Norfolk Broads
The Broads cover an area of 187 square km (72 square miles). It is man-made from shallow peat diggings which are now flooded. They date from between the 9th and 13th century. During that time, peat was the main fuel for heating and cooking, particularly as most of east Norfolk had been deforested. As more and more peat was dug, the pits filled with water, eventually making them unworkable.
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The Norfolk Broads have been fashioned by the lifestyles and livelihoods of local people who have used products from the wetlands for centuries. Fish and wildfowl were principal food sources . Reed and sedges provided roofing materials. Wind pumps drained the grazing marshes and the waterways were the principal routes of transportation, and many villages developed around them with special quaysides called staithes. From the mid 19th century, there was a shift from commercial transport to pleasure boating and recreation.
The advent of the railways opened up the area to outsiders and the Broads became a popular holiday destination with upper middle class Victorian families.
The Norfolk Broads is the largest protected wetland area in the UK. A special Act of Parliament (The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act) came into place in 1988. It recognized that the area should be afforded similar legal protection to a National Park yet allow for tailor made legislation to deal with navigation and other interests related to local livelihoods and sustainable use. The area is managed by a statutory body, the Broads Authority, who came into being in 1989. The Authority is empowered to manage the Broads for the purposes of: Conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the Broads including habitat conservation and restoration, and monitoring the effects of tourism/boating impact upon water quality and wildlife. Promoting the enjoyment of the Broads by the public. Promoting the interests of navigation.
Today, the Broads are one of the most popular inland waterways in Europe. There is 198 km (124 miles) of navigable waterways with many boatyards offering cruising and sailing holidays. Popular activities include walking, fishing, bird watching and cycling.
The ancient cathedral city of Norwich with its perfect blend of historic and modern architecture, is a must for the visitor to explore and to shop. The fascinating seaside resorts of Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Cromer and Kings Lynn are all easily accessible to the visitor, as are an abundance of interesting smaller market towns and villages. Wroxham, the 'capital' of the Broads, boasts "Roy's" the largest village-store in the world!
Wroxham & Local Area
Known as the renowned "Capital of Broadland" Wroxham is just a short walk away from your holiday cottage, offering a wealth of shops, including Roy's the "largest village store in the world", excellent amenities, hotels, inns and riverside pubs. You are ideally placed to explore the Norfolk Coast (8 miles) and countryside - Sandy beaches, wildlife parks, craft centres and stately homes not to mention golf and horse riding.
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The City of Norwich is only a short drive (8 miles) or use the Ride and Drive facility into the city centre. Wroxham bridge is extremely low and second perhaps only to Potter Heigham in difficulty to navigate. A pilot service is available for larger cruisers and those that decide to go it alone often provide much fun as a spectacle for passers by!!
There is plenty to do in Wroxham including Broad Tours if you want somebody else to navigate or smaller day boat hire for you to skipper. A gentle run to Wroxham or Salhouse Broad and back is easily possible within an hour's hire or for the more adventurous continuing on past the village of Horning with its riverside pubs to Ranworth (Malthouse Broad) or South Walsham Broad can make a great day out. For those who dip their rods in the water there are exclusive fishing rights from rivers edge (except closed season Mar 15 - June 16) A Broads fishing licence is required.
There are several riverside pubs restaurants and fish & chip takeaways that make Wroxham the perfect location for a bite to eat next to the water. Perhaps most famous for the largest village store in the world, Roys of Wroxham, now occupies several sites in the town and boasts a supermarket, department store, toy store, DIY and garden centre.
The new outdoor adventure park BeWILDerwood is a huge forest of family fun and outdoor adventure for kids of all ages 1 - 81. Treehouse, Zip-wires, jungle bridges, crocklebogs, boat trips, marsh walks and great organic food.
Bure Valley Railway, Norfolk's longest fifteen inch gauge line runs between the ancient market town of Aylsham and Wroxham, with country stations serving the villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. The 18 mile round trip runs through the picturesque Bure valley countryside following the meandering river through meadowland and ancient pasture stopping occasionally at small country villages.
Just a mile or so outside of Wroxham is Wroxham Barns providing a large variety of craft shops and demonstrations together with a lovely tea room and even a small funfair to keep the children amused.
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Fishing
Why not book a cottage for a fishing break on the Norfolk Broads.
The Norfolk Broads are famous for all year round fishing opportunities and the rivers are particularly popular with pike, roach and bream fishermen. To fish on the Broads, you will need to purchase a rod fishing licence from the Environment Agency which is available from every post office in England & Wales. Alternatively via telesales 0870 1662 662, or online at Environment Agency.
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Fishing on The Broads is for both the expert and beginner. There are Roach a-plenty to be had on Maggots and Worms. Large Bream are available on Sweet Corn and Bread. Decent Perch and Rudd can be found by the patient angler. If you like your fish big then the River Bure is justifiably famous for its specimen Pike. Using Dead Bait or Lure from the bank or dinghy. At dusk and into nightfall the Tench are feeding. Some real sport for the keen angler.
During the closed season (15th March - 16th June) there are many private lakes around Wroxham which are open 12 months of the year, here you can find specimen Carp.
Wroxham Angling Bait & Tackle shop can be found on Station Road, Wroxham opposite the tourist information. Tel: 01603 782453
Guide to Fishing and Angling in East Anglia
Fishing The Norfolk and Suffolk Broads and rivers offer a diverse range of fishing types, from lush, sleepy river banks to the ancient man made Broads. There is also the Norfolk and Suffolk coastlines to be explored. You can fish most places in the Broads with an Environmental Agency licence - making it the largest area of free fishing in the UK, with around 200km of waterways.
Coarse Fishing: 16th. June - 14th. March.
Trout Fishing: 1st. April - 29th. October.
Anglers should ensure that they have the necessary permission to fish on privately owned water, those controlled by angling clubs or on banks of tidal waters. Fishing licences are required for every angler aged 12 years and over, for use of a maximum of two rods on each occasion.
