Places to visit
Historic buildings
Burgh Castle, ruins of a Roman Fort with views over Breydon Water and the Halvergate Marshes.
Gt Yarmouth North-west Tower, a Medieval tower on the North Quay, Gt Yarmouth, built in 1344 as part of the town walls.
St Benet’s Abbey by the banks of the R Bure, was the only religious house in Norfolk before the Norman conquest. The site was enclosed by a wall with battlements in 1327. It was the only religious house in England not actually dissolved by Henry VIII, and the Bishops of Norwich have remained Abbots to the present time. The Bishop/Abbot arrives by wherry and preaches at the annual service on the first Sunday in August. In 1987, a cross of oak from the Royal Estate at Sandringham was erected on the site of the High Altar.
St Helen’s Church, Ranworth dates from 1370, and has an outstanding painted rood screen. There is a wonderful antiphoner book of 285 sheepskin pages with versicles and responses for the seven services for every day of the year, produced by monks of Langley Abbey and given to the church in 1748. Splendid views of broadland can be seen from the top of the 96 ft (29 m) high tower.
Holy Trinity Church, Loddon dates from 1490, with a hammer beam roof, and a panel on the rood screen depicting William of Norwich, a boy martyr said to have been crucified by Jews in the 12th century.
Somerleyton Hall, a Victorian mansion with12-acre gardens, includes a maze and miniature railway.
Venta Icenorum. Caister St Edmund was the first Roman garrison town in Norfolk, on the banks of the R Tas, tributary of the Yare, near Norwich. A staithe (quay) at the nearby confluence of the Yare and Wensum may have been used from AD 50 to 150. Today, there is little to see.
Restored Drainage Mills
It is estimated that there were once about 200 wind-powered drainage mills in Broadland, most lost through mechanisation. Remains of some sort can be found at 71 sites, and a few of those in better condition are listed below. A bid has recently been successful for funding to restore two mills and a steam engine shed in the Halvergate Marshes area.
Berney Arms is the tallest drainage mill in the UK. It affords magnificent views over Breydon Water and the adjoining marshland. It also drove a cement clinker grinder for nearby works.
Boardman’s Mill, How Hill is a trestle or ‘skeleton’ mill.
Horsey Mill is owned by the National Trust and restored following lightning damage in 1943.
St Olaves has a boarded timber trestle windpump.
Herringfleet mill is the only Broads mill with common (canvas) sails. Suffolk County council maintain the mill and set the sails on the first weekend in May.
Stracey Arms mill is a four-storey red brick tower. Saw war service as a fortified Pill Box and careful inspection should reveal where it was strafedby a Stuka. Rebuilt courtesy of the N&SYA in the early 1950s.
Thurne Dyke mill is white painted, and a good example of a heightened tower.
Turf Fen mill, How Hill is a rare double-scoop wheel and high and low gears for use to suit wind speed.
Museums
Caister Castle & Car Collection -is in the grounds of a ruined castle that was built about 550 years ago.
Toad Hole Cottage, How Hill is a marshman’s cottage conveying the atmosphere of Victorian country living.
Museum of the Broads, Stalham Staithe. Following a move from the original site at Potter Heigham, three buildings are now open and work is continuing on the fourth, housing most of the boat exhibits. The displays feature the history of the broads, tools and techniques from traditional Broads industries, and historic and classic craft.
Strumpshaw Steam Museum -has steam traction engines and road rollers, beam engines, fairground organs, models, narrow-gauge railway, farm machinery.
Also:-
Lowestoft Maritime Museum at the Sparrow’s Nest.
Elizabethan House
Tolhouse Museum
The International Boatbuilding Training College at Harbour Road, Oulton Broad, has viewing facilities for visitors.
NATURE RESERVES IN BROADLAND
These excellent notes have been compiled by Committee Member Anne Horsefield in the hope that you will find something of interest whether visiting by car or boat, or maybe cycling or walking.The Ordnance Survey Explorer OL40 map of ‘The Broads’ shows locations of reserves, paths, car parks, moorings and much more whilst the websites of the managing organisations give full details of their respective reserves.
