The Norfolk Broads, England

Introduction

The Broads National Park, also referred to as the Norfolk Broads, is located in East Anglia a part of Anglo-Saxon England which includes the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. The traditional Centre Town of East Anglia is the City of Norwich. It was founded around 43AD and became a City in 1094. It is a Cathedral City which was built from 1096 to 1145. It has a large Norman Castle built from 1066 to 1087 and is the Capital of Norfolk County. The Broads are a series of fresh water, 7 Rivers and 63 Lakes (called Broads) that are normally less than 4 metres in depth and most are Non-Tidal, all interconnected and accessed to the North Sea via the Town of Great Yarmouth and the River Yare and River Bure.

The Broads – The Early Years

In the Early Years and the Broads in terms of the Broads themselves and the Interconnecting Rivers were much like they are today. As I lived in Norfolk with my parents in a village called Ludham going to Primary School in 1945 and Norwich 1951 to 1958 going to Secondary School and Technical & Art College, I have been lucky enough to have been part of the Broads Culture and its main activities, including, Motor Boats/Cruisers, Rowing Boats, Sailing Yachts, Fishing and Bird Watching. Norfolk is mainly a Rural and Farming Area with many Small Towns and Villages and Waterways. The largest Town of Wroxham, located midway between Ludham and Norwich and is known as the Capital of the Broads. The River Bure runs through Wroxham with Wroxham Broad connected to it.

The image above is Wroxham Bridge in the 1950’s showing the Yacht and Motor Boats/Cruisers known as ‘Classic’ Cruisers which were all built of Wood. To pass through the Bridge was very tight. It is still the same today. As you can see it was leisurely and peaceful, as at that time there were fewer Boat Yards that Hired Boats and Yachts. One of the attractions was that you Hired a Boat/Cruiser or Yacht and Operated it Yourself and lived in it for the period of your holiday.

There are many beautiful Rivers like the River Ant at Ludham Bridge and Large and Small Broads such as Wroxham Broad, Ormesby Little Broad. There also Windmills that are used Water Drainage on the Banks of the Rivers.

Main Holiday Attraction – Operating the Hired Boat Yourself.

The Broads provides a unique Holiday destination in that it allows people to hire Boats of all types for day trips, or an extended Holiday living and operating their own Boat. In the early days and even today the Classic Cruiser Boat could house up to eight or more people including toilet and small kitchen. These were constructed of Wood and powered by a Petrol or Diesel Engine. The Steering and Engine control were on the Upper Deck and it took a little while to learn how to Maneuver the Boat especially through low Bridges like the Wroxham Bridge. At night or during the day you can moor the Boat to the River or Broad Bank. The Modern Boats are nearly all made of Composite Fibre Glass Material and different Designs to the Classic Wooden Boat. Cabins below are luxurious and fitted with all modern Communication Systems.

There is a speed limit of 6 mph for all larger Cruisers. The Norfolk Broads Authority is attempting to replace all Petrol and Diesel Boats by Electrically Driven ones by 2040. Small Electrically Driven Boats can be hired for day Trips where again you operate the Boat by yourself. They normally can seat about six people.

On Shore Attractions

In the Early Days the amount of On Shore attractions were mainly stopping at the Main Villages located near the Rivers and Inlets and the Broad. You Moor the Boat and then walk to the nearest Village for Sightseeing, Shopping and call at the Local Pub. Ludham Where I lived was one such Village. The Throwers Shop belongs to my School friend. Even today you can Moor the Boat at Womack Staithe just off the River Thurne and walk to Ludham Village taking 10 mins. You can see the Wildlife and try Fishing from your Boat. You can still do this for most Villages near the Rivers and Broads.

River Bank Attractions

There are many Mooring places on the River or Broad Banks that you can stop and visit the Pubs and Restaurants some of which are shown below. These can be accessed by Land as well as from the Water, where local people also visit. This is especially true during the colder seasons, when the visitors are far less. Also when traveling along in your boat there are many places to see, including the Countryside, different types of River Banks and Houses and Buildings some of which are beautiful Old Thatched Cottages and Houses.

Typical Cruiser Hire Cost and Training

There are many places you can Hire Cruisers and Day Boats from which are shown on the map and appear on the Internet. Hoseasons is just one of them. The Cost depends upon the Hire Length. How Many People etc just like a Hotel Booking. Additional Fuel maybe at your own Cost. Below is Weekly Cost for two people for the Cruiser Shown. The Hire company will Train you to Operate and Maintain the Cruiser and you do not need any previous experience. Insurance if required maybe an extra cost, just like hiring a Car.

Riverboat Excursions

For those who wish to see the Broads there are Excursion Riverboats. The one shown below is based at Horning next to the The Swan Pub and Restaurant. There is a large area inside for sitting with a small bar and areas outside for more options of sightseeing. My family went on board in 2003 and image shows my Mum and Dad inside.

Fishing (Angling) on the Rivers and Broads

Course Fishing using Rod and Bait or Rod and Fly is allowed between the 16th June and the 14 March ever year. All other times the Rivers and broads are closed for Fishing. You need a Government Fishing Licence and you can only Fish in designated River or Broads Bank Areas. However you can Fish anywhere from a Boat. There is an abundance of Fish of many different types Including the infamous Pike, which quite a large Predator Fish and much sought after by Anglers. Fishing Competitions are held and Fishing Holidays are arranged during the Fishing Season.

The Broads in Winter

The Broads can be very beautiful in the Summer months when there are a lot of tourist but also a raw beauty in the Winter when the Trees have lost their leaves. Winter is also a time when the wildlife plays a dominant role, especially the water birds of which there are many that Migrate to the Rivers and Broads. In Winter it can be very cold in the flat countryside which surrounds the Rivers but many people go to see the migrating birds.

Found Memories of the Broads

People who live in the small Towns Villages of the Norfolk Broads like I did in the 1940’s and 1950,s are very conscious of the special environment and habitat in which they live and work. In those days it was in its infancy as a Tourist Area which made it so peaceful and a place where you could go Boating and Fishing in almost your own world. Today the Norfolk Broads from what I see and hear from my extended family is that it is now very commercialised in terms of Boating but also in the small Towns and Villages like Wroxham. However the beauty of the Broads is still there for people to enjoy.

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