The Norfolk Broads

Towns & villages

The towns and villages in and around the Broads have their own distinctive character, developed over centuries as people worked with the landscape, the local building materials and developed ways of earning a living. You can spot lots of features in many of the Broads’ settlements which have remained relatively unchanged to this day.

Boat houses

Timber framed boat houses with reed thatched roofs can often be seen in the Broads either directly on the river or at the end of a short dyke. As tourism has increased many have been built with an upper story where people can stay through the summer.

Bridges and ferries

Where routes cross, people gather and settle over time. Bridges and ferries can be seen at the heart of many places in the Broads. Since the 17th century Reedham Ferry has formed a crossing between the city of Norwich and Great Yarmouth. A ferry also operates at Horning connecting the village with Woodbastwick.

Churches

Medieval churches are a feature of the Broads landscape – there are more than 150 in the Broads, many built from flint. In an area without natural deposits of good building stone, flint was the best material for construction. Many of the churches in the Broads have distinctive round towers.

Village staithe

For centuries the rivers were the main trade routes in the local transport system. This meant that  the town or village quay, called a staithe, became the centre of any community. The word ‘staithe’ comes from the ancient Norse for landing stage.

Village sign

Local stories, myths and legends are celebrated in the hundreds of colourful, sculptured village signs you will see throughout the area. For photographs of village signs see www.tournorfolk.co.uk/signs.html

Village green

Common land ringed by houses and shops is still a feature of many East Anglian villages in the Broads. Today though, fewer residents take up the right to graze their sheep on the green!