Further information may be obtained from the Internet via e.g., Google.
NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST (NWT)
www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/norfolk/
Alderfen Reserve. This has a small broad surrounded by fen and scrub and alder carr. The path leads to an observation platform overlooking the water.
Parking is down a track from Three Hammer Common.
Barton Broad National Nature Reserve. Since the removal of a layer of phosphate rich sediment from the broad, the water is much clearer and the plant and animal life is returning. The River Ant and waterways to Stalham, Sutton and Dilham (the last not a nature reserve) to the north of the broad are very beautiful with water lilies, insect life and birds.
Boat trips in the steam-powered launch ‘Falcon’ from Stalham and from Gay’s Staithe in ‘Ra’, the Broads Authority’s solar powered observation craft, are available in the summer.
At Barton Turf there are moorings at the Staithe and Paddy’s Lane. Gay’s Staithe and Neatishead moorings are along Limekiln Dyke. Wood End Staithe off the east side of the broad has space for a few boats. Moorings also at Irstead Staithe.
Parking at Barton Turf Staithe allows some views of the broad.
The Broads Authority’s boardwalk through Heron’s Carr to the viewing platform at Turkey Broad at the southern end of Barton Broad gives non-boating visitors a chance to experience wetland wildlife and landscapes. There is disabled parking near the boardwalk entrance on Irstead Road while general parking is at Long Road, near Gay’s Staithe.
Hickling Broad National Nature Reserve. From the Visitor Centre there are trails and boardwalks through the reed beds and grazing marshes to hides looking over the broad, pools and scrapes. In summer the Water Trail boat takes visitors to secluded pools and hides and the observation tower. At dusk the raptor roost in the marshes can be observed from a bank near Stubb Mill. The NWT Visitor Centre is sign-posted along Stubb Road out of Hickling village. There is a footpath from Hickling Staithe (near the Pleasure Boat Inn) to the Visitor Centre.
There are excellent moorings on the broad at Deep Dyke and Deep-Go Dyke while the staithe at the Pleasure Boat Inn is popular. The staithe at the end of Catfield Dyke is quiet and close to the reserve and its wildlife.
Car parking at the Pleasure Boat Inn.
Martham Broad National Nature Reserve. The wildlife of the North and South Broads can be seen from the river between Dungeon Corner and West Somerton Staithe. The water is usually gin-clear and all kinds of fish can be seen amongst the water plants. From the south side of the staithe the rond path to Dungeon Corner has views over Martham South Broad.
Parking for the walk is near the green at West Somerton.
Ample moorings at West Somerton Staithe.
Upton Fen and Broads. This area is isolated from the River Bure and is spring-fed and is therefore a very special site with rare flowers and abundant damselfly and dragonfly species. There are paths beside the dykes and ‘floating fen’. Upton Great Broad can be observed from a viewing platform.
Parking is near Pilson Green.
Ranworth Broad and Fen. The floating Broads Wildlife Centre overlooks the broad. Visitors can either walk through alder carr and fen along a boardwalk or take a water taxi from Ranworth Staithe across Malthouse Broad.
Moorings and parking at Ranworth Staithe.
The Broads Authority use their boat ‘Helen’ to take visitors on a return trip from Ranworth Staithe to Cockshoot Broad in the summer.
Cockshoot Broad: The boardwalk laid out by the Broads Authority is aligned beside the River Bure and Cockshoot Dyke and leads to a hide over-looking the Broad.
Parking and mooring at the south bank of River Bure opposite the Ferry Inn, Horning.
Note that Ranworth and Cockshoot Broads are part of the Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Strumpshaw Fen Nature Reserve. This reserve has many habitats – woodland, meadow, pools, scrapes and dykes. There is much to see from the hides and walks.
Parking is signed from Brundall.
Buckenham and Cantley Marshes. These grazing marshes with their freshwater dykes (i.e. not connected to the main River Yare) have a wide assemblage of meadow and aquatic plants. In winter they are roosts for several species of geese, including England‘s only regular wintering flock of bean geese.
