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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.
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