Angel Inn, an artisan free house full of character serving homemade food, quality teas and coffee, locally crafted ale, cider and spirits plus award-winning family wines.

If your boating holiday has given you a yearning to buy your own vessel, take a trip to Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall when you return your cruiser. It is the largest dedicated new and used boat sales centre in the area, they also offer boat servicing.

If you don’t fancy a boating holiday, but still want to be right on the water, why not book a stay at Norfolk Holiday Lodges in Brundall Marina. While you are there you could pop into The White Heron for a meal or drinks.

Places to stay nearby…

Whitlingham Broad Campsite – Camping and Glamping, Near Norwich

Poolside Lodges – Self-catering Cottages, Rackheath Hoseasons – Boat or land accommodation across the region

The Maids Head Hotel – Norwich Reedham Ferry Touring Park – Caravan and Campsite

Loddon Staithe

There are many accessible options whilst spending time on the Broads.

36 Visit the Broads

3

DAY OUT ITINERARY

River Waveney –Geldeston, Beccles and Oulton Broad

With miles of beautiful scenery, the river Waveney in the Southern Broads is the perfect place to explore. This full day itinerary will start and finish in the historic market town of Beccles.

Beccles is full of history. The narrow streets and quaint architecture are home to lots of independent shops and cafés. Much of the town’s architecture has a strong Flemish influence. The popular quayside, once a herring port, is now home to the myriad of cruisers which moor here.

Option 1 – Explore by boat

A short walk out of town will take you to Gillingham Dam and Hippersons Boatyard, where you can pick up your day boat. Free parking is also available.

Hippersons offer day boats and houseboats for longer stays. Canoes and kayaks are also available for hire in high season. (Book your day boat in advance to avoid disappointment.)

Leave the boatyard and turn port (left).

Go under the road bridge and past the sailing club on the starboard side. You will enter a really beautiful stretch of the River Waveney. Keep an eye out for wildlife: herons, kingfishers, marsh harriers, otters and barn owls can all been seen along this stretch.

A little further along you will come to the Beccles old railway bridge and it is best to steer through on the port side (left).

Continue on your journey until you reach Waveney River Centre at Burgh St Peter (approximately 1.45 hours). You will see the entrance, where you can steer in and moor up. The river centre is set in beautiful surroundings, with fabulous views across the Norfolk and Suffolk marshes and a wealth of on-park facilities. Visit The Waveney Inn, a popular riverside pub and restaurant with its fabulous outdoor decking area.

From Waveney River Centre you can take the ferry over to SWT Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, or you can continue downriver to Oulton Broad and take the 20-minute walk back to the reserve.

Another 45 minutes or so downriver and you will arrive at Oulton Broad, from here you can explore Nicholas Everitt Park , a beautiful open space alongside the broad, with tennis courts, bowling green, toilets, putting, trampolines, all-inclusive play area, museum, bandstand, boating lake, ponds and refreshments. Oulton Broad Yacht Station is very busy during July and August, particularly for Oulton Week in late August, and the Gala weekend over the August bank holiday,

therefore advanced booking is strongly recommended during this period.

From Oulton Broad it is possible to join the Angles Way footpath for a 20-minute walk SWT Carlton Marshes. Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve lies at the southern tip of the Broads National Park and comprises over 1000 acres of beautiful Suffolk grazing marsh, fens and peat pools teeming with interesting plantlife, such as the insectivorous bladderwort, which traps and digests water fleas in bladder-like sacs under water. Scan the dyke edges too, for a glimpse of Britain’s biggest spider, the fen raft spider which was released here in 2012 to bolster the precariously low UK population.

The trip back to Beccles will take roughly 2.5 hours.

DAY OUT ITINERARY 4

River Ant – Wayford

Bridge and Stalham

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Vera’s Coffee Shop, on the site of site A G Meales & Sons farm shop. Their menu uses local and home-grown ingredients, and they are open from 9.30am every day. If the weather is pleasant, sit out on the patio and enjoy views of the garden and living wall, while you plan what goodies to stock up on for lunch. You can even pick your own fruit and veg.

Suitably refreshed, it’s time to spend some time out on the River Ant. There are a number of options for you to choose from. However, all will need to be booked in advance.

Nancy Oldfield Trust provide a variety of activities including sailing, canoeing, motor boating, fishing,

Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve

Once on the water you can explore the River Waveney between Geldeston and Beccles. Keener paddlers will comfortably make it to Beccles from Geldeston and back in 3 hours. However, going at a more leisurely pace with time for some breaks you should allow 6 hours.

This is a lovely, tranquil stretch of river with few large boats.

From Geldeston village paddle down the dyke and at the end turn right on to the River Waveney towards Geldeston Lock. You can tie up and get out at The Locks Inn, where they serve traditional home-cooked food using locally produced ingredients.

bird watching and environmental studies, available for anyone who is disadvantaged or has a disability be it physical, mental or emotional, temporary or permanent. Please contact them in advance as booking is essential.

From Wayford Bridge, you can explore the River Ant up to Dilham or down to Barton Broad. Some people believe that this is where Admiral Nelson learnt to sail! Barton Broad was purchased by Norfolk Wildlife Trust in 1945 and is the second largest of the broads. Look out for local wildlife on the way. Common terns (which nest on artificial platforms), otters, kingfishers and herons can all be spotted along this stretch of the Broads.

Once you’ve finished on the water, you might be ready for lunch, the Wayford Inn serves food every day until 9.30pm. Sit back and relax on the patio with views over the River Ant which you’ve just explored. Or perhaps try The Crown in nearby Smallburgh, which is open 12-3pm for lunches (check the website for dinner opening times) for homecooked pub classics to suit all appetites.

After lunch it’s a short drive from either venue to Barton Broad main car park. From here, take a stroll to and along the Barton Broad Boardwalk (approx.

The Locks Inn is one of the oldest pubs in the Broads, with a fascinating history. In 1670 an Act of Parliament was passed to improve the navigation upstream of Beccles and three locks were built, at Geldeston, Ellingham and Wainford. This made it possible for sailing wherries laden with cargo to travel to Bungay, with its brewing and malting industries. Ellingham and Geldeston were also railway stations on the now dismantled Waveney Valley Line, on the north side of the river, opened in the early 1860s.

From Geldeston Lock, continue back in the direction you came, along the river towards Beccles.

As you pass Dunburgh Hill on the left look out for marsh harriers that nest in the reeds there close to the ground. Continue past Barsham Marshes on your right. There is evidence here of a Bronze Age river crossing or ferry point.

Towards Beccles the large buildings on the right-hand side are part of the old industrial area of the town which included maltings, glassworks and tanneries.

Return your canoe or kayak to the hire operator and head into Beccles.

Option 3 – Sit back and relax

Skippered boat trips are available on the River Waveney from Waveney River Tours at Oulton Broad, who also hire day boats. Waveney Stardust Trust provide fully accessible boat trips from Gillingham Dam. (Booking essential.) Keep an eye out for open days on board historic Wherry Maud, and check out Norfolk Wherry Trust for details of Wherry Albion. Two of just eight wherries to survive, although at their peak there were around 300.

Once you’re back in Beccles

Seek out the bell-tower of St Michael’s church. The church dates from the 1500s and is unusual as its tower

You could join a wildlife tour if you don’t want to hire a boat yourself.

2.4 km). There’s a separate car park for disabled visitors at the start of the boardwalk. The boardwalk is easily accessible by wheelchair and will take you on a mysterious journey of discovery into a lost world, which has remained isolated for half a century. The mystery trail leads you through swampy, wildlife-filled carr woodland, with resting places and tapping edges along the way and emerges to give a surprise panoramic view over Barton Broad.

A few miles’ drive will take you to Stalham and the Museum of the Broads, where you can learn all

is separate from the rest of the building. The tower has three clock faces but not a fourth. The side without a clock is the one facing Norfolk, a reminder that the river is the boundary between Suffolk and Norfolk.

Standing on a cliff overlooking the river, the bell tower rises an additional 97 feet (29.6m) and is 30 feet square (9m) at its base. The tower is open for visitors to climb to the top and take in the spectacular views!

Further along the river at Puddingmoor, if you have time enjoy a late afternoon dip at Beccles Lido. Beccles Lido is an outdoor swimming pool with separate heated toddler pools, sitting right next to the river. It’s heated in summer, and for the very brave hearted they are open for cold swims right throughout the year! There're often inflatable fun sessions during school holidays too.