Access from the Strumpshaw Fen Reserve is by a country lane.
Surlingham Church Marsh. This reserve has a trail and hides.
Parking near Surlingham Church. Moorings at Bramerton Woods End or the Ferry House, Surlingham and then a river bank walk (part of The Wherryman’s Way).
The reserves listed above comprise the Mid-Yare National Nature Reserve.
Berney Arms Marshes and Breydon Water. Includes 365 ha (902 acres) of the Halvergate Marshes and much of Breydon Water (which it adjoins). In winter these areas have many waders feeding on the mud flats and marshes. Some species breed on the marshes in spring. There are footpaths from Gt.Yarmouth on the north and south embankments of Breydon Water. The northern path continues to the Berney Marshes – a walk of 4 miles, or walk from Wickhampton.
Parking in the ASDA car park in Gt.Yarmouth.
The marshes can be reached by alighting at the nearby Berney Arms station on the single-track railway between Reedham and Gt. Yarmouth. However, this is by special request, and only a few trains stop there.
Ample moorings at the Berney Arms.
Boat trips from Goodchild Marina at Burgh Castle.
The restored ‘Southern Belle’ gives return trips from Stonecutters Quay in Gt. Yarmouth to Reedham in the summer.
In winter, the RSPB organises boat trips to see the birds on Breydon Water and the mud flats. Telephone the Strumpshaw Visitor Centre for details – 01603 715191.
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST (SWT)
www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/suffolk/
Camps Heath and Oulton Marshes. These two reserves are close to the Dutch Tea Gardens Site moorings at the southern end of Oulton Dyke. They have grazing meadows, fen habitat and dykes.
Parking in Church Road, Camps Heath for both sites. Walk down Fisher Row to Oulton Marshes.
Carlton Marshes. This reserve is south of Oulton Dyke and has grazing marshes, fens and peat pools – Spratts Water and Round Water. Parking is down Burnt Hill Lane off the A146 Lowestoft to Beccles Road.
Castle Marshes. These grazing marshes to the south of the River Waveney have freshwater dykes and some fen areas and are flooded in the winter. Permission for access is needed from the SWT but the reserve can be viewed from the river bank walk – the Angles Way near Barnby.
North Cove Reserve. Here there is a trail with 4 hides through varied habitats. Parking in Barnby. Mooring at Worlingham Staithe and walk east along the Angles Way beside the R.Waveney.
River trips on the River Waveney are organised by the Broads Authority using the pleasure launch ‘Liana’ from Beccles.
TED ELLIS TRUST
Wheatfen Broad Reserve. This renowned reserve has marked trails with hides through the varied wetland habitats.
Parking is via Surlingham. Nearest mooring is Rockland St.Mary Staithe.
BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION
www.butterfly-conservation.org.uk
Catfield Fen Reserve: Owned by and managed by this society in order to safeguard the Swallowtail Butterfly and its larval food-plant – Milk Parsley – and also to conserve areas of fen and alder carr forming the habitat of rare invertebrates and plants. Parts of the reserve are managed in the traditional way to provide commercial crops of reed and sedge for the thatching industry.
The walk on the rond that borders the west and south of the fen is always open. Care must be taken to stay in the centre of the path as the bordering dyke has soft banks and deep water.
For safety reasons the fen itself can only be visited by guided tours on Open Days.
Limited parking at Fenside. A few moorings off Barton Broad at Wood End Staithe.
The reserve is part of the Ant Broads & Marshes National Nature Reserve.
BROADS AUTHORITY (BA)
How Hill: Cromes Broad, Reedham Water and their adjoining fens and marshes were designated a National Nature Reserve by English Nature in May 2006.
There is booking for the Electric Eel Water Trail to the hide over-looking Reedham Water at the Information Centre and Museum at Toad Hole Cottage. Also the marked trail to the hide at Crome’s Broad begins here.
Ample parking and moorings at How Hill.
Buttles Marsh: Drained farmland being returned to reed bed and dykes.
Path from the south of How Hill moorings.
Ample parking and moorings at How Hill.
