With its big skies and smooth waters, the man-made beauty of the Norfolk Broads has inspired visitors for centuries.
Norfolk is one of England’s great hidden treasures – a county full of welcoming people, beautiful landscapes and flint-laced villages that make any trip to East Anglia an instantly memorable one. Nestled in the centre of this charming part of the world is the UK’s newest national park - The Broads.
Made of up seven lakes and over 60 broads, it’s the closest thing the sleepy county has to a motorway – albeit with a top speed of 6mph. Time spent exploring the Broads National Park will see heart rates slow as tranquil waters wash gently against puttering boats, with nature calming even the busiest soul.
That this tourist hotspot is man-made makes it all the more interesting; a fact discovered in 1952, when a botanist recognised that the steep sides and flat beds of the Broads indicated historical peat extraction. As sea levels rose, the trenches and ditches were flooded, creating a 125-mile-long network of waterways.
This environmental event proved a boon to the local economy, connecting previously isolated villages by river and allowing boats to transport goods to thriving towns. By the 16th century, county capital Norwich was the second largest city in England after London. However, it wasn’t until the completion of the London to Norwich railway line in 1845 that the Broads became a popular tourist destination. A century later, thousands of people were exploring the peaceful waterways each year. Today, that figure is around eight million people.
Unsurprisingly, the best way to explore Britain’s largest protected wetland is by boat. Although it’s possible to reach most villages and towns via car, the sheer majesty of the landscape can only be fully appreciated when messing about on the water.
Esta historia es de la edición March - April 2017 de The Official Magazine Britain.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March - April 2017 de The Official Magazine Britain.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Take The High Road
The North Coast 500 is an epic route that takes you past some of the country’s most spellbinding scenery
Where To Stay In 2021
Whether it’s a country house escape, a rustic bolthole or a sophisticated city stay, you’ll find your perfect getaway on these pages
The EMPEROR'S ISLE
Tresco was once a treeless and windswept island, the haunt of smugglers. Dramatically transformed by one man’s vision, it is now one of Britain’s most beautiful spots
Hidden Cornwall
Discover the beautiful, beguiling and rugged land of West Penwith in the far reaches of Cornwall
Wonders of Wales
With its wild cliffs, pretty coves and puffins galore, St Brides Bay holds the best of Pembrokeshire
Yorkshire's MOORS & SHORES
Equal parts mystical moor and secluded seashore, the Yorkshire coast beats some of Britain’s more traditional summer destinations hands down
PEAK PERFORMANCE
From heathery moors to rolling hills and underground caverns, the Peak District is home to some of the most majestic landscapes in the country
Culture CAPITAL
After a year of stop-start openings, London's museums are welcoming visitors back in 2021 with an array of blockbuster exhibitions
HISTORIC NORFOLK
Spend time exploring this peaceful county, whose stately homes are a grand counterpoint to its unadorned rural landscapes
1066 COUNTRY
England’s sunny south coast has a rich heritage, harbouring ancient castles and evocative landscapes that tell the story of the Battle of Hastings and beyond