Whether you’ve spent the day exploring on the water by electric day boat, or silently paddled this beautiful stretch of river, no trip to Beccles would be complete without a trip to OakFired Pizza. Finish your day with award-winning Neapolitan pizza cooked on a traditional woodfired oven. One of only three restaurants in the UK accredited by the Azzociazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) Naples, to serve True Neapolitan Pizza, a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed product.

If you would like to complete this itinerary as part of a longer boating holiday, holiday cruisers can be booked from Pacific Cruisers in Chedgrave.

Places to stay nearby…

Wheatacre Hall Barns – Self-catering Cottages, Beccles Waveney River Centre – Holiday Lodges and Marina, Burgh St Peter

Hippersons Boatyard – Self-catering Houseboats and Glamping Pods, Beccles

Outney Meadow Caravan Park – Camping and Touring, Bungay

Wardley Hill Campsite – Camping and Touring, Near Bungay

Three Rivers Camping – Camping and Touring, Geldeston

Broadlands Park & Marina – Holiday Lodges and Marina, Oulton Broad

about living and working in the Broads. There are superb displays telling stories of Vikings, marshmen, boatbuilders, holidaymakers and life in the area during the two World Wars. There is also a cracking range of boats: a water bicycle, an airborne lifeboat, racing yachts, punts and even an ice yacht.

Why not end your day at the Swan Inn, a traditional village inn, in the heart of Stalham? Food is served daily between 12pm and 2.30pm and then again from 5pm until 8pm.

If you want to spend a few days on the water, holiday cruisers or traditional sailing yachts are available from…

Richardsons Boating Holidays at Stalham

Norfolk Heritage Fleet at Hunter's Yard, Ludham Sutton Staithe Boatyard – Day Boats

Places to stay nearby…

Wayford Bridge Inn – Hotel right by the river

Riverside Rentals – Self-catering, various locations

Holidaycottages.co.uk – Self-catering, various locations

Option 2 – Explore by canoe or kayak Canoes and kayaks can be hired from Three Rivers Pitch & Paddle in Geldeston and Hippersons Boatyard in Beccles. (Please book in advance to avoid disappointment.)

DAY OUT ITINERARY 5

Upper River Bure –Coltishall, Wroxham, Hainford and Neatishead by car and bike

This Itinerary starts with a gentle cycle ride of approximately 8 miles, taking in three stops and lots to see along the way. Some of the route is on the road. Please take care as you will meet cars and other traffic along the way. Your day will end with a visit to the RAF Defence Museum at Neatishead.

Bikes for ages 8+ can be hired from Bure Valley Cycle Hire in Coltishall, for either a half or full day, but please do book in advance. You will have easy access to the the Bure Valley Path, a 9-mile traffic-free track running alongside the railway line, much of the path was re-surfaced in 2022. A route map can be provided when collecting your bikes.

Steam trains operate regularly between the old market town of Aylsham and Wroxham. The Bure Valley Railway was built on the trackbed of part of the former Great Eastern Railway, the line runs through meadowland, ancient pastures and picturesque Broadland villages. The train ride from Wroxham to Aylsham takes about 45 minutes.

Once you have your cycle, follow the path from Coltishall station for just under 3 miles towards Hoveton and then continue into Wroxham.

In Wroxham, you’ll find plenty of places to get a bite to eat, watch the hustle and bustle of boats coming in and out, or do a bit of holiday shopping. The 'World’s Largest Village Store', Roys of Wroxham has been a family run business since 1895. Although Roys has stores throughout Norfolk and Suffolk, it is synonymous with Wroxham where the company really took off. See if you can spot

all fi ve of Roys stores that are based here!

When you’re ready, jump back on two wheels and follow the Tunstead Road north out of Wroxham. You’ll shortly arrive at Wroxham Barns, where there really is something for everyone. Chat to the talented makers in their craft studios or watch them while they work. Take the children to the funfair or visit Junior Farm where you can groom, cuddle and bottle-feed the animals. Before you leave, take a break in the award-winning restaurant or the Farmyard Café.

While you’re at Wroxham Barns, pop into Willow Tree Delicatessen to pick up local food and drink for your journey, or for gifts to take home. And why not plan your next holiday in the Broads at East Coast Hideaways? They are also based in the complex.

Leave Wroxham Barns and head back towards Coltishall, along Belaugh Lane. Make sure to spend time at Coltishall common which looks out on the River Bure and the marshes beyond. It’s ideal for a picnic or visit one of the two local pubs situated just at the water’s edge. The houses here haven’t changed much since Flemish gables were the fashion and make for a welcome time warp for true quintessential relaxation. Head back to the cycle hire via the hamlet of St James.

If you’re ready for a bite to eat, it’s just 3 miles by car (or 20 minutes by bike, along a road route) to The Chequers in Hainford, a country pub where you'll find a thatched roof, exposed beams, stone floors, open fires, and a food and drink menu using local produce.

From Hainford choose from three options for the afternoon: the first is a short 15-minute car journey to Neatishead, home of the RAF Defence Radar Museum The museum occupies the site of the world’s longest continuously operating radar station and tells the story of air defence and radar from 1935 to date. The museum is not open all year, so please check opening times before you visit.

The second option, if museums are not your thing, why not spend a couple of hours on the water and hire a self-drive day boat from Richardsons back in Wroxham? This will give you the opportunity to relax and take a peek at all of the pretty and quirky riverside properties that are synonymous with the area.

The final option is a 25-minute drive from Hainford, to The Wizard Maze and Children’s Activity Centre in Metton, North Norfolk. Have fun making your way round the themed maise maze to see how long it takes you to find the exit. You can also enjoy tractor rides, pedal go-karts and crazy golf, climb the straw bales and meet the Farmyard Gang – the hilarious pygmy goats.

End your day out back in Wroxham with some entertainment on the water. Every Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and selected Friday evenings during the summer Broads Tours run evening music cruises. Sit back, tap your feet to the music with a drink and enjoy the sunset. Pre-booking is essential for the evening cruises, so please check availability beforehand.

Places to stay nearby…

Hotel Wroxham – Hotel, Wroxham

Hoveton Hall – Luxury B&B, Hoveton

Hall Farm Cottages – Self-catering, Horning

Salhouse Broad – Camping

Cobbleacre Holidays – Camping, Hevingham

Cotenham Barn – Self-catering and B&B, Panxworth

Tunstead Cottages – Self-catering Cottages, Tunstead Wroxham Barns – Camping and Glamping during summer season

Ye Olde Saddlery – Luxury B&B, Neatishead

Call: 01493 488500

Cycling in the Bure Valley, Mayton Bridge is a great picnic spot.

Situated

marina

DAY OUT ITINERARY 6

Lower River Bure –Great Yarmouth

and Waxham

The day starts with a visit to Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens.

The 250-year-old landscaped gardens are renowned for a collection of Asian mammals, birds and reptiles. You can get up close to the snow leopards, gibbons, deer, otters and crocodiles in the swamp house. Get a fantastic view of Kabu, a critically endangered Sumatran tiger, when you complete the Tiger Treetop Walk.

There is also a play area which includes a 3D Adventure Maze, climbing frames, a large slide and pyramid climbing frame. A separate tree ropes play area and another maze on the front lawn, with a play area and slide suitable for younger children, provides plenty of ways for the little ones to burn off some energy.

Just a mile up the road at Filby Broad, stop off for lunch at Filby Bridge Restaurant . This is a family run restaurant that serves lunch and evening meals, with beautiful views over the Trinity Broads. The Trinity Broads are three connected lakes which are landlocked and not connected to the main Broads network of rivers. They provide a haven of tranquillity and are perfect for fishing and enjoying nature and wildlife.

It’s possible to hire a two-person rowing boat from Filby Bridge Restaurant to explore the broad and experience the amazing scenery and wildlife found in Norfolk. Or just enjoy a spot of bird watching from your table.

After lunch, why not head to Waxham, for a stroll along the beautiful beach, where you might spot seals playing in the water? During the pupping season (October to February) nearby Horsey Gap is a fantastic place to view the youngsters, the beach is closed at this time but there are dedicated viewing areas. Please

be very careful on the beaches at all times if you have a dog, and always keep more than 10 metres away if you do happen to find a seal on the beach.

You could base yourself at nearby Walnut Farm – which has a year-round touring site, static caravans, farm cottages and even yurts for a spot of glamping. For those looking for truly dog friendly accommodation, in a variety of locations around the region, take a look at East Ruston Cottages

Take a moment to stop and take in the beauty of National Trust owned Horsey Windpump. During the summer months it’s the epitome of the Broads; with boats moored up alongside it, and a wonderful vista towards the dunes.

