Geography, Transport Links and Maps of The Norfolk BroadsAlthough the Norfolk Broads may look like a natural part of the landscape, in essence the Broads were man made. The Broads are located to the north and the east of Norwich and are shallow lakes that were formed when the peat diggings, that had been used by the Romans and later by the monks, flooded in the years between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries because of a rise in the water levels. Altogether there are forty one Broads and meres that are linked together by six tidal rivers, the Bure, Chat, Ant, Thurne, Yare and Waveney, offering around a hundred and twenty five miles of boating water. Besides the waterways, the Broads also has a hundred and ninety miles of wetlands. According to the Norfolk Broads tourist board, the area attracts more than two million visitors each year. People come not just for the boating but to see all that the historic market towns and villages of the area have to offer.There are plenty of nature trails and woodland walks for visitors to the area. The Norfolk Broads are protected wetlands and so the area attracts a lot of bird watchers. In recent years the wildlife trust has recorded an increase in some of the birds native to the area, and bitterns, marsh harriers and a Cett’s warbler have been spotted. There is also good fishing in the Broads during autumn and winter when the area is quieter. Between Great Yarmouth and Acle the landscape is one of marshes and livestock grazing on drained marshlands. The Broads are bordered by wide reed beds and these are still cut for roof thatching. There are also Carr woodland areas dotted alongside the Broads. Bogs and saltwater marshes are all part of the geography of the area. The land surrounding the Broads is quite flat and at its highest point is only forty feet above sea level. Every so often, stretching up above the flatland of the Broads are the silhouettes of windmills, many of which were used for drainage and building purposes rather than the milling of corn. The North coast, east of the Broads has plenty of beaches with the usual caravan parks and amusement arcades. The main rail approach to the Broads is throuh the Cathedral city of Norwich, and that has a fast link to London’s Liverpool Street station. It is also possible to get trains direct to the Broads from Nottingham, Liverpool and Manchster. There are also rail services from the South and through to Norfolk. National Express runs buses to and from various areas of the Broads. Alternatively you can fly to Norwich Airport and pick up your transfer there.from Edinburgh, Manchester or Aberdeen, It is also easy to get to Luton and other London airports for flights from the rest of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Find local history, hire boats, country cottages and more with TheNorfolkBroads.info's Norfolk related information pages, holiday offers and web links.
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