Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads are a fascinating nature reserve, ideal for sailing and boating holidays, which occupy the triangle formed by Yarmouth, Wroxham and Stalham. In the area traversed by the River Yare and its tributaries the Ant, Thurne, Bure and Waveney there are about 200mi/320km of waterways. In the past there were extensive peat-cuttings here, now occupied by shallow lagoons, mostly overgrown with reeds, which were once used for thatching, filling walls and basket-making. Windmills, such as the wooden Boardman's Mill at Ludham, the brick-built Thurne Dyke Windpump on the bank of the Thurne or the 82ft/25m high Sutton Mill, were once used for drainage and call to mind similar scenery in Holland. Of the "wherries", flat boats used for shipping coal, wood and provisions, which were once typical of the Broads, only four "model ships" still remain. A very impressive picture of the former day-to-day life of the Broadland farmers and eel-fishers is provided by the Victorian photographic pioneer, P. H. Emerson, in his principal work, "Naturalistic Photography", which appeared in 1889. Nature-lovers will find hosts of waterfowl, butterflies, dragonflies and rare flowers, and anglers will be attracted by the large numbers of fish (bream, rudd, roach, perch, pike).