From here it is a 25-minute drive into Great Yarmouth, one of the UK’s most popular seaside resorts, for an afternoon at the seaside.

Great Yarmouth’s vibrant seafront harks back to the traditions of yesteryear, but it is upbeat, modern and fun, with many family attractions and entertainment. The famous golden mile runs between two fun-packed piers, stretching from the Pleasure Beach to North Beach.

The sea has played a huge part in shaping Great Yarmouth. The town has the second most complete

mediaeval town wall in England complete with several gate towers and was used to raise taxes on arrival or departure and to keep pirates out altogether. Nelson's monument is a stunning 44m (144 feet) memorial to Norfolk's most famous son, Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson who frequently sailed from the town in the 1800s.

In the early 1700s the first tourists came to take the waters at Great Yarmouth as hundreds of visitors flocked to the seaside to stroll along the esplanade and enjoy the warm weather.

When the sun goes down there’s plenty of evening entertainment and colourful seafront illuminations to enjoy, or head back to Horsey to enjoy the sunset.

Places to stay nearby…

Beachside Holidays Norfolk – Self-catering, Great Yarmouth

Richardsons Hemsby Beach – Holiday Park, Hembsy The Acle Steak – Pub/steakhouse in Acle with accommodation

Alternatively, stay on the water with Eastwood Whelpton Sailing Holidays, Upton

Horsey Mill can provide an amazing backdrop at sunset.

40 Visit the Broads

7

DAY OUT ITINERARY

River Thurne –Potter Heigham, Thurne and Hickling

Day Boats are available to hire along the River Thurne from the following boatyards and should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment…

Martham Ferry Boatyard

Martham Boats

Maycraft

Herbert Woods

Phoenix Fleet

Potter Heigham is set right in the heart of the Broads and people have been visiting for holidays from the early 1900s. Boatbuilding has been established in the area for decades and Herbert Woods Boatyard, one of the first boatyards to operate Broads cruisers is still in Potter Heigham today.

No trip to Potter Heigham is complete without a visit to Lathams of Potter Heigham. Lathams opened in 1963 as an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ primarily stocking everything for the holidaymaker and fishermen. Today they still sell almost everything. Pick up some fishing

tackle and get some local, inside knowledge about the best fishing spots and what to catch while you’re on the river. Potter Heigham is a great place to catch bream. Collect your pre-booked day boat and get out onto the water.

Head south, towards the iconic Thurne Mill, with views across the marshes over to St Benet's Abbey.

Thurne Mill is a distinctive part of the Broads National Park landscape and the only white mill on the Broads. Finishing its working life in 1936, this iconic mill has now been restored to full working order.

Potter Heigham to Ludham Bridge and back will take you around 4 hours, not including stopping time. The Dog Inn at Ludham is worth a stop for lunch. They are a short walk from Ludham Bridge (approx. 500 metres) with an outdoor seating area that looks over open fields and marshes back towards Thurne Mill and St Benet’s Abbey.

Alternatively, head north and explore the stunning Hickling Broad. Potter Heigham to Hickling will take 3 to 4 hours (not including stopping time). Norfolk Wildlife Trust Hickling Broad is the largest broad and is a yearround haven for wildlife. Look out for common cranes as well as important breeding numbers of bittern, marsh harrier, bearded tit and Cetti’s warbler. In August 2023 fledgling spoonbills were spotted at Hickling Broad and Marshes – the first known breeding success in the Broads for around 400 years.

Dairy Barns in Hickling offers bed and breakfast and self-catering cottages in a spectacular location if you prefer to stay on dry land and visit the local wildlife.

The Greyhound Inn in the heart of Hickling village is the perfect place to end your day. This traditional village pub serves food seven days a week and they have a varied menu to suit all tastes. The Greyhound boasts a roaring open fire and a sheltered outside area for the winter, and in the summer, there’s a sun-trap front terrace.

Places to stay nearby…

Broads Escapes – Self-catering throughout the Broads Waterside Breaks – Self-catering throughout the Broads

Ye Olde Saddlery – Luxury B&B, Neatishead

Alternatively, Olivers Sailing Holidays in Martham and Swallowtail Boatyard in Ludham, are both ideally located for sailing on Hickling Broad or Horsey Mere

All itinerary times are approximate. Please leave plenty of time for your journey as times may be affected by tides, traffic or weather. Please obey the speed limits. The Broads Authority provides a network of free 24hr moorings. Many more are available at places such as staithes, public houses and boatyards although these may charge a fee.

For more information visit www.broads-authority.gov.uk

Remember to take a torch if you’re planning to walk back to your mooring after dark.

For lots more ideas of things to do, places to eat out and where to stay, visit visitthebroads.co.uk

The Peace Cross is just a short stroll from St Benet’s Abbey.

short strolls From to long hikes

The Broads has over 190 miles (300km) of footpaths for you to explore. Whether you’re looking for accessible paths, village or town strolls, walks from moorings, walks with a historic site to explore, walks for wildlife (including many on nature reserves), walks for dogs, walks linked to public transport or walks that take in many of these elements and more, you’ll find them in the Broads. If you’re taking your dog walking, please read the guidance on page 52, where you’ll also find public transport info. For guided walks and other outdoor events, have a look at What’s on, see page 48.

Here’s a taste of some walks to get you started. The starting points, Coltishall, Burgh Castle and Beccles, can all be reached by bus, and Beccles also has a rail station. You’ll find details of these walks and plenty more in Park Rangers – Favourite Walks, published by Collins, price £6.99. There are short strolls, long hikes and walks somewhere in between, and they will take you to all the seven river valleys of the Broads. The guide is available from the Broads information centres at Hoveton, Ranworth and How

Hill, where you’ll also find lots of other guides and Ordnance Survey maps to help you.

River Bure

Coltishall and Horstead, about 6.5 miles, B2

A village and river walk in the northern Broads, exploring Coltishall Common, Horstead Mill and the Bure Valley Path.

Wildlife to look out for: geese, ducks, grey wagtails, yellowhammers, jays – even a barn owl or a kingfisher; listen out for skylarks too

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/walking

River Waveney

Burgh Castle, about 1.4 miles, wheelchair access around the fortifications, E5

Explore the remains of this Roman fort in the heart of the Broads and enjoy the spectacular view across the marshes to Berney Arms Mill. There are options to extend the walk if you wish.

Wildlife to look out for: bearded tits, reed and sedge warblers, water rails, yellow wagtails, wildfowl and waders, marsh and hen harriers

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/walking

Beccles and Geldeston, about 7 miles, D7

This is a circular Norfolk and Suffolk walk in the

southern Broads – the north bank of the Waveney is in Norfolk, while the southern part of the walk is in Suffolk, on the Angles Way. The walk is number 3 in the series of Angles Way circular walks on the Norfolk trails website.

Wildlife to look out for: owls, marsh harriers, deer, otters norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-aboutin-norfolk/norfolk-trails

Long-distance routes

• The Weavers’ Way passes though the northern Broads and then goes on to North Norfolk

The Norfolk Coast Path takes you through the Broads at Horsey and Winterton

• The Wherryman's Way follows the River Yare from Norwich to Great Yarmouth

• The Angles Way goes south from Great Yarmouth and into the Suffolk Brecks

More info

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/the-blog/exploringthe-broads-by-bus-from-norwich

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/nature-reserves norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/ norfolk-trails (long-distance routes and other walks) discoversuffolk.org.uk

alltrails.com komoot.com outdooractive.com

TTERRABMOT

Burgh Castle

BILLSMITH

Winterton

How Hill

Norwich Castle Keep (A4) is reopening this summer after a multi-million-pound redevelopment. The Royal Palace Reborn project takes the keep back to its medieval past but in a contemporary way, so that as many people as possible can delve into its history, its nooks and crannies, and its significance for Norfolk and the Broads.

Keepgoing

The origins of the castle keep, the stone building we see today, which was restored in Victorian times, actually go back 950 years, to medieval times. This was also the period that saw the creation of one of the most distinctive parts of the Broads landscape we know today – the shallow lakes interconnected by rivers and dykes (smaller waterways) that we call broads.

William I (William the Conqueror) ordered work to begin on the castle in 1067 and in 1121 the keep was completed. It was intended to be a royal palace, not a defensive building. Over the medieval period the castle was also the centre for legal and financial rule over the region.

