Richard's Favourite place - The Broads

Although I have lived in Norfolk for the past 30 years, my family connections to the area go back much further. My father and uncle were born in Gorleston, on the coast south of Great Yarmouth. After being brought up in the Channel Islands, Uncle Ted returned to Norfolk and became a much loved and well known natural historian.

Ted Ellis and his wife Phyllis bought Wheatfen at Surlingham, a few miles down river from Norwich. My brothers and I were to spend many happy holidays at Wheatfen, Uncle Ted's enthusiasm for the area was infectious and we soon began to love it for its peace, tranquility and beauty. We young Londoners were able to roam and explore, camp in the woods and punt on the dykes. Wheatfen is now a Nature Reserve which is open to the public every day.

The Broads are a man made landscape consisting of many waterways, large expanses of water, grazing marshes, fen and woodland which are home to all sorts of birds, wildlife and rare plant species. The area has become a holiday destination for those wishing to explore by boat but is large enough to allow you to get away from the crowds and to discover many smaller villages and Broads. Broadland covers a large area in Norfolk and extends into north Suffolk, from Stalham in the north, eastwards to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, south to Beccles and Bungay and west to the Cathedral city of Norwich.

Motor boats and sailing boats can be hired for the day and there are many river trips with commentary to point out features on the bank as you pass. You will see restored windmills and medieval churches from the river, many of which can be explored. There are many pubs and restaurants along the river and you can moore your boat and take refreshment before continuing your trip.

The Norfolk Broads are Britain's largest protected wetland and should not be missed if you decide to take a holiday or short break in the county.