Each year the Broads Authority produces the ‘Broadcaster’ – a free visitor guide for events being held in the Broads area by many organisations from April to December. The events include guided walks in the nature reserves, opportunities for pond-dipping, outings for bird, butterfly and bat watching and guided water trails in canoes.
NATURAL ENGLAND
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/
Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve. This reserve was established in 1958 by agreements negotiated with owners of Woodbastwick Fen and Hoveton Great Broad, and with NWT, as owners of Ranworth and Cockshoot Broad reserves. The Woodbastwick Fens can be viewed from Ferry Lane, which makes a convenient starting off point for those wishing to walk to Cockshoot Broad on the Broads Authority’s boardwalk. From time to time, EN organises walks through other parts of Woodbastwick Fen.
The Hoveton Great Broad part of the reserve can be viewed between April and mid-September from the boardwalk leading across the fens bordering this Broad. This walkway can only be reached by boat. A ferry service between Salhouse Broad and the moorings adjoining the boardwalk operates on some days in the summer – details can be obtained from English Nature.
Ludham – Potter Heigham National Nature Reserve. These grazing marshes are managed to conserve the wildlife in the dykes. They can be viewed from tracks and rond paths around the marshes.
Many moorings in Womack Water. Parking via Horsefen Road, Ludham.
Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve. This large area of dunes has many types of habitat – marram grass dune, heath, dune slacks and brackish pools – each with its associated wildlife.
Parking at the end of Beach Road, Winterton. Nearest mooring is West Somerton Staithe.
The English Nature website is very large and gives a wealth of information on all types of nature reserve and issues concerning conservation.
To view/print details of the 7 NNRs in The Broads use the following path: -
Select Special Sites
Select National Nature Reserves
In the dialogue box fill in:-County = Norfolk
Natural Area Name = The Broads
Local Team = Norfolk
The list of the 7 NNRs appears and then click on site name for information.
NATIONAL TRUST (NT)
The following two sites form part of the Horsey Estate. This is owned by the National Trust but is managed by the Buxton family as life tenants.
Horsey Mere. The Mere is bordered by the NWT Hickling Broad NNR and the Horsey Estate grazing marshes and reed beds. The periphery is buoyed off to allow aquatic plants to grow and support fish and birds. Navigators are requested not to use Horsey Mere in the winter.
Mooring at Horsey Staithe.
Ample parking at the staithe where there is a National Trust shop and a restored wind pump open to the public.
Horsey Warren. The car park at the end of the track from Horsey Corner gives access to the beach and dunes. Many flowers and butterflies flourish in the summer months. The seasonal migration of birds can be watched from the higher dunes. The southern end of these dunes can be reached by a walk from Horsey Staithe via the track leading past the Nelson Head public house.
Heigham Holmes. This is an area of grazing marshes and dykes that can only be reached by the ferry bridge at Martham. In winter it is a roost for geese. For one day in late summer each year, it is open to the public.
Other Places to Visit
Barton House Railway – 7.25 inch gauge line in Hartwell Road, Wroxham. Access by road, boat or electric ferryboat from Wroxham bridge. Open third Sundays, April to October.
Bure Valley Railway – 15 inch gauge line runs 9 miles from Wroxham to Aylsham.
Norwich Castle – Dates from Norman times, incorporates museum and art gallery.
Norwich Cathedral – Founded in 1096, with largest cloister and second highest spire in England. Renowned for over 1000 medieval roof bosses depicting biblical and folk subjects.
Otter Trust, Earsham, nr Bungay – Otters were kept in captivity and bred for release into the wild: Broadland has been recolonised as a result. The centre remains open but no longer breeds otters on site.
Fairhaven Garden Trust, S Walsham – 170 acres of woodland and water gardens, and birdwatching hide. Boat trips on South Walsham Broad on traditional launch.
Broads Authority Information Centres – at Beccles, Hoveton, How Hill, Ranworth and Whitlingham.
More information can be gleaned by entering the reserve name in ‘Google’ and scanning through the resultant references.
Please advise us of any new sites, or updates to this information.