Meanwhile in the Broads, peat digging was getting under way. From around the 12th-14th centuries, the demand for timber and fuel was so high that most woodland was felled, and peat was dug to

provide an alternative fuel for heating and cooking. Documentary evidence from Norwich Cathedral (A4, another wonderful medieval building to visit) shows that substantial amounts of peat were dug, in a region that was then one of the most highly populated parts of the country. Rising water levels then flooded the peat diggings, forming the broads. Doctor Joyce Lambert was the first to establish the origin of the broads, leading to publication in 1960 of The Making of the Broads. You can listen to a recording of Joyce Lambert talking about her discovery at broads-authority.gov.uk/about-thebroads/heritage-and-culture/people/broads-voices

To find out more about ‘The Story of Peat’, visit the new exhibition, opening this April at the Museum of the Broads at Stalham (C1). The exhibition has been funded through Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL). To find out more about FiPL projects, and how important peat is now and for the future, turn to page 46.

Medieval life

A key place to visit in the Broads to step back to medieval times is the remains of St Benet’s Abbey (D3) on the River Bure, where you can discover the world of the medieval monks. Artefacts from the abbey will be on display in the castle’s new Gallery of Medieval Life. There are moorings at the abbey or you can

walk there from Ludham Bridge or Ludham village (there’s also a very small accessible car park). Tours take place at the abbey from June to September, every Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm. Other places to visit in the Broads that will take you back to the medieval world include the many churches with medieval origins, such as St Helen’s at Ranworth (C3), known as the cathedral of the Broads.

Back at the castle, over the centuries it evolved to become a prison and then a museum, which has itself been through many changes. The latest changes take the castle back to its origins, reinstating the medieval floors and rooms in the keep, through a major engineering, construction and redevelopment project, with finance from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. There’s also a new visitor entrance, cafe and shop for the museum site. When the keep reopens in summer 2024, these newly accessible spaces will mean that for the first time in 900 years visitors can explore all five levels of the keep – from basement to battlements and from there take in the spectacular views.

museums.norfolk.gov.uk/norwich-castle cathedral.org.uk museumofthebroads.org.uk norfarchtrust.org.uk/project/st-benets-abbey ranworthchurch.com

Norwich Castle

St Benet's Abbey

St Helen’s, Ranworth

BILL SMITH

VISIT THE BROADS

NORFOLK MUSEUMS SERVICE

Norwich Castle

© NORFOLK MUSEUMS SERVICE

with Wally Mason

If you spend your life on the marshes, you notice the weather, the daily and seasonal changes, as well as the extremes. “Seen a lot of changes in my time,” says Wally, “including the 1953 floods, 1963 winter and the gales of 1987.”

Wally was born in 1947. He began reed cutting with his father in the winter of 1963, near Rockland, and remembers the River Yare being frozen – a harsh introduction to working life. His father would check the wind direction to know which way to cut the reed, and Wally learnt the knack of walking and cutting with the scythe at the same time, cutting swathes of about a yard of reed with each swish of the scythe. Even when he had other local jobs, for reed cutting is by its nature a seasonal occupation, taking place in the winter, he’d cut at weekends with his father.

Now his own three sons work with him when they can. He still cuts regularly, though it’s become a hobby rather than a living. Over his time he’s seen the changes from cutting by hand with a scythe, a method unchanged itself for hundreds of years, through to machine cutting with a form of mower. When he started, everyone cut by hand, now very few do on a regular basis, apart from Wally. When he was younger, he’d cut 50-60 bundles on a good day. Reed is sold by the bundle and it must take three hand spans to get round a bundle, generally taken as 24” now; the strings used to tie a bundle are 28-30” long.

Life in the reedbeds

It’s hard work in tough conditions however you do it, but Wally has adapted over the years and now uses a small hand scythe and a small wooden frame to rest the bundle of reed against while cleaning and dressing it. Yes, raking or combing out the unwanted broken or old pieces of reed or any bits of other plants and loosely tying the bundle is known as ‘cleaning and dressing’. He uses the traditional board to tap the base of the bundle on to get it tight and into shape and then tied tightly. The good thing about hand cutting is that there are no odd loose or short pieces, it’s better cleaned and therefore of a better, more uniform quality; thatchers like it for the high quality. Norfolk reed should last over 50 years on a thatched roof.

In the Broads, there are large areas of commercially cut reedbeds in the valleys of the rivers Ant and Thurne, at places such as How Hill (where the Broads Authority harvests from the nature reserve), Hickling and Horsey, and at Haddiscoe Island, where Wally mainly cuts now. Cutters need to have permission from the landowner, often a farmer, to go and cut, and may also have to pay a fee. Management for nature conservation, maintaining the water levels and keeping the

reedbeds cut and clear of scrub, makes good commercial sense too, producing good quality reed for thatching. Growing and cutting reed was the original form of paludiculture or wet farming in the Broads – see page 46 to find out about other recent developments. Marshes and reedbeds are also a natural flood defence.

Wally feels there’s no better place than Haddiscoe Island for wildlife and taking in the big views of the Broads. The Island is an intriguing place, surrounded by the rivers Yare and Waveney and the New Cut (a canal new in 1833). Among birds, marsh harriers and

kingfishers are two of his frequently seen favourites. Sometimes he’ll see a marsh harrier chasing a hare around. There are a lot of deer in the reedbeds too, and sometimes the deer and hares will swim across a dyke (or small waterway) to safety. There are wonderful views the full length of The Island, towards Breydon Water and Burgh Castle, and you can pick out Reedham Church and of course the remains of many mills. There are very few houses though.

“After spending seven decades on our broads and rivers I feel very privileged to have done this.”

Where to visit to find out more about reed cutting and thatching

• Toad Hole Cottage, How Hill (see page 11)

• Museum of the Broads, Stalham (C1) museumofthebroads.org.uk

• Haddiscoe Island (D/E5) is a remote place to visit, though it’s not far from Haddiscoe Station and the village of St Olaves. It’s possible to follow a perimeter path around The Island, but it’s about 12 miles over rough ground, liable to flooding. If you do intend to walk there, please

plan ahead and take care.

• In St Olaves (E5) you can also visit the remains of a small medieval priory.

english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-olavespriory/history

• broads-authority.gov.uk/about-the-broads/ heritage-and-culture

• wisearchive.co.uk/projects

• norfolkreed.co.uk

TOM BARRETT

Land windmills of the

“Where can I see a windmill?” is one of the popular questions for staff at our information centres. But do many of the enquirers realise that most of the mills in the Broads are drainage windmills, not mills for grinding corn? Today there are still 63 drainage mills of all kinds left in the Broads, a reminder of the endeavour to drain the marshes over the last 400 years. However, the majority of the mills were built from the early 1800s to the early 1900s, to drain the marshes dry enough for keeping cattle and growing crops.

The Water, Mills & Marshes programme, which concluded recently and was led by the Broads Authority and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, included a major project to restore four of the drainage mills in the Halvergate Marshes area and one other, further up the River Yare. These were Mutton’s Mill and High’s Mill, both near Halvergate; Six Mile House Mill, across the River Bure from Runham; North Mill, near Reedham; and Strumpshaw Steam Engine Pump House (a rare steam-powered mill) on the RSPB

reserve at Strumpshaw Fen. The work was carried out involving students from City College Norwich, providing training in heritage building and carpentry techniques to help encourage a future workforce to care for historic buildings. The project has received several awards, the latest was in autumn 2023, when the Broads Authority won the prestigious Norwich and Norfolk Design and Craftsmanship Award in the conservation category for the work at Mutton’s Mill. We were also overall winner for sustainability. The awards are made by the Norfolk branch of the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Norwich Society and Norwich University of the Arts.

By their nature mills aren’t always easy to visit, they are often in remote locations and can involve a lot of steps to climb if they include inside access. Of the recently restored Halvergate Marshes mills, Mutton’s (about 1.5 miles from Halvergate) is one of the easiest to visit (external viewing only). You can also follow the full Halvergate Mills Trail, starting from Stones Road at Halvergate, or Berney Arms Station (E4). It’s a beautiful circular walk, but

at about eight miles over rough ground, it takes about four hours, so it’s not for everyone. On the trail you can also see English Heritage’s Berney Arms Mill, one of the tallest in the country, which is awaiting further restoration. You can watch a video about the restoration of Mutton’s Mill at youtube.com/watch?v=Y8duh0z4oqk

Another Water, Mills & Marshes project, WISEArchive’s Life and Work on the Broads 1920-2020, will help you find out more about what it was like to work the mills.

At the other end of the accessibility scale, the restored Horsey Windpump (E2) is easily reached by road or water and is fully accessible to view externally, plus the ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users (see page 13). The restored Thurne Mill (D3) is a short walk (about 100m) along Thurne Dyke and is also a great location to experience the dark skies of the Broads for a bit of stargazing. If you visit How Hill (see page 11) you can see the mills there and the restored Stubb Mill is on the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve at Hickling (D2).

TOMMACKIE

Thurne Mill

TOM BARRETT

You can see Herringfleet Mill (E6) from the Herringfleet 24-hour moorings, or by walking from Herringfleet Hills or Somerleyton (about a mile). Saint Olave’s Mill (D5) is not far away and is one of many cared for by the Norfolk Windmills Trust. You can walk to it downstream from St Olave’s Bridge near the Bell Inn (about a mile). The trust’s other mills include Stracey Arms (D4, on the River Bure and the A47, about 2.5 miles from Acle) and a whole group of mill buildings (including North Mill and Polkey’s Mill, D5), which you can walk to on the Wherryman’s Way from Reedham (about 2

miles). Another of the trust’s mills is fully restored Hardley Mill (C5), open to visitors arriving by water or on foot from Hardley Staithe (about a mile). “If the sails are turning –we are open,” they say. Another video will tell you all about the mill and explain how drainage mills actually worked… youtube.com/watch?v=su5xCGL4imA&t=3s You can even stay in a Broads mill if you wish, in corn mills at Sutton (C2) and How Hill (C2), or in a drainage mill at Stalham (C1). Last but not least, there’s National Mills Weekend, see What’s on, page 49. Happy visiting! watermillsandmarshes.org.uk (Halvergate Mills Trail) broads-authority.gov.uk/looking-after/projects/ water,-mills-and-marshes english-heritage.org.uk wisearchive.co.uk/projects nationaltrust.org.uk norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/windmills norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk hardleywindmilluk.org

Ross’ Wildlife Boat Trips

All the best wildlife, small number of passengers, classic boat on the quietest waters with experienced skipper, every day.

TRIP TIMES: 11am, 12.15, 2pm & 3.15. A 9.45 sailing is available by pre booking and private hire also. Adult £11, u16 £9, good dogs £1. www.marthamboats.com • Martham Boats NR29 4RF

The best way to book is by text on 07791 526440 and can be done up until 9.30 on the day of travel, or email wildlifeboattrips@gmail.com. Booking on the day at the departure point can be done anytime.

SEA & RIVER TRIPS IN NORFOLK & SUFFOLK

• Sea going trips from Lowestoft South Pier

• Broads Tours from Oulton Broad

• Sightseeing, seal watching, nature, fun and much more.

Stracey Arms Mill Shop & Tea Rooms

• Dog friendly cafe and gift shop

• Café open 9am to 5pm

• Take out delivered to boats after 5pm

• Animals on-site, including donkeys, goats, chickens, Shetland ponies, ducks, tortoises and peacocks

Mutton's Mill

SEMAJ SSAB

Polkey's Mill

What's been

happening?

Here’s news of a small selection of Broads Authority partnership projects. To find out more about all our projects go to broads-authority.gov.uk

JACKIEDENT

Wildlife recovery

Norfolk hawker dragonfly

Forty years ago, when the British Dragonfly Society was founded, the future of this dragonfly with bright green eyes and a gingery body was bleak. As a symbol of the special and fragile watery landscape of the Broads, it was adopted as the logo for the Broads Authority in 1983 and for many years it was almost entirely restricted to the Broads. But this has now changed for the better.

It started to expand across Norfolk and Suffolk, then became established in Cambridgeshire, Kent, Hertfordshire, Dorset and Devon. It’s even been seen at the London Wetland Centre and as far north as Yorkshire and Lancashire. Where will it turn up next?

In the Broads, many marshes remain undrained and active conservation management work by the Broads Authority and other organisations is restoring habitats for wildlife, including dragonflies. Norfolk hawkers need good grazing marsh dyke systems with clean, non-saline water, rushy margins, and preferably an abundance of

water soldier, as well as other water plants.

Where and when? Good places to see them include the nature reserves at How Hill (see page 11), Hickling, Strumpshaw and Carlton. Best time to see them: May to August.

Water vole

The population of this rare creature has started to recover in the Broads after many years of decline, thanks to control of its main predator, the American mink, a non-native species bred for fur from the 1920s. Populations of escaped mink bred intensively in the Broads, damaging populations of wild birds and mammals.

A mink trapping programme started in the Broads in 2003, managed by Waterlife Recovery Trust and involving the Broads Authority and others. Last year only seven mink were caught in Norfolk and five in Suffolk, and Waterlife Recovery Trust believes that the invasive species has been nearly eradicated from these counties, with a corresponding increase in the recovery of water voles. The trapping programme is being expanded from the Thames to Lincolnshire, which will reduce the likelihood of mink returning to the Broads and will expand the area where the water vole is protected.

Where and when? They are not easy to spot, but you may see a hole in a dyke bank indicating a burrow or you may hear a splash as they dive into the water. Take a boat trip on the Electric Eel at How Hill (see page 11) and you may be lucky. Best time to see them: spring to autumn – they are most numerous in September.

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/nature-reserves

Planning for biodiversity

In autumn 2023, in order to fulfil a government initiative, we welcomed a new member of staff as out first Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Officer. What’s that all about? The Broads Authority is the local planning authority (LPA) for the Broads and essentially, the new officer’s job is about ensuring a contribution to nature recovery through the national planning system. BNG is a government requirement and is a way to contribute to the recovery of nature while developing land – making sure that habitat for

wildlife is in a better state than it was before development. LPAs will have to approve a biodiversity net gain plan for development work before it can start. Developers must try to avoid loss of habitat on land they plan to develop, or they must create habitat on the site or elsewhere. The new BNG requirements will be incorporated into the new Local Plan for the Broads (our planning policy document), which is currently under review. broads-authority.gov.uk/planning

Park protectors

National Park Nature Award

The Broads is in good hands. In autumn 2023, Nick Sanderson, the Broads Authority’s Education Officer, won the National Park Nature Award for his community nature recovery work at Barton Turf Nature Reserve in the northern Broads. The award is one of a series made each year by the Campaign for National Parks, with sponsorship from WWF-UK (World Wide Fund for Nature), to people they call ‘park protectors’. Nick saw the potential of the Barton Turf site and began a partnership to transform it with Di Smith, the Centre Manager, as well as many others.

Nick said: “It’s really about the team, about the volunteers, the staff and the young people who’ve been involved who are really making a difference to nature conservation and have hopefully been inspired by it as well.”

Education involves a very wide remit for Nick, working with schools, community groups and charities. The Barton Turf project is one of many, changing the lives of people from diverse backgrounds, including young people who don’t usually have access to the Broads, people with complex needs, asylum seekers and refugees. To find out more about our education work go to broads-authority.gov.uk/learning Taking

peat core to find out the depth

Peat for the future

Broads peat is up to 10,000 years old, but it’s very much a key part of the future, too. Peat forms from compressed dead plants in wet areas, such as fens, and peatlands store twice as much carbon as forests, helping to combat the effects of climate change. Draining peatland releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

With funding from government programmes, the Broads Authority has developed several successful projects related to peat over the last few years, working in many partnerships.

The FibreBroads project, awarded by Natural England, is the most important and innovative. We are growing and testing new wetland crops and products such as novel construction materials. Two further grants, awarded in January 2024, are helping us engage with farmers about water management and storage to supply peaty floodplains with water in our hotter, drier summers and wetter winters.

The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme is a government fund set up in 2021, through which organisations such as the Broads Authority can award government grants to farmers and other land managers to carry out projects that support the environment, mitigate the impacts of climate change or support nature-friendly farm businesses, restore historic buildings or provide public access opportunities.

FiPL has been extended until March 2025, and is a mechanism for achieving our objectives in responding to climate change and flood risk, and improving landscapes for biodiversity and agriculture. Many of the 50 projects funded so far are related to paludiculture or wet farming on peat soils. One of the original wet farming crops is reed, traditionally grown in the Broads. You can read more about the FiPL scheme on our website, including how those from the private, public and voluntary sectors can apply for current funding. broads-authority.gov.uk/looking-after/projects

100 Years of Ted Ellis

Go back 100 years and someone else was just starting on protecting the Broads, if in a very different way. Ted Ellis was a naturalist, writer and broadcaster who entered the lives of many people in the Broads and beyond. He began keeping journals of his observations of Broads wildlife as a young boy, going on to become Keeper of Natural History at the Castle Museum in Norwich and to create the nature reserve at Wheatfen, Surlingham.

Broads Authority education staff and Wheatfen Nature Reserve have been working on an education project to digitise a selection of Ted’s journals, and running events to bring his store of knowledge and his love and concern for the Broads and its wildlife to a contemporary audience. He began his searches on the beach at Gorleston, adjacent to Great Yarmouth, and some of the events have involved looking at his records of the places he knew and comparing them with those places now. Some have disappeared and some have changed beyond recognition, but, encouragingly, some haven’t changed too much and some are in a better state now than they were then!

"I am very jealous for the pastoral peace of the East Anglian countryside. If it is destroyed, where will town dwellers and all the sick-of-suburbs people turn to find unspoiled country? Let us remain a breathing space for the cure of souls," he said. Find out more at broads-authority.gov.uk/looking-after/projects and wheatfen.org. For other nature reserves to visit go to VisitTheBroads.co.uk/nature-reserves

Hulver Ground and Buttle Marsh

These two places are both close to How Hill, the National Nature Reserve owned by the Broads Authority (see page 11). We have purchased Hulver Ground, which will enable us to extend our direct conservation management work in the valley of the River Ant, including preserving habitat for rare species found there, such as the critically endangered crested buckler-fern. In all, a quarter of the UK’s rarest wildlife is found in the Broads.

The Authority bought the area at Hulver Ground (opposite Buttle Marsh, which it already owns) in 2023, with a government grant through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Buttle Marsh has been managed by the Authority since 2003, however due to a lack of water on the

site it has not reached optimal condition. With funding from the government’s Nature for Climate Peatland Restoration Grant Scheme, we will be able to complete the restoration.

Buttle Marsh (named after one of the local words for the rare fen bird, the bittern) will be 'rewetted', meaning more water will be retained on the land, creating conditions that will allow peat to build up. To find out a bit about Broads peat digging in the past, see page 42.

You can see Buttle Marsh on your left walking from How Hill along the River Ant towards Ludham Bridge and you’ll find some public events for Buttle Marsh in What’s on, see page 48.

broads-authority.gov.uk/looking-after/projects

TOM BARRETT

JULIAN CLAXTON

TOM BARRETT

WHAT’S ON

You can find full details of what’s on, including Broads Authority events such as guided walks and wildlife activities, as well as places to visit and things to do, at VisitTheBroads.co.uk

While the spring and summer are lovely times to visit, autumn and winter are also great seasons in the Broads. The colder months are wonderful times for walking and wildlife, especially birds, and many places stay open throughout the year.

Please take appropriate clothing and footwear for the season, weather and conditions. You’ll be in an exposed environment and paths may be uneven, with vegetation close by. You may need boots or wellies. You may also need something to eat and drink, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Broads Authority walks and activities

For all bookings please go to eventbrite.com/o/ broads-authority-29218269141 except where stated. For booking enquiries and help please use the telephone number given for each event.

April

Wednesday 10 April 8-9.30pm

EASY ACCESS

BIOFLUORESCENCE WALK

Barton Broad Boardwalk, Irstead Road, Irstead NR12 8XR

Join us for an adventure into the colourful world of biofluorescence. Using special UV torches reveals a nocturnal hidden world of communication. Suitable for 8+ years. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Suitable for wheelchair users. Meet at Barton Broad Boardwalk easy access car park, at the start of the boardwalk.

Cost £12.50, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756097

Saturday 13 April 8-10pm NIGHT EXPLORATION

How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG

Explore the night world around How Hill National Nature Reserve, on an adventure with night creatures, astronomy and sensory discovery, rounded off with a touch of magic!

Cost £8.50 under 16, £12 adult, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756096

Thursday 18 April 8.30-10pm

BIOFLUORESCENCE WALK

North Cove Nature Reserve, Wadehall Lane, North Cove NR34 7QQ

Join us for an adventure into the colourful world of biofluorescence. Using special UV torches reveals a nocturnal hidden world of communication. Suitable for 8+ years. Under 18s must be

accompanied by a paying adult.

Cost £12.50, booking essential Enquiries 07710 806109

May

Wednesday 8 May 4.15-6am

DAWN CHORUS WALK

Cary’s Meadow, Yarmouth Road, Norwich NR7 0EB

Enjoy a guided walk, exploring the soundscape of birdsong as the sun rises.

Cost £10, booking essential

Enquiries 01603 612980

Wednesday 15 May 4.15-6.30am

DAWN CHORUS WALK

North Cove Nature Reserve, Wadehall Lane, North Cove NR34 7QQ

Take in the cacophony of dawn birdsong on this stroll with the local rangers. It’s also a chance to talk about the different species that are singing and discover why they sing. We may see other wildlife and if it's clear, witness the beautiful sunrise across the marshes.

Cost £8, booking essential via suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

Enquiries 01603 756097

Wednesday 22 May 10am-3pm

BOAT AND BOOT

Carlton Marshes, NR33 8HU

Meet at Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton Marshes visitor centre. We’ll take a walk to the moorings at Peto’s Marsh to meet the Waveney ranger launch. Half the group will take the boat and half will walk to North Cove along the Angles Way. Groups will change over at North Cove after lunch (bring a picnic). You’ll hear about wildlife and local history along the way and get a boater’s view of Oulton Broad and the upper Waveney.

Cost £8 under 16, £12 adult, booking essential via suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

Enquiries 01603 756097

Wednesday 22 May 7-9pm

GUIDED WALK: PEAT PAST AND PRESENT AT BUTTLE MARSH

Toad Hole Cottage, How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG

Buttle Marsh is a 25ha wildlife site sitting in a curve of the River Ant. A new project will raise the water level, restoring ‘peat forming’ conditions, meaning the marsh will once again fulfil its natural function as a carbon sink, aiding the fight against climate change. Join a ranger for a fascinating walk (about 3 miles) to this unique part of the Broads to discover wildlife, history and current management plans. Suitable for 10+ years. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. This project is funded by the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme and Anglian Water’s Get River Positive.

Cost Free, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756096

June

Saturday 1 June 10.30am-1pm

DEMYSTIFYING BREYDON WATER

End of Porters Loke (road), NR31 9PZ (near entrance to Fisherman’s Inn and Goodchild Marine), parking on Porters Loke

A chance for those inexperienced or wary of crossing Breydon Water to familiarise themselves with it. You’ll travel across Breydon Water from Burgh Castle, going as far as the Great Yarmouth bridges, on board the Spirit of Breydon patrol launch. Rangers will discuss safe routes, channel markers, emergency mooring points and potential hazards. No toilets.

Cost £12, booking essential Enquiries 01493 842794

Wednesday 5 June 10am-12pm

RANWORTH RAMBLE

Ranworth Staithe car park, NR13 6HY

Explore Ranworth on this walk with a ranger (about 2.5 miles), taking in views of Malthouse Broad, marshes and Ranworth Church. Find out about the seasonal wildlife, and the history and management of the area. Suitable for families.

Cost £6, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756094

Sunday 9 June 10am-12.30pm

BOAT AND BOOT TO BUTTLE MARSH

Toad Hole Cottage, How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG

Buttle Marsh is a 25ha wildlife site sitting in a curve of the River Ant. A new project will raise the water level, restoring ‘peat forming’ conditions, meaning the marsh will once again fulfil its natural function as a carbon sink, aiding the fight against climate change. Join us for a look at the history, wildlife and current management of this fascinating part of the Broads, going one way by boat and one way walking (just over 2 miles).

The boat trip runs between How Hill Staithe and Ludham Bridge. Suitable for 8+ years. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. This project is funded by the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme and Anglian Water’s Get River Positive.

Cost Free, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756096

Wednesday 12 June 10am-1pm

EEL SETT GUIDED WALK

St Nicholas’ Church, Potter Heigham NR29 5LL

Our walk is about 4.5 miles on footpaths (including a section of the Weavers’ Way) and some minor roads. We’ll visit a traditional eel sett and a bird hide overlooking the nature reserve at Hickling Broad, with an optional visit inside a historic church.

Cost £6, booking essential

Enquiries 01603 756097

Saturday 15 June 1-4pm

WILD AFTERNOON TEA

How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG

Find out about edible wild plants, including their history, tips on identification and recipe ideas, on a gentle amble around How Hill National Nature Reserve. Then enjoy a three-course wild afternoon tea, served in the serene garden of Toad Hole Cottage.

Cost £18 per person, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756096

Wednesday 19 June 10.15am-3pm

COLTISHALL WALK

Horstead Mill car park, NR12 7AT

Join a walk with the local ranger to discover the special history of the area, taking in Horstead and Coltishall on the way to Mayton Bridge along the old railway line, then returning to Horstead along the river path.

Cost £6, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756097

Friday 21 June

7.30-9pm SUMMER SOLSTICE WALK

Long Rd car park, Irstead NR12 8XP

Take a walk of just under 2 miles on footpaths (including a section of the Weavers’ Way) and some minor roads. Enjoy the mysterious nature reserve at Barton Broad and the panoramic view overlooking the broad itself.

Cost £10, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756097

Sunday 30 June

DEMYSTIFYING BREYDON WATER

For details see 1 Jun.

July

Thursday 4 July

GUIDED WALK: PEAT PAST AND PRESENT AT BUTTLE MARSH

For details see 22 May.

Sunday 14 July

BOAT AND BOOT TO BUTTLE MARSH

For details see 9 Jun.

Wednesday 17 July

10am-1pm

MARSHES AND FENS GUIDED WALK

South Walsham Staithe, NR13 6ED

Take a walk of about 4.5 miles on footpaths and some minor roads, visiting an ecologically important fen and enjoying views across the River Bure to the historic St Benet's Abbey site.

Cost £6, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756097

Wednesday 24 July

RANWORTH RAMBLE

For details see 5 Jun.

Wednesday 24 July

10am-3pm

JULIAN CLAXTON

JULIAN CLAXTON

Broadcaster 2024

out for wildlife and discover the local history of the area, with time for a stop along the way.

Cost £6, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756097

Saturday 27 July

1-4pm

INATURALIST BIOBLITZ

Cary’s Meadow, Yarmouth Road, Norwich NR7 0EB

A race against the clock to discover as many species of plants and animals as possible and record them using the iNaturalist app.

Cost £6, booking essential Enquiries 01603 612980

August

Sunday 18 August

BOAT AND BOOT TO BUTTLE MARSH

For details see 9 Jun.

Wednesday 21 August

EEL SETT GUIDED WALK

For details see 12 Jun.

September

Wednesday 11 September

MARSHES AND FENS GUIDED WALK

For details see 17 Jul.

Friday 13 September

7-9pm

AN EVENING WITH BATS AND MOTHS

How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG

Discover night creatures on a walk of just under 2 miles on footpaths and some minor roads, overlooking How Hill National Nature Reserve.

Cost £10, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756096

Sunday 15 September

BOAT AND BOOT TO BUTTLE MARSH

For details see 9 Jun.

Saturday 28 September

7-9pm DARK SKY ADVENTURE

How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG

Explore the night world around How

Hill National Nature Reserve, on an adventure with night creatures, astronomy and sensory discovery, rounded off with just a touch of night magic!

Cost £8.50 under 16, £12 adult, booking essential Enquiries 01603 756096

October

Wednesday 2 October 7-8.30pm

BIOFLUORESCENCE WALK

For details see 18 Apr.

Sunday 20 October 10am-3pm: drop-in activities 10.30am-12.30pm, 1-3pm: guided walks FUNGUS FAMILY FUN

How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG

Experience the world of magical mushrooms and terrific toadstools at this event with drop-in activities and guided walks. Find out about fungi friends and scream with the spores on a fungtastic guided walk looking at mushrooms, with activities along the way. A mushroom display and fungi craft activities are available through the day. Cost Drop-in activities free; guided walk £13 for child + adult, £22 for family (up to 4 people); no unaccompanied children; booking essential for guided walks Enquiries 01603 756096

November

Wednesday 13 November

6-7.30pm

BIOFLUORESCENCE WALK

How Hill, Ludham NR29 5PG

Join us for an adventure into the colourful world of biofluorescence. Using special UV torches reveals a nocturnal hidden world of communication. Suitable for 8+ years. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult. Cost £12.50, booking essential Enquiries 07710 806109

Norfolk Makers Festival

13-21 April

A celebration of creativity for everyone, from the curious beginner to the expert enthusiast. Look out for wood carving, weaving, sewing, sculpting, quilting, digital art and lots more. Most events are held at the Forum in Norwich.

norfolkmakersfestival.co.uk

Norfolk & Norwich Festival

10-26 May

This is one of the oldest festivals in the UK – its origins go back to a concert in 1772. Now it includes music, theatre, literature, visual arts, circus, dance and free outdoor events.

nnfestival.org.uk

National Mills Weekend

11-12 May

This event takes place each year, and owners and volunteers will be keen to share their enthusiasm for these buildings with you. spab.org.uk

Suffolk Walking Festival

11-26 May

This annual festival celebrates Suffolk’s natural landscapes and wonderful buildings with guided walks all over the county, including something for everyone.

suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

National Nature Reserves Week

20-31 May

Connect with nature by joining the celebrations for our national nature reserves.

NNRweek.com

Beccles Food and Drink Festival

25 May, plus two weeks of fringe events leading up to it

The festival includes world street food, cookery theatre, music and children’s entertainment. becclesfoodfestival.co.uk

Out There International Festival of Street Arts and Circus

30 May to 2 June

Experience dance, performance and comedy, all taking place in

What's on 49

Festival time

the open spaces of St George's Park, The Golden Mile and the town centre. great-yarmouth.co.uk/whats-on

Suffolk Open Studios

1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 June

Studios all over Suffolk are open during weekends in June to show art of all kinds, plus there are art trails to help you explore. suffolkopenstudios.org

First Light Festival

22-23 June

Join a shimmering solstice celebration – performances and events in Lowestoft, the UK’s most easterly town. firstlightlowestoft.com

Royal Norfolk Show

26-27 June

Visit the Broads Village at this agricultural show just outside Norwich, where you’ll find all kinds of organisations to help you discover, enjoy and understand the Broads. royalnorfolkshow.co.uk

Heritage Open Days

6-15 September

This is an annual festival of history and culture. Stories are told, traditions explored and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all free! heritageopendays.org.uk

Great Yarmouth Arts Festival

13-21 September

Enjoy music, visual arts, theatre and history. There’s also a carnival procession with many workshops leading up to it, where people can make costumes, banners and musical instruments, and learn dances and songs. Events take place throughout the borough. great-yarmouth.co.uk/whats-on

WalkNorfolk Festival

1-31 October

With walks all over Norfolk, it’s a great way to discover new places, learn about the county’s nature and history, and make new friends. pathmakers.org.uk

Womack Staithe

JULIAN CLAXTON

Fossil puzzle answers: lynx: 1,500 mammoth: 10,000 bison: 8,000 beaver: 400 bear: 1,000 elk: 2,000–3,000 reindeer: 1,000 stork: 600 wolf : 400 burbot: 50 large marsh grasshopper: 60 large copper butterfly: 160

We’d like to help you have a great visit to the

Broads

Whatis this?

A fossil! It makes an interesting pattern too!

60

Fossils are physical evidence of prehistoric animals and plants.They can tell us about the history of our planet, about climate and evolution, about diets and diseases.

We’ve used our imaginary fossil for a host of creatures that lived in the Broads.

Fossil Puzzle

Match the animal pictures and names (below) with the historical periods when they last lived in the Broads, before becoming extinct. The first one has been done for you.

For where to see wildlife go to: VisitTheBroads.co.uk/nature-reserves

Remember, Competent Crew always wear life jackets for getting on and off or mooring their boat. Competent Crew never get into the water.

Competent Crew always plan ahead, listen to instructions when they arrive, follow advice and go slowly while they’re boating.

If you’re wearing a life jacket when you see a ranger or quay ranger at a Broads National Park yacht station, ask them for a sticker. Show this completed page at Broads National Park information centres or yacht stations (see page 52) and collect a small prize.

A quarter of the UK’s rarest wildlife is found in the Broads

Climate change, conservation management work and improved water clarity are among the many things that affect Broads wildlife. Some species have been reintroduced, such as the large marsh grasshopper, natterjack toad, fen raft spider and grasswrack pondweed.

Some rare species have also spread, becoming very slightly less rare, such as the Norfolk hawker dragonfly.

VisitTheBroads.co.uk

The visitor website for the Broads is mobilefriendly, and has all you need to know about where to go and what to do, where to stay ashore and afloat, where to eat, boating, special events and everything else you need to visit the Broads by land and water. There’s also a blog, full of inspirational ideas for your visit. Or find us on Facebook: Visit the Broads

For all the latest news, offers and events from the Broads National Park, sign up to our newsletter mailing list: VisitTheBroads.co.uk/newsletter

If you organise special events, you can submit events for our website at any time – go to VisitTheBroads.co.uk/whats-on

If you have a business in the Broads and would like to add or update your company information on the site, please contact us – see page 4.

Find out how to join Visit the Broads, which works in partnership with the Broads Authority to provide a strong voice for Broads tourism-related businesses, at VisitTheBroads.co.uk/business

You can also find the Broads National Park on: Twitter/X @BroadsNP

Facebook Broads National Park Instagram @broadsnationalpark

Broads National Park information centres

For a warm welcome and expert local advice whatever your enquiry, visit the Broads National Park information centres, where our knowledgeable staff will help you make the most of your time in the Broads. You’ll find the centres at Hoveton, How Hill and Ranworth. See the telephone directory and pages 10-11 for more details. The map on page 4 and the boating map on the centre pages will also help you to find your way around. Grid references mentioned throughout Broadcaster (for example C2) refer to the map on page 4.

The centres stock leaflets and sell an extensive range of maps, guides, books, postcards, souvenirs and locally made ice cream. They have lots of boating info to help you too, including tide tables and navigation maps. You can book for Broads National Park boat trips and buy short visit boat licences.

For guidance on drone use go to broads-authority.gov.uk/drones

We look forward to seeing you! VisitTheBroads.co.uk/information-centres

Broads Briefing

Sign up for our Broads Briefing newsletter, which covers all aspects of our work broads-authority.gov.uk/newsletter

UK National Parks and Landscapes

nationalparks.uk national-landscapes.org.uk

Public transport

VisitTheBroads.co.uk/getting-here goodjourney.org.uk/norfolk-good-journeycounty Buses

For all bus services in the Broads contact Traveline 0871 200 22 33 traveline.info

Trains

National Rail Enquiries 03457 48 49 50 nationalrail.co.uk greateranglia.co.uk bitternline.com wherrylines.com eastsuffolklines.co.uk

See page 14 to find out about visiting the Broads by train.

Weather

metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/what/met-officeweather-app

Visit the Broads with your dog – on land or water

• Dogs are allowed on public rights of way (footpaths, bridleways and byways) under effective control

• Routes called permissive paths may not allow dogs and many nature reserves don’t allow dogs

• On areas known as open access land, dogs must be kept on a lead no more than two metres long between 1 March and 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds, and all year round near farm animals

• Dog owners must not allow pets to ‘worry’ or attack farm animals

• Restrictions on dogs shouldn’t unreasonably affect access for assistance dog users. If you have a problem, contact the local authority or the Royal Kennel Club. 01296 318540 thekennelclub.org.uk

• For places to visit try thebarkingbugle.co.uk

• For boating with dogs, see Boating Basics, starting on page 25

Please

• clear up after dogs

• keep dogs close by, under effective control (on leads if necessary) and in sight

• check access for dogs with places you plan to visit and respect restrictions on dogs

• don’t let dogs disturb people, wildlife or farm animals, or wander near them

• if you or your dog are bothered by farm animals, let go of their lead so that you can both get to safety

• never enter the water to rescue a pet –you are putting your own life at risk gov.uk/government/publications/ the-countryside-code

Telephone directory

Emergencies – coastguard, fire, police, ambulance 999 or 112

Bridges

Potter Heigham Bridge pilot

• Phoenix Fleet boatyard 01692 670460

Swing bridges – you can also contact these swing bridges on VHF radio Channel 12

• Oulton Broad 0330 852 5351

• Reedham 0330 858 4655

• Somerleyton 0330 858 4656

• Trowse 01603 675297 / 01603 763440 – seven days’ notice required for openings

Broads Authority – main office 01603 610734

Broads Control – Broads Authority navigation advice and incidents 01603 756056

Environment Agency – incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 – use this for pollution incidents. During the day you can also call Broads Authority Broads Control on 01603 756056 or for serious pollution incidents outside office hours you can also call the coastguard on 999 or 112.

Hospitals

• James Paget University Hospital (Gorleston, Great Yarmouth – 24-hour casualty) 01493 452452

• Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (Norwich – 24-hour casualty) 01603 286286

Information centres – Broads National Park

• Hoveton / Wroxham (see page 10) 01603 756097

• Ranworth (see page 11) 01603 756094

• Toad Hole Cottage, How Hill, Ludham (see page 11) 01603 756096

Mutford Lock 01502 574946 / 01502 531778

NHS 111 – call 111 for 24-hour urgent but non-emergency medical help 111.nhs.uk

Police – non-emergency 101

Tourist information points – may be seasonal

• Beccles: Beccles Books, 1 Exchange House, Exchange Square 01502 716806; Bear & Bells, 11 Old Market; Beccles Station Cafe, Station Road; Library, Blyburgate; Quay Deli & Coffee House, Fen Lane; SportStore, 33 New Market

• Bungay: Art Trading Company, 55 Earsham Street; Library, Wharton Street

• Loddon: Library, 31 Church Plain

• Lowestoft: Kirkley Centre, 154 London Road South; Library, Clapham Road South; Lowestoft Arts Centre, 13 St Peter’s Street; Railway Station, Denmark Road

• Oulton Broad: Library, 92 Bridge Road; Yacht Station, Bridge Road

Wildlife emergency

• Marine and Wildlife Rescue 01692 650338

• RSPCA 0300 1234 999

Yacht stations – Broads National Park

• Great Yarmouth (see page 25) 01493 842794 / 07766 398238

• Norwich (see page 25) 01603 612980 / 07747 065378

• Ranworth (see page 25) 01603 756094

• Reedham (see page 25) 01493 701867 / 07733 102566

Yacht stations – other providers

• Beccles 01502 712225 / 07938 845744

• Oulton Broad 01502 574946

Broadcaster is produced on behalf of the Broads Authority by Countrywide Publications. While every effort is made to include accurate and up-to-date information at the time of compilation, the Broads Authority and Countrywide Publications do not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. If you find any inaccuracies please let us know. Inclusion of an advertisement in Broadcaster does not imply any recommendation or approval by the Broads Authority or Countrywide Publications.

If you would like to advertise in Broadcaster 2025, please contact Countrywide Publications, Fountain Way, Reydon Business Park, Reydon, Suffolk IP18 6SZ Tel: 01502 725800

Printed by Precision Colour Printing

Neil

Tel: 01692 631 444 www.themoorhenhorning.co.uk

Email: contact@themoorhenhorning.co.uk 45 Lower Street, Horning NR12 8AA

Email:

07794 401591

01692 660274

canalcamping.co.uk

Welcome to Canal Camping, a beautiful, peaceful campsite in the heart of the Norfolk Broads.

Canal onsite – bring or hire canoes • Hot showers • Open campfires

• Perfect spot for stargazing • Generous spaces for tent pitches

• 3 Luxury Bell tents, each fully furnished, in their very own field.

The park is situated beside the River Waveney and Outney Common. Find us at Outney Meadow, Bungay NR35 1HG bookings@outneymeadow.co.uk

• Secluded family and pet-friendly campsite on the Weavers’ Way

• Generous pitches for tents on wonderfully flat grassy pitches

• Shepherd huts and a pod for the glampers among us

• Camp shop serving fresh bread, pastries, locally sourced meats and fresh coffee

• A walk away from 2 superb pubs, and Whispering Reeds boatyard, where you can navigate yourselves around the broads on canoes or boats.

The park has a wooded area and open grass pitches. We have on-site fishing and a canoe hire centre. Within walking distance of Bungay’s pubs, shops and restaurants. We have pitches for touring caravans, motorcaravans and tents. Open from March-October.

01692 660274 hicklingcampsite.co.uk

Wake Robin Chalet

Lower Street, Horning

Self-Catering accommodation

Double bedroom & 2 Single bedrooms

Garage Parking

Pets Welcome

Fishing Boat Mooring

bob@wakerobin co uk tel: 01692 631 255

www wakerobin co uk

Broad Farm Caravan and Camping Park

Broad Farm, Fleggburgh, Gt Yarmouth NR29 3AF Tel 01493 369273

Situated on the A1064, between Acle and Caister-on-Sea, close to Trinity Broads. Facilities include shop within walking distance, toilet and shower block, disabled facilities, launderette, children’s play area, bar/restaurant, fun pool, amusements, electric hook-ups. Some facilities not open during the low season. 300 tents/touring caravan pitches, 25 static caravans. Open: May to 30th September. Adults £15 per person per night. Children £6 per person per night. Electric by pre-payment meter.

SPECIAL OFFER: Book 2 nights get the following 2 NIGHTS FREE!

(Excludes bank holidays, July & August)